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G | 3 years ago
Hi All Hopefully Someone Can Help Us. Shemp Is 16 Years Old Is A Black DSH Cat. …

Hi all hopefully someone can help us. Shemp is 16 years old is a black DSH cat. I’ve had him since he was a kitten. Always with a hearty appetite and chubby started to lose weight. I took him to a Vet, she did blood tests and said his kidneys might not be at 100% and it was normal at his age. Oh, in February, 2020 he suddenly went blind but everything else seemed normal. She never said he might have (CKD) and never advised getting him on Sub Q. IV’s and a Hill Prescription K/D diet, he was still eating and drinking water but started to get very picky. He became dehydrated losing more weight, i took him to a vet and said we need to get him on IV’s which we did, i am administrating the Sub Q fluids myself to try and jumpstart his kidneys again in my van that we live in 50ML 3 times a day and he has improved and is stable. Issue is he’s stopped eating and i feed him the K/D through a syringe and he’s stopped going “poopie” so ive started giving him enemas and it did help get rid of some backup. He’s now bloated and not peeing as much as he should. Should I stop the IV’s as he must have a blockage in maybe both urinary and bowels as he’s not passing anything on his own, just a little pee. The vets here in Clovis, nm dont seem capable of treating this and super overcharge. Ive had Shemp since he was a kitten and i really believe its treatable. Please help, i live in a dodge caravan and can drive anywhere to get help for him. Thanks

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    It sounds a like it might be kidney disease, hypertension and maybe even hyperthyroidism. It also sounds like you might be better served by a cat specialist. If they are available. I am afraid that your cat might have such an advanced case of these that it might be difficult to turn around. The prolonged accumulation of these can cause severe muscle wasting and make everything else hard to manage.

    1. G Post author

      Thank you for your reply. I dont know of any cat specialist. I do realize he’s very ill and im trying to make him as comfortable as possible despite us living in a vehicle. My question is should i continue to give him his IV’s and feed him through the syringe to make sure he’s getting his fluids and nourishment and enemas i am still worried about his bloated belly/bladder.

      I dont want to rupture something. In addition, when i said I realize he is very ill it was meant if i dont do something quickly to help him. Costs, money and someone willing to help him are the biggest factors here. Thanks

    2. G Post author

      Hi, Shemp just passed away after having a violent seizure and couldn’t breath because of a blockage, he died in my van in my arms. I called 3 vets earlier in the day and they all turned me away. I told them he was bloated and had a blockage and needed x-rays and blood work and that it was an emergency and i was denied service. Shemp was 16 years 1 month and 3 weeks old when he passed and was the best friend/companion and family member I had. I will forever miss my Buddy. He died at 1am on May 22nd, 2021. Now i have to try and find a place to have him cremated. ????????

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Nikki | 3 years ago
Hi! So I Have A Dog And Cat, Both Vaccinated… Cat Stays Inside But Has Traveled …

Hi!

So I have a dog and cat, both vaccinated… cat stays inside but has traveled out to the porch and goes back inside…
Recently my neighbors have been walking their cat (not vaccinated) on a leash around the house…
Where I keep my dog on our side of the yard, my neighbors walk on our side, right outside my windows and on our porch… aside from it being invasive and annoying… I’m concerned about possibly my animals getting sick because of hers…. so my question is Can my animals get sick if their cat goes to the bathroom or something like that on our side of the yard, and say my dog eats it before I see it or something, or if it pees and he licks it on the grass? If it’s putting my animals at risk of getting sick or anything I’m going to say something about it. Thank you

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    It is very unlikely, and probably impossible, that your animals could get sick if they are not directly interacting with them. I would still recommend that you keep your pets vaccinated and check for and treat intestinal parasites. Your vet can help with these.

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Crystal | 3 years ago
Hi Pawly Friends, My 3-year-old Cat Is Having UTI And His Have Blockage. He Has A …

Hi Pawly Friends, my 3-year-old cat is having UTI and has a blockage. He has a very hard time with urine and sometimes he urined blood. He has no appetite to eat, but when he gets too hungry he will eat his dry food that the vet provided. I brought him to the vet two weeks ago. They unblocked him using a catheter and hospitalized him for almost a week without IV fluids. I brought him back but he’s still weak and wouldn’t eat. After a day of staying at home, he peed in blood in such a big amount. I brought him to the vet again at around 1 am because I was too afraid. The vet uses the catheter again and hospitalized him for another week. Again, I brought him home with some antibiotics and some other meds, he was so hungry because he didn’t eat well in the hospital. I boiled fish for him (no added spices, preservatives, etc) to mix with the dry food because he wouldn’t eat it alone. He ate and drank a lot. After 3 days, he started to pee in the blood again! HELP I don’t know what else can I do to help my baby!

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I’m sorry to hear about your cat. Was bloodwork, Xray or urinalysis done? It might even be time for an ultrasound? It is time fir a diagnosis and better treatment plan. It is also time for medications and at home sq fluid therapy. I think I would also recommend seeking a second opinion. It just seems like you aren’t really getting anywhere with your current vet and treatments.

