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Nicholas P. Woodward | 3 years ago
My Parents’ Cat, Oso, Is Not Doing So Well. He’s Been Needing Subcutaneous Fluids …

My parents’ cat, Oso, is not doing so well. He’s been needing subcutaneous fluids administered via IV and he had not been eating every meal for a little over a week until we started giving him an appetite stimulant.

He also is having labored breathing, mouth closed 36 – 42 inhales/ minute. Here’s a link to a video so you can see: https://www.dropbox.com/s/elf32wwm5z06ygn/OsoBreathe.mov?dl=0

An image of an X-Ray is attached – The comments below and the color arrows were provided by a mobile radiologist that came over to see him – I didn’t understand the notes, but basically she was pointing out tumor(s), cancer and fluids building up inside his body there.

We are continuing with the fluids and with the appetite stimulant he is eating. Steroid once month shots have been suggested and were just started 2 days ago.

Any advice here is very much appreciated and welcomed.

1 Response

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  1. Laura

    Honestly, I’d be looking for a veterinary oncologist in your position.

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Nicholas P. Woodward | 4 years ago
Our Morkie, Stella, Is Having An Allergic Reaction Since Last Night. She Was Licking And Biting …

Our Morkie, Stella, is having an allergic reaction since last night. She was licking and biting herself all night and when we finally realized she wasn’t just being just neurotic (she has some weird behavior sometimes) we took her to her regular vet.

The vet told us she is having a serious allergic reaction and they gave her a shot (cytopoint 20mg).

We think maybe she got into something that was really no good for her because while the shot seemed to help for a short period of time, it basically has now stopped working.

The vet thought maybe it was the food were giving her, but we’ve been giving her the same food for weeks.

She is now panting, refusing water and treats, and going back to biting and itching her sides and legs. Her ears are bright red inside which is a common allergy sign for humans but I know nothing about what that means for dogs.

She just seems itchy and twitchy all the time. Our vet is currently not open and is not accessible by phone.

We’re wondering if she maybe got into essential oils or massage oil we used for ourselves and licked it up. Nothing seems too scary right now but she does just seem completely uncomfortable and twitchy.

What should we do from here Pawbly? Please give us some guidance.

5 Responses

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    Well. I am going to answer this as your friend. Some of it is general advice and some is more personalized.
    First. Every allergic reaction should be treated as a possible topical allergen. Bathe! Bathe! Bathe! It doesn’t really matter if you use doggie shampoo or detergent. But get the pet completely wet. Lather in shampoo. Rinse well. Repeat three times. Dry with a towel. Too much hot air from a dryer might worsen the red skin. (If it is red. And lots of allergy dogs get red).
    Next think about oral diphenhydramine. One mg per pound. If the face isn’t swelling. Facial swelling can lead to possible throat closure which is a severe reaction. So nothing oral if having trouble breathing. These cases go straight to the ER! If you’re have intense itching, redness or hives and/or swelling I give injectable diphenhydramine and a steroid. In my experience it is the best way to stop these clinical signs. I also send home both. (Diphenhydramine is otc). If the clinical signs worsen I have the pet return. If they aren’t better in a few hours I have the pet return. It bugs me to pieces that vets don’t provide help after the vet. I call it documenting and sending home instructions for “if this, then that” scenario. Just for things like this. Too often it isn’t a single one stop and you’re cured.
    Also once you have a reaction you are more prone to others so ask to have these meds available to you for your at home pup first aid kit.
    Lastly Cytopoint is not for allergic reactions. It is for itching due to allergies. I don’t think it is the best choice for this case. (Just my opinion).
    Call me if you need anything. You have my number. ????

  2. Krista Magnifico

    Oh. And cytopoint can take four days to take work. Apoquel is faster. But it’s still not my go to for an acute severe allergic reaction.

    1. Nicholas P. Woodward Post author

      So much love to you for commenting on this so quickly. Do you think we can give her a little bit if liquid children’s benadryl if she doesn’t feel better after a bath?

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Nicholas P. Woodward | 5 years ago
So Stella Just Pooped A Red Gelatinous Blob And I Have No Idea What This Is. …

So Stella just pooped a red gelatinous blob and I have no idea what this is. Could it be anal glands or diarrhea from maybe finding our fruit snacks on the floor? She’s been pooping a bit more than usual.. Maybe 4-5 times per day. She seems totally fine otherwise except for wiping her butt on the floor (sorry so gross). Her poop just before this happened seemed like diarrhea.. PS Stella is a Morkie (yorkshire terrier mixed with maltese) and 3 years old.

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  1. Nicholas P. Woodward Post author

    So I just took her to the groomer and she confirmed it was not anal glands needing drained.. Also was confused by the picture… Could it have been renegade fruit snacks on the floor?? Lol..

