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Cathy Kowalewski | 5 years ago
Our 4 Year Old Sheltie Who Frequently Suffers From Skin Allergies Has Very Sore Front Paw Pads …

Our 4 year old Sheltie who frequently suffers from skin allergies has very sore front paw pads from licking them frequently. He takes prescribed apoquel and we supplement with benadryl as needed. I have not seen him licking his paws for a while but he has a visible limp on one paw when walking. I have looked at his paw pad and while it looks very rough and chapped I don’t see any visible cuts or wounds. In addition to the medications mentioned we have purchased dog booties for him when walking him and are applying an all natural paw butter. I’m just wondering what else we can do to help his paws heal short of putting a cone on him, as I don’t think he’s licking them currently? Thanks for any suggestions.

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I see lots of limping in dogs with red and painful feet. Typically they are licking pretty feverishly. The best advice I can give is to talk to your vet and ask them all of the things you mention here. I also want to highlight how important routine year around flea and tick prevention is. Also ask about Cytopoint use. Also it might be time for a medicated shampoo and even supplements like omega 3 fatty acid.
    My point is that dermatology is an active and evolving condition. It takes lots of time and assistance from your vet often this is a life long challenge. Please let us know what happens. Good luck.

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Heidi Ingle | 5 years ago
Hello! I Could Use Some Guidance On A New Foster Puppy. Puppy Is 10 Weeks Female CH …

Hello!
I could use some guidance on a new foster puppy. Puppy is 10 weeks female CH puppy and is coming from Mexico from a rescue. She has a shot record and will be flying with a companion on February 11. I need to put my furry family first. Can you help guide me on precautions that I need to take other than shots? Do I quarantine her in my house or another? I’ve received several videos. She looks healthy. I’m probably taking on more than I should right??. I guess I can google this but thought I’d ask someone who knows the real risks.
Thanks
Heidi

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I’m going to answer this two fold. First you are my fiend and I know. And second as a person who wants to provide info to others in your situation.
    Ok. I know you are the kindest most generous person I know. I also know that you cannot turn away from an animal in need it makes you the exceptional one in a million person that you are. So. For this case. Since I think you are already committed to taking this pup I would make very sure that you undetand and meet all of the government restrictions and requirements placed on you and the dog. I honestly don’t know what these are. The state vet, the transport carrier and the local animal agencies can help. Or talking to a rescue who does this more commonly. My point is to call multiple agencies to make sure that your paperwork and requirements are covered. Next see your vet in the first few days or arrival. Next quarantine for at least two weeks. Double barricade are and clothing change in between visits. Or find a vet facility with quarantine abilities.
    Next. For everyone else. I would never recommend taking a pet from a foreign country. The risk of bringing in a disease like the paranoia and death associated with corona virus in China is a good example why. All medical professionals are afraid we will introduce a disease the native population hasn’t seen before and will not be able to manage. It is a very low risk but no one wants to be that patient zero. No one. Also I feel strongly that There are Soo many pets in need here. So why would we risk disease when our own Here are being euthanized. That is my personal opinion.
    Please have your vet run a bloodwork and fecal at the first visit. And watch closely for any signs of infection or disease. Vomiting diarrhea, lethargy. Etc.
    I hope this helps. I know your heart is always in the right place.
    Sending best wishes. Krista

  2. Laura

    Dr. Magnifico’s your best bet for medical stuff, but I’d be very, very careful with any dog imported from outside our borders. Even a dog coming in from Hawaii would have me concerned.

    Why?

    In the last year I’ve trained two puppies from outside the continental US, and both died of distemper due to misrepresented shot records. PLEASE follow quarantine protocols to the letter, for the safety of your existing pets.

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Krista Magnifico | 5 years ago
Tail Amputation In A Dog. Meet Max. The Dog Who’s Tail Wagged So Much It Couldn’t Heal. Surgery Photos And Cost Of Care Included
Treatment Cost (USD): $612.00
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Kate Reisinger | 5 years ago
My 15 Month Old Pitbull Golden Retriever Is Currently On Purina Pro Plan & Always Has Been. …

My 15 month old pitbull golden retriever is currently on Purina Pro Plan & always has been. Recently I have heard many people & Facebook groups compare Pro Plan to “feeding them McDonald’s”. I do everything in my power to make sure my little guy eats the best & stays in the best shape but this scares me.. is this really something that he should not be eating? This food brand was recommended by his vet but recently I’ve heard more bad than good. I would never forgive myself if this food led to future health issues. Is there another brand that we could switch to? Is Purina actually that bad? Should a homemade raw diet be an option? I could use some help

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  1. Sarah

    I would trust your vet. Your vet is the person with the degree and the one who actually went to school that possesses a good education on this subject, not a Facebook group. If you’re concerned and want more information, start at your vet’s office. I can tell you that we have always used Purina with all of our dogs and they have always been quite healthy. In fact one of our German shepherds is almost 15 and that is rare for this breed. Again, I would talk to your vet since they are the one who would know best. Good luck!!????????

  2. Laura

    Pro Plan isn’t Beneful (which actually is trash), and is the most common food fed to show and sport dogs. If your dog does well on it, don’t change it.

