Question
Profile Image
Pawbly | 9 years ago
We Have 2 Male And Neutered Cats, And One Female Spayed Dog. One Of The…

We have 2 male and neutered cats, and one female spayed dog. One of the cats (we aren’t 100% certain which, but are setting up video cameras to determine which) is peeing on the dog beds. It started a year ago and would happen for a couple of weeks, then stop for a few months, start over again, repeat repeat. It happens mostly on the dog’s various beds, but has also happened on plastic shopping bags full of clothes. Comfy, soft things.

We took both cats to the vet when it first started and they didn’t find anything wrong… Just a few tiny crystals that most likely formed because they had to wait 2 days between the samples being taken and being tested, so all three of the vets said they were normal. We are taking them both to the vet again next week to do more testing (or just these guilty one, once we discover which one is doing it).

We have multiple CLEAN litter boxes, both open and closed top. One is even self cleaning after use, and my husband empties the others very frequently and cleans/washes them evey week. They have various bathroom and liter options, so I’m sure that’s not the problem.

We have tried cleaning the dog beds with all the appropriate cat urine cleaning solutions, but the second time we threw them all out and bought new ones. We did that the third time too. Now our poor dog has no beds until we solve the problem.

The dog is not a fan of the cats. She growls at them a lot, and is very protective of her food, “spaces,” toys, and bed. The cats don’t seem to mind at all, and act as though she’s not there, although I know sometimes cats don’t show when they are stressed. We know this is an issue, but she has been this way her while life. We not getting rid of the dog to solve the problem, not an option.

We of course will do all the tests at the vet (and do any surgery, take any medicine, or perform any procedure he needs), but we are worried that the poor cat is doing this due to a behavioral or dominance problem. If this is the case, does anyone have any recommendations about how to change his behavior? We will not be putting him in a shelter, we will not be re-homing him (unless we discover that he needs to be in a single pet home, in which case I will be heart broken but we will find him the perfect family), and no way in hell will we be putting him down. We will keep him even if he pees on my favorite rug or couch or carpet every 2 days. But I would obviously prefer if that weren’t the case… We have a baby coming in 6 months and I am hoping we have the issue mostly dealt with by then (although I realize long term behavior may take longer than that to change completely). Please help if you can. I feel like I am losing my very hormonal mind.

0 Responses
Question
Profile Image
Pawbly | 9 years ago
I’m Pregnant And Currently Out Of Work I Have No Money For The Vets…

I’m pregnant and currently out of work I have no money for the vets right now.. We tried Benadryl doesn’t help.. We have tried over the counter hot spot sprays no help.. We switched his food to a wheat grain and soy free food and I was so happy because he started going away and looking so much better and then it came right back.. He was the runt of his litter non of his other 9 siblings have this I’ve kept in touch with all the owners. (I rescued a pit who was pregnant) I don’t know what to do I feel so bad for him but I’m so broke right now being out of work I’ve had to file bankruptcy. I need help.

1 Response

Comments

  1. Brittany Schuey

    Thank you so much for your advise.. I found someone who can get him the help he needs.

Question
Profile Image
Pawbly | 9 years ago
Can Two Female Pit Bulls Get Along In The Same House One Is 6 And…

Can two female pit bulls get along in the same house one is 6 and the other is 2 I also have a golden retriever male and chow lab mix female 16 they all get along fine together but wanted to add my rescue 2 year old female

2 Responses

Comments

  1. Dawn Ferara, DVM

    It all depends on the dogs attitudes and they all should be fixed.

  2. Anonymous

    i understand pit bulls are dog-aggressive as well as same-sex aggressive, particularly the bitches.  i don’t know that i’d want to add another to the mix you already have going in your house.  it could upset the balance and cause problems.

Question
Profile Image
Jana | 9 years ago
Since Last Night I’m Detecting This Strong Odor Around Cookie; Seems It’s Coming From Urine…

since last night I’m detecting this strong odor around Cookie; seems it’s coming from urine (as I detect it when I sniff stains on her pee pads as well when sniffing around her rear end. It is strong enough that I caught a whiff even as she just walked pass me.

Here is the thing – it is strong but not really a stink and not anything I’ve ever smelled before which I’d know what it might be. Smells kind of sweet and the closes thing I can compare it to is the way my hair spray used to smell like (back when I still had hair and was using hair spray) when particles dried and mixed with dust.

That is very confusing and I don’t know what to make of that. I imagine infection would have BAD odor whether bacterial or yeast …? I don’t want to just assume it might be from the meds as assumption is the mother of all f*** ups. Friend’s dog was on chemo so when her urine reeked they assumed it was from the chemo. Meanwhile it was a massive UTI and went under the radar until the dog exploded with blood from her bladder. (potty accidents and other issues were chalked up to the original issue the dog had, massive brain and brain stem inflammation).

