Weekly article archive

The following questions and answers have appeared in my weekly column in the Albuquerque Journal since July, 1996. Each week a new one is added. You'll find information on the physical and behavioral maladies of dogs and cats and a few other species too. I invite you to use the search feature to find the specific answer that you and your pet need.

ACL Rupture in a Small Dog

Surgical Management is Best for Young Dogs Question: My dog Lola is a happy 3 year old Lhasa-poo. Recently, she eagerly ran down the stairs and hurt her leg. Her…

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Cat Defecates Next to Litter Pan

Make Success Easy; Avoid Punishment Question: I have two cats, Puppy and Critter. Puppy uses the Litter Robot to urinate but defecates right in front of it. When I catch…

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Fearful Dog Losing Bladder Control

Avoid Fear Triggers & Teach Scared Dog that Strangers are Safe Question: Our 6 year old, mostly red healer, was rescued from an Indian reservation, then rescued again with her…

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Who Decides How Much Care is Right for an Older Pet?

The Doctor Informs & Advises. The Owner Makes the Call Question: Last week you advised an owner of a Great Pyrenees to get expensive tests for her dog’s breathing problems.…

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Noisy, Difficult Breathing is Dangerous

Diagnosis may be Complex; Relief is Essential Question: I have a Great Pyrenees dog, 10 years old. For the past 6 months he acts like he has sleep apnea: he…

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Cord Chewing is Shockingly Dangerous

Taste Bads & Funner Alternatives. Avoid Punishment Question: My cat has a terrible chewing problem.  He chewed through my curling iron cord, leaving exposed wires. He chews the plastic top…

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Feces by Home Delivery

A More Enriched Environment will Provide Healthy Alternatives Question: My dog brings feces into the house from outside almost as an “offering”. How can I stop that behavior? Dr. Nichol:…

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An Anxious Cat with a belly ache

Care for the Behavior & the Physical Pain Daffodil (not his real name) is a cat who complained so much and so loudly his owners could hardly talk over the…

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Overweight Elderly Dog is House Soiling

Weight Reduction is the Best Medicine Question: We have a 10 year old German shepherd/Malamute mix who is using the bathroom in the family room every night. She is house…

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