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Robyn | 5 months ago
My Five Year Old Dog Is Seriously Afraid Of Storms. It Seems Like The Sound Is …

My five year old dog is seriously afraid of storms. It seems like the sound is what is triggering her fear. She is not treat motivated so I could not get her to take a calm chew but seems so elevated in her fear I don’t think that would have worked. She was shaking and heavily panting for an hour after the storm. Any suggestions??

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  1. Laura

    Is this a recent development? I would recommend a thundershirt, but be aware you need to put it on the dog BEFORE the storm hits. Medication can also help.

    Beyond that, I would work on desensitization with sounds.

    Additionally, I’d like to add my Doberman was not sound averse until after her spay, and she slowly increased in her storm aversion. She went from a dog who would stand outside and glare at the sky for daring to make noise when she was intact to a dog who’d cower on her bed post-spay. It was bizarre. We worked on desensitization training with Youtube videos and the highest value treats I had – bits of medium-rare steak. It helped.

  2. Robyn Post author

    Thanks for your response!! That is helpful. Yes it seems new and worse over the last year

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Juan | 5 months ago
I’m Saving A Small 8-10 Week Kitten. We Found Her While We Were Walking Our …

I’m saving a small 8-10 week kitten. We found her while we were walking our neighborhood, she was crying for help on the side road/gutter. She has a hurt right leg. We have caught her and made sure that she was alone…we visited her for about 1 week (feeding and winning her trust) and new we had to help her ASAP. We got a trap and trapper her and took her home. We don’t have much money since I have already saved two other feral kittens in the neighborhood and kept them both. I won’t get into that since that is not my purpose on here. But we have taken Lola (the new found kitten) to get x-rayed and started her shots. I’m at my wits end because we took her to AM/PM Vet to get the x-ray and they simply said that she has no broken leg and that more than likely she would need the leg amputated but to give her two weeks. They did not offer any advice what to do. So, we took her back and this time they (another vet at AM/PM) said that it was a mis diagnosis. I have been spending lots of time with Lola and massaging her leg and I think she has been able to move it more than when we first brought her home. She is totally comfortable with us at home now and I think she is healing but I’m not sure if what I am doing is causing more harm. I’m doing my best to keep her confined in a cage, but I do take her out to bond with her and play and massage her leg. So today, I saw your video putting a splint on Penelope and I think that is what I should do also. I believe the symptom you mention is possibly what Lola is experiencing. Should I take her to another vet specialist who can give hopeful advise? Can you please give me advise on: What to do and What Not to do? I’m doing the best I can but finding it difficult because I have saved two other cats (Mango is 3 years now and MaeLa is 8 months – they were both feral kittens when I saved them. It has been two weeks now and I know time is of the essence to help Lola with her leg. Please help me with advice from your experiences.

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello
    Thank you for helping this kitten. It sounds like you are doing everything you can to help her. Kittens this young can have miraculous recoveries from the most extreme trauma. As long as she is eating, drinking and urinating and popping and playing I would just let her heal and grow. There is honestly not much more that you can do. I never rush to amputation unless the leg is causing a problem. As long as she stays inside where she is safe having a non functional leg won’t hurt her. Massage and allowing her to play in a cage is fine. I just wouldn’t want her running and jumping in a room, or off a bed or couch as it might worsen the injury. I also have to say that I worry about rabies. I have seen a few young kittens be injured by a rabid animal and this puts humans in danger. I don’t know if this is a problem in your area.
    Keep doing what you are doing. Lots of cats do great and live long happy lives with one or more imperfect legs.

    1. Juan Post author

      Thank you so much for contacting me – I appreciate it. Do you think it will be helpful to put the splint on her leg to straighten it out, so it heals that way? Or should I just continue doing what we are doing to help her without putting on a splint. We are doing our best to keep Lola from jumping up on sofa or tree I just bought her. Lola, I believe is now feeling safe and comfortable around us. So that makes me happy to see her feel safe and gaining weight. So, I have two other cats (3-year male and 8-month female) both are fully vaccinated, and Lola has already had her 1st set of shots. I’ve done lots of reading on how to integrate a new kitty, but I can’t find anything about a hurt kitten. Can you give some insight to this and perhaps some guidance. I am super greatly for your help/advise.

      -Juan

  2. Juan Post author

    This is Lola (about 10 -12 weeks old). It shows how she carries her leg…it is bent and keeps it bent. I do straigthen it out and massage it and press on her claw to get blood flowing. I don’t know if I am doing good or bad…I just want to make sure I am helping her recover and not doing more damage. If you need to see a video of her walking, to give more advise then I can. Thank you again for your kindness.

  3. Krista Magnifico

    Hello.

