I have an intact 4 yr old Great Dane weighing about 160
Has had diarrhea (literally water) for the last 3 days no blood no mucus just water poop
Still eating and drinking normally
Doesn’t eat anything he’s not a chewer
I have other dogs who also was having the same issue however their cleared up
I’m not sure if it’s a virus that can spread between them
Where they picked it up
I am going to try to give him boiled chicken and rice this evening is there anything else to try

Good Morning Dr. Magnifico,

On June 15 and 16, I watched videos of you identifying and removing a polyp from a black and white cat “Pip”. The list of Pip’s symptoms match up perfectly with my cat and I thought – WOW – here is the vet with the answers I have been looking for! I am located in Thurmont, MD.

Since taking on my stray cat nearly 2 YEARS ago, she has seen 3 different vets and her symptoms have never resolved:

Persistent, loud snoring and snorting
Non-responsive to different antibiotic treatments (also non-responsive to steroids and antihistamines)
Chronically snotty – persistent nasal discharge
Chronic increased respiratory effort / visual abdominal breathing
Chronic sneezing (as well as intermittent fits of sneezing)
Intermittent eye discharge from inner corners
Head shaking / ear rubbing

In December of 2024, I rescued Sally who was posted on Facebook as “stray cat – very sick and needs help”. I have been interested and active with TNR, colony caretaking and fostering, as my time and budget allows, for the last 5 years. My intent was to get her the vet care she needed, foster her temporarily, and get her on the waitlists at the local rescues so she could eventually make it to an adoption center to find her forever indoor home. Sally was underweight and displaying upper respiratory “cold” symptoms. Runny nose, trouble breathing, sneezing. I assumed URI.

Sally had 3 visits at a local vet clinic (Thurmont, MD) in December 2024, January 2025 and March 2025 (two different vets saw her here). She was estimated to be between 10 and 15 years old. Per the vet, “her canines have dropped but her eyes look great.” She tested FIV/FELV/HW negative on two separate occasions. We tried several different antibiotics to treat her. We sent out a PCR culture, which returned positive results only for Calicivirus. We also ran a test on her kidneys which had normal results. I had a follow-up discussion with the vet the week of March 31, 2025 because her noisy breathing had not resolved after 4 months of being in a controlled environment. He said that because we’d tried several different antibiotics at that point, and at that time the vet said he did not see any visible polyps in her mouth or ears, his next recommendation was to refer me to a specialty clinic. I said that I wasn’t able to commit such significant additional funds to diagnostics at a specialty clinic, so as a last-ditch effort he prescribed a steroid to see if that would help clear up her breathing. It did not.

I often take my friendlies / kittens to a low-cost clinic in Frederick, MD for vaccines and snap testing before they go to adoption centers. Earlier this year, I discussed Sally with the vet that runs the clinic and he assured me he likes “puzzles” and would be happy to do an exam on Sally at his regular practice in Frederick, MD to see if he could find the cause of Sally’s symptoms. On April 11, 2026 I took Sally to see this vet and he almost immediately noticed an infected tooth. He advised that she needed the tooth removed and other diagnostics wouldn’t be accurate until the tooth was resolved. On April 17, 2026 Sally had the tooth removed under anesthesia. Unfortunately, her chronic rhinitis and all other symptoms have remained unchanged. This vet has now recommended taking her to a specialty clinic.

Sally has lived in my garage with 1 other cat for over a year and a half. The other cat has never developed any illness or health issues – which adds to the theory that Sally’s symptoms are not due to a virus. I’ve also had dozens of other foster cats in and out of the garage over the past 2 years and again, none have developed illnesses that would indicate she has a contagious virus. I feel that the positive Calicivirus results (and also the infected tooth) have muddied the waters on the path to finding answers.

