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Me | 6 years ago
Dr Krista – I Am A YouTube Watcher With A 22yo Cat That May Have Nasal …

Dr Krista – I am a YouTube watcher with a 22yo cat that may have nasal or ear polyps. We have spent 8 weeks trying every antibiotic, nasal steroid drop, antibac nasal drop and still fighting the snorking sound and her inability to breathe. Did nasal swab wk of 4/20 – found 2 bacteria, getting compounded anti bacs at this point since both bacs are super resistant apparently – Citrobacter freundii and pseudeomonas species. Antibacs will arrive to me in California by Thur 4/30 . She has a grade 3 heart murmur and hyper thyroid (on 5mg Methimazole daily). Just as your YouTube vid about Stripes with polyps (2/23/2018), I think I may be in the same situation – I have a vet telling me to go to a specialist for $$$ because everything we are throwing at this isn’t working. How in the world do I find someone like you who is willing to help me for a reasonable cost? I am calling all over for vets and everyone is ‘specialist focused’. Do you have tips on what to ask, experience, and honestly, I need someone with your confidence to do this. Or I need you 🙂 I have been in cat rescue over 30 yrs and ‘get; the lingo but have never had such difficulty finding a vet who could assist. Thank you in advance!

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I’m sorry to hear about your cat. I think that based on age alone it is less likely that it is a polyp and more likely that it is cancer. I say this based solely on experience. I think that I would call all the rescues and shelters around and ask for a trusted vet who would be willing to do a sedated exam to look for a polyp. After that it gets expensive to do the rhiniscopy and ct scan and honestly there is little to gain if it is cancer as it is not treatable. I would try the antibiotics, inquire about a steroid (difficult based on the thyroid and heart murmur but might be worth a trial) and even ask about intranasal cerenia drops. Also look for a feline medicine specialist and be honest about your budget.
    I hope this helps.

    1. Me Post author

      Thank you Dr Magnifico. I have now been/talked to 11 vets since this message to you 2 weeks ago, been to specialists, had nothing but the run around. This process has been agonizing, thousands of dollars, vets more interested in ensuring I know risk and that their liability is removed than caring for my kitty. I have labs, xrays, eco results, UA’s, spent thousands of $$ – and no one will do what you do – do a quick sedation and see if there are any polyps. Maybe she does have cancer but we DONT KNOW THAT FOR SURE. Is there anyway to pay you to review her records and advise me? I am up at nights, crying to figure this out and meanwhile losing valuable precious time and money where I could be helping my baby have a few more quality months/years. Thank you for considering.

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Jonathan | 7 years ago
Hey! Just Found Your Page From YouTube, Was Wondering If It’d Be Possible To Chat …

Hey! Just found your page from YouTube, was wondering if it’d be possible to chat about my cat? Almost certain he has a nasopharyngeal polyp but I am having trouble convincing any vets in the Dallas area to sedate him and take a look without him first getting scans and tests that cost thousands of dollars. Is there anything I should be asking them for differently? He’s been fighting a URI for about 5 months now and we have done six rounds of antibiotics with steroids and antihistamines to help and nothing has stopped his symptoms from returning and we have only now made the connection as to why that is. He has the distinct snore noise while breathing and every other listed symptom associated, I just can’t afford the tests the vets are saying they require, it’s very heart breaking. Any help or wisdom is appreciated, we just don’t have the money to do much else and he is degrading quickly since his last round of antibiotics ended this week. I wish I didn’t sound so sure, we just are panicking that we have wasted so much time and money and may have missed our chance to best this this while we could and now may be unable to. Just heart breaking all around.

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    My advise in these cases is to call and keep calling until you find someone who you trust and can afford. It’s honestly why I see so many of these. Call the shelters. Call the local rescues and call the foundations that support pet care and ask for a person they know and recommend. They are out there but sadly they need to be searched for. If you find someone please let me know so I can pass it along. Like I said the local rescues know who is fair and affordable. Start there. Keep me posted. Very best of luck.

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Krista Magnifico | 7 years ago
Chronic Abscess In The Neck Of A Cat. What Are Your Options If It Doesn’t…
Treatment Cost (USD): $321.00
Bert is an indoor-outdoor cat. He came home one day with a swelling on his right shoulder about 1 week after his family noted he was limping. The initial exam (about 1 week before the drain was placed), revealed a slight fever, swollen and painful area of the right shoulder. The swelling was explored and a large amount of purulent material was found (puss). Bert was given an injectable antibiotic (Convenia) that lasts about 2 weeks. He was sent home to be monitored.
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Nicholas P. Woodward | 7 years ago
So, We Just Adopted A 3 Year Old Morkie, And Were Warned That Sometimes She’ll…

So, we just adopted a 3 year old Morkie, and were warned that sometimes she’ll steal an article of clothing, hide under a table with it, and possibly bite if you try to get it back from her. Well, I just doctored my girlfriend’s fingers after a little fight they had over a sock. Other than yelling at her (the dog) and saying “no” we’re now ignoring her. What’s the best way to handle this and train her to behave better?