    The picture helps. For these cases I apply a soft splint made from wrapped tongue depressors. I have a video on my YouTube channel. In general these cases need some rigid support that doesn’t go in so tight that it causes limb damage. Over a few weeks the leg might be able to be supported enough yo straighten out.

    1. Juan Post author

      Hi again, I saw the video and it looks easy but I know it will not be. All the moving from kitty. I purchased this xtra small splint. Maybe use it for 8-10 hours during day and remove for massage and resting. The vet gave gabapentin but not sure I should give…maybe at night?
      Is this considered a soft splint? Im also looking into physical therapy for kitty. What do you think ?
      I’m trying to add picture of splint but not able to.

  4. Juan Post author

    Hi, I am using a soft splint I purchased on Lola’s front right limb. Do I enclose her in a cage or small play-pin so she does not move around that much for a certain amount of time (two weeks)? I can’t afford feline physical therapy or to get them to look at her. I believe it is what “Wink” one of your videos had. I have tried to search and search for guidance and I can’t find anything. Lola is around 14 weeks now and has filled in. She is doing all that a little kitten would be doing except she only uses the 3 limbs. Please give some guidance on Splint Therapy (soft splint) such as:
    * how long to wear the splint per day and overall duration (2 weeks, 3 weeks, etc).
    * Do I limit movement? Do I close her in her cage, with food, water, toys and litter box?
    * Do I give her any medication for pain or inflammation?

    Please help me with your guidance or links I can read or view. Thank you so much

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Marguerite | 5 months ago
Hi So My Senior Cat Has Been Doing These Weird Noises For Two Days And Even …

Hi so my senior cat has been doing these weird noises for two days and even if she eats and drinks I’m still worried

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I’m sorry but there isn’t enough information here for me to offer much help. Please add more detail (how old is your cat, behaviors, vet care , medical issues,, etc?) and a description of the sound for more help.

    In general this will require an examination by your vet to better understand the source and develop a treatment plan.

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Tammy | 6 months ago
My 11 Month Old Has Thrown Up A Small Amount Of Clear Foamy Liquid Twice. She Did …

My 11 month old has thrown up a small amount of clear foamy liquid twice. She did the same thin about a week ago. She’s behaving like normal with exception to food. She’s not hungry for her food first thing in the morning (but will beg for everyone else’s) she’s always been a very enthusiastic eater. She’s also been whining off and on. I thought it was a new signal to go out because it’s very intermittent, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. I’m going for indigestion maybe? She prefers to rest in her crate now (before it was anywhere I am). She’s a bully breed and a puppy so I’m hoping it’s simple and not something she got her lips on. Maybe I should run her to the vet? I just hate to waste their time if it sounds like I’m overly worried.

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    Ordinarily I don’t get overly worried about an episode of acute vomiting but I don’t know anything about your dog. Important things to help assuage my concerns are knowing that your pup had all of their vaccines, is on a good food and is current on their preventatives. I also want to know that your pup has had a fecal checked at the vets office.
    If your pups vomiting continues or their attitude changes please see a vet.

  2. Tammy Post author

    Thank you! Yes, she just had a vet visit last week for a regular checkup and to do her bloodwork for spaying and she checked out okay. She’s UTD on all shots and is in Hill’s Puppy food. I believe it was a passing stomach bug (more likely something she scavenged on a walk) because she’s back to normal now. She’s still not as enthusiastic about her food, but it has improved a lot over the past day. She’s also back to being my Velcro pup. I think I was overly worried, but I so appreciate this resource and your response.

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Desiree | 6 months ago
By Dog Has Bloody Diarrhea. He Was Bit By A Tick A Little Over A Week …

By dog has bloody diarrhea. He was bit by a tick a little over a week ago and I’m concerned. He also will not eat or drink anything.

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  1. Laura

    Hi Desiree – this is now emergent. Not eating or drinking means something is very wrong. Please get him to the vet TODAY.

  2. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,

    I think that you should seek help from a veterinarian to help understand what’s going on with your pup.

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Laura | 6 months ago
8 Week Old Female Kitten Not Defecting Properly….several Days. My 21 Year Old Daughter (away At College) …

8 week old female kitten not defecting properly….several days. My 21 year old daughter (away at college) just got a kitten last Tuesday. She noticed the kitten wasn’t pooping but the kitten was trying but either nothing was coming out or a piece was stuck in and hanging of her rectum. Sometimes my daughter returns to the room where the kitten is and finds smears of poop. he took her to the ER and they gave the kitten an enema… which sort of worked a bit and the kitten did go on Friday (the day after). They wanted to do more such as an X-ray and give fluids but the cost was so high my daughter didn’t want to do that. Since then, the kitten is trying to go anywhere and everywhere but nothing coming out. Occasionally some poop smears are found. Thus far the kitten has been in decent spirits…. playful a bit and eating wet food (with a little aded water). Of course, I’m sure this will change fast. Last night the kitten tried to poop while sitting on my daughters lap. 🙁
We have an appt. on Tuesday afternoon at a local vet whom I use for my cats and I trust….. I’m worried we can’t wait til then to get her checked. Any suggestions on what could be going on? I’m worried its something more serious. Thank you so much for your consideration!!!

