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Michelle | 3 years ago
I Have A One Eyed Cat Who About 1.5 Years Old. He Had His Eye Removed Before …

I have a one eyed cat who about 1.5 years old. He had his eye removed before we adopted him but know he had multiple eye infections that led to the enucleation. He has always sneezed A LOT since we’ve had him and we thought it was likely a side effect from his eye removal. In the last few months, every few weeks a very large pocket of air fills up in area surrounding his eye socket on the side with no eye. The first time it happened our vet was flummoxed when he aspirated it with a needle, expecting fluid but only air came out. Since the first time this happened, the area has continued to refill with air every few weeks. We continually take him in and they remove anywhere from 10-14ccs of air. It doesn’t seem to hurt him or bother him but it gets huge and uncomfortable. We took him to an eye specialist recently who said any exploratory surgery and tests would cost no less than 4k just to start and they had no idea what it could be. Since this doesn’t seem to bother him, are we crazy to think we could try to aspirate his eye at home when it fills up? Has anyone ever come across anything like this? Every vet we talk to has never seen anything like it. Would love any help or advice!

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    Well I have to say I haven’t had this experience with any of my patients. So we are in uncharted waters here.
    I suppose the answer is do you have to spend a whole bunch of money to try to find the reason for an issue that doesn’t really seem to be affecting your cat? The answer is both yes, because in my experience it can be really hard to know if this is truly causing your cat discomfort because they hide it so weep that often you don’t realize it was a problem until it’s gone and your cat acts happier. The answer is also no. If you can’t afford what the specialist offers (as many cannot) then it is acceptable to just go on as you have been.
    But my preferred answer is to find another vet who isn’t afraid to do an exploratory surgery and look for a fistula or draining tract that might be the solution to the problem. Keep looking there are vets out there who are very proficient in surgery and might be willing to try.

    Keep me posted. God luck.

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Brittney | 3 years ago
I Went To The Vet And Was Told To Put My Down My 5yr Old Male …

I went to the vet and was told to put my down my 5yr old male cat. He has a partial blockage but i have no money to pay what theyre asking. They said it would cost $2000-$4000 and wouldnt do anything for me besides ask how much money i have and that i have to decide to put him down or not. I just want him to get better and i cant seem to find anyone willing to help at a low cost i can afford.

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I’m so sorry to hear about your situation. Here’s what I would recommend.
    One ask for an itemized invoice. Ask which are option and which are vital to unblocking the cat. Ie can you decline X-rays, bloodwork and possibly transfer to your vets office for monitoring. Ask for this with the vet. Also write down everything they say. If they decline to allow you to decline non vital items ask to speak to the owner or office manager. Again write down everything they say. Explain that you want to provide help to your cat but your budget only allows for the most vital items.
    Also ask if you can be referred to your vets office for care. Call your vet and ask.

    Keep calling and keep asking for help.

    If you do not find anyone to help use the invoice and written statements of your discussions and ask for assistance from your state veterinary board or social media reviews.

    I do think that vets need ti do a much better job of helping people and their pets on the owners terms or just our own. That is why state boards and online reviews are there.

    If all else fails there are documented and published protocols that do not include anesthesia. Some are coccygeal anesthesia blocks, decompression of rhe bladder and at home medications. There is always more than one way to treat an ailment. Remind your vet that you know this and they are obligated to offer you options outside of their way and euthanasia. When the public starts to demand better I think vets will have to start to listen. Further if the tables were turned I don’t know one vet who wouldn’t insist on being given affordable options were they the client.

    Good luck

    Let me know what happens.

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Hannah Snider | 3 years ago
My 14 Year Old Yorkie Has Recently Been Diagnosed With Spine And Nerve Problems. He Has Severe …

My 14 year old Yorkie has recently been diagnosed with spine and nerve problems. He has severe pain in his back end (hips, knees, lower spine). The doctor gave gabapentin and he is already on carprofen. It seems he’s getting worse with more pain, and sometimes whining and yelping in pain even when nothing has touched or moved him. Is there anything else I can do for him?? I hate to see my boy in so much pain.

