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Sarah | 5 years ago
Hello Pawbly Friends- Quick Question. Our Youngest GSD (1 & 1/2)is Not Comfortable Getting His Nails…

Hello Pawbly friends-
Quick question. Our youngest GSD (1 & 1/2)is not comfortable getting his nails trimmed, and it is getting worse?I will admit- ever since I quicked our Dierks years ago, I am always apprehensive about doing nails. Butch HATES getting his nails trimmed. Riva “tolerates” it. I know it is important, so I take a deep breath, calm myself and keep going. My thinking is that Rontu can still sense my anxiety and I need to get it in check. I realize that I could bring him in to get his nails trimmed, but at this point, and how involved with my dogs I try to be, I feel bringing him in is a cop out of sorts. I am also feeling like trimming nails, as small as that sounds, has great potential in building a better level of trust- but I need to approach it just right. Any advice is so very appreciated ???thanks

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  1. Anonymous

    Try a dremel. It requires desensitization but it’s easier to use, as you’re less likely to quick your dogs with it, especially with dark nails. While you work on desensitization, take your dog to a groomer for trims.

    Or, since we’re local to each other (I’m just down in Baltimore), I could show you the basics of using a dremel sometime soon? I’d be happy to do it.

  2. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I tell clients to try to make nail exercises part of every day and every joyous occasion.. like taking “give paw” to the next level… make handing the feet over a task, offer rewards to reinforce participation and then start with a softer nail trimmer… like a file, or even a dremel (dremel takes longer to desensitize due to noise and vibration). But whatever you do keep at it.. also, if you do what I do, which is use nail trimmers, make sure they are sharp and know what you are aiming for.

    heres some help

    https://kmdvm.blogspot.com/2012/03/how-to-trim-nails.html

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Maria Chiaia | 5 years ago
IVDD – Beagle. Hi, I Reached Out A Few Weeks Ago Because My Dog Was…

IVDD – Beagle.

Hi, I reached out a few weeks ago because my dog was diagnosed with IVDD but could not use the bathroom on his own and it was next to impossible to express him. After a couple of weeks of manually catheterizing him, he started to use the bathroom on his own regularly. He also started to regain a lot of strength back, especially in his back legs. The problem area is in his neck but he is able to wag his tail and turn his neck all around. He still cannot walk, he can hold his backend up but his front two paws continue to knuckle and go under him when he tries to walk. I watched the videos on Hank and I know he had a similar issue but you did not go into depth as one video his front paws didn’t work and then the next video all of a sudden he was walking. Is there anything I can do to speed up this process or help him? I’m so proud of how hard he’s come and I don’t want to give up now.

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I’m so glad to hear that your dog is still with us and improving. I also think that your question is wonderful! Here’s what I did with Hank. I did lots and lots and more lots of massage and passive range of motion. I also placed him with support and encouraged him to just stand. I would hold his sternum and place his back legs (a little wider than normal) and just try to hold him there. Like teaching a baby to walk. I did this all the time. I know people are afraid of hurting them but the problem with paralysis is muscle atrophy. Which happens really really quick. Like in days. So I pushed him hard to keep trying and to wake his brain up to talk to his muscles. I hope this helps. Good luck. Keep us posted.

    1. Maria Chiaia Post author

      Great news! So happy and thankful to report that after three long, tough months, my dog is walking again!! The only thing that really helped was putting him in a pool and doing water therapy with him every day.

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Judy Kuehn | 5 years ago
I Have An 9 Year Old Spayed Female Pit/terrier Mix With A History Of Liver…

I have an 9 year old spayed female pit/terrier mix with a history of liver disease. She has recently been getting hairless black spots showing up on her sides and legs, especially in the rear. Her biopsy came back as possibly ischemic dermatomyosits. The antibiotic that her vet put her on seems to have made no difference, and the fish oil and vit E are A) difficult to give her and B) she hasn’t been on them long enough to know if they are helping. She has no apparent muscle involvement. Would doing blood studies for autoimmune diseases help me get a better plan for treatment? What specialist would be best to manage her care? Any information or help in this problem would really be appreciated!

