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Karen | 3 years ago
Teddy Sprained Something In His Left Hind Leg About 3 Weeks Ago. He Is A Standard Golden …

Teddy sprained something in his left hind leg about 3 weeks ago. He is a standard golden doodle, weighing 72 lbs, and before this injury, was having a hard time getting up at the end of the day, from lying on the floor. The vet said, without x rays, that Teddy has arthritis in his back legs, even though he is young for this, at 5. I’ve been giving him Dasequin, 2x a day for this. I thought he was starting to improve, when he took a bad step, running up some stairs into the house from outside. He let out a yelp, then cried for less than half a minute, and would not put his left rear foot on the floor. Eventually, he did try putting the foot down, and walking on it, but immediately picked his foot up again, and would not use that leg. I took him to the vet, who x rayed Teddy’s back legs and hips. Everything, bones and joints, looked normal and healthy. The diagnosis was a sprain, and I was given a bottle of carprofen to give Teddy, 2x a day. Teddy now is using his leg, but with a slight limp. I have taken him out of doggy day care, where he was going twice a week, to play with other dogs. I didn’t want to risk the sprain getting worse. I’ve also been taking him out on a leash, to potty, and for short walks for exercise. At the end of the day, however, he is obviously sore, and has a harder time getting up from lying on the floor. He is back to getting onto the couch, but can’t climb on the bed yet.
He’s also very bored, as I won’t play fetch with him (I don’t want him running on that leg yet), and is probably depressed at not seeing his doggy daycare friends. Poor guy won’t play with his toys, and now is turning up his nose at everything but treats. He will eat breakfast-at about 5 pm, then wants more kibble at bedtime. I’ve been reducing the amount of kibble late at night, and giving him apple slices and carrot sticks for treats.
So….how long will this sprain take to heal? How long until I can let Teddy go outside, and let him run around as he usually does? And, how long before I can let him go back to doggy daycare?

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  1. Laura

    Soft tissue can take a LONG time to fully heal, and I think the “when” questions are best addressed with your vet who knows him best. In the interim, though, I’d start working on brain games! There are things you can do at home with him leashed which will work his brain and pull him out of his depression. My favorite is nosework – Fenzi Dog Sports Academy has a class you can do at home. I STRONGLY recommend it. Here’s the direct link: https://www.fenzidogsportsacademy.com/10-course-descriptions/13342-n101s-nw101-introduction-to-nosework

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TJ Flanagan | 3 years ago
Help! My Dog Raided My Garbage Bag And Ate A Cooked Turkey Bone? Is There Anything …

Help! My dog raided my garbage bag and ate a cooked turkey bone? Is there anything I can do besides watching my dog for signs of distress?

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  1. Laura

    Hey there – because this is a potential emergency, I would call your vet. How’s he doing today?

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Maggie | 3 years ago
I Have 2 Cats Which Eat The Exact Food, Fancy Feast Wet Food. However, About Once A …

I have 2 cats which eat the exact food, Fancy Feast wet food. However, about once a week, Kirby throws up his breakfast about 10 minutes after he eats. He gets frightened when he’s about to throw up, so he starts running around the house, which leads to projectile vomiting everywhere. I can’t seem to figure out why. It’s not a certain flavor of food. And then, within about an hour, he’s meowing at me and complaining that he’s hungry. Is there something I can give him to keep his stomach settled down? Maybe sprinkle something on his food?

3 Responses

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  1. Laura

    Hi there.

    It’s very possible, even likely, that this brand makes him ill – my senior cat couldn’t have Hill’s Science Diet when he was younger, as it gave him diarrhea and projectile vomiting. I had to change the brand to something higher quality for the majority of his life. Have you tried any other brands of food for him?

    1. Maggie Post author

      Not sure what else to try. He also does this occasionally after just eating treats, no matter what brand.

      1. Laura

        I don’t know where you’re located to give food suggestions but I would absolutely ask your regular vet this question.

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Jennifer Taylor | 3 years ago
Last Summer My Beloved Cat, Summer Escaped My Home And Was Missing For Two Months. When …

Last summer my beloved cat, Summer escaped my home and was missing for two months. When she was found she had lost about 1/3 of her body weight and her personality had changed. While she was previously very much the “alpha” cat and could be a bit of a diva she is now timid and very loving. During the time when she was missing I was under an incredible amount of stress; having a pet pass away is heartbreaking but having a pet go missing is agonizing, I would not wish the experience on my worst enemy. I couldn’t sleep for much of the two months. Our cat Gracie was by my side the entire time. She did take over as the leader of our little cat pack (pride??). When Summer returned Gracie and her initially got along okay, however within about two weeks Gracie started going after Summer causing a significant amount of stress on Summer. She would chase her off the litter box and food bowls. We created a safe space for Summer and over the past year she has very much chosen to stay isolated away from Gracie, our other cats come “visit” without an issue. Several months ago Gracie started urinating outside of her box. We first had to go through the process of elimination to determine which cat was urinating outside the box. All cats have had urine and bloodwork done to rule out any medical issues. Gracie is now isolated and Summer has free reign of the house. Inappropriate urination has stopped. Our other cats can come “visit” Gracie without incident, however as soon as Summer enters the room Gracie attacks her. We have tried medication and we have tried putting a drop of vanilla on each cat so they smell the same. I would prefer to not spend the rest of my cats lives isolating one or the other to create peace in our home. I will note that Gracie has limited or no sight in one of her eyes, she has always been a bit of a “scrapper” with the other pets when they approach her on that side, that being said this isn’t a case of Summer startling her, she is seeking out Summer to attack her.
I would love advice from anyone who has had a similar experience; what worked, what didn’t?

