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Orangie | 2 months ago
Hello. My 4 Year Old Male Cat Had A Urinary Blockage They Did A Catheter And Unblocked …

Hello. My 4 year old male cat had a urinary blockage they did a catheter and unblocked him sent him home and he wasn’t getting better 2 days later took him back and now he has a bladder infection. Sent us home with Amoxocillin. Took him back to er and now he is blocked again. Another catheter is in. My question is if they pull the catheter will he block again due to the bladder infection he still has? My thoughts are can they leave it in longer and keep the urine flowing until his badder infection clears? Lastly the urine culture hasn’t been verified yet to know exactly what antibiotic is needed apparently that takes a week. They just guess Amoxocillin. Please let me know your thoughts.

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I always advise unblocking and leaving the urinary catheter in for about 3 days whilst giving iv fluids. It helps flush the bladder (and whatever caused the blockage) and diurese the kidneys which are usually impacted. I do not advise unblocking and then removing the catheter. Both cause more trauma to an already traumatized urethra.
    I also advise transferring to your own vets office for Care of the er is too expensive.
    I have more information on this subject on my blog KMDVM.blogspot.com.

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Katherine | 2 months ago
My Senior, Male, Neutered, Diabetic Nebelung Cat Is Experiencing Constipation, I Had Recently Slowly Changed His …

My senior, male, neutered, diabetic nebelung cat is experiencing constipation, I had recently slowly changed his diet to a raw based diet from royal Canon diabetic pouches,, as i was put off from the vet scientific diabetic diets in the end due to one day reading the ingredients and seeing that my cat was needing something more or potentially he was lacking something, I say this as he was starting to mirander outside like a Billy goat eating all the graass that he could in our backyard. Coincidently, Boof started flickng his head and scratching at his ears, the next day after noticing his discomfort and that he still hadn’t defecate (day 3) i took him to a neighboring vet as our usual vet was fully booked out, I could see crusty brown specs in his ear and a discharge, the vet I took him to gave, me pmp drops to administer 3 drops per ear twice daily for 7 days. She didn’t want to try to much else due to him being a diabetic and also a new patient,
One day later when I was cleaning boofs bedding a spider
Like bug had come out onto our carpet,
I took a photo of it,
It’s definitely some type of tick not sure if it cpmr from out of his ear or if it has anything to do with his constipation.
Boofs appetite has been great this whole time aswel.
Although after eating I have noticed him somewhat whining ND groverling like his pain 🙁
He also vomited twice after having dinner. (biley foaming substance liquid)
On day 5 I took vet into out normal vet who assessed him, she gave him a 24hour anti nausea injection, and assessed him, she said to resume giving lactolose maybe a little bit more and aswel with the subcut fluids,

And still nothing,….

The vet called today to see how Boof was I explained to her that he wants to go to the toilet but just can’t, and his looking pretty squeamish again,
She explained to me that because of it being 6days now with no bowel movements that it can get Boof pretty sick potentially, she explained that instead of taking a stab in the dark and guess that they would breed to take xrays ect bloods and mannualyl remove all feces that’s stuck in him and it would cost $800. Due to Christmas coming up and the overall rise in the cost of living and the renting crisis here, I am just stuck for money at the moment that kills me to say, I have tried vet pay with. No luck…

Is there anything I can try at home please, it’s not at all a situation where I don’t want to pay anyone, it’s by far the opposite and I’m hoping that a friend of family member will reply to me after asking for a lend, which I never do, and I never would expect or be suprised if anyone can help,
My boy means so much to me,
I just gave Boof a 5ml enema of lactulose and more subcut fluids
Is there anything more that I can do please 🙁 🙁

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I’m sorry to hear about your cat.
    In my experience constipation in cats is always secondary to something else. And in fact very few are actually constipated. It is absolutely imperative that someone competent palpate your cats abdomen or take an Xray to confirm the constipation before you treat for it. People always think it’s constipation and it’s usually poor dietary intake, cachexia or poor muscle mass and usually a few other things.
    Constipation in cats feels like a colon full of hard distended feces. This should be confirmed by a rectal exam. The problem with getting this diagnosis incorrect is that all of the things you try to treat it will make everything else inherently worse. Do not give your cat anything until you confirm this and figure out why it happened.

