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carrie Urquhart | 6 years ago
I Have A Question Of My Own, My Mom’s Dog Has Been Pacing Since 2…

I have a question of my own, My mom’s dog has been pacing since 2 am. She’s probably 12 years old, has arthritis, partially blind, totally deaf. She keeps running into everything, and falling down, most likely from the arthritis, Any ideas what it might be besides old age? I recommended to put her in a smaller room or kennel so she calms down, but I don’t have any other ideas. Update, she’s walking in big circles around the room, so probably vestibular disease? No nystagmus, head tilt, or ear infection. I told her to check with her vet and get something to relax her.

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I think your dog needs to see your vet ASAP. It could be many many things. Too many to guess. I think that an exam, bloodwork, urinalysis and blood pressure are all indicated. After all of these are addressed y’all aboit cognitive dysfunction assessment.

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Krista Magnifico | 6 years ago
Bridget Is A 9 Yo Havenese With A History Of Glaucoma. The Eye Was Non-functional…

Bridget is a 9 yo Havenese with a history of glaucoma. The eye was non-functional and painful. Her best option was enucleation. Her story is here.
Note; Briget was my patient. This is her story at my clinic.

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  1. Krista Magnifico Post author

    Here is her invoice (note she also had 3 teeth removed during this procedure. That charge was removed from the posted enucleation charge above.

    Invoice Number XXX
    Date 6/11/2018

    Total $934.09
    Paid in Transaction $934.09
    Paid to Date $934.09
    Amount Remaining $0.00
    Patient Provider Description Date Quantity Subtotal Tax Total
    Bridget Krista Magnifico, D.V.M. ENUCLEATION CANINE 6/11/2018 1 $350.00 0 $350.00
    Bridget Krista Magnifico, D.V.M. ANESTHESIA 6/11/2018 1 $125.00 0 $125.00
    Bridget Krista Magnifico, D.V.M. ANESTHESIA (ADDITIONAL/MINUTE) 6/11/2018 25 $37.50 0 $37.50
    Bridget Krista Magnifico, D.V.M. I V CATHETER PLACEMENT 6/11/2018 1 $40.00 0 $40.00
    Bridget Krista Magnifico, D.V.M. FLUIDS INTRAVENOUS 6/11/2018 1 $50.00 0 $50.00
    Bridget Krista Magnifico, D.V.M. Fluid Pump 6/11/2018 1 $25.00 0 $25.00
    Bridget Krista Magnifico, D.V.M. Propoflo Induction, per use 6/11/2018 1 $60.00 0 $60.00
    Bridget Krista Magnifico, D.V.M. Ampicillin injectable 100mg/ml 6/11/2018 0.8 $21.64 0 $21.64
    Bridget Krista Magnifico, D.V.M. RIMADYL INJ. 50mg/mL 6/11/2018 0.6 $21.59 0 $21.59
    Bridget Krista Magnifico, D.V.M. Fentanyl Patch 25mcg/h 6/11/2018 1 $48.00 0 $48.00
    Bridget Krista Magnifico, D.V.M. Additional Suture Pack 6/11/2018 1 $15.00 0 $15.00
    Bridget Krista Magnifico, D.V.M. Clavamox 62.5 mg. 6/11/2018 20 $34.00 0 $34.00
    Bridget Krista Magnifico, D.V.M. Rimadyl 25 mg Chewable 6/11/2018 8 $21.36 0 $21.36
    Bridget Krista Magnifico, D.V.M. Collar, Plastic Small 6/11/2018 1 $10.00 0 $10.00
    Bridget Krista Magnifico, D.V.M. Tooth Extraction, single root 6/11/2018 3 $75.00 0 $75.00
    Invoice Total $934.09 $934.09
    Paid in Transaction $934.09
    Paid to Date $934.09
    Amount Remaining $0.00

  2. Mary Turos

    Hi, Dr. Mag,
    Dean and I have been feeding Riley and Coco the Verus brand of dog food. Recently, we were told to switch to a different dogfood because of the FDA warning (even though Verus was not one of the brands listed by the FDA). Then I came across this article that basically says the warnings are a scam and would like your thoughts. Thanks!!!

    https://www.crossfit.com/health/bad-science-and-financial-conflicts-of-interest-plague-the-fdas-investigation-into-grain-free-pet-foods-and-dilated-cardiomyopathy