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    hello!
    I am sorry to hear about your pup. First things first. we can manage pain (or at least we should be doing everything in our power to try). If the pain isnt subsiding within a day or two call the vet and ask to be seen again. There is a litany of pain medications available. Often we dont provide enough, or the correct combination at the first vist.
    Second, we need a diagnosis, at least a tentative diagnosis to try to understand what course of treatment options are needed and what to expect from each option, or as time progresses.
    third, every patient should be offered a referral to a specialist sooner versus later.
    thats where i would start at this point with your dog.

    krista

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Kaelee | 3 years ago
I Found A Kitten, Male. I First Thought He Had A Cyst In His Wrist But …

I found a kitten, male. I first thought he had a cyst in his wrist but when I examined closer it popped through the other side and made crunches in the wrist. I now think that it’s broken and wondering if a splint would help him.

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Isacc | 3 years ago
My Cat Is Currently Blocked And Has Been For A Couple Of Days Now. We Already …

My cat is currently blocked and has been for a couple of days now. We already paid for one treatment at a clinic, but the price was at a whopping 1000$, plus some change. Come Monday we sent him back to the clinic to get him to continue his treatment and check-ups; turns out he’s clogged back up again. We cannot afford another grand, or even more considering they mentioned they were gonna hold him for 3-5 days, nor can we afford an ER. What can I do, or where can I go to help my cat who is in current dire need of critical assistance.

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Daniel | 3 years ago
Ear Hematoma In Dog Is An Affliction Which Gets Too Much Attention For Needing Surgery To …

Ear hematoma in dog is an affliction which gets too much attention for needing surgery to repair. In fact, surgery seems to cause more damage than the hematoma itself. First, let’s look at the cause. Something has happened to rupture a feeding artery into the pinna. An underlying condition contributing to ear irritation most likely made the dog rake the ear against something or shaking the ear repeatedly. Either way, an artery is the only blood vessel strong enough to release fluid pressure to tear apart the tissues binding the skin and cartilage. These tears as well begin releasing fluids into the now ever-growing hematoma being created. Here is where different approaches to treatment occur. Should the vet address the blood pool only and aspirate once or multiple times? Should the vet incise the ear and suture the skin back to the cartilage? Should the vet install a drain or allow fluids from the bleeding vessels to exit the ear? In my opinion Yes, No and No. Aspiration alone relieves fluid buildup without harming or wounding. If coagulation has already begun, then a hypodermic needle aspiration will be non-effective. With an early onset hematoma, a hypodermic needle aspiration is pet and pet parent friendly with both relieving the pain for the animal and keeping costs down for owner. However, aspiration is not going to fix the broken blood vessel. The only way to repair the broken blood vessel feeding the hematoma is to allow the animal time to build reparative tissues to seal the break. These repairs take place while the aural hematoma condition is in suspension, meaning the hematoma is no longer filling, the fluids become still allowing for rapid coagulation to begin growing granulation against both skin and cartilage, and the once flowing broken blood vessel now has back pressure against it and the site of break begins to seal and heal. This occurs naturally in untreated aural hematoma. Consequences are that the bulbous blood clot formed is reduced in a fashion where granulation has attached all skin and cartilage to the blood clot, and as the clot is reduced towards the center, the skin and cartilage are pulled along with it causing the shrivel. Since in this scenario the amount of shrivel is proportionate to the diameter of the blood clot, then the solution would be to limit the blood clot size to as thin a layer as possible, making the skin and cartilage in as close proximity as possible at time of blood clot coagulation and granulation. This process is not foreign to veterinary medical. Splinting the auricle for a duration of time will achieve natural healing by allowing a thin layer of blood clot to form in the entirety of the hematoma region. The thin layer acts in the same fashion as a natural bulbous clot, but without the consequences of crinkling the ear after reabsorption. Keeping an open mind to aural splinting for aural hematoma can and will bring new Holistic medical treatments needed to address the current clinical duress patients and their owners are now having to endure.

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Jessica | 3 years ago
I Have A 12 Year Old Cat Who Developed An Aural Hematoma. He Had Surgery Two Days …

I have a 12 year old cat who developed an aural hematoma. He had surgery two days ago (Friday) to drain the ear and this evening (Sunday), it started to swell up again.

Is this to be expected? He started shaking his head as well and not sure how to prevent him from doing so.

Unfortunately it is late at night and I am not able to reach the vet. Any assistance is greatly appreciated.

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kathy welsh | 3 years ago
My Golden Retriever Was Running In The Yard Playing And Let Out A Yelp. She Is …

My Golden Retriever was running in the yard playing and let out a yelp. She is now limping and won’t put weight on her back leg. Could it be a pulled muscle? I will take her to the vet in the AM if not better. Can I give her anything for pain?