  2. Krista Magnifico

    I have to say I have never heard fruit snacks come out just like they went in? Is there a human out there to confirm. And why is she eating fruit snacks?
    My bet is it is from the colon. Dogs with large bowel diarrhea often get red gelatinous feces (we call it “raspberry jam” because we relate everything to food (gross!)). My recommendation (as your vet which I am) is to check her gum color, make sure they are pink and not red or pale, check her gums for tackiness (indicating dehydration) and then stop feeding for about 12 hours if the above is normal. Then go to a bland boiled skinless chicken and rice meals for a few days. I also add a probiotic like fortiflora. If it persists, she is straining, or she seems dehydrated see a vet for fluids and a fecal exam. Let us know what happens.

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Nicholas P. Woodward | 5 years ago
Ok So This Is A Little Crazy… I Never Imagined I Would See This Day, And …

Ok so this is a little crazy… I never imagined I would see this day, and how I’m having visions of a technological apocalypse. My dog is a video game addict. She literally goes and starts pawing at people’s phones that are left lying about thinking the critters from her game are going to come out to play. I’m 90% decided I shouldn’t let her play anymore because of how much she gets sucked into it. I’m not sure it’s unhealthy but not sure it’s healthy either. Pawbly people what are your thoughts on pet video games and apps like this?

2 Responses

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    just because people have become obsessed crazed zombie-game players does not mean our pets should too. Doesn’t sound healthy or like she’s happy. Satiated stimuli should include food, attention and behavioral reinforcement of desired reactions.. i think your pup needs a walk and a squeaky toy,,, don’t feed the addiction once you identify she has one.

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Nicholas P. Woodward | 6 years ago
So Stella, Our Almost 3 Year Old Morkie Has Some Possession Aggression Issues. Particularly With…

So Stella, our almost 3 year old Morkie has some possession aggression issues. Particularly with things like socks or things that don’t have a firm middle when she bites in (like soft stuffed animals). We have tried bribing her with treats and bones, distracting her with play and love, forcefully taking these items from her (that didn’t work well), and finally today we did something that worked! We asked her if she wanted to go “out” to take a “walk” and though he ears perked up she still didn’t drop this stuffed Aflac duck she found in my office. However, once she had her leash on and saw the great outside at the bottom of the stairs she dropped it and never looked back. Do you think this trick will continue to work? Is there anything else we can do when she’s decided something she has a bite on is something she’ll get aggressive about? Thank you all for your insight and help!

1 Response

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I think that the “exchange” option, i.e. “I’ll give you something of higher value to surrender the item you have” will work for a little while. But it leaves you constantly set up for being her servant. Life is all about compromise, but, not fear based “I’ll bite the hand that feeds me to get my way” compromise. Respect is earned, not traded. I would strongly recommend a basic puppy and obedience class. All should be based on positive reinforcement methods. If you try to reason with her by intimidation or reprimand she will up the ante and retaliate with excessive force (is my guess). good luck

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Nicholas P. Woodward | 6 years ago
So, We Just Adopted A 3 Year Old Morkie, And Were Warned That Sometimes She’ll…

So, we just adopted a 3 year old Morkie, and were warned that sometimes she’ll steal an article of clothing, hide under a table with it, and possibly bite if you try to get it back from her. Well, I just doctored my girlfriend’s fingers after a little fight they had over a sock. Other than yelling at her (the dog) and saying “no” we’re now ignoring her. What’s the best way to handle this and train her to behave better?

5 Responses

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello!
    The fact that you just adopted her and don’t know much about her previous training, behavior and attitude makes advice for this a little difficult. In general I start with a very minimal access approach. She has to earn everything and you aren’t setting her up to be “bad or disappointing”. You are going to have a very difficult time teaching her much other than to be afraid/untrusting of you when you get in between her “stuff” or try to reprimand. In my opinion anything this early that is negative, I know even when you are being beaten, (sorry) teaches her to be untrusting and afraid of you. Too often people want to start at “well trained” when they really have a new pet who doesn’t know you, your expectations, or their new world. I suggest crate training all the time. She is kept there, where she can slowly acclimate to you and her new home, and she earns toys after some basic training is implemented. I strongly suggest a puppy class to start. Take her for lots of walks. Spend time together doing stuff together on neutral territory, like outside. As she starts to understand you you can start progressing toward other activities.
    I will add that she needs to feel safe and loved. So always put her in her crate with an affectionate word and give her a toy to keep her company (if she doesn’t guard that).
    Overall she has a lot of adjusting to do and you need to be patient and understanding that this is a process. A process dependent on patience, love and dedication. Never get angry. Never yell. You both need to adjust to each other.
    No toys, no decisions, no options except love and start really slow. Letting her have a safe space that is her own and building on this is where I would start.
    Let me know how things go. Sending ♥️ And best wishes.
    Krista.

