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Christina McMillan | 5 years ago
My Daughter’s Beautiful 5 Year Old Pitbull Died Suddenly Last Night. He Was Current With Shots …

My daughter’s beautiful 5 year old pitbull died suddenly last night. He was current with shots and vet visits, bloodwork, etc. and had no known health issues. My son in law had played frisbee with him. He did not exhibit any signs of heat exhaustion. Drank a lot of water when he came inside and was fine while my son in law took a shower. He fed him after his shower and he cried out while eating, seized a bit, collapsed and died. Son in law checked for airway obstruction and did several compressions on his chest, but he did not recover. They are heartbroken. How does this happen?

3 Responses

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I’m so sorry about your dog. All of the same issues that can happen with people can happen with dogs. Heart attack, aneurysm, blood clot, hypoglycemia, heat stroke or hyperthermia, etc etc. It is possibly o do a necropsy (animal version of autopsy to try to ie the cause of death). Please call your local ER or vet for more information on where this might be available. I’m sorry for your loss.

  2. Sarah

    I am so sorry for you all. Heartbreaking. I would see about a necropsy to possibly find out what happens. I truly am so sorry.

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Kenneth | 5 years ago
Could Repeated Flinching/seizure-like Behavior Be Associated With Eyesight? Here Is A Compilation Video: Https://vimeo….

Could repeated flinching/seizure-like behavior be associated with eyesight?

Here is a compilation video: https://vimeo.com/434151259

Our 10-year-old toy poodle has begun flinching (for lack of a better word) repeatedly on walks. We’ve been to the vet, but due to an enlarged heart with a leaky valve he wants her to see her cardiologist to ensure it isn’t heart-related. We are trying to get an appointment but the pandemic is making wait times in the weeks and we’re concerned in the meantime about how dangerous waiting could be.

Based on our experience, the flinches rarely happen at home, happen much more frequently in bright sunlight on walks, especially facing the sun. They also occur much more frequently when leaving a shadow into the sun or leaving the sun into a shadow. Her vet has noticed early signs of cataracts and we’ve noticed her eyes getting cloudy. She’s also begun walking into things occasionally.

We’re hoping these are eye-sight related rather than seizures or neurological issues, but are unsure of next steps while waiting appointments with specialists.

Thanks.

1 Response

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    This is a tough question to answer based on the information given. The optic nerve which services the eyes is connected to the brain so yes they can influence each other. But I am also worried about pain. I think it’s imperative to see a neurologist. Or try to get a second opinion from another vet. I also think that bloodwork and xrays are a good place to start. You can also ask to see an ophthalmologist. Please keep calling and please seek help from a vet locally. I hope this helps. Let me know what happens. Good luck.

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carrie Urquhart | 5 years ago
My Dog Is Almost 6 Months Old And She Wont Hold Her Bladder More Than An Hour …

My dog is almost 6 months old and she wont hold her bladder more than an hour while out of her crate, but in it she will hold it for several hours, or all night. So i know she has the ability to, but she just won’t. She also knows its wrong and will come put her head in my lap when she’s peed. She tells me most of the time when she needs out. But she will also just pee while she’s walking around, like so fast in a line I dont even see her fo it. Sometimes she looks suprised it happened. I used to be a veterinary tech, and I know the signs of a uti and I don’t see any of those. Any ideas?

9 Responses

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    If you used to be a vet tech I hope that the doctor you worked under can help you with an exam, blood work and urinalysis. Until you’ve done these to ya re just phishing, guessing and prolonging any needed medical care. Please call your vet and start a work up for your concerns.

    1. carrie Urquhart Post author

      Thats true. Unfortunately the vet I used to work with wouldn’t help anymore. I do go to another very good vet office. I will call them. Thanks for the info

  2. Laura

    At 6 months she *should* be fully trained, but she’s still a puppy. She’ll still have accidents. Why aren’t you making sure to take her outside every hour? My 7 year old goes out hourly when we’re home.

    Has she had her first heat? My bitch had an inverted vulva which corrected itself after her first heat. She had a few weird issues with urination prior to that.

    1. carrie Urquhart Post author

      I do take her out every hour, when I try and push it longer I usually get her to about an hour and a half and she goes in the floor. Ive tried to do crate training for an hour after to stretch it to 2 and she does fine… but not unless she’s in her crate. She never poops inside, just pee. Wonder if maybe its just marking, just never had a female dog do that. Bo she hasn’t had a heat yet. Not sure about any vulva issues, it looks fine to me outwardly, and the vet hasn’t mentioned anything. I’ve got an appointment coming up soon ill ask about that too thanks

      1. Laura

        One other thought…are we talking empty bladder puddles, or dribbles? If the former, ask them to palpate the kidneys to check size.