    My guess might be you don’t have the diabetes adequately controlled and therefore you are losing muscle mass. This includes the gi tract which can no longer push feces out of the body.

    Please find a vet you trust for your cats care.

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Roberta | 2 months ago
Have A 7 Month Old Orange Tabby. Adopted At 4 Months. Has A Bout Of Diarrhea After A …

Have a 7 month old orange tabby. Adopted at 4 months. Has a bout of diarrhea after a long progress of switching him to kitten food instead of adult that was at the shelter (dry, Hills normal kitten). Then harder bowel movements occurred. Small incomplete prolapse occurred. Vet thought could be parasites (none on fecal) and did proactive dewormer. Also started on revolution plus. No improvement, started wet food (hill sensitive stomach kitten). Added water and a probiotic. Perforation continued. Saw vet two weeks later and did another round of dewormed. Said it should resolve on own.

Second opinion at new place. The did manual exam, nothing structurally abnormal. Planned on purse string but then vet consulted and decided conservative measured first. Animax cream and hills I/d. Started to become super constipated. A lot of tummy massages and forced “bicycle” kicks. You could feel the back up. Two week later, switched to hills biome. Did another fecal (negative). Less straining but still harder than average BMs. Continued with adding water and probiotics.

Almost a week ago, did purse string. This poor guy had a bad night the following night after surgery. Only way I can describe it is that it’s almost like a mega colon. He’s able to get highly compacted BMs partly through. I help assist with wiping, warm compresses, warm bath, it’s miserable for the both of us and I thought he’d would burst the stitches or just create a new opening. Finally got most of it to pass. Took back to vet in the am. They could only see a little bit of stool on x-ray but said everything is fine. Upped lactulose to 2mL tid and .75 gabapentin tid. Things were okay until he has to push again. Not as bad but I’m afraid this will be an issue once the stitches are removed in 2 days. Still watering down food, even more since surgery and blended up the biome.

I’m just not sure how to express the compacted BMs are continuing. I had to beg for a CBCw/diff just to ensure there wasn’t a concern for high eos. He drinks great and no concerns with urination. He struggles to eat because of all of this. He’s a little underweight. Super active happy kitty besides all of this.

Any advice on diet, tests, ect that I can bring up to vet? Enema before stitch removal? They do consult a specialist since he’s a kitten and I’m about to ask for a referral. Switch to Royal GI kitten? I just feel horrible that the dude is back and forth in a cone and not fully enjoying his kitten phase. Plus this is putting a strain on our relationship.

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    Yikes. What a roller coaster.
    Ok. So probably no one is going to like my advice, but here it is.
    I do not get upset by a little prolapse. Kittens push really hard after diarrhea bouts. They just do. Resolve the diarrhea with the fecal check and a gradual transition to a good diet. If still having diarrhea I try panacur or metronidazole for just a few days.
    The kitten tells you what to do from there. If playful and happy I manage the prolapse with belly massage and exercise. I am very very reluctant to add a purse string. Too pain and they start to push even harder.
    If I have to purse string it is only for old cats. Or for puppies. But you often have to place it and then remove it 3 days later. And then replace it again. Often it takes two or three times. And no one ever wants to do it that often. So. I just try to avoid it in the first place.

    Kittens heal soo fast. Just give them a chance .

    1. Roberta Post author

      Have the diarrhea in check. Probably two weeks after it occurred. Now constant hard to compacted BMs for the last 2.5 months. The only time the prolapse resected was for like two days after the manual exam. That was two months ago. It started to look irritated so went ahead with the purse string. Total of 3 months of prolapse, maybe half of the external sphincter involved,

      He hated the massages, the steroid cream, wearing the cone, and the straining.

