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Joyce | 10 months ago
My 14 Year Old Cat Has Undergone A Wedge Excision Of Submandibular Tumor (AC) With Skin Flap 12 …

My 14 year old cat has undergone a wedge excision of submandibular tumor (AC) with skin flap 12 days ago. Surgery was rather successful, margin was cleared, drain was removed at post op day 6. He started to develop soft swelling (feels like a pouch of fluid) over his wound site and rather noticeably with some tension on the wound. He didn’t seem to be annoyed by the swelling (craving for food as always) and the site wasn’t warm. He was supposed to see the vet in a week time for off stitches. We wanted to consult the vet earlier but he’s out of town, anything we should be aware these couple days? Please help. Thank!

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  1. Shiria

    Oh just saw this now. I hope he is fine and you got to see your vet?
    Sometimes fluids build up after a tumor gets removed. If he’s not in pain and eating normally I would say its okay to wait a week. Of course if it gets herder, the skin gets discoloured (red or bluish) you should go ealier.

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Haven | 10 months ago
16 Year Old Cat Lethargic With Labored Breathing; Has Not Ate In 24 Hours. We Took Her To …

16 year old cat lethargic with labored breathing; has not ate in 24 hours. We took her to the vet this morning and her lungs were clear and her heart sounded good and did not look enlarged. Her bloodwork showed that she did have elevated white blood count and kidney disease but not end stages. Also her electrolytes looked normal. The vet was thinking that a blood clot may have passed but it was not indicated with anything but the labored breathing. She also thought she may have labored breathing possibly due to being in pain from arthritis. She gave her an injection for this that can be given monthly and sent us home with a low dose of gabapentin in hopes that she can rest and recover. She also added fluid under her skin in case she didn’t eat today. So far there is no change in her, if anything she is more lethargic but this could just be the medication. Just hoping someone may be able to give us other ideas of what may be wrong. We are really hoping our old girl pulls through.

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    It sounds like your vet did a thorough job in the work up. But. You still don’t ha e an answer that is hoping your cat feel better. For cases like this I would say to do two things. One, call the vet back and notify them of these concerns. And two seek a second opinion. If you can find a feline specialist go to them.
    Keep us posted and good luck.

  2. Shiria

    I agree with Krista here. One of my past cats also had kidney disease, he was not end stage, but every few months he woulds have a really bad week. Bloodwork weren’t that bad either. But he wouldn’t eat or drink, and sometimes even couldn’t walk. He needed daily fluids (the vet showed me how to do that at home) and was fed with a syringe. After 4-7 days he started to get better again.

    I would ask your vet to show you how to gove fluids udner the skin and feeding with a syringe, so that you can do this at home and help her for a few days. If she doesn’t get better it’s maybe nessecary to get a second opinion. But sometimes you just can’t find what is wrong :(.

    I wish you all the best!

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Cathy Owensby | 10 months ago
My Dog Needs An Echocardiogram. I Was Quoted $915. I Was Hoping To Find A More Affordable …

My dog needs an echocardiogram. I was quoted $915. I was hoping to find a more affordable option. Is there one?

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  1. Laura

    Hi Cathy – you can look for a clinic if this isn’t emergent. Usually they’re lower cost…BUT they’re only for dogs without a diagnosis of cardiac issues. If your dog has a suspected problem like dilated cardiomyopathy, you should go directly to a veterinary cardiologist…and yes, they’re expensive outside of cardiac clinic events. I would recommend reaching out to the nearest Doberman club or rescue to see if they know the next clinic event – that’s how I got my Dobe tested before she developed DCM.

    I’m so sorry you have a need. I hope your dog isn’t symptomatic.

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Sandee | 10 months ago
Anyone Have Thoughts, Suggestions And/or Recipes For Homemade Dog Food That Provides Complete Nutrition For …

Anyone have thoughts, suggestions and/or recipes for homemade dog food that provides complete nutrition for large breed dogs, specifically lab mixes. I am interested in exploring what feeding homemade food would look like from both an ingredient and time commitment perspective. Thank you in advance.

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  1. Laura

    I would say get your vet involved, and/or a veterinary dietician if there’s one near you. There’s a lot more leeway with dogs than with cats, but I’d be very careful about making sure they get the right balance of nutrition without overdosing them on anything.

    Oh, avoid legumes. There’s a link between heavy legume inclusion and dilated cardiomyopathy, which is something I wouldn’t wish on anyone.

