To the vet. TODAY.
I Recently Adopted A 3 Year Old Male Treeing Walker Coonhound From My Local Shelter…
I recently adopted a 3 year old male treeing walker coonhound from my local shelter. We don’t know any history on him, but it is clear that the shelter did not work with him while he was there for several months. For the most part, he seems to be housebroke. However, whenever we leave he decides to urinate all over the house. He doesn’t do this when we are home, but we don’t let him out of our sight due to this being an issue. He also has this thing where he doesn’t want to do anything for himself. He doesn’t want to move, he doesn’t want to get up, he doesn’t come when called, he doesn’t ask to go outside, he doesn’t want treats for good behavior, he doesn’t eat a lot. It’s like he does what he wants, on his own time, when he wants. We are being patient with him, but we would really like for him to be a family oriented, trustworthy dog. We also do not want to have a dog we have to keep kenneled. Does anyone have any suggestions on what to do to fix these behaviors?
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What Is Wrong With My Cat?
Why Is My Cat Hungry And Meowing For Food All…
What is wrong with my cat?
Why is my cat hungry and meowing for food all the time, only likes wet food when he used to eat hard, losing hair, lost weight and is very skinny, itching a lot with very little fleas?
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Anonymous
My Cat Is In Pain… I Don’t Know What Happen.. But He Cries, He’s Lying…
My cat is in pain… I don’t know what happen.. but he cries, he’s lying on the ground hardly breathing, moments later he pees while lying… I couldn’t take it to vet cause of the location we are in. Please i need to save my cat, please help me.
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Krista Magnifico I’m sorry to hear about your cat. He desperately needs an examination to help understand what might be going on. A veterinarian will look, listen and feel him all over and from there try to give some guidance on what might be going on. Even with this it is sometimes necessary to perform a blood analysis and radiographs. The only advice I can give you is to see a vet immediately. I hope he is ok
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Sarah It sounds like an emergency and you really need to find a vet asap.
My Cat Has Vomited Three Times Today – It Was Clear And Has Gotten Yellow…
My cat has vomited three times today – it was clear and has gotten yellow. He’s still drinking water and is active – no lethargy or soreness. Do I need to take him to the ER immediately or should I see if it continues?
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Krista Magnifico Hello,
There are many causes for vomiting and many are acute and transient and do not require a trip to the ER. In general we recommend that you not give your pet any food or water for about 12 hours to let the stomach and gi tract rest. The only concern with this is if there is a chance your cat is dehydrated. If your cat is acting normally and the gums are moist and the skin turgor is normal (this is the amount of skin tent in the area of the shoulders) then they are likely not dehydrated. If the vomiting persists in spite of with holding food and water, or if your cat appears to be quiet, lethargic, depressed or cannot stop vomiting, then yes a trip to the vet is in order.
Look around the house to make sure that your cat hasn’t eaten anything inappropriate or dangerous like any kind of toxin (plants, toys, rotten food, etc). If an accidental ingestion is possible this warrants an immediate trip to the vet for care.
If the vomiting stops over the 12 hours i recommend offering small amounts of watered down wet food every 3-4 hours starting tomorrow. If the vomiting returns see the vet.
Best of luck!
Merry Christmas! -
Eva Hanley Post author Thank you! He doesn’t have the signs of dehydration, so I’ll start the fast & monitor him.
Hi! My Cat Has A Pink, Goopy Eye. He Has Had This In The Past…
Hi! My cat has a pink, goopy eye. He has had this in the past and it’s gone away within a day or two but it’s been about 4 days now. What do you think it is? Should I take him to the vet?
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Beth Holler Thank you Dr. Magnifico! I probably can’t take him until next week because I work and then the weekend is Christmas, but I will definitely get his eye checked by the vet.
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Krista Magnifico Ok. If the squinting worsens or the discharge becomes more severe pleaee see the vet asap. I always worry about eyes.
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Krista Magnifico Hello
I have to admit that I’m general any recurrent or concerning eye issues warrants a trip to the vet for an examination. At this point I would guess that an ophthalmic is in order. Hopefully with an early treatment option the eye will be better quickly and without any long standing issues. Be proactive and see the vet.
Let us know what they say.
Cat Keeps Peeing/pooping In The Basement; I Have A 12 Year Old Cat Who Has…
Cat keeps peeing/pooping in the basement; I have a 12 year old cat who has been peeing/pooping in our basement. She has done this before a while ago but stopped the habit after changing her litter. Then this past summer we took down our shed and much of its contents are currently in our garage where her litter box is. Soon after, she started refusing to use the litter box. My mother got tired of cleaning up after her and put her outside for the summer. (She is an indoor/outdoor cat)We’ve recently let her back in due to the cold weather (after 4-5 months I’d say) and us being out of town for Thanksgiving. It was easier to get someone to feed her that way if she’s in the house.At first she seemed fine and had no issue. We were more careful to clean her litter box more often. And coming back from Thanksgiving we found pee/ poo in the house again.We don’t want the litter box in the house because she is usually messy with it and there really isn’t any convenient space in the house for it. I don’t think it’s a urinary infection because she hadn’t gotten back into the habit until we tore down the shed. We aren’t going to get her checked out because it’s expensive and we are pretty positive its the stuff in the garage.I am just not sure what to do anymore to correct this. She’ll get put in the garage for the winter if she doesn’t stop this act. I think come this next summer we’ll put up a new shed but until then I’m not sure what I can do. But if this keeps up she’ll be kicked out of the house again.