      I’m concerned it’s going to be a failure. He’s pushing too hard and I’m having to help remove the impaction. His bowels just laugh at lactulose, 2mL tid. I asked if it may have been too tight and/or enema may be a good idea since it’s just getting stuck/backing up. They think everything is fine. It looks like when a human takes round the clock opioids with no stool softer and didn’t drink and water.

      I’m just at a loss of what to do/ask for. I’m going to ask to try royal canin GI kitten. The hills biome and I/d are not helping. Tried pumpkin, probiotic, and adding coconut oil (not all together) to food, no help.

      Great drinker, I add water to wet food, and urinates great. It’s just these darn compacted BMs.

      It’s been a strenuous 3 months and this poor guy is such a forgiving trooper. I’m afraid of this does continue, it’s going to be a full on prolapse.

      Purse string stitches come out tomorrow, total of seven days.

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Robyn | 2 months ago
My Five Year Old Dog Is Seriously Afraid Of Storms. It Seems Like The Sound Is …

My five year old dog is seriously afraid of storms. It seems like the sound is what is triggering her fear. She is not treat motivated so I could not get her to take a calm chew but seems so elevated in her fear I don’t think that would have worked. She was shaking and heavily panting for an hour after the storm. Any suggestions??

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  1. Laura

    Is this a recent development? I would recommend a thundershirt, but be aware you need to put it on the dog BEFORE the storm hits. Medication can also help.

    Beyond that, I would work on desensitization with sounds.

    Additionally, I’d like to add my Doberman was not sound averse until after her spay, and she slowly increased in her storm aversion. She went from a dog who would stand outside and glare at the sky for daring to make noise when she was intact to a dog who’d cower on her bed post-spay. It was bizarre. We worked on desensitization training with Youtube videos and the highest value treats I had – bits of medium-rare steak. It helped.

  2. Robyn Post author

    Thanks for your response!! That is helpful. Yes it seems new and worse over the last year

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Desiree | 2 months ago
By Dog Has Bloody Diarrhea. He Was Bit By A Tick A Little Over A Week …

By dog has bloody diarrhea. He was bit by a tick a little over a week ago and I’m concerned. He also will not eat or drink anything.

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  1. Laura

    Hi Desiree – this is now emergent. Not eating or drinking means something is very wrong. Please get him to the vet TODAY.

  2. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,

    I think that you should seek help from a veterinarian to help understand what’s going on with your pup.

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Gwen | 2 months ago
Got This 3-4 Week Kitten Who Needed A Home And Appears To Have A Twisted/angular …

Got this 3-4 week kitten who needed a home and appears to have a twisted/angular wrist. He was most likely born with this deformity since I don’t believe his legs cause him any pain. He is starting to walk and it is becoming a bit of a struggle.
Can someone recommend me any options? I don’t want to go to the Vet just now because i know it will end being costly with X-rays and such. Right now i’m considering splinting, but I also want to know other options like maybe messages, etc. He is doing pretty well, but since he does sometimes walk, supporting his leg on the leg twisted (the bone, rather than his paw), i’m afraid it’ll become a future problem when he’s older.

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello.

    If you follow my blog at kmdvm.blogspot.com I have a few articles on this. I would use a soft splint and rest. These kittens grow and the legs strengthen and they can have normal lives. If you are anywhere near me in northern Maryland I will help.

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Jan | 3 months ago
Should I Be Concerned About The Heart Disease DCM Caused By Or Related To Grain Free …

Should I be concerned about the heart disease DCM caused by or related to grain free dog diets?

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  1. Laura

    I would read the studies, honestly. I prefer NOT to feed commercial grain free dog food, as I have found no benefit. My previous dog always had runny stool on grain free, but when I switched her to a grain inclusive food it firmed right up and her coat improved. My current dog is the same way. I prefer not to supplement with pumpkin, and it appears dogs do benefit from the fiber in grain inclusive foods.

