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Tammy | 3 years ago
Elderly Kitty Sprained Her Foot And Exhibiting Strange Behavior

My daughter’s elderly cat Astra seems to have sprained her left front paw tonight and is acting strange. Her leg/paw isn’t swollen, but she can’t put any weight on it without falling down. She’s meowing a lot and walking in circles. At one point, she was hiding by my daughter’s desk which is unusual, she seems to be confused, and has no appetite. We’ve read how cats don’t metabolize aspirin or nsaids very well, so we don’t want to give her any. What can we give her and what can we do to comfort her? Is there anything we should look for? Is her behavior typical of a feline in pain? Thank you for your help!
Edit: Now she’s pressing her head up against things.

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  1. Laura

    This sounds like more than just the foot. She sounds quite distressed. Please get her to the vet TODAY.

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Jennifer Taylor | 3 years ago
Last Summer My Beloved Cat, Summer Escaped My Home And Was Missing For Two Months. When …

Last summer my beloved cat, Summer escaped my home and was missing for two months. When she was found she had lost about 1/3 of her body weight and her personality had changed. While she was previously very much the “alpha” cat and could be a bit of a diva she is now timid and very loving. During the time when she was missing I was under an incredible amount of stress; having a pet pass away is heartbreaking but having a pet go missing is agonizing, I would not wish the experience on my worst enemy. I couldn’t sleep for much of the two months. Our cat Gracie was by my side the entire time. She did take over as the leader of our little cat pack (pride??). When Summer returned Gracie and her initially got along okay, however within about two weeks Gracie started going after Summer causing a significant amount of stress on Summer. She would chase her off the litter box and food bowls. We created a safe space for Summer and over the past year she has very much chosen to stay isolated away from Gracie, our other cats come “visit” without an issue. Several months ago Gracie started urinating outside of her box. We first had to go through the process of elimination to determine which cat was urinating outside the box. All cats have had urine and bloodwork done to rule out any medical issues. Gracie is now isolated and Summer has free reign of the house. Inappropriate urination has stopped. Our other cats can come “visit” Gracie without incident, however as soon as Summer enters the room Gracie attacks her. We have tried medication and we have tried putting a drop of vanilla on each cat so they smell the same. I would prefer to not spend the rest of my cats lives isolating one or the other to create peace in our home. I will note that Gracie has limited or no sight in one of her eyes, she has always been a bit of a “scrapper” with the other pets when they approach her on that side, that being said this isn’t a case of Summer startling her, she is seeking out Summer to attack her.
I would love advice from anyone who has had a similar experience; what worked, what didn’t?

1 Response

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  1. Laura

    Hi there. I’m sorry it took us a while to respond…I’ve been pondering over this since you initially posted. I think you may have to consider permanent separation. This is doable in a cat household, as you’ve seen, though it can be annoying, but it might be safest for the clowder.

    I assume you’ve tried Feliway?

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Nicholas P. Woodward | 3 years ago
My Parents’ Cat, Oso, Is Not Doing So Well. He’s Been Needing Subcutaneous Fluids …

My parents’ cat, Oso, is not doing so well. He’s been needing subcutaneous fluids administered via IV and he had not been eating every meal for a little over a week until we started giving him an appetite stimulant.

He also is having labored breathing, mouth closed 36 – 42 inhales/ minute. Here’s a link to a video so you can see: https://www.dropbox.com/s/elf32wwm5z06ygn/OsoBreathe.mov?dl=0

An image of an X-Ray is attached – The comments below and the color arrows were provided by a mobile radiologist that came over to see him – I didn’t understand the notes, but basically she was pointing out tumor(s), cancer and fluids building up inside his body there.

We are continuing with the fluids and with the appetite stimulant he is eating. Steroid once month shots have been suggested and were just started 2 days ago.

Any advice here is very much appreciated and welcomed.

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  1. Laura

    Honestly, I’d be looking for a veterinary oncologist in your position.

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Maricela | 3 years ago
Hello There. My Cat Has Had An Ear Infection For Over Two Years Now And Has …

Hello there. My cat has had an ear infection for over two years now and has been treated with antibiotics over and over but it will not go away. Just about a year ago the vet removed a few polyps from my cats ear and throat and we thought for sure that’s why the antibiotics weren’t clearing up the ear infection, so we have done more ear infection treatments since the polyps have been removed but it’s still infected. My cats ear is stinky and water flys out of my cats ear when he shakes his head. I am so over antibiotics, we have literally tried every kind. Is there a home remedy out there anyone has had success with? Please help.

