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Stina | 2 years ago
I Just Found Out That One Or Both Of My Cats Are Peeing/spraying On My …

I just found out that one or both of my cats are peeing/spraying on my baseboards in the basement. This has never been a problem. I have no idea what has caused this or what to do to stop it. I have 2 female cats. They get along just fine with no issues. What could this mean? How can I stop it?

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I always tell my clients that if cats had opposable thumbs they would write on the walls “Hey! Pay attention there’s a problem!” But they don’t so instead they pee outside of the box. There is an issue. The challenge is figuring out what that issue is.
    First head to the vet for an examination and bloodwork to include a urinalysis. Look for a medical issue like uti,cystitis, diabetes, Kinsey disease etc etc. Lots of things cause abnormal urine output. Start there. Otherwise a medical condition can continue and worsen your cats prognosis. After that address behavior. We add medications for stress, anxiety and discomfort. Also consider crate training in a large crate so they cannot wander back the the soiled places and give them their own safe place. In some cases long term medication is indicated.
    My point is that your cat is asking for help. How far are you willing to go to help them?
    I hope it is to the ends of the earth. Too many cats are abandoned or euthanized bc people can’t see past the annoyance of urinating outside of the box.

    Good luck.
    Keep us posted

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Beth | 2 years ago
PYOMETRA SURGERY On A Shepherd/Husky Mix: Surgery Cost Info Plus Question For Vet!

PYOMETRA SURGERY QUESTION: I have a question for Dr. Krista. Below is background information and I will include cost info for anyone that might be searching for cost information in the future and stumbles across this website. (also uploading a picture of doggie with stitches to gallery)

My 7.5 year old Shepherd/Husky mix just had surgery for pyometra. It was approximately $2000 at a pet hospital in Tennessee for the surgery. (actual surgery was a little under $900 and then additional things such as anesthesia, overnight boarding charge, IV, antibiotics, e-collar, medication, etc ended up racking up the charges to almost $2000.) Her symptoms that caused me to go to the vet were not eating, depressed, excessive drinking, constant licking her private areas, and I did notice she was drooling a lot as well. Her not eating was the main thing that had me worried as this dog will eat anything and gobble her food up in seconds and then lick the bowl clean searching for any missing bits under normal circumstances, yet she even turned her nose up at her favorite foods. I had initially been worried about blockage since she had eaten some table scrap bones a few days prior (which I now know not to do for future reference), but after googling , I came to the conclusion pyometra was more likely. She had just finished her heat cycle a few weeks prior, so everything lined up on her symptoms matching pyometra. The vet did an x-ray and blood work and it did end up being Pyometra. I had never heard of this before and really wish I had as this was an expensive lesson for us to learn and painful for our poor doggie. If we had spaded her when she was younger, it would have been $250 at the exact same place I just paid $2000 to for pretty much the exact same surgery. (though now much riskier and doggie sick) The vet did the surgery the morning following her initial examination. (the initial exam was $425 for exam, x-ray and blood work and was not included in the cost of surgery. I received a 25% discount off of this price for being a new customer) She had the surgery at 10 AM and stayed the night to get extra fluids and antibiotics as she had a pretty bad infection and keep and eye on her. I picked her up at 2 PM the day after her surgery. My doggie was happy to see me when I picked her up and seemed to be feeling much better. She wagged her tag and happily jumped in the car and was excited about going in our house. Once in the house, she visibly drooped, though. I thought that was probably normal after having surgery and she slept a lot. She ate that night and I gave her the medicine in her food. This morning, however, she once again refuses to eat- even her favorite foods. She drinks normally, but doesn’t eat anything, so I also cannot give her the medication, which consisted of an antibiotic and pain pill. I tried forcing a piece of bread in her mouth with the pill inside it but she just spit it out. My question for Dr. Krista or anyone who has had experience with pyometra…. is this normal for a dog not to want to eat a couple of days after surgery? It has now been almost exactly 48 hours since her surgery. She went to the bathroom a little bit ago and both urinated and had a wet bowel movement. I have tried offering all different kinds of foods and she shows no interest. She is just laying around. She is still drooling more than normal, but seems in better shape than when I initially took her to vet… but worried about her lack of appetite. How I can give her the medication if she will not eat. Any recommendations?

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello
    Thank you for the information and sharing your story. I would say that based on the information provided I would call your vet and ask for help. It migh t be pain, infection or secondary disease process. An appetite stimulant might also help. Regardless there is a cause for her nausea and inappetance and that needs to be diagnosed and treated. Start there.

    I wish you luck.