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Bones | 5 years ago
We Have A Puppie Shar Pie That Has An Enlarged Heart, He Is About 2 Weeks Old.. …

We have a Puppie Shar Pie that has an enlarged heart, He is about 2 weeks old.. He is having a hard time eating and isn’t nursing very well, we are trying to supplement with puppy formula but it’s not seeming to work. He isn’t growing very much and has a real hard time with eating and resting he has to sleep with his head up or he doesn’t rest well.. He has a sister that’s almost double his size since they where born.. he was a lil larger than her to start. but we are just asking if anyone has dealt with this successfully.. we are trying just about everything we can think of.. we just don’t want to lose him.. and we can’t afford the vet bill to have them do what they can we took him in to start is why we know he has an enlarged heart. Anyways any help here would be appreciated..

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  1. Sarah

    I think with such a precarious situation, you should consider making a plan with your vet- be upfront with your budget and explain that you both want to help this puppy, but it has to be an affordable plan. I am quite sure that they will help you in that regard. If not, I personally would find another vet. I do not know the chances of survival, but I’m guessing they are unfortunately low, since there really is no cure.???? I know in older dogs, meds and diet play a huge roll. Being that this puppy is so young, I really would speak with the vet and see if there is something more that can be done. Best of luck????

  2. Krista Magnifico

    I think that these cases are almost impossible to manage without a big price tag attached. This is most likely a congenital defect and without surgery or radical intervention the prognosis is often very poor. I’m sorry about this. I would reach out the every person and university you can find to see if anyone will take this case on. I would also recommend that you offer to give him up for the chance of saving his life. Maybe someone will invest the time and resources needed to give him a fighting chance. I’m sorry again.

  3. Bones Post author

    Update. I’m sorry, I have bad news. He passed away last night.. ;( My wife is very sad, she was very close to him. We tried very hard to do what we could. Thanks, everyone for the comments. Where we live in Central Oregon, there isn’t a lot of options. We called most of the vets here in our area, no one was willing to do anything without a huge price tag to it. But thank you again, it is very much appreciated.

    1. Sarah

      ????I’m so sorry. Know that you have him the most comfortable hit of time you could while he was here.

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Krista Magnifico | 5 years ago
Felicity Is An Older Cat Who Needed A Mass (cyst) Removed From The Top Of Her Head Before It Got Too Big, Or Ruptured. Cost Of Surgery And Photos.
Treatment Cost (USD): $454.00
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Krista Magnifico | 5 years ago
Cryptorchid Canine Neuter. This Is Cochise. He Only Had One Testicle In The Scrotum. The Other Was Found In The Abdomen. Why You Never Leave A Nut Behind (;-))!
Treatment Cost (USD): $945.00
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Joanne Tweit | 5 years ago
7 MONTHS LATER MY CAT IS SLOWLY CHOKING TO DEATH ! I Posted This 7 Months Ago : My Rescue …

7 MONTHS LATER MY CAT IS SLOWLY CHOKING TO DEATH !
I posted this 7 months ago : My rescue cat of 5 years is showing all the symptoms of Nasopharyngeal Polyp. He is my everything!
OH please I am begging for help here ! I am disabled and he is the center of world . I am on the south west coast of Washington State, my rescue cat Kiki presents with all these symptoms ( I come from a family of RN and Bachelor in Nursing ) I have called vest around here and ALL of them say they do not do this surgery because they dont have the scope, or they will not even discuss possible price or treatment without me coming in and the vet seeing them. They say they will diagnose and refer me to a specialty clinic not far away . The specialty clinic gave me a quote of $3,500-$5,000 !! If this is even what is wrong with him . I am devastated that no one will even discuss this with me without paying for a vet visit. It looks like i could spend hundreds in visits before i can find someone who is even willing to think about this surgery without referral to the very expensive specialty place . PLEASE HELP I CANNOT AFFORD THAT MUCH !! Meanwhile my poor sweet Kiki is slowly getting worse. I dont know what to do anymore !!!!!!!!

UPDATE : PLEASE PLEASE I AM ONCE AGAIN BEGGING FOR HELP !! My cat displays all the symptoms of this I do not have a lot of money . i can come up with a few hundred dollars but no where does this surgery without a scope or it being a specialist . I keep being quoted THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS to have it removed ! I have called and called and called vets around here and either they dont know what I am talking about or they will only refer me to a very very expensive specialist ! I asked for help months ago and finally chatted with you and all you told me was keep calling vets in my area and asking . I have over and over , I am watching my cat slowly choke to death more and more each day ! this is a nightmare ! I dont have $3,500-$5,000 that they are telling me it will cost ! Why can you do this for so little and no one else can ? PLEASE I AM BEGGING YOU !!! ANYONE PLEASEEEEEEEEE HELP !!!!!! He is choking to death !

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  1. Sarah

    Hello- I am sorry that no one is willing it seems to even discuss this with you. I would call your local animal shelter to see if one of their vets might be able to help or even another local rescue that might be able to assist you. Social media may help you as well- if you post your situation and enough people see it, someone may step up. Other than that, I would fight with my vet. If you’ve been having this issue for this long and your vet isn’t apparently listening to you, I think a serious conversation with them is in order. Tell them, I have “x” dollars and euthanasia is not an option. Tell them again the symptoms and your suspicions. I’m sorry I cannot offer you any other help. Hopefully you will get somewhere with your vet….

