I have 13 year old 38 lb. poodle x german shepherd mix. He has some arthritis and/or hip dysplasia and muscle loss in his left hind leg. He’s on carprofen. He occasionally loses traction and often drags his left toes mid stride. He still wants to be active, does not need help getting up or walking. I’m considering a hip brace for him and wonder if you have heard or had good experiences with them.

Finnegan is a 3.5 yr old male cat with serious nasal polyp symptoms – sneezing, noisy/labored breathing (snoring, stridor), persistent nasal discharge and one runny eye. He did two rounds of clavamox and one round of Doxycycline and nothing worked. I took him to two in person vets (including an emergency vet) in the NYC area and his blood work and urinalysis came back unremarkable. From the research I’ve done I’m sure it’s a polyp or something of the sort. The internal medicine places in my area are quoting me 5-10k just for a biopsy and they don’t have openings until mid January. Please help! I am able to travel with him in a car up to 6-8hours and will go where I can get him help. He is constantly snoring and I have to flush him out throughout the day. He is still eating but has lost a bit of weight due to this going on so long and progressively worsening. Last year he had FIP and he made a full recovery from the 87+ days of shots. Thankfully that has not returned according to his lab work but makes sense that he is more susceptible to other illnesses due to a weak immune system.

Luna is an 18 year old female American shorthair. She has had nasal polyp(s) for many years. Historically this resulted in frequent sneezing with mucoid discharge and ear tenderness. Over the past month she has developed vestibular symptoms which have acutely worsened in the last week. She now has head tilt, and frank ataxia, falling over at light touch. She does not show Horner’s Syndrome. The sneezing has actually stopped since the balance issues began. A few years ago a vet offered traction/avulsion, but at the time her quality of life was good and we did not want to put her through a procedure.

Is traction/avulsion still possible in an otherwise healthy 18 year old cat who now has vestibular symptoms?

Many Thanks,
Luna’s Mom

Good morning, Dr. Magnífico,

We adopted Luka approximately two months ago. He is a happy boy and has been a great addition to our family.

He is constantly biting his tail and has this fishy odor as well. We had his anal glands expressed by our local vet and he was given a course of antibiotics. At first we saw improvement but unfortunately the tail biting and foul odor returned.

I was wondering if your clinic could perform an anal gland flush if you determine based on your evaluation that the glands are:
Impacted

Infected (sacculitis)

Filled with thick, dry material

Not responding to normal expression

I have read it helps remove debris, pus, or hardened material and often includes:

Internal expression

Sterile saline or antiseptic flush

Possible antibiotic infusion

Follow-up meds if infection is present.

We live in NOVA but my office is in MD. I’m able to travel to Jarrettsville for a consult.

I appreciate everything you do for the community!

Thank you,

Frank

My 6 month old kitten has been having breathing issues.
I took her to the vet and they diagnosed her with an ear infection but then she got worse.

I did some research and watched a lot of videos and it seems like she had a Nasal Polyp.

I am sure my kitten is not sick with anything that can be spread because my other cat is perfectly fine.
She typically sounds like she is snoring all of the time.
I am not completely sure what she has, I am looking for an affordable vet to do surgery if needed.

My 6 month old kitten has been having breathing issues.
I took her to they diagnosed her with an ear infection but then she got worse.

I did some research and watched a lot of videos and it seems like she had a Nasal Polyp.

I am sure my kitten is not sick with anything that can be spread because my other cat is perfectly fine.
She typically sounds like she is snoring all of the time.

DR MAG 11/17/25

TY again for seeing my cat Rihanna last month.

You diagnosed her with CHRONIC SINUSITIS.

I realize that is there is NO CURE for this condition
but I was wondering if ? an antibiotic or steroid shot
“could help” with her symptoms and how long ? these
shots would last ?….. and most importantly….. are such
SHOTS even worth doing ? If so ? Please let me know.

TY kindly Doctor
benedetto JAMES patrizio

Need Help With Fragile 5-Week-Old Kitten (Hypoglycemia, Breathing Issues, Fleas)

We rescued a tiny kitten on Nov 13th. She was wet, cold, lethargic, and had dried blood around her nose. The ER gave fluids and gabapentin and told us not to feed her, but she declined and we rushed her back.

At the second ER visit they suggested euthanasia, but I asked them to check her blood sugar. she was severely hypoglycemic. After dextrose and warming, they sent her home. She has now been with us for about 15 hours since the crash.

We are doing:
Small formula feeds every 1–2 hrs
Karo syrup on gums when needed
Blood sugar checks (so far stable)
Keeping her warm
Steam bathroom sessions for breathing fits

Current concerns:
Breathing fits when waking (fast, open-mouth, “bubble” sounds)
Very hazy/glassy eyes
Slow responses and occasional small twitches
Dried blood still in nostrils
Fleas, and she’s too tiny/fragile for strong treatments

She’s about 1 lb 15 oz and estimated 5 weeks old. She settles between episodes and hasn’t crashed again, but she’s still very fragile.