    1. Krista Magnifico Post author

      Hello,
      I don’t know who told you to switch or why, but if it was one of our vets I would say to start there. Second I do not find this site credible (just because you invented a dog food doesn’t make you an expert) and I take great offense at the two underlying arguments about why he believes the claim should be discredited “vets financial gain with the food companies is utter malarkey. The second unqualified and ambiguous reason is equally bogus. So I wouldn’t give this any credit and ask the vet who recommended you switch to clarify their position. If I can help I’m happy to. And no I’m not paid by the vet food companies to offer you or anyone any help. Hope you are all well and staying safe at home!

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Nicholas P. Woodward | 8 years ago
My Friend Just Decided Not To Euthanize Her Cat Of 18 Years Old Today. …

My friend just decided not to euthanize her cat of 18 years old today. The cat is blind and suffering from seizures, as well as dementia. She seems alert and ok, today, though. Do you think that this was the right decision?

5 Responses

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  1. Laurie Davala

    I’m sure everyone has different thoughts on this, but my heart tells me it’s a quality of life question. If pets primarily live in the moment, it’s a shame for the last moments to involve suffering. It’s so hard for us to say good-bye because we still love and enjoy our pets even if they are no longer enjoying life.

  2. Nicholas P. Woodward Post author

    Thanks, Laurie- yea, it’s just a tough call. Today was a good day, but no idea if or for how long that will continue.

  3. Paul Acerno

    It’s a tough call, your friend knows the cat better and will have a better idea of if she’s really suffering.

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Pawbly | 9 years ago
Recently I Had Started To Notice One Eye Was Truly Blind After Getting More And…

recently I had started to notice one eye was truly blind after getting more and more cloudy over this last winter. for the last 2 weeks it has been looking like it’s bloody around the orb of the eye and protruding some what and now for the last 2 days I have seen a oval shape in the center that looks like infection and like the eye is dead and or infected on the way dying if I was to guess. I am so worried for him. I have no funds and DO NOT want to be ignorant and hurt him or kill him when there may have been something to be done and help…. please and thank you. Anxiously awaiting….,Angel Smith

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Pawbly | 10 years ago
He Is 8 Weeks Old, Weighs Just Over 200g (his Litter Mates Are All…

He is 8 weeks old, weighs just over 200g (his litter mates are all at least 600g) has a very soft and enlarged skull with pupils that face east west. There are no good vets here, certainly no vet specialists. Should I wait until he has gained weight before trying to medicate him (All the drugs can be purchased over the counter here and I am medically qualified) or should I start ASAP to help minimise brain damage? He is already blind. Or is the likely outcome so poor that I should be thinking about euthanasia? He seems happy enough at this point in time but cries a lot in the night and I don’t want him to be in pain.

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Pawbly | 11 years ago
I Recently Began Fostering A 15-year-old Blind (and We Think Mostly Deaf) Dog. He Seems…

I recently began fostering a 15-year-old blind (and we think mostly deaf) dog. He seems to get around alright and walks on a leash (though you do have to guide him so he doesn’t collide with walls and things), but how can I get him to get to know the layout of my house? When he walked in for the first time, he took a few steps, nudged a wall, then plopped down where he was and doesn’t seen to want to move from there. Obviously we’d like him to be able to get around to some extent on his own (at least enough to drink/eat and not run into furniture), but he doesn’t seem to want to move. When I went to the next room and I wanted to keep an eye on him, I just picked him up and moved him with me. Is there a good way to be doing this? Should I keep him leashed at first to bring/show him around? Help!

2 Responses

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello Anna,

    Thank You for the question, and more importantly, A BIG GIANT THANK-YOU for fostering a pet. Especially for fostering an older pet. Without people like you many rescues, and many rescued animals would never have a second chance at finding a loving home. It takes a very special person with a very big and generous heart to take a pup in need of so much assistance. I applaud you for not only being courageous enough to foster him, but also for seeking help in understanding how to best care for him.

    Because I am a veterinarian I would recommend that you first address and understand all of his medical and health issues. Your veterinarian can help you assess the degree and cause of blindness (sometimes it is due to a treatable disease and therefore the blindness can be corrected), and the ears should be examined also. In an older dog I would check for glaucoma, infection, retinal damage, and any other age related changes like osteoarthritis, joint disease, etc. A thorough examination will help you understand his needs both now and in the future.

