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Summer | 2 months ago
My Border Collie 2 Years Old Recently Started Staring At Shadows. She Will Just Sit And Stare …

My border collie 2 years old recently started staring at shadows. She will just sit and stare for hours. When the light moves and the shadow is in a different spot she will move with it. What could be going on? I can’t get her to play or cuddle or anything once she starts staring.
I took her to the vet for bloodwork and everything came back normal.

2 Responses

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  1. Laura

    This sounds like an obsessive behavior. I would be working on training and mental work daily in the hopes this can be curbed.

  2. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I would also ask your vet about the possibility of focal seizures and whether a referral to a neurologist might be helpful.

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Sandy | 2 months ago
What Products, If Any, Can You Recommend For A Dog That Is Urine Marking In The …

What products, if any, can you recommend for a dog that is urine marking in the house.

A little background which I think is important.. My grandson adopted 2 dogs a couple of years ago from Tall Tails Rescue about a year apart. They were both very shy with strangers (almost fearful) but have come around somewhat. Back in May my grandson had to move back home and lives in the lower level of the house. Leo and Diesel have adapted well thanks to my daughter who has gotten them into a routine. However, Diesel is urine marking in the house. Right now there is only one recliner downstairs because Diesel chewed the sofa down to the frame. He has also chewed blankets and an area of her wood molding.

I guess I should mention that he is a hound dog (not sure if pure bred) and he is neutered. He has been checked by a vet and there does not appear be anything wrong with him physically. Not sure if this is important but both dogs are by themselves for a good part of the day. My granddaughter lets them out at lunch time before going to college.

Diesel obviously has a behavior problem and probably needs professional help which they cannot afford at this time.

In the interim do you have any suggestions?

Are any of the otc products effective (either plug-ins, supplements, etc.)?

Thank you

1 Response

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  1. Laura

    Is he marking or is he emptying his bladder? If the former, that’s a training issue. I would go back to square 1 with housebreaking – leash him to a person when he isn’t crated, and take him out every hour. When he cannot be supervised, he should be crated. Reward the desired behavior and correct any signals that he’s going to mark. With him leashed to a person, he can’t wander off to mark anywhere, and any unwanted behavior should be much easier to prevent.

    If he’s emptying his bladder, that could be a urinary problem, and he should be checked out.

    Regarding the other naughty behavior, I’ll bet he’s bored. He should be getting daily mental and physical work. Again, crate to prevent unwanted behaviors when unsupervised.

    For either situation, clean all areas with enzyme cleaner. Nature’s Miracle has worked well for us.

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Genesis | 3 months ago
Hello! I Was Listening To A Lecture On Animal Nutrition, And It Brought Up The Topic …

Hello! I was listening to a lecture on animal nutrition, and it brought up the topic of grain-free diets. I used to feed my dogs the blue wilderness grain free diet. But is grain free safe for my dog? Should my dogs have grain in their diet? They are currently eating team dog and that has grains in it. Thank you!

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I avoid grain free. I don’t think there is likely any benefit to it while there is still a risk of heart issues. So I just don’t recommend it. Why worry about something that is avoidable?

  2. Laura

    There appears to be a link between diets using legumes to boost protein and dilated cardiomyopathy. Whatever you feed, I would avoid anything with peas or other legumes high in the ingredient list.

    Furthermore, if I’m feeding kibble, I have seen actual stool changes between grain free and grain inclusive. The latter seems to produce smaller, more solid stool than the former. My dogs have all done better on grain inclusive. I have found Purina’s Pro Plan to be the best for my specific dog’s gut – she has had almost no loose stool since we started her on it.

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Nikki | 3 months ago
My Dogs Eye Keeps Getting Gooped Shut. I’ve Had Many Dog In My Life And …

My dogs eye keeps getting gooped shut. I’ve had many dog in my life and never seen this, reminds my of pink eye in people but his eyes aren’t pink. I’m going to call the vet tomorrow I thought it was maybe allergies at first with the weather changing but now I’m thinking it’s something more…. Anybody have any ideas?

