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Allison | 1 month ago
My Almost 8 Year Old Golden/Lab Mix Has The Worst Breath I Have Ever Smelt. We …

My almost 8 year old Golden/Lab mix has the worst breath I have ever smelt. We have looked in his mouth and do not see evidence of any tooth infections or abscessed teeth. Our Current vet told us that “some dogs stink.” It is to the point that we cannot invite people over our home with the fear that he will touch them and make them smell. It is nauseating. We were told they could put him under and evaluate further for $3k + but that is not in the budget. Are there any other solutions? Can you help @Jarrettsvillevet? @jarretsvillevet@gmail.com

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  1. Allison Post author

    To add: This started about 2 years ago but has gotten progressively worse over the past 6 months- 1 year. We have switched his dog food brand to see if that would help but he has always been on lamb and rice as he has a chicken sensitivity. I have tried powders, drops in his water, cleansing wipes, and raw hides with CHG. Nothing even touches the smell. I would describe it as a decaying wound smell.

  2. Lucy

    Hi Allison, Jarrettsville Vet’s dentals are usually about half of that if that’s what’s needed. You can call the clinic and make an appointment for an exam and have one of our vets take a look.

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Donna | 2 months ago
Hi Dr. Magnifico, I Have An 18 Yr Old Male Cat (Eddie) That Has Been Having Trouble …

Hi Dr. Magnifico,
I have an 18 yr old male cat (Eddie) that has been having trouble breathing because of an obstruction in his nasal cavity. Eddie’s primary Vet Dr. Klutz at Abby Animal hospital preformed an x-ray and determined he would probaly need a CAT scan and rhinoscopy for a better diagnosis. I was referred to AVIMO in Hunt Valley and went for a consultation. That visit cost over $800 with some blood work. I was given an estimate for the CAT scan procedure of $4426.00 to $5258.00. This is a lot for me to pay out at one time since I have 5 other cats that are in their senior years with some health issues of their own. If your practice or if you know of another facility that can provide a cheaper price I would appreciate your input.

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I just had this conversation yesterday with a client.
    Here’s my thoughts on this situation.

    Most cats this age are more likely to have a mass in the nose than a polyp or anything else benign. Age matters in statistical likelihood of a disease. Or, it can be infection or long term inflammation. Both of these have treatment options. I would start with them. I like cerenia nasal drops. Nebulizer treatments and even an inhaler. We also have options like atopica and Solensia.
    Next we try rotating antibiotics. Like doxycycline and azithromycin.

    The he reality is you will likely spend a lot of money on a diagnostic that leaves you little to no good treatment options. We HAVE to talk about that BEFORE we ask people to spend money (often that they do not have) on expensive diagnostics.

    I hope this helps.

    Good luck.

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Holly | 2 months ago
9 Year Old Female Spayed Cat – Bladder Stones

I have a 9 year old female spayed cat. I took her to our normal vet because she was not acting herself. She had recently had a checkup with no issues, however, I had noticed she was spraying in different placed in the house which again is not like her. We have 2 doxies in the house as well. They did x-rays and said she had bladder stones and a couple in her urethra and they called so we could go over to their other emergent location to see if they could possibly flush those out. So I then took her to the emergent location and they took her back and were able to get a catheter into her and push the stones back but said when they did that, they came right back into the urethra. They then suggested that I start her on the special diet right away and hopefully that would help in time to shrink the bladder stones and maybe she could pass them. They said I should bring her back in about 6-8 weeks which will be towards the end of this month to do repeat x-rays. If she still has the bladder stones, they suggested her getting a cystotomy and said it would be over $3000. They also told me to closely monitor her to make sure she doesn’t get blocked and if she does to take her to the ER right away which I know would be even more expensive. I was hoping you could offer some insight on how much your practice would charge for a cystotomy and should I just go ahead and get that done? I have been monitoring her but I am so afraid she will end up blocked and I don’t want that. I have seen many of your videos helping the cats that have been blocked and I am so thankful you have been able to help them. I hope you can help me navigate the best direction for my kitty.