1 Response

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  1. Laura

    Hi there. I’m sorry it took us a while to respond…I’ve been pondering over this since you initially posted. I think you may have to consider permanent separation. This is doable in a cat household, as you’ve seen, though it can be annoying, but it might be safest for the clowder.

    I assume you’ve tried Feliway?

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Mary | 3 years ago
We Have Rescued Two Feral Cats For Our Farm. They Came From West Virginia Rescue With …

We have rescued two feral cats for our farm. They came from West Virginia rescue with vaccines. A Maryland rescue took them and thus we have them. They are friendly to us and one lets us pick him up. The other loves to be petted but not picked up. My question…..I would like to have them chipped. The problem is I don’t know when I can get them in a carrier. It will take some time. I don’t think I can set an appt. time for the chip. I have all their paper work for you. Any suggestions??

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  1. Laura

    Is it possible a mobile vet could come to you for this? Might be easier than trying to get them in carriers.

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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.

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  1. Laura

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

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Maricela | 3 years ago
Hello There. My Cat Has Had An Ear Infection For Over Two Years Now And Has …

Hello there. My cat has had an ear infection for over two years now and has been treated with antibiotics over and over but it will not go away. Just about a year ago the vet removed a few polyps from my cats ear and throat and we thought for sure that’s why the antibiotics weren’t clearing up the ear infection, so we have done more ear infection treatments since the polyps have been removed but it’s still infected. My cats ear is stinky and water flys out of my cats ear when he shakes his head. I am so over antibiotics, we have literally tried every kind. Is there a home remedy out there anyone has had success with? Please help.

2 Responses

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  1. Shiria

    Hello,
    I just found your question. Have you found a solution for your cat yet?
    We had a cat at our shelter, that was found with an infected mass inside their ear canal. The mass was removed, but it wouldn’t get better. It was smelling bad and pus could be seen. When the mass started growing back, his whole ear canal was removed.

    Maybe that is an option for your cat, too? It helped Tony a lot. No more itchy, smelling, hurting ear. Altough he had to war a cone during healing, but after that he was the happiest cat.

    I wish the ebst for your cat.

  2. Maricela Post author

    Hello again! My cat is going in for a total ear canal ablation one week from today, but not only are they removing just the ear canal they will also remove the middle ear too. I am so worried and nervous for him but this is my last resort.

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Candice | 3 years ago
POLPY REMOVAL

Hello everyone,

I have a 3-year-old cat with a polyp. I’m not sure where the polyp is located since the x-rays/MRI scan cost 1k. I’ve joined groups on Facebook to find any clinics to remove the polyp. VCA quoted me 4-7k which doesn’t include any kind of scans and most local veterinarians only remove polyp if they can physically see it.

I really need any help trying to find any clinic in the US. I’m willing to travel but for a reasonable price. I’m a college student living on my own with many expenses and it’s truly upsetting seeing my little guy go through this. I can hear him snoring and couching. I believe the polyp is located in his throat and nose.

Please please help me out!!!

2 Responses

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  1. Sarah

    Hi there-
    I’m sorry that you are going through this. Have you tried pet insurance to see if they cover some of the cost? Have you tried you local humane society to see if they can point you towards a vet or surgeon who can get you a proper diagnosis and is able to perform the surgery if necessary? Have you spoken to your regular vet and asked their opinion, based on your finances, how to best help your cat or where else you can go for assistance? I would start there. I would also google the surrounding area and start making phone calls to see who else in your area might be able to advise/help/treat.

  2. Maricela

    Hello, I went through this just a year ago and finally found a vet near me who is amazing and removed my cats polyps without pushing an MRI. This vet is in MN. Let me know if you’d like his info.

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Sarah | 3 years ago
Hi Pawbly Friends! We Are In WV – Beautiful Place To Rejuvenate The Spirit. One Of …

Hi Pawbly friends! We are in WV – beautiful place to rejuvenate the spirit. One of our vacation neighbors takes in strays, and has a vet coming Tuesday to check on a few. One kitten that she recently rescued is only 6 weeks old by the vets estimate. She was having trouble with bowel movements and her hind end was covered in maggots. They cleaned her up and she is on day 5 of an antibiotics, however with each strain to go to the bathroom, maggots still appear. The fear is that even though she is being cleaned each time, that there are many more than she can stand. Nearest emergency vet is 2 hours away in Virginia and not really a feasible option. Any advice on how best to help this baby until the vet can get out here on Tuesday?

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  1. Sarah Post author

    Hi again Pawbly friends-
    Sad to say that kitty did not make it. We tried best we could- very sad lesson to have the kids learn.????

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Teresa | 3 years ago
I Have Been Using Cat Fountains For My Cats For A Long Time Now, Because They …

I have been using cat fountains for my cats for a long time now, because they all love fresh running cold water and insist on drinking out of the sink. The problem I’m having is that I still have not found the best cat fountain for my kids. So many of them are made from plastic, and regardless of how often you change the filters they mold easily. Gross. I have seen ceramic ones and stainless steel. I am reaching out for input from everyone to find out what it is they use that they find is the best. Even the filters tend to get funky quickly. I only have three cats and I do wash their fountain often. But I’m looking for one that will not mold easily and also does not make a huge mess on the floor. Thank you so much and advance!

1 Response

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  1. Laura

    Hi there! Unfortunately, the issues you describe are endemic to the nature of a drinking fountain.

    They all mold. It’s the nature of a warm, wet environment. They all need very frequent cleaning – is the nature of a water bowl.

    What kind of mess are you seeing on the floor? Do you have anything under it to catch drips?