I need advice on:
1. Safest flea treatment for a medically fragile 5-week-old
2. Best way to clear her tiny nose of dried blood
3. What breathing signs mean danger
4. Whether neuro symptoms are normal after severe hypoglycemia

I just moved over 3 states, which was a financial blow. I expected to adjust to my new life, but my kitty baby (Female 2 yr old Calico Cat) at the end of July – beginning of August 2025 suddenly had major weight loss and impacted anal glands. Being experienced I relieved them successfully externally, but took her to the vet to get antibiotics and anti-inflammatories and to get to the bottom of what caused it in the first place. I had to struggle finding a vet since I moved here, and no one wants to take payments anymore… the doctor that I talked to was horribly mean to me, made sure to let me know that I was un-welcome, but that they would work with me this one time and to never expect this grace again. From the small town in Arkansas that I grew up in, we have always been able to do payments or a tab, the animal always came first… I have literal receipts and statements from other vets showing that I never miss my payments with the vet, regardless of my credit. I did not realize it then, but their goal was to give me the anti-biotics and anti-inflammatory and send me on my way. But not before they tried to express her anal glands internally in an un-necessary manner. They were not gentle about it either, as she is an extremely quiet animal whose cries and screams when upset or in pain are almost inaudible. But when they took her back there, I could hear her all the way from the other room. I noticed that stuff did not look 100% correct when we got home, but everyone kept gaslighting me and saying it was just the inflammation and it would heal and go away eventually and that I just needed to let the drugs do what they were supposed to do. She started eating again and things were looking up, until this past weekend. She suddenly quit eating and I had to encourage her to eat. I changed her diet to the science diet so she has been on that since the visit. She was losing weight so I got her some vetri-cal while I logged her BM’s and everything until I could figure out what is going on to tell someone. Her butthole did look fine, until it didn’t. I don’t have money, so I was working to try and get to where I can take her, because I know they are going to want payment for EVERYTHING up front. But tonight, when I got home from working late, she was anxious to be going to the bathroom. So, I tried my best to encourage her, but noticed that when she was trying to have a BM she was straining and the inner lining of her butthole was trying to protrude with the BM. She pooped successfully crying the entire time, and there is no protrusion at this time. everything looks normal and dark pink to light red. She has an issue with it gaping off & on. But I am shocked and taken aback and sick to my stomach because I need help and I don’t know where to take her. I can pay, but I just can’t pay all at once in this economy, what can I do? Just took these photos a few seconds ago so you could have a reference to see what it looks like right now.

Hello Dr. Magnifico,

I found your videos on YouTube recently and am grateful for the clarity and compassion with which you explain feline urinary issues. I’m hoping you might be able to offer some guidance—or possibly see my cat, Sole—for evaluation and a treatment plan.

Sole is a stray I rescued about 11 months ago, with the hope that he could become a companion for my father, who is a senior citizen and disabled. My father lives on a fixed income below the poverty line, and I’ve been subsidizing Sole’s veterinary care myself. Unfortunately, the cost of care he may need if he becomes blocked has reached a point that I simply can’t afford on my own.

About six weeks ago, Sole was diagnosed with struvite crystals via urinalysis that showed ammonium magnesium phosphate crystals (grade 2+, 6–20/HPF). He was immediately switched to a strict diet of Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Urinary SO wet food, with extra water added to each meal. His CBC/Chem-21 panel was entirely normal—no biochemical evidence of kidney, liver, or systemic disease. The only abnormal finding was the presence of struvite crystals in alkaline urine, exactly as you’ve described in your educational videos.

Initially, the diet seemed to help—his urine pH normalized—but over the past 48–72 hours, his Fresh Crystals Health Monitor litter has shown his urine trending alkaline again. Finally yesterday, his urine changed back to the acidic range indicated by the Health Monitor litter.

I’m monitoring him closely and trying to develop a plan in case he does become obstructed.

I’ve contacted over a dozen veterinary hospitals and clinics in my area, but I’ve exhausted every affordable option. I’ve been quoted $3,000–$4,500 for diagnostics and catheterization, and between $6,500–$12,000 for a PU surgery with postoperative care. Unfortunately, financial aid programs here only apply if the applicant is denied CareCredit. My father, despite living below the poverty line, was approved for a $3,000 line—which paradoxically makes us ineligible for assistance.

We are scheduled for a follow-up urinalysis with our local vet in about two weeks, but their pricing is becoming increasingly difficult to manage. After seeing your work and approach to compassionate, accessible care, I wanted to reach out to ask whether you might be able to help us.

Thank you so much for your time, compassion, and all that you share to help both pets and their people.

With gratitude,
JP
and Sole 🐾