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello!
    The fact that you just adopted her and don’t know much about her previous training, behavior and attitude makes advice for this a little difficult. In general I start with a very minimal access approach. She has to earn everything and you aren’t setting her up to be “bad or disappointing”. You are going to have a very difficult time teaching her much other than to be afraid/untrusting of you when you get in between her “stuff” or try to reprimand. In my opinion anything this early that is negative, I know even when you are being beaten, (sorry) teaches her to be untrusting and afraid of you. Too often people want to start at “well trained” when they really have a new pet who doesn’t know you, your expectations, or their new world. I suggest crate training all the time. She is kept there, where she can slowly acclimate to you and her new home, and she earns toys after some basic training is implemented. I strongly suggest a puppy class to start. Take her for lots of walks. Spend time together doing stuff together on neutral territory, like outside. As she starts to understand you you can start progressing toward other activities.
    I will add that she needs to feel safe and loved. So always put her in her crate with an affectionate word and give her a toy to keep her company (if she doesn’t guard that).
    Overall she has a lot of adjusting to do and you need to be patient and understanding that this is a process. A process dependent on patience, love and dedication. Never get angry. Never yell. You both need to adjust to each other.
    No toys, no decisions, no options except love and start really slow. Letting her have a safe space that is her own and building on this is where I would start.
    Let me know how things go. Sending ♥️ And best wishes.
    Krista.

  2. Nicholas P. Woodward Post author

    Thank you for the sound advice! We appreciate the sentiments on positive reinforcement and building trust. She spent the next hour following my girlfriend around and apologizing trying to lick her wounds away.

  4. Sarah

    Congrats on your new dog? I’m just adding to the good advice you’ve already gotten. I am a firm believer in walks… no matter what size of dog. It’s a fantastic way to share quality time and bond, while getting the exercise needed. A tired dog is usually a better behaved dog. Even a ten minute walk has the potential to change behavior for the rest of the day, for the better. And I agree strongly with everything shared above, especially getting involved in a basic obedience class. Even if your new girl already has basic obedience, she needs to learn you and what you expect. It is another great way to bond and earn trust. Another plus to the walks is practicing your homework from obedience class? best of luck and again, Congrats!!??

  5. Nicholas P. Woodward Post author

    Thank you, Sarah! I do see that she has a LOT of energy to play. The more we do that and walk her it seems the better she is for sure.

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Sarah | 8 years ago
Hi Pawbly Friends- My Mom Was Dog Sitting Tonight So That We Could Take The Kiddos…

Hi pawbly friends-
My mom was dog sitting tonight so that we could take the kiddos trick or treating and there was a fight between all three of our guys. Do not know the trigger. Our old guy is limping around and is pretty slow, and our girl is limping a bit. Our new guy seems no worse for the wear. My question is whether or not it is ok to keep them separated tonight or will that backfire on me for tomorrow when I take them for a walk to try and pack up again to move past this setback?

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  1. Sarah Post author

    Update:
    We’ve been to the vet and ?things look ok. All three are happy to be together. Not sure what triggered it. I am just being diligent about supervision now. Thank you so much JVC for squeezing us in and making time for us.??

  2. Anonymous

    Hi Sarah, I’m glad everything seems okay now. I would keep a close eye on them – someone gave a side eye to someone else, and obviously a fight broke out. You said you have two males, and that always concerns me, ESPECIALLY with breeds like GSDs. Good luck.

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Pawbly | 8 years ago
What Is The Best Way To Treat An Open Wound From A Dog Fight?

What is the best way to treat an open wound from a dog fight?

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    The best way is to see your vet for help. In my opinion EVERY dog fight wound is infected and EVERY wound needs a vet for assessment, antibiotics and pain medication. I should also mention that in many states not getting help can be considered neglectful and in many states this can be punishable. Please get help for your dog Iif they have a wound.

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Pawbly | 8 years ago
I Have An Amstaf,last Night He Get Into A Fight With Other Mixbreed Giant Mastiff,and…

i have an amstaf,last night he get into a fight with other mixbreed giant mastiff,and now his stools are dark red,but no signs of diarrhea , he’s not eating at all.
what i have to do…..?

