Ask questions and share about your pet's health to help others.
Sorry to disturb but I need advice. Appears Jessy the latest rescue who is 1 years old is causing a pretty disturbing home environment. Here goes: daisy the 13 year old dog has been eating non-stop, Lucy the 9 year old has completely withdrawn very depressed, Stella a 9 year old dog bit the hell out of Jessy trying to get her to stop nipping at her. Tao my male 5 year old cat has started swatting my younger cat Mia. Sasha the youngest cat hasn’t been seen since last weekend hiding from all of us under my bed. I have dog and cat pheromones on all 3 floors. Jessy appears to be herding all the animals by nipping at their haunches. And non stop sniffing which is iratating all the animals. Any advice on how to calm the house?
I got my five-month-old male cat neutered two days ago, and everything looked fine until this morning when I noticed a small red swelling. I’m not sure if I should be concerned, or just keep an eye on it.
I’m an expat in a country with literally one licensed vet, and thus she’s very busy all the time and it’s hard to get into contact with her to ask questions. I’ve attached a photo; it’s not great, but it gives the idea.
Other than that, he seems to have mostly regained his appetite, and he’s back to being his affectionate self.
Thank you for your response! I left a message for her several hours ago, so hopefully she will see it and respond. I’m keeping a close eye on him and other than the redness he seems fine and is acting normal.
Thank you for your time. 🙂 I’d rather be safe than sorry, so getting a second opinion helps (and hopefully I’ll get a third from my vet).
Hello,
I always cringe a little when trying to analyze a pet by a photo. So, I always have to give the same general advice; if your cat is acting normally they are probably ok. always check and follow up with your vet. Even if it is leaving a message. make sure your kitten isn’t bothering with the incision. Keep a close eye out, and in general after 48 hours these cases rarely have problems.
Hope this helps.
As long as it isn’t actively bleeding, looking infected (pus, pain, swelling, warm), and your cat is acting fine,,, you are probably fine.
Is this unkind? My neighbor moved and abandoned their two cats last winter. They had an outdoor house there for the cats and kept them outside. By the time my husband and I discovered them it was dead of winter and they were starving. We bought them a heated outdoor house, fed them top quality food and took them to the vet. He believes they are 6 and 10 years old. After minor tooth surgery on one, they started to thrive and now they’re healthy, well fed and spoiled! They have obviously had homes in the past. I already have a dog and two indoor cats. I really don’t want them outside in the rain and cold this winter, so I want to bring them in but seperate them in our finished large basement. They try to come in all the time. We don’t spend much time down there but I don’t want to add two more animals to the rest of the crew upstairs. I know it sounds silly, but is it mean to keep them separate in the basement or should I try to incorporate them in the whole house? I will let them in and out if they like. I just want to do the right thing for these poor babies and the indoor animals too. I’m probably overreacting and their life will be better regardless, but would love opinions from other animal lovers.
I think it is very kind that you took on the responsibility that your former neighbors didn’t. As far as having them in your house with the rest of your pets, part of that depends on how they all react to each other. Keeping them separate at first would be a good way to introduce them. You may be surprised and they might integrate well into your household and you might end up doing just fine with everyone altogether… but you’ll probably need a new swiffer? In all seriousness, in my opinion with cats especially, they’re so self sufficient in so many ways that having more is usually not a big deal. The only thing I am not a huge fan of is the extra litter boxes – which I have delegated to the kids. Best of luck!!
Scented or Unscented Clumping Cat Litter? How often do you fully change for 2 cats? Once a week or every 2-3 weeks? Online articles/blogs vary.
Daily scoops, weekly changes. Some cats are allergic to scented litter. Make sure you have 3 boxes for 2 cats.
My 8yo female JRT, who barks very loudly most of her life woke up yesterday morning without her bark, well most of it. She’s trying to bark but not much is coming out, she sounds very hoarse. Should I be worried, wait a few more days or should she be treated by my vet?? She is otherwise completely healthy and UTD on all vaccines, flea & heartworm preventatives.