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  1. Shiria

    Hello,
    I just found your question. Have you found a solution for your cat yet?
    We had a cat at our shelter, that was found with an infected mass inside their ear canal. The mass was removed, but it wouldn’t get better. It was smelling bad and pus could be seen. When the mass started growing back, his whole ear canal was removed.

    Maybe that is an option for your cat, too? It helped Tony a lot. No more itchy, smelling, hurting ear. Altough he had to war a cone during healing, but after that he was the happiest cat.

    I wish the ebst for your cat.

  2. Maricela Post author

    Hello again! My cat is going in for a total ear canal ablation one week from today, but not only are they removing just the ear canal they will also remove the middle ear too. I am so worried and nervous for him but this is my last resort.

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Candice | 3 years ago
POLPY REMOVAL

Hello everyone,

I have a 3-year-old cat with a polyp. I’m not sure where the polyp is located since the x-rays/MRI scan cost 1k. I’ve joined groups on Facebook to find any clinics to remove the polyp. VCA quoted me 4-7k which doesn’t include any kind of scans and most local veterinarians only remove polyp if they can physically see it.

I really need any help trying to find any clinic in the US. I’m willing to travel but for a reasonable price. I’m a college student living on my own with many expenses and it’s truly upsetting seeing my little guy go through this. I can hear him snoring and couching. I believe the polyp is located in his throat and nose.

Please please help me out!!!

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  1. Sarah

    Hi there-
    I’m sorry that you are going through this. Have you tried pet insurance to see if they cover some of the cost? Have you tried you local humane society to see if they can point you towards a vet or surgeon who can get you a proper diagnosis and is able to perform the surgery if necessary? Have you spoken to your regular vet and asked their opinion, based on your finances, how to best help your cat or where else you can go for assistance? I would start there. I would also google the surrounding area and start making phone calls to see who else in your area might be able to advise/help/treat.

  2. Maricela

    Hello, I went through this just a year ago and finally found a vet near me who is amazing and removed my cats polyps without pushing an MRI. This vet is in MN. Let me know if you’d like his info.

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Teresa | 3 years ago
I Have Been Using Cat Fountains For My Cats For A Long Time Now, Because They …

I have been using cat fountains for my cats for a long time now, because they all love fresh running cold water and insist on drinking out of the sink. The problem I’m having is that I still have not found the best cat fountain for my kids. So many of them are made from plastic, and regardless of how often you change the filters they mold easily. Gross. I have seen ceramic ones and stainless steel. I am reaching out for input from everyone to find out what it is they use that they find is the best. Even the filters tend to get funky quickly. I only have three cats and I do wash their fountain often. But I’m looking for one that will not mold easily and also does not make a huge mess on the floor. Thank you so much and advance!

1 Response

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  1. Laura

    Hi there! Unfortunately, the issues you describe are endemic to the nature of a drinking fountain.

    They all mold. It’s the nature of a warm, wet environment. They all need very frequent cleaning – is the nature of a water bowl.

    What kind of mess are you seeing on the floor? Do you have anything under it to catch drips?

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Harrison | 3 years ago
Possible Polyp In Healthy Cat (Similar To Stripes Video By Dr Magnifico) – Urgent

Hi,
For about 3 months now, our 9 year old cat, Wheezy, has been making strange noises when she breathes that are similar to snoring or sounding just really congested. We took her to the vet and determined that her lungs are fine and she doesn’t have an upper respiratory infection. We believed it was possible for it to be a polyp.

I found the video about Stripes, by Dr. Kristina Magnifico, and I would be willing to bet that Wheezy also has a polyp on her throat. However, like Stripes’ owners, our usual vet gave us an estimate of close to $1200 for all the procedures to check for a polyp and remove it (some of them seemed unnecessary for this process). We cannot afford a cost like this and if there is a simpler way to go about this like in Dr. Magnifico’s video then we need to go that route.

