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Rob | 5 months ago
I Have A Pitbull Puppy (10 Week) That I Am Trying To Get To The Root Of …

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?

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  1. Laura

    A few things could be happening here.

    1 – have you made certain what you’re using fits properly without being too tight?
    2 – this COULD be fear. 10 weeks is very, very young, after all, and the world is big and scary!
    2a – she could be overstimulated and uncertain.

    I think I’d start working on desensitization inside your home with the gear you use outside. Lots of rewarding the behavior you want. Gentle tugs on the leash to get her used to it, treat party.

  2. Rob Post author

    Her harness is pretty loose; I can get several fingers under it. She seems to be fine with the leash until she feels tension on it. I could believe fear or overstimulated. She seems to be much more receptive to me when I am not standing, I suddenly become much more approachable. I don’t see how I am to get her walking on the leash from a seated position though, lol.

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Sarah | 5 months ago
My Border Collie Ate Empty Shrimp Tails Off A Plate On Christmas Day. I Just Found …

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.

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    Im sorry to hear about your pup. I have not seen any adverse gi affects before with shrimp tails in dogs. I have even fed my own dogs these scraps in the past, BUT, I do not use any seasoning on them. That would the part I would be more concerned about.

    I cannot offer much advice here, because it sounds like your pup really isnt feeling well, and these cases always warrant an in person vet exam, just to be safe.
    If you are a client of JVC we can help with a payment plan to help ease the financial burden. Please call the clinic asap and ask to speak to a manager, they can help.

    Dr Magnifico

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Eliška | 5 months ago
Zdravím, Je Mi 13 Let A Ségře 15. Už Od Mala Jsem Přemýšlela …

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..

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Martha | 5 months ago
We Have A Stray Cat We Have Been Feeding For A Year Or So. He Recently …

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?

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    Based on your description this is most likely an abscess. An abscess is an infection. It will probably rupture at some point and this will allow the infection to drain and hopefully resolve, but, I have seen these cause the skin over the abscess to become necrotic and die leaving a large open area of missing skin that takes a very long time to heal.
    Ideally this should be seen by a veterinarian to be diagnosed and treated. An abscess can either be treated with antibiotics, or drained.
    I see abscess most commonly in intact cats who fight. The best way to avoid these is to have this cat neutered and vaccinated.
    Thank you for caring about this guy.

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Andrea | 6 months ago
I Have 13 Year Old 38 Lb. Poodle X German Shepherd Mix. He Has Some Arthritis And/or …

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.

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Claire | 6 months ago
Finnegan Is A 3.5 Yr Old Male Cat With Serious Nasal Polyp Symptoms – Sneezing, Noisy/labored …

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.

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I’m sorry to hear about your cat. If you would like a consult at the clinic with me you can call the clinic and leave me a message. I will call you back and see if we can arrange a time to meet. 410-692-6171. Dr Magnifico

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Becca | 6 months ago
Luna Is An 18 Year Old Female American Shorthair. She Has Had Nasal Polyp(s) For Many …

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

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    Polyps are usually seen in young cats. I have never found one in a cat over age 3-4. A cat at 18 is more likely to have a tumor. These unfortunately are not surgical options and would need a ct scan to diagnose.
    I also don’t expect them to cause ataxia unless they are in the ear canal area.
    While I always advocate for having a vet look for an oropharyngeal polyp as it can cause trouble breathing there is a lot to talk about in your cats case just due to age.

    I hope this helps.
    Happy holidays.

    1. Becca Post author

      Thanks very much for the feedback. We took her to a veterinary surgeon and she said much the same thing. For now we have her on steroids and antibiotics while we consider next steps.

      Thanks,
      Luna’s Mom

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Francis | 6 months ago
Good Morning, Dr. Magnífico, We Adopted Luka Approximately Two Months Ago. He Is A Happy …

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

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Mzazi | 6 months ago
I Have A 15 Year Old Cat That Has A Very Hard Knot On Her Chest Area. …

I have a 15 year old cat that has a very hard knot on her chest area. It started bleeding. I cleaned it with warm water and put a bandage around it. She doesn’t have a fever. She is acting normal. What can I do at home. I have zero money to take her to a vet.

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Angelica | 6 months ago
Hello My Name Is Angelica I Am From NJ I Have 8 Years Old Maltippo The Cutestes …

Hello my name is Angelica I am from NJ I have 8 years old maltippo the cutestes ever he has ivdd this is 4th time he is having flare up this time he is paralyzed on the left side back and front side I am doing steroids pain killers trazadone gabapentin and muscle relaxer unfortunately its not getting better in terms of pain he screams out of pain amd when I try to take to the bathroom he is in the cage he is on his 10 day today and he is so painful that every time I come near the cage he growls at me he eats and drinks water not as much as usuall but he does. Please give me advise should I keep going ? Would the pain go away? How many days it does for the pain to go away and regain pain free mobility you are my last resort my husband cant take it any longer. Thank you even if you consultation I would pay my email is angelica456@aol.com and cell phone 908 309 9788. Thank you sooo much Angelica Bornhoeft

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I’m so sorry to hear about your pup. I don’t know what the time frame for the episodes is? Has it been 4 episodes over years or weeks/months? If it has been over a short period of time you might need to get some imaging done like an Xray to try to rule out this not being a cancerous tumor near the spinal cord.
    If the vet still thinks this is ivdd you might need to add additional pain medication like tramadol, a fentanyl patch, or even injectable ketamine. You can also (probably) increase the methocarbamol. These are all things to talk to your vet about. You can always ask for a referral to a neurologist. They may need to do a ct or mri. But threee might be cost prohibitive. Regardless I think a neurologist is your best option at this time.

    I don’t want to make any suggestions about your pups prognosis without an examination. But we certainly have options for pain management.
    Wishing you the best of luck.