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Hala | 2 years ago
Hello I Live In Atlanta, GA. I Believe My Cat Nava Has A Nasopharyngeal Polyp. She …

Hello I live in Atlanta, GA. I believe my cat Nava has a Nasopharyngeal Polyp. She has been consistently sick over the last 3-4 weeks and I took her to the Vet, he suspected middle ear but he said try Famcilovir and antibiotics to treat what could be FHV. She has been on the medication for about a month now and her symptoms are just not getting treated and I’ve been to the vet 3 times and all 3 times they have suggested the same thing. I’m a masters student and I’m fairly broke right now and I’ve already spent a thousand dollars. I have a feeling in my gut that she has this as she stopped eating and has had difficulty breathing. Do you have a vet in Atlanta I can take her to do xray or scan and remove this for a cheap or affordable price? Thank you so much :'(

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Chris | 2 years ago
My 10 Year Old Cat Has A Giant Nasal Polyp. I Took Him To A Specialist And …

My 10 year old cat has a giant nasal polyp. I took him to a specialist and they said he needs a bulla osteotomy, and possibly a double as he may have it growing on both sides. My question is if you are able to do that surgery, along with a CT scan, and if so what is the earliest appointment I can get in. (“You” meaning Dr. Magnifico at the Jarretsville Vet Center). Bc he now can not eat due to the obstruction of everything, he still wants to eat and tries to everyday but it is too difficult to swallow and it kills me that this superficial thing may actually kill my otherwise healthy cat. My other option is to get the CT scan here, along with a feeding tube, to help bridge the gap for me to get an appointment with you. Any help or suggestions I would appreciate. If you need any other info just ask. I could ramble endlessly telling you everything but I’m trying to be as concise as possible. Thank you for your help.

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello.

    I’m sorry to hear about your cat.
    I’m also sorry to say that I don’t have a ct scan. Further I feel it is very unlikely that older cats get polyps. In my experience the older cats get tumors. The you see ones get polyps.

    I hope you find help.

    Best of luck

    Krista.

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Michelle | 2 years ago
We Have Had Our Puppy For One Week. He Is Nine Weeks Old. He Started Have …

We have had our puppy for one week. He is nine weeks old. He started having soft stool yesterday and today it is diarrhea. What can we do and does he need to see a vet?

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    If you have not been to the vet already ( I always advise going within the first three days of having a new pet) then YES! Depending on the severity of the diarrhea and your puppies overall attitude this might even be an emergency. If he has had multiple episodes of diarrhea OR is not playful and seemingly happy then you should go now. Of particular concern is parasites and parvovirus.
    Your puppy should be seen within the next day IF the diarrhea is NOT severe and they are acting normally.

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Charlotte | 2 years ago
My Cat Had A Polyp According To The Xray, But Veterinarian Could Not Find It When …

My cat had a polyp according to the xray, but veterinarian could not find it when he was going to remove it. He tells us to go to a specialist but it’s too expensive for us. What can we do?

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    In cases like this I recommend two things.
    1. Make sure you are treating the pet not the diagnostics. Therefore I remind people that diagnostics are lovely to help understand what you are treating but they don’t really treat anything. We treat the patient. If you think that your cats clinical signs are consistent with a polyp then try to find someone who will help you look for one. In some cases it is not big enough or in a place where it can be seen with an exam, or exam under general anesthesia. A specialist can use a small camera to look in places we cannot see without one.
    2. Never give up advocating for your pet.

    And don’t feel badly you cannot afford a specialist. Many people cannot. But keep looking for ways to help your pet and keep your primary vet notified of your cats status.

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Emir | 2 years ago
After Emergency Urinary Tract Obstruction Procedure My Cat Is Peeing Small Drips All Over The House, Also Did Not Poop Yet

My 3 year old male cat had emergency urinary tract obstruction. Luckily we very able to get him to teh hospital on time. He stayed 2 nights in hospital (super expensive). All went well and he was back home on Friday. Eating well, purring, playing, sleeping. He also goes and pee in litter box, but also is peeing small amounts around house. Like he cannot hold it. I just hope that is because of sensitive urethra and relaxation medication that they gave him. I stopped that relaxation medication immediatelly.

Another worry is he also has not been able to poop. He ppooped in hospital last time on Friday and today is Monday morning. I am thinking because of brand new urinary food that he started eating and his stomach needs to adjust. Or maybe antibiotics.
I hope he is OK and that this is just healing process. Ut has been only 2 days since catheter was pulled out. I am worried so much here.