    1. Crystal Post author

      Thanks, will bring him to another clinic tomorrow. For the meantime, he’s getting weaker every day. He pees while sleeping or while walking now, more bloods on the floor, sometimes my bed. I’m afraid I will lose him. Anyways, bloodwork, Xray and urinalysis is done. He’s bladder is always full and is now blocked by mucus. We were given cystopro (protexin), and some inflammation meds.

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Elizabeth | 3 years ago
Good Evening! I Am A Client At Jarrettsville Veterinary Center And The Front Desk Ladies Very …

Good evening! I am a client at Jarrettsville Veterinary Center and the front desk ladies very helpfully advised me to post here saying I was a client to ask my question. =) We are in a bit of a kitten conundrum.

Our neighbors’ barn cat had kittens, and they are living under our garden shed. The kittens are about 7 weeks old or so, according to my neighbors, and they are extremely friendly, outgoing, adventurous, playful, etc. We are assisting the neighbors in trying to find them homes, and we are trying to figure out when it is appropriate to separate the kittens from their mother. We have read/heard 12-14 weeks, however we (my husband and I) are concerned for the kittens’ safety. There are foxes and hawks that live around our house, and the mother cat is staying away from the kittens for longer and longer. The kittens are starting to venture out further and further away from the safety of our shed (where they are just…exposed in our yard), and we are uncomfortable with the idea of leaving them outside for 6 more weeks (though they have managed this far okay).

Additionally, the mother cat has already moved the kittens twice, according to the neighbors, and they didn’t know she was over here until we found the kittens and told them. We are worried that she might move them again and we might not be able to find them if she does so. We are willing to bring them into our house for their safety, but the mother bolts, and we are worried about hurting the kittens’ development during this young stage of their lives and causing mama cat undue stress. We also don’t want them to get eaten by foxes or hawks. =\ Any advice would be super helpful!

Thank you!

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello;
    Thank you for helping them. If they are eating on their own it is safe to take them inside and separate them from mom. But please have mom spayed and vaccinated. The kittens can be vaccinated at about 6 weeks and rehomed at 8 weeks. Mom should be safely caught in a live trap and transported to the vet in it. We don’t want anyone to be bitten as they are not vaccinated for rabies. We at Jvc are happy to help. We can also help with putting you in touch with rescue groups who can assist with this

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Tim | 3 years ago
Good Evening, My Wife And I Are Struggling Trying To Help Out Cat With Megacolon And …

Good evening,

My wife and I are struggling trying to help our cat with megacolon and obstipation. He was diagnosed over 4 years ago but he had been put on a Royal Canin GI diet that worked wonders. It suddenly became unavailable and our cat deteriorated rapidly. He had to be hospitalized for a week to remove the blockage and we’ve gone back and forth with the internist on how to move forward. He’s currently on miralax, Lactulose, Cisapride. We recently introduced an anti-nausea medication and appetite stimulant as he stopped eating a few days ago. The suspicion being that he just becomes backed up again. At this point it’s been multiple hospital stays and several thousands of dollars trying to help our guy.
I watched the video on regular palpation – it’s difficult in our cat, both personally and from the vet, due to his large size. He’s a very long cat and also a chunky boy.

Do you have any guidance on palpation in obese cats? Suggestions we can explore with our vet?
I’m worried we’re looking at the colon surgery to remove part of it – but the vet noted many cats are unable to form or control stool following that and have constant diarrhea.
At this point if we can’t get him stimulated at home and eating a little and defecating a little we’re likely headed back to the animal hospital.

I appreciate any guidance or suggestions.

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    Have you directed these questions to your vet? Have you asked them to help you cate for your cat at home? I teach my clients how to palpate and I also have them give lactulose. Miralax and cat lac along with watered down wet food only. I try to avoid dry food. I also think the fat cats need to get healthier with walks exercise and this helps the gut stay active and make constipation less likely. I always believe constipation is secondary to something else. Like obesity or poor diet or lethargy. Cats should be at a good weight with good muscular body condition. I encourage walking on a harness, playing and using food as a way to encourage activity. Try a feeder ball or scattering small amounts of food across the room so they have to “hunt” for it. Also car grass and cat hip might help. These cats are too often too fat and too sedentary and that compounds the problems.

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Michelle | 3 years ago
Hello To Everyone, I Have Three Cats (2 Boys & One Girl) And I Believe One Of …

Hello to everyone,

I have three cats (2 boys & one girl) and I believe one of them keeps throwing up their food. I have been feeding all of them with dry food since day one. I just started to notice a few months ago. Doesn’t happen A lot but it does happen often. I ordered cat grass to see if that would help which it did for a little bit. I also bought those new cat bowls which I feel that also helps but I just noticed he still vomiting his food. Not sure what to do.