    Next I would recommend that you think about his world from his perspective. He is likely unsure and a bit afraid of his new environment so it is logical for him to just sit still when he encounters an obstacle. Can you imagine being blind in a new place? I know I would be afraid of falling, and bumping into things. So I would first set him up in a small area of a very safe place. I would make that place a place where you intend him to spend most of his time. Be very careful of any sharp edges, like chair or table legs, and I would spend as much time with him in this place as possible. So that he can build a mental picture of the layout of his new environment with your encouragement, support, and guidance.

    Once he is comfortable there I would very calmly, slowly, and gradually open him up to other very small areas of the house. But remember once he is comfortable navigating around one area you can’t change the floor plan. So the furniture should stay in its original location to keep him from getting lost and confused again.

    Most blind pets are very quick learners once they are comfortable on their environment. If your dog has been through many households he may just be so confused that he has given up trying to learn his territory. Or maybe he has other impairments that make him reluctant to be adventurous?

    My best piece of advice is to be very calm, gentle, and patient.

    I wish you the very best of luck!

    Sincerely,
    Krista

  2. Jana

    Hi Anna.

    Blind dogs are able to use other sense to make their way around. This includes the sense of touch (their paw pads are actually very sensitive and "read" the terrain for them, as well as their whiskers), their sense of smell and even their hearing.

    What you can do is to "map out" the place for him using different textures, smells and sounds. For example, if you had different texture flooring in each room, he’ll know by that which room is which. It might also help to "line" the walls and doors with different textured strip, which would indicate obstacles or dangers, similarly to the rumble strips on some roads.

    According to Dr. Coren, they can use the sounds of a clock, for example, to also know where they are, as well as different smells, such as different potpourri.

    Of course, you do want to block stairs where he might fall down, though with some practice, a texture change would make this possible for him too.

    To further assist him from bumping into things, you could consider something like the Halo Vest
    http://www.globalanimal.org/2012/11/13/dog-cone-alternative-halo-vest-guides-blind-pets/85350/

    http://dawgbusiness.blogspot.com

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Pawbly | 11 years ago
Ok So My Mom Passed Away Almost 3 Months Ago And I Now Take Care…

Ok so my mom passed away almost 3 months ago and I now take care FULL TIME of her 14 year old shin tzu who knows me very well. He is completely blind and deaf. My issue is that I cannot leave his side for more then 10 minutes or he will start panting and crying like really crying, witch I’ve never heard him do in his entire life. I don’t know what to do ???? I can’t go anywhere or even clean the house because he starts to freak out. I’ve though about maybe having him put down but I don’t because he still does what I call his happy mode, after he eats he does this thing where he rubs his head into the bed kinda under the pillow and I engage with him using my hand. It only lasts for a couple minutes or so but he does this about 2 or 3 times a day. And I feel like that shows some signs of still having a good quality of life. But oh my god he is driving me crazy with not being able to be alone. HELP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PLEASE TELL ME WHAT SHOULD I DO ????????

1 Response

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  1. Anonymous

    Hi Angie,

    I am sorry to hear that you and the dog are having a tough time.

    If you think the dog is still having a good quality of life then there are some things you could try.

    -Treat puzzles such as Kong. The dog can still smell so get something like a Kong and fill it with treats the dog enjoys. You can even fill it with his food. Let him smell it and see if that takes his attention off of you. They make these toys for senior pets too so it won’t be to hard on his teeth.

    -Dirty laundry. Leave a shirt or something that you have worn that has your scent on it near the dog
    and see if that calms his nerves

    -All natural calming aides. You can find these at almost any pet shop. They are drug free and usually contain chamomile.

    It is important to remember that dogs mourn the loss of loved ones in a similar way that we do. This has been shown time and time again. Maybe the dog is really missing your mom?

    Also, because he is blind and deaf he is probably even more confused. Continue to be patient.

    If you think the dog’s quality of life is suffering due to his health then of course consult with your vet. Additionally, it maybe a good idea to have your vet check him out as he could be in pain.

    Best of luck!

    Margot Ahlquist (http://www.pawstotalk.com)