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I hope that your cat is doing better.
    Many cats have discomfort when urinating for the first few days after the urinary catheter is removed. This is normal. Make sure he is able to urinate (pass urine) I usually recommend a prescription urinary diet and ask about any and all options to help manage inflammation (I like a few things so ask your vet which might work for you (nsaid, steroid, other anti inflammatories) pain medication (analgesics) and any way to increase fluids ( there are lots of options like sq fluids at home, adding water to food or hydra care).

    As far as defecating goes. I only worry if they are straining to defecate and unable to. In almost all cases they are not eating well in the hospital to form a stool. So it can be days before they poop normally.

  2. Emir Post author

    Thank you so much for your thorough answer. He is doing much better now. It has been 9 days since catheter was removed. We are only feeding urinary wet food. He is peeing normally:), and is pooping fine. Urine is still sometimes rose color, like maybe there is blood but he seems to be fine. Does not make any painful noises, purring a lot when we play with him. I give him half 5 oz can in the morning, and other half at night. During a day, few crunchy treats. Since did is wet he does not drink much of the water, rarely. Today he was not really having good appetite , so we again stated to worry. Hopefully his urinary tract has not been damaged by procedure. Our vet is super experienced.

  3. Emir Post author

    My cat has been doing fine for the past week or so. Now again all of sudden he started peeing pinkish pee. Like bloody. And he cannot control himsself. It seems like urinary infection. What is going on all of a sudden. Such a mess and stress for all of us. What do I do? Can urinary infection be fixed? He has been doing fine. He is only eating wet food. I think the food might be the culprit. Who knows where this food is coming from…

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Setayesh | 2 years ago
My Female DSH Cat Started Having Urinary Issues About 5 Days Ago. I Noticed She’s Not …

My female DSH cat started having urinary issues about 5 days ago. I noticed she’s not used the litter box for a day and I took her to the vet. They did an ultrasound and a blood test. The blood test was normal and the ultrasound detected a cystitis. We started giving her antibiotics. The night after she still wasn’t using the litter box so I took her to the ER. They said there was nothing with her though.
She still doesn’t use the litter box on her own, I have to put her in it a couple of times a day to make her pee(and still she does that only once a day)
What should I do?

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello
    These are often complicated issues involving multiple underlying things. To include diet, litter and litter box dislikes and environmental stress. I would look for a vet who specializes in feline medicine and place different kinds of litter boxes and litter types for your cat. Also make the area your cat lives in is as free of stress as possible. Calm quiet and easy to access all of the things she needs. Like fresh high quality canned food. Fresh water. And immaculately clean litter boxes. Also I add an anti inflammatory like dasaquin and a pain medication. I like gabapentin but your vet might use something else. Also ask about learning how to give sq fluids at home. Follow up with a urinalysis too.

    Good luck

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Kris | 2 years ago
I Have A Cat That Is Dealing With Urinary Issues. Started Yesterday With Him Straining But …

I have a cat that is dealing with urinary issues. Started yesterday with him straining but nothing coming out. I like many others do not have the $2k that the vet will most likely charge.
**I will take him in tomorrow to have bladder emptied, get antibiotics & anti inflammatory which will be around $300. That I can handle. My question is, what can I do at home to help the situation?

I saw online that apple cider vinegar has been used? Does anyone have any experience with home / natural remedies of any kind?

I do understand that it can be fatal if cats bladder is not relieved because of accumulation of toxins and electrolyte imbalance.

And I know that often we are referred to rescues & animal shelters for options with financial help. But unfortunately all of them in my area are already asking for help from community. And last vey I took a cat to for this recommended euthanasia if couldn’t afford to treat, so I’m also well aware that vets aren’t going to help either.

So is there ANYONE in this community that has experience with homeopathic/ natural remedies that can assist?

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I’m so sorry to hear about your cat. And all of the others in his situation.
    I do not have any experience with apple cider and honestly I am too worried about what is likely already going on with your cat to try to advise anything else other then the er.
    I’m working really hard to accumulate a list of affordable places and options. Please let me know if you find anyone locally. Please keep calling everyone and everywhere.

    If all else fails offer to surrender your cat to get the care he needs. I know it’s not fair but it’s better to save his life.

    Keep me appraised of what happens.

    Best of luck

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Scharline | 2 years ago
I Am Looking To Discuss A Possible Polyp Removal With Dr. Krista Magnifico. I Have An …

I am looking to discuss a possible polyp removal you, Dr. Krista Magnifico. I have an upcoming appointment and have a few questions prior to visit. I have done a lot of research and have found your YouTube to be encouraging and informative. Blake is a 8 month Maine Coon and a lovable, gentle giant. He is otherwise super healthy albeit what looks to potentially be a polyp. I would like to discuss his journey to date and look forward to our upcoming appointment with you.

