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Terri S | 7 years ago
Hi Dr. Magnifico. You Are Our Vet To Our Indoor Cats. Last Week, We Brought…

Hi Dr. Magnifico. You are our vet to our indoor cats. Last week, we brought in a feral cat that was roaming our neighborhood. Turns out, he is pretty friendly, allows petting and belly rubs. On Monday June 19th, I took him to Animal Rescue, Inc., to be neutered, a rabies shot, and flea control. They also checked for a microchip (none), and I paid to have blood work done to have him tested for feline leukemia. Unfortunately, he tested positive for FIV. I would like to find him a home. I have two questions. Do you know anyone willing to give a home to a big orange friendly male tabby cat, or is there anything you can do to help? Maybe doing a courtesy post on your facebook page? I asked Animal Rescue and was told to put him back outside since he is now neutered. I was shocked they said that, as he could infect other ferals. We are currently keeping him in our basement and I just noticed a tapeworm coming out of his anus. My second question is, can you prescribe a tapeworm medication, without me having to bring him in, since he is FIV feral, and just went thru so much at Animal Rescue? My husband can pick it up after work. If not, can you recommend an over the counter medication to treat tapeworms? I am hoping whatever it is, that it will be something easy to give, maybe something I can put in his food that is tasteless. Thank you. Terri

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  1. Shiria

    Hello,

    When our animal shelter takes in feral cats that turn out to be FIV positive we still let them back to their usual place, if they are truly feral and otherwise healthy. Nothing would be worse for them than to be contained for the rest of their live, always stressed out and afraid.
    However if they turn out to be friendly, like yours and like to be touched etc. we try to find a new home – however still with the option to go outside, if they turn out to be not lucky inside.
    Before doing so of course they will be treated against fleas, worms, get their cat flu shots, get neutered etc.

    Of course they risk to contract FIV to other cats, but for neutered cats it’s lower, as they don’t get into fights that much and don’t mate.

    It’s worse for leukemia. Of the last colony we trapped, most were tested positive for leukemia and they looked like it. They had a (very) bad health status and were put down, as they were completely feral.

    I can’t recommend a medication for worms however, as the products will most likely be different from where you live and I’m no vet anyway.

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Pawbly | 7 years ago
My 11 Years Old Cat Died Yesterday After 12 Hours In Pain. She Has Been…

My 11 years old cat died yesterday after 12 hours in pain. She has been lethargic for about 1 month now, but I really thought that was a result of her aging. She was occasionally puking, mostly unprocessed food. Yesterday she started puking but just liquids, greenish and with some foam. She was really in pain and she started breathing with her mouth open and tongue out. We took her to the vet which told us that was probably a kidney failure and run some blood test on her. Then he sent us home with the cat telling us to come back the other day, he didn’t realize it was an emergency. We took her back home but the situation got worse. She puked more, the pain got worse she didn’t have any energy at all. So we rushed to the clinic again at 1 am. The vet did some x rays on her, and told us she had something near her stomach but he couldn’t tell what it was. It could have been anything from a tumor to a hairball. He thought it was best for her to stay overnight. She was in very bad conditions, he just injected some pain killers to her. She died three hours later. I feel so bad for letting her there. I just can’t believe she is gone like this. Another vet that saw the blood test and the x rays thinks it neither kidney failure nor tumor or hairball. I’m devastated. What could it possibly be that killed my cat?

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Heidi Becker HeidiB | 7 years ago
My Cat Is Having Trouble Urinating And I Don’t Think He Has Eaten For About…

My cat is having trouble urinating and I don’t think he has eaten for about a day. What should I do?

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I would be very worried that your cat might have a urinary blockage. This should be considered an emergency and you should go to the vet immediately. I hope your cat is ok.

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jen Hohman | 7 years ago
When I Was Grooming My Cat I Accidentally Cut Her Skin. The Wound Doesn’t Look…

When I was grooming my cat I accidentally cut her skin. The wound doesn’t look deep and is not bleeding. Is it safe to use Neosporin ointment on her wound? The wound looks like a small tear.