    Lots of folks go with a raw diet. This seems to be somewhat controversial in vet circles (Dr. Magnifico will weigh in on this when she sees it), but it’s another feeding method that requires a lot of research first.

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Juveria | 10 months ago
Blocked Cat, Cannot Afford ER. Need Help Urgently!

Hello, I live in San Jose California and need urgent help with my male 7yr old neutered cat who is blocked. I took him to a vet who referred him to an ER , the ER has given me an estimate of $4500 to $5000. I cannot afford the treatment, they have unblocked him and put a catheter and IV. They plan to keep him for 48hrs in the hospital, the doctor told me that she found stones in his bladder and kidneys. I am really worried, please help me find a vet who can treat him further for less. I want to move my cat in the morning to an affordable clinic. Please guide me on next steps and help me find a vet. The case summary from the vet and estimate from the ER is attached to the post. Please help me this is very urgent.

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello

    I’m so sorry to hear about your cat. Can you please go to my blog and see all of the articles I have there for this? I literally have documents that you can use as a step by step guide to try to get help that is both affordable and helpful. Kmdvm.blogspot.com

    1. Juveria Post author

      Update: My cat went through a cystotomy on Friday, the surgery went well and he was sent home the same day. Unfortunately he was still blocked as the surgeon did not remove the stones in his urethra (He did not take any xrays after the surgery and also discharged my cat without making him pee on his own). I rushed him to the ER as he was very restless and trying to pee, the ER doctor immediately unblocked him with a catheter and while doing so, she was able to push the stones back into the bladder. Xrays (attached) were taken which shows three stones in the bladder. As the cost of ER was adding up and the surgeon who did his surgery was not available over the weekend, I decided to shift him with the catheter on to the hospital where his surgery was done.

      My cat is currently doing well, he is on Ivy and has a catheter on. He is on CD food since two days. The urine color has improved from bloody to fairly clear. Urinalysis results showed struvite (Ammonium Mg Phosphate) crystals . I will be meeting the surgeon tomorrow and need your advice on what should be the next steps for my cat. Which of the following would you advise?

      1. Re surgery to remove the remaining three stones from the bladder. After the initial surgery, the surgeon had mentioned that my cats heart is weak and hence he had to adjust the anesthesia to a lower level (1 instead of the usual 2), though the ER doctor does not see why would that be the case as there is no murmur seen in his reports and he has taken the sedation well while he was unblocked twice in the ER.

      2. CD food therapy: Urinalysis results showed struvite (Ammonium Mg Phosphate) crystals. Should we remove the catheter, make him pee on his own at the hospital and then get him home. Watch closely for re blockage while continuing his CD diet. What are the chances of his re blockage? Will the bladder have greater chances of rupture if he gets re blocked since he just had surgery?

      Please advise.

        1. Juveria Post author

          I would like to add that in the initial surgery, the surgeon successfully removed all the stones in his bladder but the stones in the urethra were left behind even though he said he flushed them. The ER doctor is very certain that she pushed those stones back into the bladder while unblocking him the second time when he landed in the ER post the surgery.

        1. Krista Magnifico

          Hello,
          It sounds like your cat has reblocked because stones were left behind? No post op Xray was taken?
          If this is the case I would ask to speak to the hospital manager and ask them to resolve the situation (ie remove the stones) at no cost to you. I don’t know why this was not discussed with you after the surgery was done? They should have known your cat was very likely to reblock very soon.
          I would also ask them to help you save your cat or ask them to give you your records so you can submit your cats case to the medical board for review. I would also ask your local vet to help you with this case.
          There are lots of support groups for this online. Esp on Facebook. Maybe someone will be able to help locally if you reach out to them.

          Good luck. Please keep me posted. I’m sorry for the delay.

          1. Juveria Post author

            @Krista Magnifico Update:

            My 8 year old cat (male, neutered, American short hair) was diagnosed with bladder stones and underwent a cystotomy in February 2024 to surgically remove the stones from the bladder. Unfortunately, the surgeon left behind 3-4 stones in the urethra during the surgery, which were later pushed back in the bladder. These stones blocked him again in May 2024 – he was unblocked via a catheter and the stones were pushed back into the bladder during catherization. He again got blocked a couple days ago and has been unblocked again via catherization with the stones pushed back in the bladder. The X-rays do not show formation of new stones in the last few months and the urinary analysis do not show any crystals.