        (I had a puppy I couldn’t housebreak – he could hold his urine for about 45 minutes before he’d bladder-dump. He had renal dysplasia.)

          1. Laura

            Then bring up the kidneys when you’re next at the vet. It took months of pushing on his housebreaking issues before anyone took us seriously, and by then it was too late to do anything to help him.

          2. carrie Urquhart Post author

            I understand that. Being 5 months old im sure they’d look at me like yeah whatever, its just a puppy. Sorry you had such a hard time with yours.

          3. Laura

            That’s pretty much how the situation was handled, yeah. Even our breeder kept insisting it was something we did wrong.

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Karin | 5 years ago
My Dog Is Having Soft Stool. Giving Her Forti Flora In Her Food With Chicken And …

My dog is having soft stool. Giving her Forti Flora in her food with chicken and dry food. Was wondering if I can give her Pepto Bismol

1 Response

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  1. carrie Urquhart

    I wouldnt. I dont think it helps. Forta flora helps helps replace bad bacteria for good, kinda like probiotic yogurt. Id give her plain boiled chicken and rice for a day or so, and slowly add her dry food back in. Avoid any table scraps and offer plenty of water. Also check online for any recalls in her dry food.

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Michelle | 5 years ago
My Dog Is Paralyzed From The Waist Down. My Dog Is A 4 Year Old, 10 Pound Shi-poo …

My dog is paralyzed from the waist down. My dog is a 4 year old, 10 pound Shi-poo mix. He suffered from some trauma yesterday (Friday) after getting his paws stuck in some metal grating he seemed ok but then his symptoms exacerbated after running around the park and playing with another dog. At around 5pm on Friday, he was able to poop and urinate and ran around at the dog park but by the evening he couldn’t put any weight on his hind legs. At 8pm, my dog was still able to wag his tail. We went to a doctor this morning and that doctor says he still has sensation in his hind legs (even though they he cannot move them). We have been given the option of MRI followed immediately by surgery but we are not sure if we want to put his body through that much trauma with the risk that he could die on the operating table. We have taken him to a “holistic” vet who has treated him with acupuncture, Chinese herbs, and cortisone. The acupuncturist Vet said he would need 4 weeks with 1 session a week to see if that method could help but also told us we could very well have “missed” his critical cure time if it doesn’t. Nevertheless the acupuncturist said he is very confident as his method has seen much success in IVDD in older dogs. My dog is in a lot of pain and has not urinated or passed stool since yesterday I do not believe he has control over his bowel movements And he is constantly holding his head back and he is constantly propping himself up on his two front legs. I would love a second opinion and an honest opinion of what his chances of regaining full motor function and bowel control are with OR without surgery.

2 Responses

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  1. Sarah

    Hello- I am so sorry you are going through this. I am hoping that Dr. Magnifico sees your past, as she has a lot of experience with ivdd. I can however direct you to her YouTube webpage where she has helpful videos dealing with ivdd that may be useful to you. Very best to you and your pup. I hope things work out well????????

  2. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I’m sorry to hear about your dog. I’m also not a neurologist and it doesn’t appear that you have done the diagnostics to acurately and definitively diagnose him. I think the best advice I can give is to go to a neurologist and see if they can help do this. They typically need an mri to diagnose. This is usually over $1,000 and I don’t encourage clients to do it unless they are ready and able to do surgery after. This is usually about $7,000. If you chose to or cannot afford these then I think full body xrays with a concentration on the spine is the next best option. From here if it is spinal trauma I advise strict cage rest without being outside to do anything except go to the bathroom. Also the pain has to be addressed. Someone need to provide this immediately. I have a lot of information available on this (search IVDD) on my blog and YouTube channel. I think it addresses all possible scenarios and outcomes. Please go there. Read and review all of it. It will help. Good luck.

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Amber | 5 years ago
Hello! My Cat Chunk Has Been Recently Having Issues With His Front Paws For The Past 2 …

Hello!
my cat chunk has been recently having issues with his front paws for the past 2 months. It’s off and on and when I touch his paws he doesn’t wince or cry. He still uses the scratching pad with no issue, but he’s limping and he can no longer jump up on the bed as easily. I’m afraid he may have arthritis. What is a good supplement or something we can get to help him with his joints so he’s strong again! He’s not an elderly cat, I guess you could call him middle aged. Thank you! He’s about 15 lbs

1 Response

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  1. Laura

    I think I’d start with a vet check. Medicating without diagnosis can be dangerous, and it’s possible he has an injury you can’t see.