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I’m sorry to hear about your cat.
    We have some of the prices of some of the surgeries we do available in the storylines section here.
    A cystotomy is about $1500-2000. It really depends on how long the surgery is. In general cats are quicker and easier than dogs, but, little stones can be real buggers to remove.
    There are lower cost clinics available. They can be found on our Jarrettsville veterinary center website.
    There is a possibility they might dissolve, but, I had found this less reliable for cats than dogs and the real possibility that they slip into the urethra and obstruct the bladder from emptying is a potentially fatal consequence, therefore I had to advocate for surgical removal asap.
    Let us know what happens.
    Dr Magnifico

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Diedra Cardamone | 2 months ago
Good Morning! First And Foremost, Thank You For Doing The Work That You Do! I Have …

Good morning!
First and foremost, thank you for doing the work that you do!
I have a 7-year-old orange tabby named Milo. He started having seizures a couple of years ago. It became frequent enough that the vet decided to put him on the antiseizure medicine Phenobarbital. That was working okay, but then I started to notice that he was losing weight. Now, just to be clear, Milo enjoys his food, so he could benefit from losing some weight. However, he lost a considerable amount of weight in a short period. He also became lethargic.
I took him back to the vet, and after bloodwork, it was determined that it was affecting his liver, and he was anemic. The vet wanted to put him on Zonisamide instead. It was expensive, but we didn’t mind. We were told that the options were limited as to what he could be put on, and this was the only other suggestion that she had, so we took it.
Fast-forward a couple of months. It became nearly impossible to give him this medication. Milo would hide all day, and when we dragged him out of hiding to give him this medication twice a day, he would foam at the mouth and run back to his hiding spot. He was traumatized (I think!) from taking this medication.
My husband and I sat down to talk about this. We decided that we were going to take him off the medication because we wanted a better quality of life for him. At this point, he is back to being healthy overall (except for the few extra pounds he still carries).
He still has seizures, and on average, I would say that he has two a month. They are always at night. I’ve read that nighttime is a trigger because of increased brain activity. When he has them, they typically last under a minute (I’ve been woken up by him when he has them because he sleeps with us). He loses control of his bladder and will pee. He will foam at the mouth. Once he “comes out” of his seizure, he will then circle and meow for five (ish) minutes after. He is typically back to normal within 30 minutes.
Here are my questions:
(1) Would you recommend that he go back on antiseizure medication?
(2) Are the seizures affecting his brain? Or are seizures typically harmless?
(3) If medication is recommended, are there any other options besides the two that we have already tried?
Thank you for any insight you can give! I just want what is best for our Milo Man, and if that is medication, then we are fine going back down that route. But, at the same time, I do not want him to live in fear of taking the medication.

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,

    Ok this is a tough one. It’s one of those that is so tough I defer to a neurologist.
    If you can’t get to one see if you can find a feline specialist. They might want to talk to you about gabapentin or Keppra.

    When it comes to seizures we have to feel like they are frequent enough to warrant life long medication. IMO your cat is having them often enough to consider treatment.

    Next, this is a cat. They make everything a little more challenging. They like life on their terms. Period. Hard stop. So, you have to be willing to compromise and make a plan B, ( and then C-Z).. 😉

    I empathize with your dilemma. I just can’t give you an easy answer.

    Best of luck.
    Please keep me posted
    Dr Magnifico

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Anastasia | 3 months ago
Our Female German Shepherd Dog Is 5 Years Old And Has Had Chronic Liquid Diarrhea For 5 Months. …

Our female German Shepherd dog is 5 years old and has had chronic liquid diarrhea for 5 months. Other symptoms are weight loss, sporadic inappetence and vomiting. Her energy is normal and bright. History of Pika, but no obvious ingestion of foreign objects during this interval. Three fecal studies mostly negative, two blood panels not conclusive (some levels low-normal). Two courses of Metronidazole (no effect), Three courses Amoxi/Clav (effective until finished), Panacur, probiotics, Cobalequin, special diets. Now on Hills GI Biome diet. Negative for EPI. Low B12. Vet has advised that this is antibiotic responsive diarrhea.

Went to an internal medicine specialist today upon referral. Ultrasound shows a tumour and intestinal thickening, lymph node activity. We are being steered toward open surgery to resect the intestine for possible, but unknown, malignancy and removal. Vet cannot explain why the diarrhea is antibiotic responsive, if malignant tumour. We are doing yet another expanded fecal study and Pancreatitis test to determine if coincident. We are already $3,800 into diagnostics with no real answers or help as to the root cause. Dog improves significantly with normal stools while on the Amoxi/Clav, but regresses immediately to liquid diarrhea when treatment stops.