    Keep us posted

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carolyn zeller | 2 years ago
Our Dog Addison Is Having Diarrhea. What Can I Give Her To Help This Go Away. …

Our dog Addison is having diarrhea. What can I give her to help this go away. Has been for day and a half.
She weighs 95 lbs

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    The diarrhea has a cause. Until you find out what that is you are simply trying to resolve a clinical sign.
    If your dog isn’t on a heartworm prevention that treats for intestinal parasites you should ask your vet to look for these. If your pet is young and unvaccinated I worry about parvovirus. If they are old I worry about disease and deficiency. Your dogs weigh tells me nothing about what the cause might be. Please call a vet and get better help to resolve this. Chronic diarrhea can cause dehydration, emaciation and even death.

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Lydia | 2 years ago
What Is The Likelihood Of This Poor Kitty Regaining Bladder/bowel Function? We Recently Trapped And …

What is the likelihood of this poor kitty regaining bladder/bowel function?

We recently trapped and rescued an injured stray. We’ll never fully know what happened to him but he has a multitude of injuries some old and healed and some not. Required a lot of teeth to be pulled and had to have his tail amputated due to sores and maggots inside. He has about 2 inches of tail left. Surgery was done 3 days ago. He wasnt moving his tail when we got him but is walking fine. Since getting him home I notice hes leaking urine with no control and seems to be constipated. I’m unfortunately no stranger to spinal injuries in cats but he appears to still have anal tone, unsure about sensation at tail base and is mobilising fine. But his abdomen seems quite distended and a little tense. I have managed to express urine from him and giving him laxatives (back to the vets tomorrow if no poops). Just wondering what his outlook is likely to be to better guide his rehab. I know it might be too soon to tell yet but any guidance is appreciated.

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    The answer to this depends on a lot of things. Like age, degree of trauma , other neurological deficits and post op time.

    In general cats are very resilient and even if they don’t fully recover they often manage their challenges quite well.

    I guess my advice is to not give up but know what you are dealing with. Palpate the bladder multiple times a day and check a urine anytime it smells bad or looks murky. Keep encouraging walking and playing. Nothing rebuilds muscle better than that. Learn to palpate the colon. Add water or a laxative (not fiber as I feel it just adds bulk and makes defecating harder) to help the stool stay soft and easy to pass. I hope this helps.

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Mindy | 2 years ago
I Have An Elderly Cat Who Is About 15 Years Old. Vet Says She Is In Good …

I have an elderly cat who is about 15 years old. Vet says she is in good health. I just want to know what is normal behavior for elderly cats. She is relaxed and sleeping most of the time. Her favorite spot right now is on our mat in front of the oven. Her appetite has decreased. She often makes a sound like she has a hair ball but just a little clear liquid comes out. Are these normal things for a cat of this age?

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    Did your vet offer any diagnostics? Blood, urine, blood pressure? I think every 15 yr old deserves them. And I also think vet vista every 6 months from here on out are a great way to find problems early.
    As far as normal for an elderly cat goes,, well they are each their own. So that’s hard to quantify.

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Stephanie | 2 years ago
The Vet Thinks My Cat Is Blocked But Is Charging An Outrageous Price. I’m Not …

The vet thinks my cat is blocked but is charging an outrageous price. I’m not currently working due to my own health issues. What can I do to save my baby?

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    Here’s what I would do. Ask them what is included in the estimate. Ask for an itemized invoice and ask if anything on that list is optional. And then ask why. Ask for it all in writing. And then call every rescue and shelter you can fund and ask for advice. If your cat is blocked ask for the vet to at least remove all of the urine from the bladder to buy you some time to find a place that is affordable.
    If you wouldn’t mind please add all of the information you collect to our stories page to help others.
    A cat who cannot urinate will die. Do these are truly emergencies. But the price has gotten so high for them that sadly many people have to euthanize in lieu of treatment.

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Richard | 2 years ago
My Four-year-old Boy Chihuahua Named Buddy Is In Very Rough Shape. He Is Such A Loveable …

My four-year-old boy Chihuahua named Buddy is in very rough shape. He is such a loveable highly active very fit healthy dog. He suffered a type one IVDD incident. This was six days ago. He went from stage one to stage four in 48 hours. He was not diagnosed until after an x-ray when he was already in stage four. Four days after that he has been diagnosed to be in stage five. He showed signs of improving his stability when holding himself up with his front two legs two days ago and did not eat until just 12 hours ago. He’s eating and drinking and his general comfort seems to be much better but he has zero high pain feeling and has no bladder or control of his annular muscles. My regular vet who is not a surgeon has recommend putting him down. I named him Buddy because he literally is my buddy. He was adopted two years ago and rescued from Mexico with scars all over his body that already healed when I got him. He is a survivor and so am I as I have suffered emotional and physical scars as well. I can’t bear the thought of losing him and not seeing him run and be happy again. I don’t want to give up on him yet. I also don’t want him to suffer. He is totally responsive from his front legs forward. He is kissing, eating and drinking now. I am hoping I hear from Krista. I have seen Krista’s videos on IVDD recovery stories. I don’t know what to do for him. I am doing every thing I can but not surgery which I can’t afford. Is there any hope?