So I don’t want to make the same mistake and assume one of the meds are behind the smell when something else could be going on.

Thoughts?

7 Responses

Comments

  1. Anonymous

    honestly…i would get a vet involved.  sometimes they can identify a malady based on the smell, but they’d want to do further diagnostics.

  2. Jana Post author

    I AM getting vet involved but no vet in today; doesn’t look like an emergency and tomorrow she’s traveling “to the other end of the world” for physio appointment. So trying to see if anybody has any experience or insights.

  3. Jana Post author

    Quite sure it’s coming from the urinogenital area, as that’s where strongest when I sniff her all around as well as stain on pee pad also had this odor. Only slight actual urine odor mixed in with it.

  4. Anonymous

    has she been tested for diabetes?

  5. Jana Post author

    Blood work and urinalysis about a month ago. Clean. No signs of an issue other than the strange odor which started yesterday. No increased drinking, no increased urination, no other signs.

  6. Anonymous

    weird. good luck figuring it out!

  7. Jana Post author

    Weird is the word. It is possible it’s from one of the meds she’s on I just don’t want to make faulty assumptions.

Question
Profile Image
Pawbly | 9 years ago
A Few Months Ago, We Booked Him Into A Piggy Farm, Where He Had To…

A few months ago, we booked him into a piggy farm, where he had to learn to behave, and not to be aggressive, when he came back after 3 weeks he was calm and showed no aggression. That only lasted for about 4 months. He shows a lot of aggression towards my other female pot belly pig, and my family members.

0 Responses
Question
Profile Image
Pawbly | 9 years ago
Sebastian Has Blood In His Urine And I’m Unsure What The Cause Could Be. He’s…

Sebastian has blood in his urine and I’m unsure what the cause could be. He’s about 9-12 months old and he’s never had blood in his urine before. Some of it had this grainy sand like stuff in it. He is NOT showing signs of straining when he pews inside or outside. He’s still a happy cat as far as I can tell but I have no idea what could cause this. We don’t have any money so we can’t take him to the vet but I will give her a call tomorrow. I’m extremely worried because we have two other cats. And blood is always a sign. Please give me advise.

1 Response

Comments

  1. dakoda peterson

    Thank you that is very helpful. I will call my vet hospital and describe what’s going on and mention his diet and how to get some medications. We buy friskies for him as wet food and we feed all the cats a mix of everpet dry and new mix origional

Question
Profile Image
Pawbly | 9 years ago
My 9 Month Old Female Miniature Dachshund Was Emitting A Metallic Odor From Her Back…

My 9 month old female miniature dachshund was emitting a metallic odor from her back end yesterday. I noticed it, did some google-ing, and shortly after the smell disappeared. My research concluded that it might be her anal glands. But I can’t understand why the smell disappeared (and as of this morning had not returned). She has exhibited no other signs or symptoms (no scooting on the floor, no problems going to the bathroom, acting perfectly normal)

As the mystery continued, we were walking outside to use the potty before taking a drive. After peeing, we got into the truck with her on my lap. I noticed she has made a wet spot on my pants. Assuming it was just some urine from her potty trip, I used a towel to wipe me and her off. That’s when I noticed that coming from her vulva was a thick, milky, yellow color liquid that was accompanied by a fishy smell. This led me to think that maybe she has a case of vaginitis. As the day progressed, both smells and the discharge disappeared. And as of this morning, no trace of either can found. I was already planning on taking her to the vet on Friday, should I take her in sooner? She just finished her first heat last week and I am planning on finding out this week when we can get her fixed.

1 Response

Comments

  1. Anonymous

    i’d get her in today, if possible JUST to make sure.

Question
Profile Image
Jana | 9 years ago
Normally, Cookie Needs Minimum Of 3 Hours Of High Activity (running Through The Bush, Chasing…

Normally, Cookie needs minimum of 3 hours of high activity (running through the bush, chasing critters, playing …) daily, otherwise she climbs the walls (pretty much literally). Ortho suggesting a month or more of rest. I voice that it is impossible unless Cookie sedated. (Because the more energy she stores up the more she’s likely to go crazy regardless of environment, confinement and situation. As I mention, literally bouncing off the walls. Plus the frustration and feeling unhappy that would come with that I’m sure does not facilitate healing either.