Surgery recommended that may or may not be curative ($6,500). Of course, we hate to put our dog through this if futile, but understand that cancer cannot be diagnosed through imaging. Can anyone offer insights to either affirm our path or offer alternative ideas? Why the improved response to the antibiotics if a tumour is the cause? Thank you kindly.

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I’m sorry to hear about your dog. What a crazy journey and diagnosis.
    I want to say that medically it sounds like you did everything right. I do not want to interfere with the work up or advice that you have gotten. I do feel that if you are at a specialists office you are at the right place.

    The only things that you might be able to inquire about would be fecal transfer or tylan powder. In some cases especially with GSD I also try a hydrolyzed diet. But based on your work up biopsy or exploratory surgery is on the list.
    There is no easy or right answer. Try to find a vet you trust and very best of luck. It sounds like you absolutely did absolutely everything you could do.
    Dr Magnifico

  2. Anastasia Post author

    We now have confirmation from the surgical biopsy of GI Lymphoma, possibly quite diffuse. Our dog’s quality of life is poor with nearly incontinent watery diarrhea, vomiting, inappetence and weight loss. We have decided to forego steroids and chemotherapy for humane euthanasia. We are devastated to say the least. We wish that we could understand why this happened to our beautiful young dog.

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Meredith | 3 months ago
My Four Year Old Male Doberman (Oskar) Seen At Emergency Vet For Excessive Vomiting (10 Times Right …

My four year old male Doberman (Oskar) seen at emergency vet Sunday 1/4 for excessive vomiting (10 times right after breakfast) . X-rays /labs/fluids. Suspected hiatal hernia. Vomiting has stopped. They felt he was critical. They transferred us to a larger ER as they were not equipped to handle this. Ultrasound and another xray performed. Dog is stable. First two vets at this location felt wait and watch. Third vet says we need to repair with surgery. Sending us to internal med for barium swallow. We are at about $ 6000 so far. Thank god we have insurance.
History of intermittent regurgitation while eating. No other symptoms. No reflux. No drooling. No weight loss. Only happens in the mornings after breakfast every few months. Nothing as severe as Sunday. Only once or twice then done. Happy energetic dog. History of allergies. Testing done. Tried immunotherapy Itchy skin , runny eyes. Managing on raw diet last three years. Cleared his skin for the most part. Avoided apoquel and cytopoint. Used Zyrtec. Previously tried hydrolyzed protein foods at around a year old. This is when regurgitation started ( coincidence? )he would also refuse to eat it. Bottom line do you think we should we consider surgery ? We do yearly echos and own our own holter monitor. We pinch penny’s to give them good care as these dogs mean so much to us. Feel we are being pushed into a very expensive and possibly risky surgery and I HATE putting my dogs under anesthesia. My own vet left the practice and I’m trying to find another that might be a good fit. I’m in NH and it’s not easy. Thank you !

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    These are one of those cases where too many opinions can make it even more confusing. Try to follow the advice of a vet who is both credentialed and trustworthy. Be honest about your thoughts and abilities and work together to find an answer that everyone is comfortable with.

    Very best of luck.

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Meredith | 3 months ago
Four Year Old Mn Doberman Seen At Emergency Vet For Excessive Vomiting (10 Times Right After Breakfast) . …

Four year old mn Doberman seen at emergency vet for excessive vomiting (10 times right after breakfast) . X-rays /labs/fluids. Suspected hiatal hernia. Vomiting has stopped. They felt he was critical. They transferred us to a larger ER as they were not equipped to handle this. Ultrasound and another xray performed. Dog is stable. First two vets at this location felt wait and watch. Third vet says we need to repair with surgery. Sending us to internal med for barium swallow. We are at about $ 6000 so far. Thank god we have insurance.
History of intermittent regurgitation while eating. No other symptoms. No reflux. No drooling. No weight loss. Only happens in the mornings after breakfast every few months. Nothing as severe as Sunday. Only once or twice then done. Happy energetic dog. History of allergies. Testing done. Tried immunotherapy Itchy skin , runny eyes. Managing on raw diet last three years. Previously tried hydrolyzed protein foods at around a year old. This is when regurgitation started ( coincidence? ). Bottom line should we consider surgery ? We do yearly echos and own our own holter monitor. We pinch penny’s to give them good care as these dogs mean so much to us. Feel we are being pushed into a very expensive and possibly risky surgery and I HATE putting my dogs under anesthesia.