1 Response

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I do think the vet visit is the best idea. Someone needs to look at the eye (get the eyelids to open just enough to allow a visualization of the cornea) to see if that is the source of the problem. You also need some pain meds and an ophthalmic antibiotic I think. Please go asap. Damage to the cornea can have serious consequences, including loss of vision, and they can get very bad very quickly.

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Josh | 3 months ago
Hello, Firstly Thank You For Making This Site And Sharing Your Message And Trying To Help …

Hello, firstly thank you for making this site and sharing your message and trying to help both Vets and pet owners do better by and for their sake.
The cold weather in Oregon is setting in, I attached some photos I hope help. I’m trying to figure out the best way to identify and treat this issue.
The following are my observations of the marks located at the base of the tail areas side and underside only, surface level circular with some being slightly more crater like. Hair loss and area effects remain the same after what feels like over a month already. Plasma is typical puss in 2 or so spots, no swelling since first observed till present day, skin near effected area looks okay, over grooming of the area likely but not believing this is a source of pain. We live in a farm setting he is a stray I will watch over like my own and treat as such, I’m not against funding anything from big or small for his care but he’s strictly outdoor hunter and sometimes I wont see him for days. Would be most appreciative to any insight in what this might be or how I can help, likewise if there is a wound spray or dewormer I could purchase he is 100% outdoors and I see no signs of worms but he drinks from bird bath dishes. He will allow me to handle him but only so much I’d be much more worried when his patience runs out. I’d say he weighs about 15 pounds and overall health and appearance / dental is amazing. I always offer him a safe clean area and access to the property I will be buying a breakaway collar with a GPS tracker for him, he’s a farm cat my neighbor and me watch after. Would this be something to just give more time to mend? or should I step in and apply or seek help. Thank you! I will 100% be doing a donation, really wish more Vets were like you or highlighted in the community.

EDIT, the donation link via paypal says this is indelible, you can click 1-2 photos below that say Ads to be redirected to those to donate, if you have a place in mind please add it to the response I’d be happy to donate to your place of choice.

2 Responses

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,

    Thank you for taking care of this kitty. It sounds like he really needs to have a friend in his corner.

    I think that a few things are really important to discuss. One, although the skin wounds are concerning I think that too often pet parents are focused on an exterior (often transient and benign things), and forget about all of the immensely important things going on in the inside. Like, is this cat spayed, neutered or vaccinated? These are the absolute foundations for a healthy pet.

    I also think that your vet can help you understand if this is a parasite issue like fleas?
    I wish I could tell you that this is and give you the answer to help it get better, but, medicine isn’t just looking at a picture. It is about helping the pet from the inside and out.
    I think that you need help from a vet. I think this cat needs to be spayed/neutered and vaccinated. I also think they need an antibiotic and a product to help with fleas.

    Good luck.

    1. Josh Post author

      I will search for a Vet office and bring him in for some treatment or an ER clinic for results. Glad I’m he does not have flees presently, as I comb him and check with flea combs. Those things are terrible as for infestations go and I love Food Grade DiatomaceousEarth for getting rid of that mess. My neighbor is a farmer who lives offsite and does not visit, more or less he picked up this cat some years ago and it only gets put in doors when they spray chemicals on the crops. I was worried with cold weather approaching and any injuries present much less bald spots like this. They either seen this on his tail by now or would have got him help. In his words he is just a friendly stray, pretty sure he is fixed but I will bring him in and get everything covered. He will be okay though I will make sure of it just wanted to get some insight on this. Could be days or sometimes a week or two before I see him day or night, but I will always watch for him and over him. Thanks again for your time and care you give in this field. The donation links did not work for me paypal related / sign up email Have a great day, take care.