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    Unfortunately I see this too often. Hard as I try to beg and plead with people to NEVER USE SCISSORS! They do and it happens. The skin will often heal on its own BUT too often it closes over an infection which causes an abscess or the skin edges don’t heal due to the cat licking it which then causes infection. Cats don’t heal as well as dogs do with cuts therefore I always recommend seeing the vet now to get the wound assessed and antibiotics started BEFORE it gets to be something serious and expensive.
    I hope this helps
    Best of luck

  2. jen Hohman Post author

    Thank you so much for your advice. I have cleaned the wound and I will watch her for the next few days. She is behaving normally and is resting in our garage for the night.

  3. jen Hohman Post author

    Hello,
    Just a quick update,
    The wound on Rugrat’s back has healed up nicely. Since it was a small cut, I bought some Vetrycin and sprayed it on her wound. she is back to her old self.
    Thank you so much for your help

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Scott Landry | 7 years ago
Hi Pawbly, My Older (13) Cat Dora Has Been Working Her Tail. Not Sure How…

Hi Pawbly, my older (13) cat Dora has been working her tail. Not sure how it started. What should I do to help her out here?

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello My Dear Friend!
    Well, I have to say that I don’t usually see a problem on the underside of the mid tail region. Typically tail issues occur at the base where fleas like to hang out. In these cases I ask clients to use a flea comb to look for evidence of fleas. The little black specks that resemble pepper, or a live flea in the comb is proof that fleas are present. Which is an easy fix these days with all of the safe efficacious products available.
    But, this is not your case.
    I would question a few things:
    1. Most likely a wound? Is she chewing/licking due to trauma here. This is most easily ruled out by an exam of the lesion. Is there any signs of a puncture? Scratch? Abrasion? Even if I cannot convince myself that I think it is a wound I will treat for the most likely scenario anyway by placing an e-collar and providing either a topical (probably the best choice here because the tail has poor blood supply and a systemic antibiotic may take a longer time to get there) and it looks like it is trying to heal already. I would use a topical antibiotic cream. As long as it is not ingested most of the human equivalents are fine. I would leave the collar on for at least a week. If the hair is growing back and the site is improving this treatment plan is proof of our suspicion.
    2. If the lesion persists I would consider ringworm a possibility. A blacklight might provide flourescense to confirm this. To diagnose it we do a DTM culture test. But, to be completely honest I start treating for it anyway with OTC miconazole cream. (Used for yeast infections in women).
    3. Neurological concerns are on the rule out list, BUT, I would expect to see other signs like ataxia, instability, hind limb weakness, involuntary urination or defecation, etc.
    A physical exam by your vet to include rectal palpation (check anal sacs just to make sure this is not the problem) and a fecal for parasites are all good places to start.
    Hope this helps,
    All my love to all of you guys,
    Krista

  2. Inside Sunrise

    I recommend seeking advice from a vet. This could be a symptom of a serious underlying problem.

  3. Anonymous

    I would worry about neurological issues causing pain. Please get her to the vet.

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Debbie Molnar | 8 years ago
I Have A 14 Year Old Cat Who Is A Seasonal Vomiter. She Rarely…

I have a 14 year old cat who is a seasonal vomiter. She rarely has an issue October – April, but the vomiting becomes frequent May – September. I held off on her topical flea treatment this year thinking that may be the cause but the vomiting started in May as usual. She vomits food, grass, and fur; there can be as many as 9 events per month. This is the 3rd year in a row this has happened. What could be the cause?

4 Responses

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  1. Laura

    I would worry that something else is wrong. Could this be allergies? Could she be getting into something outside? Have you considered keeping her inside due to her age? You *may* be able to better contain her vomiting if you can control the environment more closely.

  2. Debbie Molnar Post author

    I hadn’t thought about allergies, are there any common outdoor cat allergies I should watch out for? When she’s outside she’s always on a leash so I can kind of control her, but every once in awhile she’ll get her mouth on some grass. I don’t use pesticides and none of my neighbors within a half mile of my house use lawn pesticides. The cyclical nature of the vomiting is what confuses me. She’s at her worst May and July, but ok June and August. You’d think she would be exposed to the same things all 4 months.