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I think that asking for a referral to a specialist is always a wonderful idea. The more help you can get to care for your pet the better your pets care options are. I am not sure if the spurs are related to the condition or not but if you are contemplating auto immune issues you should see an internal medicine or dermatologist. I hope this helps. Please keep us posted.

  2. Judy Kuehn Post author

    Could the liver disease be associated? She had no localized lesions 3 years ago on U/S. But her labs have been improving while she has been on Royal Canin Hepatic and Denamarin.

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Sharon Kim | 5 years ago
My Male Cat Has Trouble Passing Urine Today, Went To The Vet And Was Diagnosed…

My male cat has trouble passing urine today, went to the vet and was diagnosed with idiopathic cystitis. He’s not completely blocked only passing tiny dribbles of urine. Was prescribed an anti inflammatory, pain meds and new wet food. He’s been drinking lots of water and not eating since we got back from the vet. I’m worried about him. Was told to wait and see and then come back if no change or symptoms worsen. He’s been hiding under the bed no improvement. Won’t eat. We have some calming spray and topical drops coming in the mail soon just to see if that helps with any stress. Would love to hear anything you can contribute.

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    For cases like this when I have a very worried and devoted parent I ask them if they would like to learn how to palpate their pets bladder to be better able to monitor at home and also to give sq fluids to keep the bladder as flushed as possible. If you can afford it hospitalize your cat for iv fluids and have them monitor. Then I recommend you switch to a urinary formula canned food and maybe even add water. Also products like cranmate or dasaquin might help. Ask about what you can do at home. Ask about pain management and follow up urinalysis. Ask your vet to be as personally invested in your cats health as you are. If they aren’t find a different vet. Try a cat specialist. Good luck.

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Rebecca Rice | 6 years ago
I Was Just Wondering If A Skin Scraping Was Done Could You Tell From That…

I was just wondering if a skin scraping was done could you tell from that if a dog has skin cancer my dog had one done to see if she had mange and my vet said she had skin allergies and allergic to grass but she kept getting worse I took her to a second vet and was told she had skin cancer I was just wondering if it was possible to tell that from a skin Scraping

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Cathy Testerman | 6 years ago
My Sister Has Several Female Barn Cats Who Have Had Multiple Litters Of Kittens. …

My sister has several female barn cats who have had multiple litters of kittens. I am willing to pay to have them spayed and vaccinated. Low cost spay/neuter places have a 6-8 week waiting list. I am willing to pay full price for the spay. I am looking for a clinic where I can bring them one at a time. Have them vaccinated and spayed. My vet is requiring a preop visit and then I would have to schedule spay. This would basically be impossible for me to do. Why can’t this all be done at one time? Trap/neuter/release programs do this all the time. Do you have any suggestions or know of any vet clinics that can accommodate me?

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    If you are a client of Jarrettsville Vet please call and ask for me or Jen. We can help you make this happen. And I often give discounts for getting a colony of cats spayed and neutered. I’m happy to help. Thank you for helping her. The clinic is 410-692-6171

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Carey Henning | 6 years ago
Can Interceptor Cause Bowel Problems. Our 1 Year Old Golden Seems To Have Tummy Issues…

Can Interceptor cause bowel problems. Our 1 year old Golden seems to have tummy issues a few days after her heartworm

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    Yes. It can cause gi upset. Please call the vet who prescribed it and speak to them about any possible adverse effect.

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Patrice Heisse | 6 years ago
Back In December My Dog Beagle/Bulldog Who Is Very Persistent Started Not Being Able To…