    If you DO choose to feed grain free, make sure the ingredients don’t have legumes high on the ingredient list. There seems to be a correlation.

  2. Laura

    I sat on this a little more, and wanted to add: DCM is absolutely deadly as a disease. My Doberman had it (the breed is prone to it, so we expected it would happen) and it’s not something for which I’d ever want to increase risk. It presents as two forms – congestive and arrhythmic. Congestive is congestive heart failure, which is the animal literally drowning on their own fluids. Arrhythmic is sudden death. Neither are good, both are fatal.

    Ripley’s form was arrhythmic. She was fine until her first collapse, when she went on medication to treat. In normal situations that would have earned us a few months. We got a miracle of an entire year with her post diagnosis…and she left us in the same way, with a heart attack that killed her instantly. Diagnosis is expensive, as is medication. I can absolutely say I would do whatever I can to avoid it from both an emotional and fiscally responsible standpoint.

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Ed | 3 months ago
This Is A Lot To Digest. We Have A 15-year-old Dog That Has Been On Meds …

This is a lot to digest. We have a 15-year-old dog that has been on meds for congestive heart failure. He was doing fine until…the other day he apparently got into the trash and ingested a paper towel with meat gravy. For the past 24 hours he has been vomiting up food he ate after the ingestion so we obviously have not fed him further. He has been drinking water regularly throughout the day and night but vomiting it up at times as well. I have discontinued giving him water so the vomiting doesn’t dehydrate him. He did vomit up part of the paper towel but now we believe there may be a piece in his digestive tract too. He is resting now but has been very lethargic as one might expect. Not interested in eating, vomit is a combination of yellow and clear. One earlier vomit was very brown and “pudding” consistency. Since then mostly watery. Our vet is in surgery and is unavailable for the entire day, The main question is how dangerous is the paper towel if in fact it is lodged in the digestive tract? Will it degrade fast enough to allow water first and then food to pass. Our vet said the dog’s age and heart condition preclude any surgery. We are at a loss as to what, if any steps are available to us. He is not in immediate distress but is clearly in need of something.

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I think that you need to get in contact with your vet asap. Otherwise the ER is your next best option.

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Susan | 3 months ago
Good Morning, I’m Looking To Get A 2nd Opinion As To Which Flea And Tick …

Good morning, I’m looking to get a 2nd opinion as to which flea and tick preventative is safest for a dog with history of seizures (5 year old golden doodle with 3 random seizures in the past year and a half.) My current Vet said NexGard is safe although, the online information states it is an “isoxazoline class drug “and caution should be used in dogs with a history of seizures or neurological disorders Anv guidance would be greatly appreciated.

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I do not use, or advise the use of these products if the patient has a history of seizures. Try something else. There are lots of good products on the market.

    Ask your vet for another option if you are also worried about the black box warning.

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Elaine | 3 months ago
Good Morning, I Have An 8wk Old Presumed Female Kitten With A Rare Congenital Defect Causing …

Good morning, I have an 8wk old presumed female kitten with a rare congenital defect causing a cloaca instead of normal anus and vagina. She went to another vet for what was thought to be constipation and a partial vaginal prolapse and we were given the diagnosis and told of an expensive surgery that could correct the issue but were advised that euthanasia might be the best course as we’re a rescue and the surgery is not only expensive but has a high complication rate. I’m trying to find anyone with experience with this or surgeons that have done this surgery. We’re trying to decide if the surgery will prolong a happy, comfortable life or only cause issues down the road. She is currently being maintained with laxatives, abdominal massages, antibiotics both oral and topical, prednisone, and bathing. She is a normal, happy kitten except for her bathroom needs and being very undersized(1.4lbs and half the size of her littermates).
Her diagnosis:
Type II Atresia Ani
Rectourethral Fistula

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