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Pawbly | 8 years ago
My 6 Year Old Cat Named Jake Has A Small Growth On His Neck I…

My 6 year old cat named Jake has a small growth on his neck I am attaching a picture of it and hoping you could tell me what you think it is

2 Responses

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  1. Sarah

    It is hard to tell from your picture, sorry. It could be a tick perhaps? In which case I hope that you use preventatives (like frontline or something). If not a tick, perhaps a skin tag, and you might want that looked at.

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Pawbly | 8 years ago
Hi, And Thank You For Free Advice. My Vet Isn’t Available. Our 16 Yr. Old…

Hi, and thank you for free advice. My vet isn’t available. Our 16 yr. old female cat was just diagnosed with kidney/renal issues. Changed her food and she appears to be improving. Teeth cleaning needed, never been done and breath is bad, but her condition too compromised to be put under/stress so maybe BRUSHING would help? OR Dental Fresh Original Water: Stabilized Chlorine Dioxide.0.1%, Stabilized with Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda). What if any action is best? blood results attached.

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I am sorry to hear about your kitty. Has the vet talked to you about a full blood work panel and a urinalysis? Checking blood pressure? starting fluid therapy? and a phosphate binder? I would probably start here and discuss a dental down the road after her numbers stabilize. If possible I always recommend seeing a feline specialist or internal medicine specialist or making an appointment with your vet to come up with a treatment plan for her now.
    I hope this helps.
    good luck!
    Please let us know how she is doing
    krista

  2. Anne McLaughlin

    Yes, blood work only, attached on first question but here it is. ALB 3.0 ALP 122 ALT 224 AMY 1136 TBL 0.2 BUN 46 CA 9.2 PHOS 15.1 CRE 1.9 GLU 90 NA+ 147 K+ 4.2 TP 8.3 GLOB 5.4. Vet said blood sugar and heart rate good. Now eating renal/kidney specific food as per vet. She loves it. Since then, not drinking so much water and so much urine as before, but still drinking, eating. Phosphate binder? no. My vet had shoulder surgery, not available presently. Will find out. Also giving a pinch of collagen powder. My hope is that she is comfortable. My prayer is for healing, I believe as a Christian. I know we are all on our way from mortality to eternity. So I stand in hope for the best situation to reign. Her teeth apparently are in need of attention and I’m concerned they are further challenging her little body but vet shrugged it off like she’s on her way out anyway, why put her through further stress. This is why I thought maybe I would try working with her so that she might at least at some point allow a quick brush. Is this safe for her or would I be releasing more poison by brushing? How about water additives? attached is blood work printout and pic of Gracie. Thanks so much for all you do Krista.

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Pawbly | 8 years ago
My 10-yr Old Tonkinese Cat Has A Seroma On His Throat From Fighting With His…

My 10-yr old Tonkinese cat has a seroma on his throat from fighting with his brother (littermate), who bit him in the neck. This happened over a year ago. The vet did full test panel (no cancer), etc and drained it. It refilled within a week. I took him back to drain again, it refilled again. I did NOT want to repeat this cycle for fear of infection (not to mention cost). The seroma is still on his throat and I know bothers him, but does not affect his appetite. All the vet suggests is draining it again. He does eat more slowly than he used to, and doesn’t purr quite as much as he used to. I was hoping it would have shrunk by now, but it hasn’t. Any advice? I am extremely interested in holistic, alternative ideas, if possible. Thank you!

1 Response

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I am not a holistic vet but if you were my client I would inquire about doing a culture and sensitivity of the fluid or cytology making sure it isn’t infection or a mucocele or salivary gland abnormality. I would be curious to see if there is more to this than a seroma. I hope this helps.

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Pawbly | 8 years ago
Help Me Determine My Kitten’s Gender? I Adopted Joey 4 Months Ago And The Vet Determined…

Help me determine my kitten’s gender?

I adopted Joey 4 months ago and the vet determined that he’s a boy. We never really brought up his gender afterwards during his vaccination.

He is around 6 months old now and I don’t really see his ‘scotum’ growing. Compared to the kitten nearby where I live (which is around 2 months old), his ‘male parts’ look less prominent.

I don’t have the time to visit the vet this week, so can someone help me determine his/her gender? I’m a little confused.

1 Response

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  1. Shiria

    Hello,

    That kittens look like a female to me :). You should get er spayed soon, otherwise she will get pregnant if there are intact males around.