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Giselle | 5 years ago
I Have Kitten That Is 10 Weeks Old. Just Recently I Noticed Him Limping On His Left …

I have kitten that is 10 weeks old. Just recently I noticed him limping on his left front arm, and a swollen ball on his neck It has now gotten big and swollen. What should I do, let me know ASAP plz .

1 Response

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello.
    This kitten should be seen but a vet ASAP. I am worried about a fracture and abscess. These should be treated immediately in a kitten this young.

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Gloria | 5 years ago
Anyone Know What Could Cause Horribly Smelly Cat Poop?

Anyone know what could cause horribly smelly cat poop? I know what normal cat poop smells like, and this is not it! Buford has always had this condition. To make matters worse, he doesn’t cover it, so the smell quickly permeates through the whole house. OMG!!

When I first got him about two years ago (he was a feral adult), I had his poop tested for all parasites including giardia, and it all came up negative. He seems healthy otherwise.

Thanks.

3 Responses

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    Has your veterinarian sent the fecal sample to the lab for analysis? Have you spoke to your vet about this? I would start there. There are numerous things this can be but a vet visit is the best and first place to start.

    1. Gloria Post author

      Hi Dr. Magnifico. Thanks for your response. I should have said that he’s been to the vet about this but she didn’t have a clue, since the fecal sample didn’t turn up anything.

  2. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    Thanks for the reply. Did you talk to your vet? In these cases I always advise three serial negative fecals before I rule out parasites. Then I do a maldigestion profile and bloodwork. After that I do a series of treatments to see if any help. Like tylan, panacur and even a steroid in some cases. But diet change is also important to consider. Let us know. Good luck.

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megan | 5 years ago
My Dog Got Neutered Yesterday And Some How Managed To Get His Come Off While I …

my dog got neutered yesterday and some how managed to get his come off while i was sleeping, I think his stitches may have came open from him licking it but i’m not sure. I’ve put a picture of his incision below. Does it look abnormal?

1 Response

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  1. Sarah

    Hi there???? I cannot tell from the picture- sorry. My advice, considering it’s the weekend and after hours, is to keep a close eye on the incision and make sure he doesn’t get at it. If it feels warm or looks like it is swelling, I would call the vet. I think personally, just for peace of mind, I would make a phone call Monday to the vet anyway. Best of luck????????

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kiwi | 5 years ago
I Just Recently Changed My 14 Month Old Cat’s Dry Food But She Hasn’t Been …

I just recently changed my 14 month old cat’s dry food but she hasn’t been eating as she used to. Then yesterday i saw there was smear in her bottom and it was brownish orangy i was not sure if there’s blood. Her poops are formed and brown though as usual. This morning poop is the same. But this afternoon she was on my lap and checked her bottom and a small dot of water came out. I wonder if she has diarrhea. She’s been having brownish discharge for about two weeks now too. Also, she’s been shedding since two months ago not sure if thats normal when cat age. What could be wrong? She doesn’t look sick.

8 Responses

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  1. Sarah

    Good morning???? Is your cat spayed? It could possibly be related to the change in food, but if she isn’t spayed it could be something more than diet. Either way- I think I would collect a stool sample and get an appointment with the vet to be safe. I would let the vet know the dietary changes recently. If your cat is not spayed, please consider it. Have a great day????????

    1. kiwi Post author

      Yes she is spayed. I was wondering if this is normal in transitioning to a different food brand (couldnt find the one shes used to so i bought a different brand-i feed her grain free). As a younger cat she wasn’t as picky. Also she’s indoors only no other cats.

      1. Sarah

        It could be the diet change…. I would maybe call the vet if she is still having issues and get her in and bring a sample. Hope she’s ok!!

        1. kiwi Post author

          Thank you Sarah! Could be the new food. She seems ok just not eating much.

  2. Laura

    If the diet change wasn’t gradual, I would assume she’s having a hard time with it. Cats aren’t as flexible as dogs when it comes to food and changes really need to be gradual.

    1. kiwi Post author

      She was not picky before that’s why i didn’t expect this. I did mix the food though it’s just that i have less of the old food because I couldn’t find it anywhere in store and online so it took time to buy food and was forced to buy a different one :-/

      1. Laura

        It’s also possible this particular food doesn’t agree with her. Have you tried other formulations of the original brand?

        1. kiwi Post author

          I did long ago but this is the first time she is picky