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Meredith | 3 months ago
Four Year Old Mn Doberman Seen At Emergency Vet For Excessive Vomiting (10 Times Right After Breakfast) . …

Four year old mn Doberman seen at emergency vet for excessive vomiting (10 times right after breakfast) . X-rays /labs/fluids. Suspected hiatal hernia. Vomiting has stopped. They felt he was critical. They transferred us to a larger ER as they were not equipped to handle this. Ultrasound and another xray performed. Dog is stable. First two vets at this location felt wait and watch. Third vet says we need to repair with surgery. Sending us to internal med for barium swallow. We are at about $ 6000 so far. Thank god we have insurance.
History of intermittent regurgitation while eating. No other symptoms. No reflux. No drooling. No weight loss. Only happens in the mornings after breakfast every few months. Nothing as severe as Sunday. Only once or twice then done. Happy energetic dog. History of allergies. Testing done. Tried immunotherapy Itchy skin , runny eyes. Managing on raw diet last three years. Previously tried hydrolyzed protein foods at around a year old. This is when regurgitation started ( coincidence? ). Bottom line should we consider surgery ? We do yearly echos and own our own holter monitor. We pinch penny’s to give them good care as these dogs mean so much to us. Feel we are being pushed into a very expensive and possibly risky surgery and I HATE putting my dogs under anesthesia.

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Claire | 4 months ago
Finnegan Is A 3.5 Yr Old Male Cat With Serious Nasal Polyp Symptoms – Sneezing, Noisy/labored …

Finnegan is a 3.5 yr old male cat with serious nasal polyp symptoms – sneezing, noisy/labored breathing (snoring, stridor), persistent nasal discharge and one runny eye. He did two rounds of clavamox and one round of Doxycycline and nothing worked. I took him to two in person vets (including an emergency vet) in the NYC area and his blood work and urinalysis came back unremarkable. From the research I’ve done I’m sure it’s a polyp or something of the sort. The internal medicine places in my area are quoting me 5-10k just for a biopsy and they don’t have openings until mid January. Please help! I am able to travel with him in a car up to 6-8hours and will go where I can get him help. He is constantly snoring and I have to flush him out throughout the day. He is still eating but has lost a bit of weight due to this going on so long and progressively worsening. Last year he had FIP and he made a full recovery from the 87+ days of shots. Thankfully that has not returned according to his lab work but makes sense that he is more susceptible to other illnesses due to a weak immune system.

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I’m sorry to hear about your cat. If you would like a consult at the clinic with me you can call the clinic and leave me a message. I will call you back and see if we can arrange a time to meet. 410-692-6171. Dr Magnifico

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Keturah | 5 months ago
My 6 Month Old Kitten Has Been Having Breathing Issues. I Took Her To They Diagnosed Her …

My 6 month old kitten has been having breathing issues.
I took her to the vet and they diagnosed her with an ear infection but then she got worse.

I did some research and watched a lot of videos and it seems like she had a Nasal Polyp.

I am sure my kitten is not sick with anything that can be spread because my other cat is perfectly fine.
She typically sounds like she is snoring all of the time.
I am not completely sure what she has, I am looking for an affordable vet to do surgery if needed.

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I’m sorry to hear about your kitten. It sounds like you are concerned about a polyp? Are you trying to find someone who can help?
    Can you give me more information on what you have done and what has been advised for you to do?
    What are your thoughts and plans for this?
    I am happy to help in anyway that I can.

    I just need to know more about what’s going on?
    Krista.

  2. Keturah Post author

    Hi!

    Yes I am trying to find someone who can give me affordable care for my kitten.
    I live around the DC area and the vets are very expensive and out of my budget.
    I have spent a lot of money bringing her to a vet and an emergency vet that did not help her. I was told that she had an ear infection and I believe she got sick from the medicine they gave her and she got worse.
    She now has a constant snore and from watching your videos and other research I think she has a nasal polyp.
    I originally planned on coming to your office but was told it is too far away and I cannot use your clinic to provide my kitten surgery. I am about an hour and a half away. I have called numerous vets to see if they do surgery and have not found one near me.

    If I am unable to find an affordable vet I plan to take some sort of loan out to get my animal the help she needs.

    Thank you for your help.
    Keturah