  2. Nicholas P. Woodward Post author

    Thank you for the sound advice! We appreciate the sentiments on positive reinforcement and building trust. She spent the next hour following my girlfriend around and apologizing trying to lick her wounds away.

  3. Sarah

    Congrats on your new dog? I’m just adding to the good advice you’ve already gotten. I am a firm believer in walks… no matter what size of dog. It’s a fantastic way to share quality time and bond, while getting the exercise needed. A tired dog is usually a better behaved dog. Even a ten minute walk has the potential to change behavior for the rest of the day, for the better. And I agree strongly with everything shared above, especially getting involved in a basic obedience class. Even if your new girl already has basic obedience, she needs to learn you and what you expect. It is another great way to bond and earn trust. Another plus to the walks is practicing your homework from obedience class? best of luck and again, Congrats!!??

  4. Nicholas P. Woodward Post author

    Thank you, Sarah! I do see that she has a LOT of energy to play. The more we do that and walk her it seems the better she is for sure.

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Nicholas P. Woodward | 8 years ago
My Cat Just Loves To Chew On Wires.. Any Ideas About How To Keep Her…

My cat just loves to chew on wires.. Any ideas about how to keep her from electrocuting herself?

9 Responses

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  1. Laura

    Spray the wires with Bitter Apple.
    Keep her out of the rooms where wires are.

  2. Dawn Ferara, DVM

    I would try keeping her away from all wires and using a spray bottle of water to discipline her anytime she approaches a wire. Good luck

  3. Chris Wieland

    Rabbits are always chewing on wires. We protect the rabbit by putting heavy plastic tubing on lamp cords, and any other power cords. Get a thick plastic tube from something like Amazon or an auto supply store. Carefully, make a cut using a sharp blade the entire length of the tube. Then spread apart and use it to cover the power cord. Now they are safe for cat biting.

  4. Nicholas P. Woodward Post author

    FYI- I’ve been having luck with the spray bottle of water to some degree and Bitter Apple – working on trying the heavy plastic tubing around the wires next, but it’s just a big process (I’m a computer guy.. got lots of wires everywhere lol).

  5. Chris Wieland

    Foil will not do the trick. The plastic tubing keeps them from coming in contact with the electrical wires with could injure or kill them. The foil, if bitten, would only serve to increase the possibility of an electrical short, or having them make contact with the electrical current. The tubing is not a psychological deterrent, but a physical one.

  6. Turner Halligan

    Did any of these methods work for you?

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Nicholas P. Woodward | 8 years ago
My Friend Just Decided Not To Euthanize Her Cat Of 18 Years Old Today. …

My friend just decided not to euthanize her cat of 18 years old today. The cat is blind and suffering from seizures, as well as dementia. She seems alert and ok, today, though. Do you think that this was the right decision?

5 Responses

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  1. Laurie Davala

    I’m sure everyone has different thoughts on this, but my heart tells me it’s a quality of life question. If pets primarily live in the moment, it’s a shame for the last moments to involve suffering. It’s so hard for us to say good-bye because we still love and enjoy our pets even if they are no longer enjoying life.

  2. Nicholas P. Woodward Post author

    Thanks, Laurie- yea, it’s just a tough call. Today was a good day, but no idea if or for how long that will continue.

  3. Paul Acerno

    It’s a tough call, your friend knows the cat better and will have a better idea of if she’s really suffering.

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Nicholas P. Woodward | 8 years ago
My Cat Is Really Really Possessive Over This One Plant In The Yard. Is…

My cat is really really possessive over this one plant in the yard. Is there any way to get him to play nice with the other cats around this thing?

3 Responses

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  1. Laura

    Other than removing the plant or keeping the cats indoors, I cannot think of anything that would make him friendlier.

  2. B Everitt

    Wire covers would work to protect the plant

  3. Julie Brader

    Does the plant live in a pot? You could try adding scent around it that would make the cat want to avoid it.

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Nicholas P. Woodward | 9 years ago
My Cat Drools Profusely When She Gets Pet.. Is This Normal? It’s Like Dripping…

My cat drools profusely when she gets pet.. Is this normal? It’s like dripping all over the arm of the couch… ugh.

6 Responses

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  1. Erin Thune

    I think it’s pretty normal. A majority of the cats that I know drool when they’re happy/relaxed, actually.

  2. Andrew Stanish

    time for a kitty-proof couch!

  3. Andrew Stanish

    maybe those plastic couch cover things?

  4. Andrew Stanish

    or scotch guard, that stuff rocks!

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