Subscriber Archive
Sick People Infect their Pets This COVID19 pandemic continues to hang over us like a dark cloud, new variants putting unvaccinated people at increasing risk. Now we know that pets can get this from their people. New research has shown that dogs and cats, exposed to COVID at home, are significantly more vulnerable than homeless pets. Are we having fun yet? A study at the University of Guelph tested pet dogs and cats, those staying in shelters, and strays with no history of human contact. The results were striking. About 70 percent of cats and 40 percent of dogs who lived with a COVID positive person tested positive themselves. Only 10 percent of the shelter pets and a bare 3 percent of the strays got the virus. Most infected pets did not get physically ill but dogs with symptoms lost their appetites and became lethargic. Cats had nasal discharge and…
Read More
There will be a whole lot of scared pets this weekend. It’s hard enough if they tremble and hide but some panic and escape the yard in search of safety from the bombardment. We can make a big difference for these panicked pupsters.
Read More
Many Great Ways of Helping Scared Cats & Dogs Startled by earsplitting blasts, many otherwise stable pets will endure almost continual panic this weekend. Dogs may hide, tremble, drool, cry or howl, and even urine soil, vomit or pass diarrhea. Many get clingy but some escape the home and risk serious injuries. A freaked-out dog or cat needs reassurance, but shelter from the bombardment is much better. Allow an anxious pet to find relief anywhere she feels better. A bathroom, dark closet, or an open, covered pet crate, located away from windows and exterior walls, should be available. Unpredictable flashes trigger even more fear. Close the blinds and turn off the TV. You can cancel out some of the racket with a white noise machine or a loud fan. “Through a Dog’s Ear” is music that promotes canine-specific calming brain waves. Mutt Muffs, well tolerated by most dogs, help dampen…
Read More
Threats and innuendo between family dogs can quickly cross the line. Fighting over who gets more attention worsens with equal treatment.
Read More
Question: I feel bad for the dogs of homeless people during these really hot summer months as their owners beg for food on street corners. Just today I saw a man begging while his dog was next to him under a small tent. When it gets in the 90s and 100s that small tent is useless. These animals really suffer. Dr. Nichol: I, too, have worried about people and dogs who are exposed to our scorching sun. I have treated many cases of heat stroke. It’s tragic; they don’t all survive. The City of Albuquerque is taking steps to improve life for those who struggle to get by. I believe they and their pets deserve our care. A significant number of people who are adrift in our society suffer from mental illness. Despite the hardships to their dogs, I’m glad that some of them have that dedicated companionship. Rather than…
Read More
The Nichol Family dog, our wonderful “Miss America”, has passed away, just shy of her 14th birthday. Always cheerful she herded our cats, derailed their squabbles, and found them for us in the yard by happily running to each one and touching him gently with her nose.
Read More
You are invited to get my help with a behavior problem by participating in a Zoom group behavior conference. Visit https://drjeffnichol.com/zoom-group-conferences/ to sign up. Age is Not a Factor for Improved Quality of Life Question: My Chihuahua is 13 years old. Last week he started limping on his rear leg. We took him to the veterinarian and she said that his knee is popping in and out. She said he is actually too old for surgery. Is there something we can do? Dr. Nichol: Luxating patellas (dislocating knee caps) are common in small dogs. This problem is caused by abnormally shaped rear legs but it may be years before a dog starts skipping. Your Chihuahua’s knee cap slips out of its groove, then after a few seconds, it snaps back to where it belongs, allowing him to resume his normal gait. His knee has been one step away from this…
Read More
Dogs seem to believe that famine is imminent. Some will fight tooth and nail with their housemates for the tiniest tid bit. Do you stand guard, yell or punish? Everybody can eat in peace.
Read More
“You are invited to get my help with a behavior problem by participating in a Zoom group behavior conference. Visit https://drjeffnichol.com/zoom-group-conferences/ to sign up.” A colleague of mine recently treated a couple of tiny homeless feline littermates. One baby had a fractured leg, the other a back injury. These kittens were found in bad condition and, since neither speaks a human language (all they’ll say when asked is “meow, meow, meow”), we can only guess at what happened. Baby bones heal fast. Within a couple of weeks the girl kitty with the leg fracture was a fully functioning curtain climber. Her brother’s back, while not painful, has improved slowly. The little guy’s rear legs don’t operate normally. He ascends the furniture by spar pole climbing, showing potential as a lineman. Both kittens are happy, playful, and living permanently with their doctor and her significant other. They have a…
Read More