I also wanted to ask about another symptom Wheezy appears to have where there’s a lot of fluid building up in her right eye. Not sure if this is any more evidence of a polyp or not. I’ll attach a picture.

Everything seems to have slowly gotten worse and she has a lost a VERY unhealthy amount of weight because she won’t eat, and I would guess she’s dehydrated as well. She has lost all her energy. Prior to this starting she was a very healthy indoor/outdoor cat.

If there is anybody in the area of Eastern Massachusetts that could recommend any where they’ve taken their animals that would be so helpful.

Thank you!

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I would be worried that this is neoplasia. It is unlikely that a cat this old will have a polyp. That has been my experience. Call the rescues and shelters and see if they know of anyone local to you who will sedate your cat and look behind the soft palate. Find a feline specialist to ask for a second opinion. Good luck.

    1. Harrison Post author

      Thank you for the quick response. Not exactly what you’d like to hear but at least we can probably rule out polyp. We’ll follow your suggestions.

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Josh | 3 years ago
I’ve Got A First Time Urinary Blocked Cat That Had A Sewn In Cath/IV …

I’ve got a first time urinary blocked cat that had a sewn in cath/IV fluids in ER at 6pm yesterday. Tricky thing was, they were only an overnight so I picked him up this morning with the plan to have primary take over but they basically refused when I got there, stating they would only remove the catheter when needed. So I took him home with the catheter and continued IV fluids myself (ER left the line and gave me a bag they had started) and returned to have the catheter removed at 3pm today. She came back saying his bladder was empty, so she couldn’t tell if the blockage was still present and to just monitor. Well it’s been about 4hrs and I’ve seen him go to the litter box three times. First time (about an hour after we got home) small bloody urine, and the last two times nothing. Should we have a second catheter placed and resume IV for longer? He’s currently on Prazosin and Buprenex q12hr. He’s currently acting normal but I presume his bladder isn’t as full as it was yesterday afternoon.

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    This is a question for a vet who can examine him. I keep cats on iv fluids with a urinate catheter in place foe days to allow the bladder to flush and hopefully remove all of the favors that allowed or caused the blockage. I also use pain meds and an anti inflammation along with prazosin. The average hospital stay is about 5 days.

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Maham | 4 years ago
Hi, My Cat Is 4 Years Old And She’s Approximately 17 Pounds. I Want To Bring Her …

Hi,

My cat is 4 years old and she’s approximately 17 pounds. i want to bring her to around 10 pounds so she can live a healthy life. I want to change her diet from Dry food, what do you suggest? currently she eats Friskies 3 times a day (a hand full each time).

3 Responses

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    I like science diet, royal canin and wellness. As a general rule. I also think that based on age a visit to the vet and some blood work to check thyroid and kidney function.

    1. Maham Post author

      Hi i’ve checked out these brands and they’re on the pricier side. Do you recommend boiled chicken instead of their store bought food?

      1. Laura

        Maham, plain boiled chicken isn’t nutritionally complete. Cats have more strict requirements than other carnivores.

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Theron | 4 years ago
My Cat Bandit Has Trouble Breathing And Is Wheezing And Making Snoring Sounds When He Is …

My cat bandit has trouble breathing and is wheezing and making snoring sounds when he is awake. He wont groom himself and sheds terribly. When we took him to the vet after their tests they concluded its probably polyps in his nose or throat and suggested a specialist who wants over a thousand dollars for a ”special” surgery but when i did some research online i watched a video of Dr. Krista Magnifico removing a polyp from a cat which took 3 mins and was 130$ total cost. I live in the Atlanta Ga, area and was hoping y’all had suggestions of somewhere close to me that can do the same wonderful, skillful job Dr. Magnifico performed for around the same price range. I know this problem is bothering my poor bandit and i just want him to be healthy and happy and i know getting this removed is the key.

1 Response

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  1. Sarah

    Good morning-
    I would start at your vet. I would explain your thoughts and ask for help in finding someone who is willing to perform the surgery at a more affordable price, if they cannot. If that doesn’t pan out, I would start calling around and asking. Maybe try your local humane society or animal rescue? They may know of someone close to your area that is willing to perform the polyp surgery. Perhaps even posting to social media may prove helpful- someone who has been through this situation may see it and point you in the right direction. I hope things work out- please keep us posted.????????