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    Has a vet examined him? For infection? (I suspect every dog fight dog will get infection from the bite wounds). Has he been examined for possible internal injuries? Has he been given pain medication? I suspect these are all in order before he goes back to eating and feeling better

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Pawbly | 9 years ago
My 10-yr Old Tonkinese Cat Has A Seroma On His Throat From Fighting With His…

My 10-yr old Tonkinese cat has a seroma on his throat from fighting with his brother (littermate), who bit him in the neck. This happened over a year ago. The vet did full test panel (no cancer), etc and drained it. It refilled within a week. I took him back to drain again, it refilled again. I did NOT want to repeat this cycle for fear of infection (not to mention cost). The seroma is still on his throat and I know bothers him, but does not affect his appetite. All the vet suggests is draining it again. He does eat more slowly than he used to, and doesn’t purr quite as much as he used to. I was hoping it would have shrunk by now, but it hasn’t. Any advice? I am extremely interested in holistic, alternative ideas, if possible. Thank you!

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I am not a holistic vet but if you were my client I would inquire about doing a culture and sensitivity of the fluid or cytology making sure it isn’t infection or a mucocele or salivary gland abnormality. I would be curious to see if there is more to this than a seroma. I hope this helps.

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Pawbly | 10 years ago
On Friday, My Husband Stepped On Our Male Cat’s Paw And He Let Out A…

On Friday, my husband stepped on our male cat’s paw and he let out a yelp. Our female cat, violently attacked him and we were only able to stop the fight by locking her out of the room. Saturday, the male cat snuck his way into the room she was being held in and she violently attacked again. Today we have been switching them in and out of rooms to keep them apart. She has been sniffing where he has been excessively as if she has never smelled him before. They have been playing ok under the door, but when we cracked it slightly, the minute she saw him she hissed again and lunged trying to get him. They have lived together for over 3 years and this has never happened. What should we do?

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  1. Anonymous

    This is certainly bizarre behavior. I’d keep them separated for now. Get your male to the vet to get his foot checked, too, in case he’s injured and she’s sensing that.

  2. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I agree with Laura. I would be concerned that the male is injured and the female attacked because he smelled, or looked, or even acted differently. Cats (dogs too) will often attack another household pet when they act (smell/look) differently (the classic example is the pet having a seizure that the others then attack). In an effort to protect the male you should separate them. But I would have both cats looked at by your vet.
    I would also ask about trying Feliway, and even something to help her anxiety like an SSRI (prozac). Please dont wait. best wishes.
    please let us know how things go

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Pawbly | 10 years ago
Hi I Have A Pitt Bull Female That Had Been In A Fight With Our…

Hi I have a pitt bull female that had been in a fight with our other pitt bull female had to take her to the vet she gave us antibiotics gave her a ivy and a shot to bring her fever down that was about three weeks ago then she was better she yesterday has been in another fight left leg just bitten up but elbow wide open in places we did everything the vet told us to and gave her antibiotics again yesterday so she doesn’t get a infection but her leg is swollen today is that okay I took her temp she doesn’t have one and she is eating and drinking

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  1. Brittany sullivan

    I just need some advice help n e thing..

  2. Andrea Cox

    Advice is to get this animal the hell away from any other animal for a very long time. You are the responsible party here and you managed to get your injured dog in another fight!  

  3. Brittany sullivan

    No it’s my brothers dog and my dog it’s mom and daughter

  4. Brittany sullivan

    I am asking for dog owners no I did not manage to let them get in a fight they got in a fight cause randomly they don’t get along

  5. Sarah

    My advice would be to get to the vet asap again. Then keep the dogs separated at all costs. If that means revoking one, the. So be it. I would also consider dog training and a behaviorist for both your sake and the sake of the dog. This is a very serious situation and you need to treat it as such. You need to be extremely responsible and diligent about this. If you can’t live this dog like a family member, the. Find her a home where they can. She looks to you as her pack leader- safety is included in that description. Pleas see the vet and find a trainer and a behaviorist. Please.

  6. PK Dennis

    Take her back to the vet to make sure she is getting enough meds, etc.

    Females will fight to the death. It is your responsibility to make sure these dogs NEVER have an opportunity to fight again.

  7. Anonymous

    And why are you allowing them to coexist? You should be crating and rotating which dog is out at any given time. It is YOURS and your brother’s job to prevent this from happening.

  8. PK Dennis

    I have to point out that there is NOTHING RANDOM about why and when dogs fight. You are just not experienced enough to spot what is setting these 2 off. Are they both spayed? Do it if the answer is no. Until you can get a behaviorist in to spot the problem, and train YOU and your family in how to fix it you have to keep these girls apart. If you can’t afford a behaviorist that will come to your home to work with you then you have to find a new home for one of these dogs. Seriously.