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  1. Laura

    Hi there! I’m sorry this wasn’t seen until now – I check the site every day, but sometimes days-old posts just don’t show up right away!

    In the future, I would NOT administer anything without your vet’s input. Some human medications might be okay but it’s safer to involve your vet in that question, as they know your dog and her medication tolerance. A better option would be crate rest until the vet appointment (with potty breaks on leash to ensure she doesn’t go running off like a goofball, further exacerbating the injury).

    How is she doing today?

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Jessie | 3 years ago
Hi! This Is My First Time Posting Here! We Are Taking Our Baby Rusty To The …

Hi! This is my first time posting here!

We are taking our baby Rusty to the Vet next week. He has been recovering from Parvo this past week after being hospitalized for 6 days. He is doing AMAZING. Eating great, keeping it down. Still has slight runny poop/diarrhea. But we know that was to be expected. No blood, colors great.

We take him to the vet next week for a check up to see how he’s doing.

My husband and I noticed a tiny red spot on his arm where his vitals/catheter was they stuck in him at the hospital. We thought at first he was just picking at a scab, so to prevent it I went to wrap it back up and bought a inflatable cone from Petsmart.

As I was about to wrap it up, I noticed it was a pretty big open area exposed. Looking closer, I see a tiny pinpoint hole in the middle. At first, I thought it was again from the vitals they put in his arm.

Looking on Google being paranoid, I came across the possibility of warbles. My heart sank.

I just wanted to know what you think. He has been doing so so well. All my life my family has had dogs but never have had this issue before.

You can see it is right above where his previous bandage at the hospital was.. so not sure if it is really from all the IVs or warbles.

I really appreciate the feedback. Thank you so much!

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello! Welcome! I am so happy for you to hear that your pup is doing so well. Parvo is my most dreaded diagnosis as it always hits the very young and often it is either too expensive for people to treat it too severe for dogs to survive.
    I would place the ecollar and make sure he can’t lick the area. And I would also keep it cleans and dry. I usually don’t wrap it because it can be too tight and cause really bad problems for rhe leg and cover up a wound I would rather have people observing daily. Covered up leans you can’t see it and I want to to be monitoring it.

    If it worsens call your vet and have it looked at asap.

    Good luck

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Kelly | 3 years ago
My Plott Hound Had A Large Internal Lipoma Removed On Monday Directly Above His Penis In …

My Plott Hound had a large internal lipoma removed on Monday directly above his penis in his abdominal area. Almost immediately, he developed prominent swelling directly to, proximal, and distal to his operative site. In addition, he has swelling down his leg. Took him back to the vet where a needle aspirate was done. He was diagnosed with multiple seromas. There was no WBCs seen or anything else visualized under the scope to indicate infection INSIDE. However, externally, his skin is red and angry and there is a lot of swelling. He is on 2 broad spectrum antibiotics. He is having a hard time walking on his right leg. Took him back today (day 5 post op) because swelling is even worse. He has swelling all down his leg. Vet says it made sense to her because of gravity. My dog is in a lot of pain, can’t sit down. He put his paws down and his bottom stays up in the air. No one can even palpate his operate site without him going through the roof in pain. He is on Tramadol and an NSAID. I’m extremely worried. The vet isn’t a fan of the drain because she doesn’t want to create more room for infection. Ultra Sound showed no abscess. He is drinking a lot of water (more than usual) and urinating normally. His last BM was yesterday. Eating mostly fine. Low grade temp. Does this sound all right? I hate that he is suffering. The pics I have included were yesterday, not today. But you get the idea of the areas of seromas and erythema. Today, the swelling is worse and his entire leg down to his paw is fluid filled.

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    There are a few things that I am not completely clear about.
    The lipoma was not inside the abdomen it was between the skin and the abdomen. It is far more common to be here then inside rhe abdominal cavity. Also you wouldn’t get these seromas inside rhe abdomen.
    Next seromas shouldn’t be painful. Maybe get in the way of using there, but not painful.
    Lastly I only use a Darin of it is infected. And even then I am not an over ambitious drain user. It’s doctor preference.
    Last I think it would be better for you to get a second opinion. Everyone might feel better with it
    Good luck.