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    There are many reasons why pets might vomit. It’s best to figure who, or how many are vomiting and then talk to your vet about it. In some cases it can be intestinal parasites (diagnosed with a fecal sample sent to the lab) or eating too much too fast, or allergies or other diseases are also possible.

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Nina | 3 years ago
Hello Dr Magnifico I Watched Your Video On Beerus The Cat (Megacolon/ Obstipation) On YouTube! Currently …

Hello Dr Magnifico
I watched your video on Beerus the cat (Megacolon/ Obstipation) on YouTube! Currently my 8 year old English bulldog was diagnosed with megacolon. My dog is my life. The last week I’ve spent $4000 which included a deobstipation. The deobstipation wasn’t successful as there is a hard piece deep in the colon. They stated they removed a good amount but couldn’t reach the hard piece deeper in the colon and he will need two more procedures. I truly can’t afford to spend any more money and I don’t want anything to happen to my dog. Each procedure is about 2500 in the area and that only includes 24 hour care. Right now he is feeling much better but that piece is still in there. I’ve increased his exercise to 2-3 short walks. I’ve also changed his diet. Chicken, very little rice, raw liver, flaxseed, watermelon, blueberries, coconut oil, green beans, carrots and pumpkin. He’s feeling much better and is having diarrhea which I hope is chipping away from that hard piece. Can you recommend anything? Days ago he was vomiting, shaking, couldn’t walk, didn’t eat or drink and was lethargic. It was so scary! I literally would do anything for this dog. But I can’t keep shoveling out thousands of dollars and not get any results. Anything would help, I can’t have anything happen to my boy. You also mentioned to learn how to palpate the abdomen. Can you explain how that is done. Any help or recommendations would be much appreciated. Thank you!

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I’m sorry to hear about your pup. I think that diet and exercise are very important. I also think that monitoring daily for fecal output helps. I also think you need to find a vet who will help you manage this outside of the emergencies. Your dog is going to be very hard to palpate so although I don’t want to discourage trying it’s going to be hard to monitor that way. I would also ask about gi motility agents, laxatives and prescription diets. I am not a raw or homemade diet fan. I just see too many people missing hey ingredients. Also finding a bet who will allow X-rays to monitor might help. I think you also need to start a savings account for surgery down the road. JIC. At my clinic a sun total colectomy is about $3000 and we allow payment plans to pre existing clients.
    I hope this helps.
    Keep us posted.

    1. Nina Post author

      Thank you so much. I was hoping to try this for the next few days since he is having diarrhea where he couldn’t go to the bathroom at all even after the deobstipation. Do you think it’s chipping away at that piece? What is that surgery? Will that make this constipation issue go away?

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Naomi | 3 years ago
Hello! My Dog Glorie Was Attacked By Another Dog Last Saturday. She Is On Carprofen, Clavamox, …

Hello!

My dog Glorie was attacked by another dog last Saturday. She is on Carprofen, Clavamox, Gabapentin and CefPod. She had sutures and a penrose drain placed, amd two days ago the drain was removed. My questiom is regarding a large puffy lump immediately to the left of her sutures. When I palpate the lump, it feels like subcutaneous fluid, but it doesn’t seem to hurt her. The vet said to come back if it was red, hot to the touch or seeping pus, but didn’t tell me what it is or if it would go away.

Does this sound like a seroma? And if so, what is the beat treatment? My main concern is infection once she stops taking the antibiotics. I’ve veen doing warm compresses without seeing any impact. Should I take her back in and ask them to do a needle aspiration? Place another drain? Lance and flush? None of the above?

Please help a worried dog mama out! Glorie is my furry daughter and I want whatever is best for her!

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I’m not able to tell you what it is. It’s best to calm your vet or the person who did the surgery and ask for their help. They may want to take a sample to make sure it’s not infection. I hope this helps. Best of luck.

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Kat | 4 years ago
My Cat Gave Birth To Her First Litter Last Night And Everything Seems To Be Fine …

My cat gave birth to her first litter last night and everything seems to be fine but she may have a slight fever. I’ve done a lot of research and I’ve given her wet food and added water to it while she eats, but she’s not drinking water directly from the bowl. What else can I do?

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  1. Sarah

    Hello- congrats on kittens. Has your cat improved????? If she still seems feverish, I think I would call the vet to be on the safe side.

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Shelly | 4 years ago
Hello. My 4 Year Old Cat Has Known Allergies And Therefore, Is Often Pawing At Her Ears. …

Hello. My 4 year old cat has known allergies and therefore, is often pawing at her ears. I clean them weekly with Salicylic Acid (as prescribed by our vet). 2 days I noticed that she as a foul odor coming from her ears. Is this a part of her ear allergies or is it an infection? I’d hate to drag her into the vet (very stressful for her) for them just to tell me the odor is a part of the allergy. I also do want to ignore thing if the problem has gotten worse. Thank you!

1 Response

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  1. Sarah

    Hi there- sorry there hasn’t been a response. I am hoping that things have improved, however if they haven’t and there is still an odor, I think a visit to the vet would be needed.