Adoption centers won’t take her until her symptoms are resolved. I cannot afford to take Sally to a specialty clinic. Project Hope was able to assist with a little bit of financial support on her most recent vet bills, but I’ve spent over several thousand dollars in vet work on her and I simply can’t afford to continue. I feel terrible that Sally isn’t getting the love and attention that she really deserves in her golden years. She does have the other cat with her in my garage space, but she deserves a family.

I am grateful for any guidance and expertise you can share. I would love to bring Sally to see you.

Why is Oliver making this sound, and what can be done to help him?

Oliver is a 13 year old domestic short haired cat. We rescued him as a stray when he was around 5 weeks old and he had a respiratory infection, which we cleared up. Oliver never meowed like normal cat. It is a low soft hoarse meow – like a whisper. It has been this way his entirely but he has been an otherwise healthy, playful cat even through today. Starting around 8 years ago, he developed IBD, and was on numerous dosages of steroids to combat this over the past 7-8 years, always at the direction of our Veterinarian. The steroid treatment stopped about 1 year ago, when we found Science Diet Biome eliminated his IBD symptoms.

For the past two-three years, Oliver made a snoring sound while sleeping, but never while he was awake until December 2025, when he started making a loud snoring sound and wheezing/whining sound. We took him to the vet who said it was likely an ear infection, and he was given prescription ear drops. He continued showing symptoms, and in February 2026 the veterinarian prescribed another antibiotic (Clavamox) because he had dry mucus clogging up his left nostril.

On March 11, 2026 Oliver discharged a LOT of bright red blood from his left nostril. He was lethargic.

On March 12, we took him to the veterinarian who examined him and said that it’s possible that there is a mass. Her recommendation was to go to an animal hospital for further evaluation, but she also prescribed an antibiotic (Clavamox). We took Oliver the same day to Red Bank Animal Hospital and they said it was likely respiratory and prescribed a different antibiotic as a first treatment and a steroid, and to follow up after if no improvements for a CT Scan to confirm if there is a mass. Since this visit, he’s been on a daily transthermal steroid to slow the growth of a possible mass.

At this point in time, no vet has examined behind his soft palate to see if there is a polyp. We asked all the vets that have seen him if they can look in his nose or throat with a camera or scope, but they they don’t have instruments small enough, and only push a CT Scan which is an astronomical sum of money.

On March 28, 2026 I took him to a different vet for another opinion and basically was given the same recommendations for treatment.

Around May 4th, 2026 , for a period of 3 solid weeks he stopped making the snoring noise entirely, but then it returned.

On July 9, 2026, Oliver relapsed with a stuffy right nostril with green-yellow thick mucus).
On July 10th he had blood mixed in with the thick mucus. (see photo attached)
On July 11th the vet prescribed 25mg Zeniquin for 14 days. This has cleared the mucus, but the snoring sound continues to this day.

Throughout this entire period, he has not lost any weight, continues to eat normally, and shows no other symptoms. He is still on the transthermal steroid which receives daily because he does not take pills easily.

We live in central NJ, and I found you on Facebook and see the wonderful things you are doing and I spoke to your office who instructed me detail his symptoms here in advance of our visit to your office. I look forward to your reply and hope that you can help Oliver as we cannot afford a CT Scan and do not know what else we can do here.

thank you,
Katie

I have a 11yr old female Shihtzu who is spayed and had a bladder stone 6 years ago, which had to be surgically removed. She is now showing the same symptoms as then. She strains to pee and seems like she has the constant urge to go, but only pees a tiny amount at times, and at other times a lot of urine comes out. There is also blood in the urine at times. The last time she needed surgery, a friend lent me her care credit card to pay for the $2500 surgery. At this time my circumstances have drastically changed and there is no way to get surgery. She seems to be more uncomfortable lately. I would like to have her euthanized but have no funds to do so; as i am on disability now. Does anyone know of any vet that would be willing to bill me. I just don’t want her to suffer, and am praying for a solution.

Hello,

We brought in a stray kitten almost 4 years ago who showed up in your yard.