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,

    I think that every 21 year old college person needs to rethink such a young pet. I also think that you should regard yourself as this kittens parent until she is spayed and fully vaccinated. Kittens, and anything this young are inherently fragile and vulnerable and need constant supervision and immediate veterinary care from the first days of adoption.
    As far as being able to wait until Tuesday I cannot answer that with anything other than what I wrote above. The minute you fear there is a problem you should be at a vets office.
    I hope she is ok

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Gwen | 6 months ago
Got This 3-4 Week Kitten Who Needed A Home And Appears To Have A Twisted/angular …

Got this 3-4 week kitten who needed a home and appears to have a twisted/angular wrist. He was most likely born with this deformity since I don’t believe his legs cause him any pain. He is starting to walk and it is becoming a bit of a struggle.
Can someone recommend me any options? I don’t want to go to the Vet just now because i know it will end being costly with X-rays and such. Right now i’m considering splinting, but I also want to know other options like maybe messages, etc. He is doing pretty well, but since he does sometimes walk, supporting his leg on the leg twisted (the bone, rather than his paw), i’m afraid it’ll become a future problem when he’s older.

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello.

    If you follow my blog at kmdvm.blogspot.com I have a few articles on this. I would use a soft splint and rest. These kittens grow and the legs strengthen and they can have normal lives. If you are anywhere near me in northern Maryland I will help.

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Jaime | 6 months ago
Hi. I Have An Almost 6 Year Old Lab Who Keeps Vomiting When She Eats Or Drinks. …

Hi. I have an almost 6 year old lab who keeps vomiting when she eats or drinks. She is otherwise happy and doesn’t appear to be in any pain but does appear to be losing weight (she’s a heavier build). She wants to keep eating and drinking though and not having any other problems. Is there something I can give her to resolve the stomach issue or could it be something more serious?

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  1. Laura

    This sounds like it could be a partial obstruction in her gut. That’s something I’d consider emergent. Please get her to the vet.

  2. Krista Magnifico

    I agree with Laura. I also worry about pancreatitis and Addisons. Although there are other possibilities. Please see a vet.

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Jan | 6 months ago
Should I Be Concerned About The Heart Disease DCM Caused By Or Related To Grain Free …

Should I be concerned about the heart disease DCM caused by or related to grain free dog diets?

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  1. Laura

    I would read the studies, honestly. I prefer NOT to feed commercial grain free dog food, as I have found no benefit. My previous dog always had runny stool on grain free, but when I switched her to a grain inclusive food it firmed right up and her coat improved. My current dog is the same way. I prefer not to supplement with pumpkin, and it appears dogs do benefit from the fiber in grain inclusive foods.

    If you DO choose to feed grain free, make sure the ingredients don’t have legumes high on the ingredient list. There seems to be a correlation.

  2. Laura

    I sat on this a little more, and wanted to add: DCM is absolutely deadly as a disease. My Doberman had it (the breed is prone to it, so we expected it would happen) and it’s not something for which I’d ever want to increase risk. It presents as two forms – congestive and arrhythmic. Congestive is congestive heart failure, which is the animal literally drowning on their own fluids. Arrhythmic is sudden death. Neither are good, both are fatal.

    Ripley’s form was arrhythmic. She was fine until her first collapse, when she went on medication to treat. In normal situations that would have earned us a few months. We got a miracle of an entire year with her post diagnosis…and she left us in the same way, with a heart attack that killed her instantly. Diagnosis is expensive, as is medication. I can absolutely say I would do whatever I can to avoid it from both an emotional and fiscally responsible standpoint.

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Joseph | 6 months ago
My 6 Month Old Cat Came In 4 Days Ago With A Limp. I Have Called Around To …

My 6 month old cat came in 4 days ago with a limp. I have called around to so many different vets and shelters but it looks like it will cost too much for me to be able to help her. Her back left paw has swollen up to twice it’s normal size should I just give her to a shelter or is there a chance she will heal on her own. I can get her some medication. Should I give her antibiotics or something for the swelling?

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    Please call your vet and ask to be seen asap. Your cat most likely needs antibiotics RIGHT NOW. you can decline all of the diagnostics they want to run and just insist on an antibiotic. Also you need to talk about whether this is a wound and whether your pet has a possible rabies exposure.