I think a sudden change would warrant a call to your vet, though if she isn’t displaying any other symptoms I’d probably wait a day to see if her voice starts to return. If it doesn’t, call the vet tomorrow.
Thanks for your response, she now has an apt with my wonderful vet this evening!
I think that’s the best plan. Here’s to hoping it’s minor and easily handled. 🙂
My eight year old Cocker Spaniel is a great wee dog, friendly and not at all cross and super with my grandchildren. However when the baby visits and cries Holly gets agitated and restless. No sign of aggression but the sound seems to really upset her. Holly is ok with my two year old grandson though when he was a baby she behaved in the same way. Any ideas?
Many thanks for your reply. I do make sure that she does not feel excluded and give her reassurance that really all is well. She would never ever be left alone with any of the children and if when she has had enough she just gets offside to her own spot. Do you think Adaptil plug in would help?
Hello,
If she is anxious it is important to respect her discomfort and either remove her from the area to a safe and quiet place and/or start working with her so that she begins to get used to the crying and baby noises so you don’t have to worry about either of them. Ideally everyone needs to feel safe and secure in their own home. Please talk to your vet about a good behaviorist. They can help. Best of luck.
My 7 month old neutered kitten keeps peeing on towels and blankets. He doesn’t have a UTI-he was tested. We do our best to keep him out of the bathroom, so the towels are manageable, but it’s impossible to keep him away from the blankets. Help!
Have you tried a different litter in the box? The type of litter you are using may be part of the issue.
I agree with Sarah. Start with dirt in the box – that seems to attract cats. Slowly transition to a more normal litter.
Hello,
I wrote a ridiculously long answer, which seems to have disappeared into oblivion.. I suggested the following;
1. Never doubt the cat. They are always trying to tell us something, albeit, not always in the most socially pleasing manner. Trust they need you and listen to them. I always say that “if your cat had opposable thumbs they would write on the wall “HEY! MOM! I NEED ____” but instead they pee out of the box.
2. Do multiple urinalyses, not just one. Too often the answer lies in the second or third urine submitted.
3. There is a very strong environmental component. Try lotd of different litter boxes, scrutinize the location (like down in the basement (who wants to go down there?), next to a loud piece of equipment (like the washer or dryer,, too scary), or take the cover off, try different substrate (like potting soil, which is nice a soft like a towel?), try a wide box, low box, covered versus uncovered, etc etc.
4. Try a big cage covered in litter in one area, sand in another and soil in the last. see where he goes. Then fill the bottom with that. Each day add newspaper to the corner or one edge. Every day you make the litter area smaller until it only exists in an area the size of a litter box. Then add the litter box. See if that helps to retrain him.
5. You can board him with us. We essentially keep them until they are calm and litter trained. It is a bit of solitary confinement meets spa escape. The clinic cats were all former inappropriate urinating cats brought in to be euthanized. We retrained all of them. It can take a while but it helps them calm down and readjust.
Lastly, we forget to see the world through our cats eyes. They aren’t us. They too often get fed the wrong food, which causes bladder inflamation, get too bored inside, and some of them really are reclusive, and we dont give them places to hide, or perch, or run.
Please follow up with me at the clinic. I want to help you guys.
I am here for you all
Krista
Is there a technique to reduce the side effects of Mirtazapine? My 9lb cat takes 1/16th of a 15mg tablet every 5-7 days. She meows and howls for 12 hours after each pill.
Hello,
Have you spoken to your vet about this? Can you try a different appetite stimulant (assuming that is what you are using it for) to see if maybe that would help? Also ask about concurrent disease like thyroid, blood pressure, kidney diseas etc?