            We are considering three surgical options to remove the sones now: 1) cystotomy 2) PU 3) Cystotomy + PU. Please see X-rays after the cystotomy in February, the one from May and the one from last night and advise on the best course of treatment

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RANDY | 11 months ago
My Dog Had Surgery To Fix A Ruptured Uterus And She’s Now Spayed. She First …

My dog had surgery to fix a ruptured uterus and she’s now spayed. She first stated leaking fluid from her incision site so I got scared and took her back to find out everything was ok. Now she’s got a pretty big seroma on her leg that just busted open and is draining everywhere. What should I do for her besides just keep cleaning it away from her?

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Vivienne Barnes | 11 months ago
Hi Everyone. What Is The General Opinion Regarding Harnesses And Ultra Sound Training Clickers Please

hi everyone. What is the general opinion regarding harnesses and ultra sound training clickers please

4 Responses

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  1. Laura

    I have not encountered ultrasound training clickers. Can you share a link to what you’re talking about?
    Regarding harnesses, my answer will depend on your expectations for a harness. I don’t like them for training purposes, as they can be used incorrectly. Corrective harnesses can and will change the gait of the dog, often permanently, especially if used when the dog is a young puppy…and without training the dog to walk nicely on a flat collar, a regular harness will encourage pulling.

    1. Vivienne Barnes Post author

      hi Laura, thank you for your comments. Coco is a very strong Springer and I find it difficult stopping her pulling until she has run off some energy. She is coming 2. Any tips would be welcomed. The training device emits a sound only the dog can hear but I feel it cannot be good for her.

      1. Laura

        Is it like a pet corrector?

        What have you done to train a nice walk? I like Kikopup’s video here: https://youtu.be/sFgtqgiAKoQ?si=GSirkizFuc87tWQl

        She’s a positive trainer who really explains things nicely. Work on a solid heel position first, THEN worry about loose leash walking your dog. And remember, dogs don’t generalize well, so you’ll have to work on this at home and out in public.

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Jessica | 11 months ago
Dr Magnifico I Left A Comment About My Milkshake On Your YouTube, I Made A Account …

Dr Magnifico I left a comment about my milkshake on your YouTube, I made a account here to talk more. Milkshake will be 8 on September 3rd, a while ago she was having diarrhea but after time she started having harder bowel movements where each time I would see her go it was hard enough to make a sound hitting the litter pan. Fast forward to this past week and for 6 days now she hasn’t ate or drank, she has not went poo but she did go pee two times yesterday. She has been vomiting a lot, the first day she would vomit every half hour, now it is still happening multiple times a day but not as much and is yellow do to not eating. I have been giving her water with a syringe to hopefully keep her hydrated. Like I said I’m on a fixed income do to my disability, I brought her to the Vet and didn’t even get a diagnosis after spending $200 getting seen having some nausea meds and fluid under the skin we were sent home to fend for ourselves, luckily I had saved that 200 up that was supposed to be for my other cats upcoming apt. I have tried calling other vets and hospitals and no one is willing to even let me do payments to get further information, the vet we went to said it would be at least $2,000 before she could be sure what exactly was going on and I just can’t afford it, we barely have food as it is. I tried applying for care credit and was denied unfortunately. I’m really worried about my milkshake. The only extra information that I did get from the vet was that she did not have a fever which was a good thing. Thank you for sending me this way, it is greatly appreciated.

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I’m sorry to hear about your cat.
    I would recommend a few things;
    Go on all of the social media platforms that you can and ask for help. Call every local rescue and shelter and ask for guidance in finding someone who can help you.
    I think that your cat needs to be given an exam and than maybe the vet can offer to teach you how to give sq fluids at home? Maybe they can also talk to you about trying some anti vomiting medications? Some of them are even available at the pharmacy.
    Reach out to local cat groups and even ask about help from the local animal shelters. Maybe they have a veterinarian who can help?

    I also think that in cases like yours it might be beneficial to see if you can help in anyway that might convince the vet staff that you are a devoted pet parent and responsible in paying them back? I know that if someone came to me and said “what can I do to help keep my cat alive and healthy?” I would work with them. Maybe instead of saying that you don’t have anything ask them what you can do to help them if they help you in return?” In some places volunteers at the shelters can get discounted vet care. Or my volunteers at my vet clinic get free vet care.
    I also think that your cat likely needs some lab work like a blood work and fecal. Anything that might explain her clinical signs. But I also think it should be done in an affordable manner. You need a compassionate vet for this.
    I hope you find them. If you do please let me know.
    Don’t give up. There are vets out there who will help.
    Good luck.