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Sarah First and foremost, I would make a vet appointment. Just to make sure there is nothing really wrong internally with your cat. I understand there is a cost, but it is important. If you really feel strongly that it is the shed remnants causing it, perhaps finding a better place to store them would help? Also, if you could try to keep her litter box area clean and free from other debris (I know my garage is full of all kinds of tools, bikes, and who knows what else gets stored in there) as well as making sure to change her litter regularly and keep her box cleaned, this may help out. Our routine is to go into the basement each morning where the litter box is and empty it out first thing. It has gotten so that now after time, our cat routinely goes in the morning around 6:30 and we clean it out shortly after. Every Sunday we change the litter and clean out the box. In all fairness, cleaning the litter box out each day is the least that should be done. Honestly, would you want to use a toilet that hasn’t been flushed? Me either. Good luck!
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Anonymous I agree – get her to the vet. Indoor/outdoor cats NEED more veterinary attention than indoor-only cats due to their exposure to the environment.
Do keep in mind, ignoring her care IS neglect, and is a crime in most states. Don’t neglect your cat’s health because it’s inconvenient.
Hi My Cat Has Just Been Prescribed Metacam; Can You Please Advise For How Long…
Hi my cat has just been prescribed Metacam; can you please advise for how long he should take it before I take another urine sample back to the vets? He has a little blood in his urine and the vet has put him on this medication. Thanks.
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Krista Magnifico Hello.
No one but your vet can answer this appropriately. Too many variables like disease, diagnostics (or lack there of), and your cats physical health influence this answer.
Please call your vet and ask for clarification on the duration and use of the medication they prescribed. It is part of the exam and office fee you paid for and they are the best source for your cats ideal care. Also ask about diet, exercise and supplements to help avoid future episodes.
I Just Figured Out Which Of My Cats Was Having Soft Extremely Fowl Smelling Poop…
I just figured out which of my cats was having soft extremely fowl smelling poop. I put some of it into a collecting container
and plan to drop it off tomorrow before noon. If he goes again,
I will get the fresher sample but will the other one work? If so,
should I keep it in the refrigerator. In a bottle and a bag of course.
Thanks
Sandy Brown
Cat is Dexter who goes to Jarrettsville Veterinary Hospital
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Krista Magnifico Hello
The freshest sample you can get is always the best. Please keep it refrigerated until you can get it to the vet
What Does It Mean If My Cat Excessively Licks Herself?
What does it mean if my cat excessively licks herself?
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Krista Magnifico It can mean allergies, infection or most commonly fleas. I suggest using a flea comb to look really well (even if you don’t think it’s that) I have a great YouTube video on it, search Dr. Magnifico and fleas. Please talk to your vet about this first so you can rule out a medical based issue. Please keep us posted!
I Found This Cat A Few Hours Ago In My Garden.(i Named Him Simba). Hes…
I found this cat a few hours ago in my garden.(i named him Simba). Hes actually a kitten, very small, cute and adorable.
Ive put him in a box and gave him some milk. He drank about 150ml of milk. Now he just doesnt move and look very sad. Ive cover him with a napkin in case hes cold. I just feel like hes bored and depressed. What am i doing wrong? Should i feed him something else? Does he need another cat because hes lonely?
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Sarah You should call a veterinarian and bring the kitten in to have it checked right away. Depending on how old the vet estimates it is, will let you know what and how to feed it properly, it will allow you and the vet to know what condition the kitten is in and line you up for proper/necessary immunizations. Best of luck!
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Krista Magnifico Kittens should be active eating and playful (age dependent). If they are not it should be considered an emergency and you should seek immediate veterinary assistance. Kittens are very fragile. Do not hesitate or wait I hope he is ok.
Okay, I’m working on the housebreaking thing. But how do I go about teaching him how to play? Or be around people? Whenever I try he seems scared even though I’m extremely calm with him.
Also, any suggestions on how to get him to “come” when I call his name? He looks, just ignores.
Hello,
Thank you for adopting! It is impossible for a shelter to housebreak a dog. They simply lack the time and resources to do so. Therefore you will need to essentially start from scratch in both housebreaking and crate training as I think it is very very difficult to do one without the other. It is the only way to reward and provide the training your dog needs. I would also presume that your dog might be urinating in the house sullly due to stress when you are away. Your presumption about much of his behavior “he doesn’t want to move get up, ask to go outside, etc” are all things he needs to be taught to do. He needs to be shown what play, walking on a leash, shown how to ring a bell on a door, etc etc are all your responsibility in training. Please see your vet and please ask for assistance in finding a positive reinforcement trainer. I also really like Victoria Stilwells books. It really sounds like your dog needs a friend and a mentor and a whole lot of tlc and time.
Best of luck
I know he isn’t a puppy, but have you looked into beginner obedience class? It’s very good for dogs socially as well a owners for basic training help and how to get started. I highly recommend it. It’s not too expensive (talk to your vet for references and local trainers) and it is money WELL spent. Best if luck!!
In time he will trust you and start coming out of his shell. I see it all the time in rescues. Sometimes it happens in a few days. Other cases take weeks. For now be gentle, use treats to coax him or just pick him up and carry him. He will eventually start to trust and interact.