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I’m sorry to hear about your Buddy. I have lots of information on my blog at KMDVM.blogspot.com search Ivdd and YouTube channel. Go there.

    There is always hope

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Yvonne | 2 years ago
Our Adult Cat (probably About 10-12 Years Old) Has A Fracture On Her Front Left Paw/…

Our adult cat (probably about 10-12 years old) has a fracture on her front left paw/leg. It’s the holiday weekend, so we splinted it but we don’t want her to suffer until Tuesday. There’s an emergency vet but it’s over 2 hours away (we live in a rural area) and of course the expense will be outrageous so while we are willing to do whatever needed we’re wondering if there are any OTC pain meds we can give her until Tuesday when we can take her to our regular vet, or is she at risk of complications if we wait? Any info is appreciated. The break seems to be right above the paw joint.

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I’m sorry to hear about your cat.
    Sadly there really aren’t any otc medications that I feel are safe for cats.
    The best advice I can give is to place her in a cage that allows her room to sleep, eat and use a litter box. Nothing bigger than that. If you are worried about the cost of an orthopedic surgeon than resting in a small ache to allow it to heal is the next best option. For pain meds you would have to see your vet.

    Good luck

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deehoeck1 | 2 years ago
Lucy And Lacee Were Boarded Over Last Weekend, Friday Nite Through Sunday. We Picked Them Up …

Lucy and Lacee were boarded over last weekend, Friday nite through Sunday. We picked them up Sunday afternoon. Both have had their bordatella vaccinations. Thursday and Friday they both coughed a couple times. Today, Lucy is coughing a lot, not eating very much, and she seems a little lethargic. Lacee hasn’t gotten any worse and she is playing and eating. What do you suggest we do?

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    Dr Morgan works tomorrow from 1-3. If you are concerned she can see them. If they are acting normally and the cough isn’t worsening we usually say to just keep them quarantined and calm. But if the cough is worsening or they are lethargic or not eating then they should be seen.
    Please remember to keep the dogs in the car until we are ready to see them just in case it is kennel cough which is contagious so we don’t spread it to any other dogs at the clinic.

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Cheryl | 2 years ago
It’s A Long Story, But I Will Try To Make It Brief. Molly, 3.5 Month Old …

It’s a long story, but I will try to make it brief. Molly, 3.5 month old Labrador patient of Dr. Magnifico, unfortunately found a canister of Trident Gum that had fallen between the front seat and back seat of the vehicle. We were traveling across the state and stopped at a Vet Clinic. I knew Xylitol was poisonous to dogs. The receptionist consulted with the Dr. and he said to call the Animal Poison Control Center and meanwhile try to induce vomiting. We didn’t have to induce, but she started vomiting on her own. I did administer peroxide to make sure she emptied her stomach. This all took place within 1/2 hr window. We started on the road again as the nearest Emergency Hospital was an hour and 1/2 away. I called the Poison center and the Veterinarian on the line did the toxicology calculation and said Molly really needed emergency treatment. She told me to give Molly some kibble to ward off hypoglycemia. We got her to the emergency hospital and they started testing her blood sugar (elevated to 133), administered an antidote for Xylitol, checked her ALT liver value (114 reading) and gave her dextrose and a liver supplement. This all took place late Monday night into Tuesday. On Tuesday, Molly seemed to be recovering nicely and I was expecting her to come home on Wednesday. On Wed afternoon, they said her ALT Liver value was elevated 1 point (76 instead of 75 which is normal) and they were concerned. 1 pt doesn’t seem that alarming, but I’m not a toxicologist. They will do another test this evening and I am to call them Thursday morning. 🙁 I have already paid $1500 for what was supposed to be for up to 36 hrs care. In your opinion, does the 1pt ALT elevation warrant another evening in Emergency Hospital as opposed to her staying with Jarrettsville Vet for care?

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I’m so sorry this happened.
    I. My opinion no. The elevation is so minimal that I wouldnt have been too concerned.
    I’m sorry I didn’t get to this sooner. I hope you are all ok.

  2. Cheryl Post author

    Thank You Dr. Magnifico 🙂
    Molly is back to her normal puppy self now. My fault for not just calling you regarding her ALT level rather than reach out on this venue. Hope to see you soon so we can figure out the dosage needed for her preventatives. Have a Wonderful Weekend! Enjoy this beautiful weather if you can!!