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john | 3 months ago
Hi, I Have A Male Cat (Mugzy) Less Than 2 Years Old With A Broken / Dislocated Right …

Hi, I have a male cat (Mugzy) less than 2 years old with a broken / dislocated right hind leg, he was probably hit by a car. After his injury he was removed from a colony and taken to a vet. digital scans were taken of his leg. Aside from this injury he appears to be in good health. The injury occurred approximately 2 months ago and he had gone missing for 1 month before he reappeared. The veterinarian recommended the leg be amputated at the hip. He has good blood circulation in his leg and foot and is coping well despite his injury. My question is can surgery restore partial mobility to his leg as an alternative to removing his leg ? See pics. Appreciate your opinion. John

1 Response

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    That’s a pretty significant injury. It looks like the hip is dislocated and the femur is broken at the knee. For the hip you could talk about an FHO surgery as a good option to keep the leg, and stay functional without pain, but the knee needs to be addressed. I’m not sure how to manage that without help from a surgeon.

    I always recommend a second opinion before making the decision to amputate but this has to be done in person with a vet. It cannot be done safely online via a photo alone.

    Good luck.

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Joseph | 3 months ago
My Dachshund Is Having Back Issues And I Heard About A Procedure Call PLDA That Might …

My dachshund is having back issues and I heard about a procedure call PLDA that might help my dog’s condition. Is this procedure safe for my dog ? I’ve seen write-ups on the internet about it, but no new reports on it since the early 2010’s. Is this still a viable answer to my dog’s condition? Ay help would be greatly appreciated . Thank you.

Joseph Kuzma

2 Responses

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,

    I’m sorry to hear about your dog. I don’t know any patients or veterinarians who have had this procedure. This would have to be answered by a neurologist or surgeon

  2. Joseph Post author

    Thank you for replying. I was just wondering why nothing has been written about it for 10 to 15 years. I live in Connecticut . I found a vet in Pennsylvania who performs the procedure, but I have to wait for my dog’s pain to be relieved before the procedure can be performed. I will call my vet on Monday and ask their opinion. Thank you, again for your reply.

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Christy | 3 months ago
I Was Wondering If The Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy Is A Good Treatment For A Very …

I was wondering if the Tibial plateau leveling osteotomy is a good treatment for a very active female Akita-husky mix, approximately 2.5 years old? Tater has been spayed, and didn’t react to that procedure well. She “guarded” her abdomen and haunches for over a year. We have moved, so have access to a different vet. Her primary vet office is Price’s Creek (Ohio), who referred her to Medvet for the surgery. I can’t remember the vet who we had Tater’s consultation with at Medvet.

1 Response

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    If you are confident with the diagnosis of a cranial cruciate ligament injury then I do believe that a TPLO is the best way to treat this. As far as your choice of surgeon you can certainly ask your vet or a trusted member of your community for advice.

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Jacob | 3 months ago
My Dog Licked A Small Frog And Was Excessively Drooling For About 10 Seconds And Pawed At …

My dog licked a small frog and was excessively drooling for about 10 seconds and pawed at his face once but was fine after that. I took a warm rag and wiped his gums and the roof of his mouth and his paws really well and he’s acting normally. Should I still be concerned?

1 Response

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    This happened to my dog many times with the same result. They have always been fine. Of course I don’t know what kind of frog this was, or your pet’s medical history or condition, so please keep an eye on your pup and call your vet with any questions or concerns

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Angelina | 3 months ago
Hi My Cat Went To The Vet A Couple Weeks Ago And Noticed A Scratch With …

Hi my cat went to the vet a couple weeks ago and noticed a scratch with a small bald spot as soon as I got home now he has a huge spot with scratches can anyone please identify what is could be ?

1 Response

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,

    It’s hard to identify a lesion based on a photo. If I had to guess I think that you are seeing hair loss but not an active lesion or wound. This can be from hair follicle damage or infection after it has healed. I’m sorry but it might be best to see a vet if the lesion persists, or others arise.