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,

    Thank you for reaching out here.

    I will do my best to help.

    If there is anything we can discuss publicly you can add it here. Or call the clinic and leave your number. Tell them we spoke here and that I asked you to call. We can go over details at that time.

    Krista.

  2. Scharline Post author

    Thank you so much Dr. Magnifico. I will surely give your office a call and leave my number. I sincerely appreciate the opportunity to schedule a short discussion with you. It has been a long journey with Blake and I am hopeful that we are nearing resolution. I will be talking to you soon.

  3. Scharline Post author

    Dr. Krista, we have sent Blake’s test results and records to your office for your review. We will bring his remaining (paper) records with us and present them to you at our upcoming appointment. His test results, according to his current doctor, did not communicate anything alarming or concerning. Blake did have 2 things that stood out on his test; slight crystals in his urine and his phosphorus was a little high, but ultimately, his doctor did not have any cause for worry per his review.

    Please let us know if you have any questions.

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Pam | 2 years ago
My 9 Year Old Potcake (probably Shepherd/lab/etc Mix) Has A Long History Of Lipomas, Which …

My 9 year old Potcake (probably shepherd/lab/etc mix) has a long history of lipomas, which grow fairly large. In late October of 2022 I found a lemon sized mass on the back of his right hind leg, which was not bothering him but was firm. Our vet in Ottawa ON is a VCA practice nearby; I was able to get an appointment the next day. The vet and I were both concerned at the location, size and consistency of the mass.

She recommended an xray of the limb and a chest xray to rule out cancer and metastasis as well as blood work. (all normal) She sedated him for the radiorgraphs and aspirated the mass multiple times with a presumptive diagnosis of lipoma. We discussed the fact that it was probably and inter-muscular lipoma, between the two muscles of the hind leg at the back . To remove it she advised a board certified surgeon elsewhere, who she said would want to do an MRI of the limb first to evaluate the extent of the mass in preparation for surgery. When I expressed concern about the cost she offered a surgeon at the VCA who is not board certified but who may be able to attempt a surgery without the MRI.

Since October the mass has grown, especially medially, and is now the size of a grapefruit. He is still not lame or uncomfortable when I feel the mass. I want to prevent problems for him with this leg but I also worry about the invasiveness of the surgery – and the cost, which I can’t afford right now. I am waiting and watching at this time. I worry about having the mass return even after surgery and wonder about removing the majority of it just to give him more comfort when moving – is it ok to wait until it gets bigger? I know that lipomas don’t tend to spread to other parts of the body like malignant cancer – this is why we took the xrays, to look for other signs of cancer in his body. Now i wonder if this was too soon, and should have waited on those tests.

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    Almost all of the lipomas hat I see are easily removed as they tend to form in a capsule that makes it easy to remove. Usually they can be shelled out without much if any bleeding and other than resolving the issue of left over dead space ( a drain might be needed) they heal quickly and easily. I have seen a few invasive lipomas that seem to form from within the muscle and are embedded within in the adjacent muscle. They do not shell out but often can be “debulked”.
    If cost is an issue see if you can find an independent veterinarian who is comfortable and proficient in surgery. I don’t think that many of these cases need or can afford an mri or boarded surgeon. At least in my cases I offer to try to remove and I usually know within a few minutes of surgery if this is going to be a routine lipoma surgery or something else. Talk about options cost and scenarios. Be available by phone while the surgery is taking place and know that it’s ok to both wait and monitor and look for affordable options. Lastly I would recommend you find an independent vet practice and avoid corporate practices as they tend to be more expensive and refer cases to specialists most people struggle to afford.

    I hope this helps.

    Good luck

  2. Pam Post author

    thank you for all of the advice, it helps a lot in decision making

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Samantha | 2 years ago
Hi. My Cat Has Been Straining To Pee And Either Getting None Out Or Very Little. …

Hi. My cat has been straining to pee and either getting none out or very little. Took him to ER today. Gave us meds to go home with. They said they “pre emptivly” put a catheter but weren’t charging us for it. It was a $800 bill. Our cat has perf twice since coming home but now it has been a couple hours. Idk what to do next. They quoted us 3500-5000 for his surgery to get unblocked and I cannot afford.

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello
    Call alll of the local vets and rescues/shelters to see if they can recommend someone. Also I have had some success with medication and cold laser therapy. An X-ray yo look for urinary stones in the bladder is also an option. The cats with urinary stones often need a prescription diet. Weight loss and encouraging water intake, or switching to a high quality canned cat food and adding water can also help
    Lastly I would like to know which vet clinic you went to by adding your story and the cost of care to the story line section available here.

    Let me know what happens