Unfortunately, he is easily stressed by our active household with other cats, dogs, and kids. As a result he has increasingly frequent stress-induced urinary tract infections and blockages.

Our vet diagnosed him with Feline Idiopathic Cystitis. We have tried every remedy we can think of to heal him. He is on fluoxetine for anxiety, gabapentin, steroids, and cerenia for painful flares or stress. He is on an all wet food diet, has a water fountain and four litter boxes that are always clean for him to use with both pellet and traditional litter.

Despite all of this, he is constantly peeing on our clothing, our bedding, and our furniture. It is incredibly stressful, unsanitary, and a huge financial burden to our family. We love our cat and don’t want to lose him because despite all of this he is very sweet and affectionate.

We are at the point where we are considering the PU surgery, even though we don’t have the financial means to do so. I am fearful that it won’t fix our problem and even after this huge investment, he will still have flares. Is my only other option to rehome him to another household with no other pets or children that might cause him stress?

Thank You.

My dalmation had a litter of puppies. 12 of them. They are 10 weeks old tomorrow. One of them was taken to the emergency vet today and ended up getting put down 😭 they said that his intestines came up and suffocated him with his lungs. This could possibly be a birth defect. Is this something I need to worry about with the other 11 in the litter?

Hi. I have a 17.5 year old cat who started sneezing yesterday. Still sneezing this morning and I can hear congestion now and then when she breathes. Fluid sometimes hanging from her nose/mouth/face? I have an appointment with my Vet (Swan) tomorrow. Do you think I can wait until tomorrow? I would go to the Bel Air ER, but last time I went there they sent me home saying that they’d call me when they were available. They called the next day in the afternoon. So, not an emergency place by my definition. I’m reaching out here because I can’t reach any other Doctor, I’ve been to Jarrettsville a number of times and I know they have a heart. At least more than an average place. To sum up, looking to see if my kitty can wait for tomorrow’s appointment, and if not, begging for an appointment anywhere today.

I have an outdoor stray cat that we have been feeding for a month or two. We are looking to bring him in but have other pets so we will need a vet appointment first. I brought him in the be scanned for a microchip since his ear is tipped, but sadly he does not have a chip. My appointment with JVC isn’t until 7/14 and I’m concerned he has worms. He is very skinny. Is there an over the counter worm medication that we could give him in the meantime?

E-mail that I sent…

My kitty

Janet Frerichs
Thu, Jun 4, 3:05 PM (10 days ago)
to JarrettsvilleVet@gmail.com

Hello~

My name is Janet Frerichs. I have an eight year old tuxedo cat that has been having issues with nasal congestion. I rescued him approximately 5 years ago. It has gotten worse and has been treated with antibiotics, Benadryl and steam showers, which haven’t really worked. It usually clears it up but within days the congestion gets worse again and he is quiet and listless. He snores a lot. Sometimes he sneezes a few times a day and mucus flies out of his nose and mouth. When I feed him in the morning he will eat and then throw up and there is an extreme amount of mucus in the vomit. Then he can eat and keep it down. I want him to be comfortable and to feel better again. He is a patient of Dr. Albin at Animal Hospital of West Manheim(717-637-1220)now and was at Shiloh Vet prior to that. He mentioned the possibility of polyps. My friend saw you all on Facebook and suggested you to me. Do you feel there is something you could do for him? I would be so appreciative.
************
He started with this issue about 2 years ago. Antibiotics had cleared it up at first. Then it would come back a few months later. My Vet at the time said it was “Herpesvirus and that it will flare up off and on and you will have to wait it out”. So, that is what I did, waited it out, and it just got worse and worse.

In April 2025, he had physical and his health was overall good. He did have a resorptive lesion on one of his teeth along with gingivitis. He was recommended to have a dental clean and extraction, which was performed in May 2025.