    1. Joanne Tweit Post author

      thank you and yes i have been through all that . i keep getting apology after apology ” sorry thats all we can do ” ” I can refer you to a specialist “

  2. Bones

    I am so sorry to hear what your going through. I have been in the same situation with my Shar Peis.. I lost 2 so far with what they guessed was throat and lung cancer.. it was very expensive, and there was no guarantee that it would save them also, But I couldn’t afford it ether.. you got to be rich to save your animals.. Vets are as bad as doctor’s now days, They think its a privilege to get medical care for your animals.

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Julie | 5 years ago
My 8 Year Old Dachshund, Ruben, Was Diagnosed With IVDD One Week Ago By An Emergency Vet …

My 8 year old Dachshund, Ruben, was diagnosed with IVDD one week ago by an emergency vet after we weren’t able to speak or get an appointment with our regular vet. This was his second flare up but this time he lost movement and feeling in both his back legs. The vet told us he had no deep pain sensation. Surgery was not a financial option for us so we opted to bring him home and try conservation treatment. Living with a paralyzed dog does not overwhelm me but I do need him to get back his personality and not be in pain anymore.
We are so disappointed with our current vet and how everything played out the day Ruben had his flare up and became paralyzed. We have made calls to a new vet clinic and are waiting to get into their earliest appointment with an educated vet.
From the emergency vet, Ruben was sent home with 4 medications, Tramadol, Metacam, Robaxin, and Gabapentin. It has been one week and he appears to be in much less pain and his body is relaxed, the quivering has stopped and he doesn’t often cry. We stopped giving him the Metacam two days ago because he had all of the side effects that the drug prescribed and we didn’t feel that he needed it for pain management.
In the last two days his appetite has gone downhill, eating very small amounta but then turning away. Even his favourite foods like cheese he wants nothing to do with. He is still drinking water but only when I use a syringe into his mouth.
He has also become extremely lethargic and seems depressed/sad to the point where he won’t move or lift his head without our assistance. All he does is lay there and sleep. We move him around in different positions and he doesn’t cry in pain when we move him, he just doesn’t seem to care. We can flip him over from one side to another and he won’t even life his head. Nothing we do warrants any type of excitement from him. I am terrified he’s losing all his strength and have no idea if this is a normal part of the healing process or if there is something else wrong with him. He does not have bladder control but is peeing often uncontrolled. He also has semi consistent bowel movements, at least one small one per day. No diarrhea but there was some tarry black stool.
My vet appointment is Wednesday, 4 days away still, trying to get in sooner with them but I just don’t know if I should be taking him back to emergency. Please help.

1 Response

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    As with all of these cases they need fairly intensive monitoring and care for the first few weeks. They need the help and guidance of both a dedicated and devoted family and a vet care professional who can closely supervise and assist. In most cases in person every few days until things get settled. I would talk to your vet about which meds are best long term. In my opinion And in the extremely debilitating cases like this I use a steroid bs an NSAID. But this is something you have to discuss with your vet. You also have to understand what each drug does and how it affects your dog. I have to juggle meds for risk versus benefit and not eating might be due to one of the medications. It is also a discussion to have if you are considering a steroid as it can cause gi issues like the NSAID can. Also some of your medications cause sedation which might affect eating. I know how hard these cases are to manage and I wish you luck. Make sure you Keep your dog lean and muscular as this also precipitates back issues. Let us know. Best of luck again

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Cyre | 5 years ago
Hello, My Name Is Cyre And Imaged Is My Dog Sara’s Spay… To Me It …

Hello,
My name is Cyre and imaged is my Dog Sara’s spay… to me it looks infected, but this is the first time I’ve ever taken my dog to be fixed,. And I’m unsure. I don’t see any bleeding or discharge. But it looks a bit swollen and pinkish, mind you it’s only 3 days old, she barely came home from surgery Wednesday evening. Anyway Sara’s 9months old and very energetic although we’ve haven’t had her run or anything. Take her on a mild walk morning and night for potty breaks and stuff, but I’m afraid even the the walking might be too much for her wound. If anyone has insight on how to care for it or keep it clean it’d be greatly appreciated

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  1. Sarah

    Good morning- if it is not warm to the touch, and she is not showing signs of distress (lack of appetite, lethargy, etc.) I would say it is just part of the healing process. You should be going in for a follow up exam shortly anyway I would assume. Your vet can check the incision and her healing process then. If you are concerned, or it is warm to the touch and she is showing other signs of trouble, I would call the vet who did the surgery and ask to have her seen immediately.

  2. Krista Magnifico

    I agree with Sarah! I think it looks ok, but I never diagnose by a photo as you need to use all of your sense and fingers to assess a patient, Please call your vet and ask them to check it for you. Its always better to be safe than sorry. As long as she is acting normal I think you have a day or two to be seen. I hope this helps. Thank you for having her spayed.