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.
Long toenails make for painful arthritic feet. Black nails are hard to trim safely. Here is the how-to. Question: I’ve recently acquired my deceased mother’s dog. I’m taking her…
Surgical removal is only necessary for field dogs. Question: We recently adopted a 6-month-old German Shepherd-mix puppy from an animal shelter. He is “double dewclawed” on his hind legs. …
What do they really need & what’s unnecessary. Question: My kids and my wife and I have decided that we want to have a pet but we can’t agree…
Our best methods at disease prevention have a down side risk. Here are the facts. Question: Last year, my standard poodle had a very severe reaction to her annual…
Age is not a disease. Safety is really a function of health. Complete lab work will solve the safety question. Question: My beloved Cairn Terrier is 13 and his…
No Treatment Necessary Question: I never thought I’d be writing to you (sounds like Dear Abby). I have a 5-month-old Basset Hound named Homer who has a terrible problem with…
Nothing Important to Worry About. Tapeworms & Hanta Virus are Highly Unlikely Question: I recently caught my pedigree-challenged dog chasing and catching a field mouse. She dropped the mouse when…
Impacted anal glands make a dog scoot and/or lick his/her rear end. Relief is simple but important. Question: I have a daschund (wienie dog, female) about 7 years old.…
Wet nose, dry nose-no big deal. Question: Should my cat have a wet nose? In the mornings, his nose is wet. He did have an upper respiratory infection when…