Ask questions and share about your pet's health to help others.
My 13 year old lab/husky mix licks his paws. It started a few months ago with just a little, now it is almost all the time. I have added a daily probiotic. He has experienced negative reactions to antihistamines. His adoption folder said “No Antihistamines”. Three months ago, the vet gave him a shot which only made his sluggish for about three weeks. Suggestions? preferably with out injections or medications.
Hello,
I have a toy poodle called Zoey here in Jakarta, Indonesia. This was what happened to Zoey in the last 4 days:
23 Aug: Cried whenever we wanted to carry or touch her. Still walking and running perfectly.
24 Aug: Lost strength on the back legs in the evening aroung 9pm. Stiffened and locking herself in an arching position.
25 Aug: The vet diagnosed her with IVDD. Gave these medications:
Vetplus Synoquin Small Dog – Joint supplement (15 days), 1 capsule twice a day
Novell Gabapentin Cap 300mg – Pain killer (10 days), 1 capsule twice a day
Mavlab Macrolone 20mg – Anti-inflammatory (Steroid) (3 days), 1 capsule twice a day
Anti-inflammatory taper (4 days), 1 capsule once a day
26 Aug: Only ate once during lunch time and refused to eat at night, so skipped a meal and medication. It was her most painful day, she seemed to have pain in near her butt area. She screamed whenever we wanted to carry her, probably the reason she refused to eat.
The past 4 days have been extremely painful for her. I am new here and would like to know more about caring and treatments for her. Thank you
Hello,
I think that very strict cage rest (which means rhey spend all day everyday in a cage and only come out of the cage to go to the bathroom ) is imperative. They need to be forced to rest so they can heal. I also use stronger sedation medication like methocarbamol and Trazadone Some pets need this cage rest for a month others need it two months. I have a lot of information about this on my blog kmdvm.blogspot.com.
My 15 year old cat was diagnosed with Cryptosporidium delis. He’s only indoors with no other animal coming in. Can’t understand how he got it. Flies? His treatment is Tyrosine 3x’s a day for 21 days. I have tried pills, liquid, tyrosine treats and I can’t get anything down him. He’s tough! I tried to hide in tuna… Any other option? Help
Thank you
Hello,
If the vet gave you the medication then I would ask them for help with administration. Cats are really difficult. It has taken me years of practice, which just goes to say I never stop practicing. If you need some help with this there are a lot of YouTube tutorials. You can also ask the vet to help teach you. In general I advise that you be really calm, slow and gentle. I hope this helps.
Hi, We have a unofficial cat rescue. One of our younger cats broke her back right femur bone. Amputation is an option but more than we can afford. She is on pain medication but not showing signs of pain just precautionary, as well as antibiotics. She is being kept in a small area with no climbing or likewise. It’s a clean break. Straight and slightly parallels right next to each other. Here is my question. There is no possibility for her to live a good life unless I do surgery or Amputation? There is no way it could slowly calcify and heal and her to enjoy her life?? We just simply can’t afford the surgery but have so much love for her and her well-being.
For all cat with fractures I recommend very (VERY!!!) strict cage rest for 4-8 weeks. I know it sounds harsh but a cage where they can rest and all of mine have healed. Good luck.
I noticed this spot on my dogs front armpit yesterday. It was a little more “oozy” today (had just cleaned it prior to taking photo) with a mild odor. I’m wondering if I should give it another day or 2 to see if it improves or if it’s possibly a yeast infection or something that needs meds?
Hello,
If you just noticed this and it isn’t causing your dog any issues I think it is probably ok to wait a day or two. A photo isn’t a way for any of us to diagnose a lesion. It needs to be seen in person for that.
My girl is a 16 years old Cheweenie (chihuahua and dachshund mix). Last month the vet found a small mass on her spleen. She has some arthritis and get’s monthly Librela injections, also have some heart issues, but they said is minor and no need of medication, just have to monitor it. Her sight is starting to fade, but overall she’s in a good shape, enjoys little slow walkies and have tremendous appetite. We have an appointment next week to discuss the option of a surgery. I’m just worried if she’s going to survive the surgery and heal. What can I expect if we don’t get the spleen removed? Should I insist to get the surgery or not? Please share some insights.
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.
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.
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
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?
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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.
Also – what about nasal polyps?
In most cases, this can be allergies and you need to follow up with your vet or a dermatologist. In the vet practice where I work, we talk about food allergies so possible diet change. You can use an e-collar to prevent him from getting to the spot. Washing or wiping down his paws when he comes in from a walk may also help. Medications for allergies include Apoquel, Cytopoint, and Zenrelia, and some sedatives may bring him relief while his paws heal.