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Susan | 6 days ago
Gigi Is 17 Y/o Indoor Kitty. Her Stomach Is Larger Than It Used To Be And …

Gigi is 17 y/o indoor kitty. Her stomach is larger than it used to be and very firm. This is a change in the last few months. She eats and urinates and poops normally. She occasionally gets constipated, and we use pumpkin and palpitation successfully.
In addition, her breathing is sometimes heavy, and she has noises in her nasal area especially after she eating. Sometimes her breathing is totally quiet. She is not overweight, 10 pounds as she has always been as an adult kitty. It is nearly impossible for me to take her to the vet for examination, she was a bottle fed rescue and does not tolerate other people well. I wonder what can cause the breathing issue and also this firm belly. Thank you for your kindness and all that you do for our beautiful animals.

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    Gigi needs to see the vet. There is no way for anyone outside of an in person, hands on examination, to tell you what’s going on with her. The abdominal distension can be from fluid, a mass (maybe a tumor or enlarged organ) or muscle wasting from a disease (even a treatable disease like hyperthyroidism, low protein, or FIP). , or heart disease. It could also be something as simple as a parasite. I know a trip to the vet can be stressful but it is overdue and the only key to figuring out what is going on. I also warn about providing treatments without knowing about her current medical status. Therefore please don’t assume constipation without understanding why it’s happening. My guess is that she has something causing all of this. I would start with an explanation and bloodwork. Look for hyperthyroidism or kidney disease too.
    She needs an exam, and maybe bloodwork and an Xray or ultrasound.
    I hope this helps and I hope Gigi gets some answers for her current condition.

  2. Susan Post author

    Thank you so much, Doctor Magnifico. I took Gigi to a new vet today and he did a thorough physical exam. Gigi is in great health; her heart and lungs sound perfect. Her abdomen is normal. Her eyes show slight signs of cataracts, but otherwise she is normal. He said he’d think she is 12 if he hadn’t seen her eyes. 🙂
    The raspy breathing is not in her lungs, could be allergies. I will keep an eye out for sneezing, discharge or increased breathing rate. I just want to thank you again so much for being there for pet parents. You are wonderful and so appreciated!
    Susan

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Nathan | 2 weeks ago
My One Year Old Collie Has Torn Both Of His Front Paw Pads (the Larger One …

My one year old collie has torn both of his front paw pads (the larger one on both paws). One paw has some of the pad still attached. We washed the areas with very mild soap, dried the paws, and placed socks over both paws.
What would be the best course of action for this type of injury?

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I am not sure what happened or how severe this is. I also cannot provide treatment options without knowing more about your dog and the extent of the injuries. In all cases of injury it is ideal to have a vet look at them. They will be able to provide an idea of what your best treatment options are and whether medications are indicated. In most cases I recommend rest and an ecollar to allow them to heal but a vet needs to do the rest in person.

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Summer | 1 month ago
1 Year Old Dalmation Last Evening She Was Laying Down And Just Shaking , I Covered Her With …

1 year old dalmation
Last evening she was laying down and just shaking , I covered her with a blanket and just layed with her and the shaking stopped. Fast forward to this morning, she won’t get out of bed to go to the bathroom and then when my other dog walked near her she growled which she has never done. I’m not sure what can be wrong but she seems like she doesn’t feel well. She also usually wakes me up at night to go out and she didn’t do that either last night.

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    It sounds like alike your pup needs to we the vet. Immediately. I’m sorry there is not enough information for me to give any other advice

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Aisha | 1 month ago
My Cat Has Been Having Audible Breathing Noises For A Few Months. No Open Mouth Breathing, …

My cat has been having audible breathing noises for a few months. No open mouth breathing, just audible through the nose, on and off throughout the day. She’s developed some weird other noises especially while sleeping or falling asleep some snoring, random sneezing as well. She isn’t overweight or old.
We’ve tried antibiotics but it didn’t help. The vets are quoting between $2-10k for just imaging for polyps, not even removal, if they see any. It’s impossible to afford it. She’s eating and playing and acting normal otherwise. I’m wondering what it can be, is it likely polyps and if I don’t go into debt to see, am I going to make her like unliveable?
I’m wondering if I can even rent a car and come down to a cheaper clinic in the US (I’m in Canada) which may be cheaper than doing it locally. There are very few low cost vets here and they only work with people on welfare so it wouldn’t apply. There’s a huge gap between people who are on assistance and people who aren’t but still can’t a afford $10k in imaging.

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    Without knowing more details I would say keep looking into finding a place that will help you affordably. I do t know why vetmed has gotten so unkind or unwilling to help people and pets like you, but there are still places and vets who will offer care to help patients. Please keep asking for help. I have lots of videos on polyps and I write a lot about them. In almost all cases I recommend a n exam under general anesthesia to look behind the soft palate. I also take skull X-rays and flush the nares if I don’t find one.
    Polyps are most commonly found in young cats. It can be a life saving procedure to remove them. I charge about $500-700

    1. Aisha Post author

      Hi Krista,
      Where are you located? If I were able to get to the States (I’m assuming you are there) would it be possible to book in with you? There are no lower cost vets here I’ve been looking for a long time and am willing to travel, at this point it seems likes my only option, or not doing anything.

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Jessica | 1 month ago
I Have A 7 Month Old French Bulldog And She Has Developed A Growth On Her Lower …

I have a 7 month old French Bulldog and she has developed a growth on her lower lip. It is not bothering her that we can tell but it doesn’t look very nice. Her vet said that it could be surgically removed but that is pretty pricey and we are just not in a position to be able to do that at this time. Please help are there other options for this to go away or be taken off.