Back in December my dog Beagle/Bulldog who is very persistent started not being able to jump on our bed from the floor. I thought he was just getting old. Then he really couldn’t so we would lift him but he would jump off and he has done this his whole life. Then it got worse where his legs were giving out on him in the back. I took him to the vet who sent us to the neurologist who told us he needed an MRI and possible surgery. No x-rays or bloodwork was done. I cried and was so stressed out I wanted to move forward but it could be 8-10 thousand dollars. My husband said no we cannot afford that. So I then asked the neurologist are there other options she said steroids and gave me a bottle and sent me on my way. In three days he was like a new dog. He was walking almost perfectly, and acting normally. This went on for about 2 months. He then started to have a little trouble with the back leg. It’s impossible to keep him off the bed. He follows me everywhere. I did get stairs for the couch and bed. I called the regular vet and she gave me another RX for the steroid after I told her it worked so well. She said she cannot give him anymore he would need the surgery. He just had another episode of the leg going out and this time it seems to effect his front leg. I gave him 3 steroid pills I had left and he is a million times better. I also put a gait in front of the stairs but he still goes on the couch. I want him to have a great quality of life. He seems ok other than the leg going out. We feel it’s almost like my back. I have a herniated disc and here and there it will go out. How do they make a proper diagnosis without doing a 2300 MRI? Please help with any advice. Is this IVDD

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  1. Sarah

    Good morning ?? Dr. Magnifico has a lot of videos posted on IVDD, and I believe that she has written a few blogs on the subject as well. Look into those. Also, If I were you I would call my vet again, and have a serious conversation about what you want, what you can afford and come up with a plan together. Hope this helps.

  2. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    Tell your vet hat you would like another opinion and that you cannot afford surgery. If they still refuse to help find a vet who is willing to help you. Or call the neurologist again. There has to be some help for your dog that you can afford or else your veterinarians care is useless. There are always options. Even on a budget. Don’t take no for an answer.

  3. Patrice Heisse Post author

    Hi I have been watching your videos. I love them. You are a true champion for dogs and thier families. Thank you. I wish there were more like you. Do you do video consults? Or can I speak on the phone. I would pay you for a visit. Thank you so very much!

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Maria Chiaia | 6 years ago
My Beagle Was Diagnosed With IVDD In His Neck. He Is Unable To Pee On…

My beagle was diagnosed with IVDD in his neck. He is unable to pee on his own and will not let us express his bladder. The vet has been catheterizing him but told us we need to think about putting him down. Is there anything I can do to help him pee? I feel like he is holding it because he has never had an accident before and even crawls out of his bed to do number 2. I’ve read online about VetriDisc. Is this a legitimate option for him?

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    This is one that I feel needs a diagnosis for the reason he can’t, or isn’t urinating, It would be helpful to know a whole lot more about your dog and the details of his condition. In general I find that most of these guys aren’t urinating because they are painful,, too painful to posture to urinate, and too painful for their owners to manually express.. If you are within the first week of this condition ask about more pain meds., like gabapentin, methocarbamol or even a fentanyl patch. Then ask about a drug to reduce the issues that might be ib or around the bladder like phenoxybenzamine.. my point is that there are options left to try. If your vet doesnt have any options seek the help of a veterinary neurologist.

  2. Maria Chiaia Post author

    The first part got deleted but basically the vet said he had a slipped disc in his neck last Friday and put him on Vetprofen. He was getting worse so we took him to a neurologist.

  3. Krista Magnifico

    Ok. What did the neurologist say? If you need help keep calling the people you have already paid to help your pup. That’s what they are there for. To keep helping you and your dog. These cases are often very intense on the caregivers and the first few week are hard emotionally and physically. Please read my blogs on this subject. I talk about it a lot. Also my YouTube channel has lots of advice. I hope this helps.

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Pawbly | 6 years ago
My One And A Half Year Old Cat Seems To Have A Sore At The…

My one and a half year old cat seems to have a sore at the corner of her mouth. It might just be a small scab, she is eating normally/drinking water and going in the liter box like normal. I’m not sure if we should take her to the vet if it could be something really bad or if it’s nothing. Please let me know, thank you

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,

    It looks like it might just be a wound? Or scratch, something minor.. I have seen it happen to my cat when they are playing with each other. I would monitor it and call your vet if it worsens or persists longer than a day or two. Also, things like this are a great opportunity to reach out to your vet to make sure everything else is current (vaccines, preventatives, even a quick check to make sure the microchip is where we left it), and tell them you are a little concerned about it. They can help if you need them.
    best of luck.,
    Happy Easter to you both
    krista