So we discussed it and ortho prescribed the Trazodone as effective and safe. What is your experience with this products? Side effects? Interestingly I specifically asked about side effects and was told there were none. However, when one looks it up there are side effects listed. Of course, side effects such as sedation are desirable. Others, such as vomiting, diarrhea, agitation, hyperactivity, panting, shaking and restlessness are NOT.

Ortho vet also said drug doesn’t not affect either kidneys or liver but infor says should be used with caution if liver, kidney or heart disease present. Cookie does not have those but if it doesn’t affect those organs, why the precaution?

I am not a fan of drugs but I feel that in order for Cookie to be able to undergo the period of restricted activity some chemical management to help her feel more aloof is necessary. Thoughts?

3 Responses

Comments

  1. Jana Post author

    Thank you, would you? Because the other tranquilize options aren’t all that attractive either, particularly Acepromazine … *sigh
    First do no harm, right? But I feel that without some chemical help she will be very miserable and a danger to herself …

  2. Lindsey Knouse

    Hi, I definitely understand your worry. I have personal experience with trazodone and it’s actually been extremely positive. I worked with a board certified veterinary surgeon who used it on pretty much all of his patients post-op if he was worried about activity level. For my dog, I’ve used it for anxiety in the car (as recommended by a board certified veterinary behaviorist). In my opinion it’s a lot better than other sedatives post-op because it really is fairly safe and also reduces anxiety (a lot better than something like Acepromazine). One of the main things you will read about is serotonin syndrome when it is used with other drugs. However, the surgeon I worked with used it with pain meds like tramadol, and just used the lower end of the dose range because he was aware of that risk (I’m sure if your vet uses it frequently they are as well). Most of side effects you listed, while I know they are concerning, are pretty easy to recognize and are side effects of many other medications too…and if you recognize them after starting, you can always just stop the medication. I think that the minor risks of this medication greatly out weigh the alternative risk of her high energy level after a orthopedic surgery, in order to prevent the risk of her needing a repeat surgery.

    Since your baby is healthy and I’m sure they will be doing bloodwork pre-op, I don’t see any reason to be overly concerned about the organ adverse effects. My own dog had a history of acute renal injury after use of NSAIDs and is very sensitive to a lot of drugs (he’s MDR1 positive) and it was safe enough to use for him. It’s a medication that was actually developed for people with insomnia and is newer for use in vet-med but I don’t know of anyone who has experience with it that would say bad things. I think it’s great that you care so much to ask.

  3. Jana Post author

    Thank you, Lindsey, I’m very happy to hear about such good experience(s)!

Question
Profile Image
Pawbly | 9 years ago
Cat Has Bald Spot On Belly With Skin Tag Type Bumps In Center. Recently Treated…

Cat has bald spot on belly with skin tag type bumps in center. recently treated for allergies. not sure what this is?
This picture is of the biggest skin tag. the others feel just like little bumps (what a human would equate to zits)

4 Responses

Comments

  1. dakoda peterson

    This looks like a skin disorder one of my cats had. Go to a vet it’s very important to figure out what this is exactly because it could be very hazardous to the cats organs if it’s a sign of infection or so other underlying problem. 

  2. Alexis Smith

    What happened with your cat?

  3. Alexis Smith

    What exactly does that mean? Diego is a boy (don’t know if that gives you more info).

  4. dakoda peterson

    I got some very afforable meds from my animal clinic. He ended up healthy. I thought it was a nipple too. Male cats have nipples.

Question
Profile Image
Pawbly | 10 years ago
I Have A Chocolate Lab That Is 15 Years Old She Sometimes Has A Hard…

i have a chocolate lab that is 15 years old she sometimes has a hard time getting up with her age,i have just started a new product called ANTINOL by vetz petz,which is an all natural product.my question is: prior to giving her ANTINOL,for years i have been giving her 650mg(4 pills a day)of glucosamine,a daily vitamin(consists of multi-vitamin a,b,e two pills aday) and 4 pills a day of brewers yeast for skin and coat,with her now taking ANTINOL,Can she still take the other pills safely with ANTINOL,OR SHOULD I DISCONTINUE the other pills.i would appreciate a veterinarian answering my question!!!! thank you very much!

1 Response

Comments

  1. Kelly Furgason

    Hi Dale,
    I’m not a vet, just lifelong experience with a variety of animals, but until a vet see’s your post I’ll chime in. . Prior to giving your dog any supplements or other pills you should consult your vet to determine if the supplement is needed or not. Sometimes an underlying condition could be the cause of your pets problem. At 15yrs old, that’s pretty senior for a lab and I’d be thinking at this point your pet may need a heavier type of medication to help with the stiffness and pain involved with getting up.
    Looking forward to what vet’s reply.
    Good luck!
    ~kelly