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    Based on age my first suspicion is that this might be a papilloma. If it is there might be more that arise. They typically are found around the mouth. They will resolve on their own but they can be spread to other dogs so your dog should be kept at home until they go away.
    Your vet is correct that the only way to diagnose them is to remove them and submit the tissue sample to a pathologist.
    Ask your vet if they think this could be a papilloma virus?

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Denise | 1 month ago
I Was Wondering If Anybody Knows What This Possible Could Be On My Dogs Penis? I …

I was wondering if anybody knows what this possible could be on my dogs penis? I did make an appointment with his veterinarian but not not until the end of the month 6-27. This popped up on him 2 weeks ago & it’s now bleeding. He still acts, eats plus drinks normal. There are several little ones surrounding the huge one.

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello
    I don’t know if there was supposed to be a photo with this?
    Anything abnormal should be seen by a vet. I would worry about an infection or possible tumor.

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Christine | 1 month ago
I’m In Desperate Need To Help My Cat Kitt She Is A 13 Year-old Siamese Cat …

I’m in desperate need to help my cat Kitt she is a 13 year-old Siamese cat who has been suffering from chronic constipation. The past five years it has increasingly gotten worse. It seems to be happening once a month now what can I do at home to assist her? I’ve changed diets numerous time, I’ve tried numerous supplements, laxatives- I’m at my wits end on how to help my poor cat. Are there any other suggestions to treatments I haven’t tried.

1 Response

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    In my experience constipation on cats is always secondary to something else. Either old wounds, like a fractured pelvis, an underlying disease, or diet.

    Has your cat had a thorough examination, bloodwork and X-rays? Have your tried different diets, supplements and fluid therapy.
    I hope this helps.

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Marilyn | 3 months ago
My 17 Y Old Female Australian Silky,( Who Is A Rescue From A Puppy Mill That Abused …

My 17 y old female Australian silky,( who is a rescue from a puppy mill that abused her by breeding her over and over again for several years) has had a serosanguinous-looking lump the size of a plum hanging from her abdominal area for approximately 6 years. Within the past week the lump grew in size a bit and started to leak dark brown fluid. The lump also feels hot to the touch. My dog has also grown more lethargic and unsteady on her feet over the past two days. I made a vet appointment but I have to wait 5 days as he has no other openings. Question 1) is it safe for my dog to wait that long? 2) if so, what should I be doing to help her until we get to see the vet?

2 Responses

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    It sounds like this should be seen as soon as able. If it is open and leaking you can try a soft belly bandage to keep it from being traumatized and protected from licking and infection. You will likely have to have it surgically removed to resolve this. If cost is an issue ask if the local shelter or rescues might be able to assist.

  2. Marilyn Post author

    Thank you so much for your comments and advice; much appreciated! We have a ‘male dog-type ‘ sling velcro’ed around her with a maxi pad inside. This morning we went to change it while we had her standing on a large pee pad and the entire sac had burst open. It now resembles a popped balloon. We tried to clean her up a bit and put a new sling with a fresh maxi pad around her abdomen. We are trying not to make the sling too tight but snug enough to support the leaking sac. She feels very warm in her underbelly near and around the sac. We are very worried about infxn. Thank you for the idea of asking a shelter for help. Funds are an issue for us now as we are both on fixed incomes. (We have always paid our vet bills; however, and we are not understanding why our vet can’t get us an appointment sooner😢). Thank you everyone, Marilyn

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Jessica | 3 months ago
Dr Magnifico I Have A 10 Month Old English Bulldog, He Has A Prolapsed Urethra, We Were …

Dr Magnifico
I have a 10 month old English Bulldog, he has a prolapsed urethra, we were told by Warm & Fuzzy Vet a few weeks ago. I was referred to Jarrettsville by my cousin Tina Martin. I need to know if you perform the procedure to correct this issue.

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    We have had a few patients that resolved this with a neuter. Have you talked about that? We have a bartered surgeon who can perform this if neutering doesn’t resolve it.

  2. Jessica Post author

    We have discussed it, I wasn’t aware that neutering alone would resolve the issue. Is that the case or is there a procedure that is done as well as neuterering? My only concern is his age, I have been told that he’s to young to neuter him. We did not intend on breeding him so that is absolutely something we are open to

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Danielle | 3 months ago
Dr. Magnifico- My Captain (5 Month Old GSD) Started Vomiting This Afternoon. Threw Up All The Food He Had …

Dr. Magnifico – My captain (5 month old GSD) started vomiting this afternoon. Threw up all the food he had in his stomach at the time and has since thrown up 8 other times. Mostly foamy mucus and liquid. Had diarrhea once so far that was very gassy and liquidy. He can’t hold any water down. He is now just laying down. I can hear his stomach gurgle every once in a while. I’m held up in the kitchen with him. This started around 6pm, it’s now almost 11pm. I don’t know if I should wait through the night or go to ER now. Help please.

2 Responses

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I’m sorry to hear about Captain. In puppies we worry about parvovirus, intestinal parasites, foreign bodies and eating something that doesn’t agree with them. With your pup I am not as concerned about the first two.

    I am at the clinic first thing. We will fit you in.
    Dr Magnifico

  2. Danielle Post author

    Thank you for following up. He is back to his normal self this morning. He has eaten fine as well. I guess something did not agree with him.