My 14 year old dachshund is post op day 7 from cervical spine surgery. He has a very similar presentation to Hank, and I’m seeing some signs of progress (peeing and pooping, grooming, sitting sternal, pain seems more controlled), but he really has very little use of his right front and back leg. I saw that you encouraged a lot of movement with Hank in the second week and he made a quick recovery; however the paperwork from our vet says strict rest and only ambulation to eliminate. What is your take on this?

My dog has acquired a pink hairless bump above his eye that seems to have burst and reclosed. We’re trying to see if it’s worth taking him to the vet for or if we should wait and see if it fades on its own.

I have a pitbull puppy (10 week) that I am trying to get to the root of some behavior issues with. The biggest issue is that she is resistant to any tension on the leash. I don’t expect her to heel or tap-dance, but any time she feels any tension on the leash she braces her legs and body and resists going anywhere. She is becoming more and more resistant. I don’t want to train her to train me to pick her up every time she braces up and refuses to move, but so far we would never get done with going to the bathroom outside if that happened; she does it every time I take up the slack on the leash. I have found a lot of suggestions on the internet: get her checked for pain/issues by a vet (vet gave her the all clear), use a harness over a collar (only ever used a harness), positive reinforcement before she freezes (doesn’t work, still freezes), get her used to the leash (she’ll drage that thing around, nap and sleep with it on), try luring her with a treat (has become minimally responsive to treats, won’t respond to toys outside on the leash, even ones she previously enjoyed). Any suggestions on what else I can try to get her to come with a leash?

My border collie ate empty shrimp tails off a plate on christmas day. I just found out about it today 12/30 since I was asking if anyone seen her get into anything.

For the past 3 days she’s been eating little and when she does she vomits…90% of the time within 20 mins to 7 or 8 hours later. Shes still having bowel movements and drinking but im concerned.

Im a single mom that literally escaped a domestic-violence situation very recently and im struggling to get by otherwise I would have been in the vet office immediately.

She has been laying in her bed more then usual. But still otherwise acts normal. The food aversion and vomitting is scaring me.

Zdravím, je mi 13 let a ségře 15. Už od mala jsem přemýšlela nad pejskem (australským ovčákem). Jsme velmi produktivní rodina, rodiče běhají, cvičí, chodíme na túry a ja dělám vrcholove sport. Máme barák jako “kráva”, to stejný zahrada s garáži a terasou. Chtěla bych se psem delat agility a popřípadě dog dancing, jelikož sama dělám gymnastický aerobic. Bohužel je tu jeden zádrhel. Rodiče jsou doktoři a pracují od 7 rano, s tím ze ja chodím do školy. Domů se vracím okolo 14 h a rodiče také. Myslíte, ze je problém nechat DOSPELEHO psa samotného? Měl by obří výběh, s tím, ze soused ma borderku a prý by nám ji vyvenčil. Štěně bychom samozřejmě doma nenechali, pořídili bychom si ho o prazdninach (letnich) a byli bychom s ním. Nejsem línej clovek a ráda bych se nekomu takto věnovala. Doma mame zelvicku, takze to je v poho, o tu se starám ráda též. Myslíte, ze mame na to podmínky? (jinak finančně nám to nedělá vůbec problem)…spíš ta samota, jestli by to zvládl..

We have a stray cat we have been feeding for a year or so. He recently showed up in our backyard with a huge lump on his face. The left side of his face (cheek area) is completely swollen but he does not seem.to be in pain. He ate, rolled and ran around the yard like nothing was wrong but looks like he went 10 rounds.with Mike Tyson. Today I noticed a wound just below the lump that was not noticeable before. I am not sure what to do since he is a stray and vet visit is out of my budget right now. I’m afraid to take him to shelter as he has been living out here for a few years with no issue. He doesn’t seem to be bothered by it and rubs his head against everything like he usually does like nothing is wrong. I’m afraid it’s an abcess and will eventually cause an infection. Since it seems to have “popped,” will it resolve on its own? Is there something I can do.to help him? Home remedy?

I have 13 year old 38 lb. poodle x german shepherd mix. He has some arthritis and/or hip dysplasia and muscle loss in his left hind leg. He’s on carprofen. He occasionally loses traction and often drags his left toes mid stride. He still wants to be active, does not need help getting up or walking. I’m considering a hip brace for him and wonder if you have heard or had good experiences with them.

Finnegan is a 3.5 yr old male cat with serious nasal polyp symptoms – sneezing, noisy/labored breathing (snoring, stridor), persistent nasal discharge and one runny eye. He did two rounds of clavamox and one round of Doxycycline and nothing worked. I took him to two in person vets (including an emergency vet) in the NYC area and his blood work and urinalysis came back unremarkable. From the research I’ve done I’m sure it’s a polyp or something of the sort. The internal medicine places in my area are quoting me 5-10k just for a biopsy and they don’t have openings until mid January. Please help! I am able to travel with him in a car up to 6-8hours and will go where I can get him help. He is constantly snoring and I have to flush him out throughout the day. He is still eating but has lost a bit of weight due to this going on so long and progressively worsening. Last year he had FIP and he made a full recovery from the 87+ days of shots. Thankfully that has not returned according to his lab work but makes sense that he is more susceptible to other illnesses due to a weak immune system.

Luna is an 18 year old female American shorthair. She has had nasal polyp(s) for many years. Historically this resulted in frequent sneezing with mucoid discharge and ear tenderness. Over the past month she has developed vestibular symptoms which have acutely worsened in the last week. She now has head tilt, and frank ataxia, falling over at light touch. She does not show Horner’s Syndrome. The sneezing has actually stopped since the balance issues began. A few years ago a vet offered traction/avulsion, but at the time her quality of life was good and we did not want to put her through a procedure.

Is traction/avulsion still possible in an otherwise healthy 18 year old cat who now has vestibular symptoms?

Many Thanks,
Luna’s Mom

Good morning, Dr. Magnífico,

We adopted Luka approximately two months ago. He is a happy boy and has been a great addition to our family.

He is constantly biting his tail and has this fishy odor as well. We had his anal glands expressed by our local vet and he was given a course of antibiotics. At first we saw improvement but unfortunately the tail biting and foul odor returned.

I was wondering if your clinic could perform an anal gland flush if you determine based on your evaluation that the glands are:
Impacted

Infected (sacculitis)

Filled with thick, dry material

Not responding to normal expression

I have read it helps remove debris, pus, or hardened material and often includes:

Internal expression

Sterile saline or antiseptic flush

Possible antibiotic infusion

Follow-up meds if infection is present.

We live in NOVA but my office is in MD. I’m able to travel to Jarrettsville for a consult.

I appreciate everything you do for the community!

Thank you,

Frank