  2. Jessica Post author

    Dr Magnifico, Hello I have been doing all you suggested, I have been contacting different vets still waiting to hear from some and did hear from one in another state which is a few hours drive, if my milkshake does have pyometra this vet was so very generous giving me an amazing discounted price, the only problem is we don’t know if that is for sure what she has so if I drive all the way there and they do the surgery and she ends up not having that then I’m out more funds and these would be borrowed funds so I’m afraid of taking that chance then having absolutely zero funds and no one else to borrow from with a cat who is still sick and not diagnosed. It’s day 7 now and she is still not eating, not drinking, her vomiting is less now being only once or twice a day. She is getting some water by us squirting some at the side of her mouth and has been able to go pee quite a few times. She still has not gone poo though. I can’t get no prescriptions for subcutaneous fluids or nausea medication until blood work is done which is 300$ that like I said if I use these funds then I will have nothing for her treatment. I have applied for a couple of grants but with these they want your pet to already have a diagnosis so we will probably be denied. Do you have any ideas on what it could possibly be? Or ideas on how to get subcutaneous fluids for at home treatment, I know chewy has those but you need a prescription for that. Thank you again for all of your help and all of your dedication to animals in need of help, I stand by your side and will fight this fight with you.

  3. Jessica Post author

    I forgot to mention she did have a exam at the vet this past Friday, that’s when they wanted all the additional testing that I couldn’t afford, well I had to choose between life saving fluids and her nausea medicine or the blood work I knew if she didn’t have the fluids she was going to die soon

  4. Jessica Post author

    Hello Dr. Magnifico, I hope you are doing good. I just wanted to give a update on my milkshake, I kept giving her water with a syringe by mouth on the side of the mouth so she wouldn’t choke or aspirate. It had been 7 days since she had eaten anything, everyday I would try many different liquid type foods, some I would warm..she was not interested but I kept trying and trying until finally one day around three in the morning I warmed a temptation’s liquid treat by holding it in my hand for a while before opening I then put some of it in a syringe and got a small amount of it in the front of her mouth so she could get a taste and to my absolute surprise after 7 days she finally started licking it, I didn’t give her to much at that time because it had been so long but since then I’ve gradually increased the amount and now she is eating that and will even eat some of her wet food at dinner time with her siblings. She ended up going poo finally and it was a very hard one so I think she may have been constipated. To think the vet hospital wanted almost one thousand dollars to diagnose what they said was pyometra and it was not even that, not gonna lie they did scare me into almost giving a kidney to get my cat vet care. I am glad I did bring her to the vet hospital because I really think if she didn’t have those subcutaneous fluids at that time she probably wouldn’t have made it. I was scared and worried I was going to lose my milkshake and then I came across your YouTube advocating for animals and vet care, Dr.Magnifico if it weren’t for you and your advice from miles & miles away I don’t know what I would have done so I just wanted to take a few moments to not only let you know that milkshake is so much better now but to thank you so so much for your help, information and the encouragement to not give up in finding proper vet care that wouldn’t cost thousands. It is because of you that I now know not all veterinarians are expensive, they are few and far between but they are still out there. I am still searching for a vet like that in my state of Vermont but I have at least knocked some of the list and will continue to fight for my cats and the veterinarian care that they deserve. Thank you thank you thank youuuuu 😀 from myself, milkshake & our little fur tribe.

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Kionna | 11 months ago
Dog Having Seizures And All Her Lab Results Came Back Normal. He Always Go Back To …

Dog having seizures and all her lab results came back normal. He always go back to normal after. She is eating, playing, barking.
Just don’t know what to do.

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello.

    I have lots of information on seizures on my blog. Please go to kmdvm.blogspot.com and from there search seizures. Depending on how many your dog has had you might need a medication like keepra for this

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Brandis | 11 months ago
Medications For The Conservative Route For IVDD. We Were In The Process Of Acquiring A New …

Medications for the conservative route for IVDD. We were in the process of acquiring a new vet for our dog when he developed IVDD. The emergency vet gave him Gabapentin, trazadone, and carprofen. Would Prednisone be better than carpeofen or is it a matter of preference of the vet? It’s been less than 48 hours and my dog just seems to be having a hard time still. It’s stressful for him and for me because I feel helpless as well.

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