Hi, thank you for the response. Yes, the vet knows, and it is being used as an appetite stimulant. The cat has IBD. I was just hoping there was some way to lessen the side effects, the dosage has been reduced over time. It used to be 24 hours of hysterics. It may be time to try something else.
My cat was hit by a car and broke her pelvis. The vet suggested surgery which is very expensive. Is surgery the only way to treat her? or is there any other alternative? So far she can urinate on her own but having problem pooping. I think she’s in pain. The vet prescribed Tramadol and lactulose for her. Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Hello,
Well this is a somewhat difficult question to answer. Here has been my experience. If you do not have the ability to see a surgeon and have this corrected by them (in my area it would be anywhere from $2000 to $5000. Then I always suggest strict cage rest. No leaving the cage for two weeks. No exceptions. The crate should have a very low bed, low sided litter box and food and water. They should be fed a watered down wet food to keep the stool soft and easy to pass. After two weeks see your vet for a recheck X-ray to see how the pelvis is healing.
Have the cat spayed asap.
If the cat presents with anal tone and deep pain in all four feet I recommend cage rest
The best option is surgery. If you cannot afford it try cage rest. They will be painful for a few day. A fentanyl patch might help or try buprinex. Ask your vet about these.
Let me know how she does
Her pelvis is broken. It needs to be stabilized, surgically, for proper healing. If you DON’T get the surgery, she will be in pain, most likely for the rest of her life.
I would get ahold of my vet and try to have this very discussion with them perhaps there is something they can do that fits for both of you.
My 18 year old cat has eaten very little today. She is still drinking and urinating normally. She is very thin. I am taking her in tomorrow. What can I expect during the visit?I’m scared that I will have to put her to sleep.
I may glad you already have an appointment. I’m sure if you tell the vet your concerns upfront they will work with you.
Hello,
I expect that after an exam, some questions about how much she drinks and pees that they will recommend some blood work. I also expect it to include thyroid and a urinalysis. From here most of the needed information can be gathered. As long as her heart and lungs sound ok bloodwork usually holds the answer. At my clinic this is about $200 total.
And for the record only you decide it is time for your cat to pass on. No one else has the right to decide. Except a judge if they deem it to be cruelty. If your cat is struggling to the point that you questioning she still has a quality of life acceptable to you then your vets job is to help both of you come to a peaceful end of life journey. It’s your decision. Never feel coerced or intimidated. Find a vet who cares and wants to help. Also hospice is available if you ask. Please let me know what happens tomorrow. I wish you both the best. Krista
Thank you both for answering my question. I’m still very worried that I may lose her.
Hello,
I just wanted to let you know that Rugrat has passed away. She died before her vet appointment. Thank you so much for all of your help.
I’m so sorry for your loss.
Get Daisy to the vet if she’s eating non-stop. Reestablish a routine for EVERYONE in the house. This may include feeding all the dogs in their crates for now.
I would also encourage getting a behaviorist in the home, to see exactly what’s going on. There may be an underlying behavioral issue that you aren’t seeing.
Is Jessy a herding breed? How long have you had her in the home? What sort of training have you done with her thus far?
Hello.
I agree with laura. I would start by providing boundaries and restrictions to the entire group to see if this can be resolved with time and patience. In some cases we try to encourage exercise to get the frustrations worked out on neutral territory. Or try rotating cage time-outs until the group settles down. Also seeking the help of a behaviorist to help break down the personalities and your participation in the group dynamics can really help.
Jessy is a rescue I have had for 2 weeks. all canines are shi-tzus but Id bet Jessy is a mix maybe a jack Russell she jumps and leaps like a Russell. All canines are rescues I’ve had for 2-3 years. So far no training just verbal discipline. Both back legs are in bad shape with hip displaysia and torn cruciate ligament so I have been using a beep and zap to stop her from using the stairs.
Okay, you need to set rules rather than discipline the dog(s). You’re punishing without showing what you expect, and that causes a LOT of issues. I strongly suggest getting into a class with Jessy.