In September 2025, he had an URI and the congestion was bad. He didn’t eat much. Vomited when he did. He was prescribed Clavamox 62.5 mg/ml and Optixcare L-Lysine Powder. I also treated him with steam showers. He improved after about a week and a half.

In December of 2025 he had a nasty eye infection and congestion and was given a Convenia injection. This is when L-Lysine was prescribed. It worked for awhile until it didn’t.

He visited the vet for the congestion issue in March of 2025, April 2025 x 2, Sept 2025 and December of 2025.

In 2026 he saw the vet for the congestion issue in March(he got a Solovecin injection) and April(he was put on Azithromycin 100mg/5 ml-300 cc given. for an extended time) and when the meds were completed he got better about 2-3 weeks later. At the end of May the congestion was mild and has gotten worse until now. He is again at the stage of not eating much, he is listless and his personality is subdued. Normally, he is usually a very friendly guy and wants to love everyone up. I can smell the mucous and it does smell infectious.

Other health conditions:

*He also has crystals in his urinary tract and is on special food(Hills c/d diet) and tried Lysine but he doesn’t like the taste. He turns his nose up on it now. It sure did make his fur shiny. And it seemed like it worked for his congestion for a little while but he did start to flare again.

* He has a lesion on his tail, approx. size of a time. He licks at it at times and it bleeds. It gets infected every so often and needs abx. for that too. My new vet said to get rid of the lesion that he just can’t remove and suture it because of the skin healing and in turn causing it to act like a torniquet. He said the best bet was to amputate, which I am ok with if that is what needs to be done.

Dr. Magnifico, do you think there is anything you can do for him? I am up for trying anything to make him feel better and live a healthy life. If you tell me he will live like this forever I will accept that and make him as comfortable as I can.

Good afternoon,
This is my first time here so I hope I am using this forum as intended. I have an almost 18 year old cat that I rescued at 6mos. Lola has enjoyed very good health for most of her life. Her background: She is spayed. I was involved in fostering, TNR, and rescuing, for many years, so she received all the required vaccinations and routine exams for the majority of her life, as even vetted fosters can have ongoing health issues. She has been an indoor cat since she was rescued and now enjoys being the only cat of the family; as such in the last few years I have not subjected her to the standard vaccinations, and only took her to the vet if needed, which she hasn’t required in the last two years. Recently, I noticed she seemed to be cleaning herself more than normal, but everything else with her behavior was as usual. She was/is eating, peeing, and pooping normally; perhaps, a bit more water drinking. After returning from OOT, I noticed yesterday that she has a swollen, pink to reddish area on her urinary area that she was licking incessantly, there is no discharge or blood from the swollen area. The swollen area is the only change and I am unsure if that is solely from her constantly licking the area, or being very uncomfortable from a UTI or other underlying infection or condition. Her appetite for both wet and dry food, water fountain drinking, and toilet habits remain normal, her stools are normal and there is no blood or discharge when she urinates. I currently have an e-collar on her to stop any further irritation from her licking, and I am keeping her urinary and rectal areas clean with separate warm water compresses. I want to get my kitty the veterinary help she needs asap, but having been in rescue I know how quickly the vet expenses can add up. What are the specific diagnostic tests, (or surgery ), to focus on and discuss with a veterinarian in order to make sure she gets the vet care she needs for her presenting condition, but curtail all the add-ons that may not be immediately necessary? I recently helped a family member with her outstanding medical expenses, and that has constrained my finances at the moment. Even with my rescue discount, the usual vet I go to would more than likely be out of range at the moment as she now has partners to answer to, and I do not think my cat’s condition can wait until next month. At a minimum, I assume a urinalysis would be one diagnostic test needed and probably an antibiotic. Do you have a veterinarian in the St. Louis City area that would be more reasonable that you can refer me to?
Thanking you in advance for your time and consideration,
Patricia and Lola
(* Apologies to those who are sensitive for the close-up photos :*))