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Linnea | 4 years ago
My Dog Was Just Diagnosed With IVDD. He Had The Wobbly Sailor Legs. We Are On …

My dog was just diagnosed with IVDD. He had The wobbly sailor legs. We are on day 6 of “crate rest” and my husband and I noticed that his Back end almost looks skinnier? Could he be losing muscle mass this soon and is muscle loss even a side effect? His back and doesn’t seem as droopy from when I brought him in on Saturday his legs still kind of cross in the back and he is not strong. I have anxiety, diagnosed, and so I’m just looking for some peace of mind. We could just be over thinking it and maybe his backend always was the size.

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  1. Sarah

    Hi there- very sorry to hear about your pup. I am sure that you and your vet have come up with a game plan. I just wanted to make you aware that Dr. Magnifico has some videos online dealing with this exact issue on her YouTube. It might give you some helpful information that you weren’t aware of. Very best of luck to you ????????????

  2. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    Atrophy can start soon after disuse. If you aren’t using your muscles they start to atrophy. But he looks like he is in good body condition so I would worry about getting the pain under control and not so much the atrophy. You can only do a little at a time. And the first part of dealing with this is pain management. As he gets less painful he can start to walk a little more. Be careful and go slow. Best of luck to you all. I have lots of info on my blog and videos.

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megan | 4 years ago
My Dog Had Had Red Skin And Was Constantly Biting And Scratching Himself And He Would …

my dog had had red skin and was constantly biting and scratching himself and he would get sores where he would scratch so much. He also had some dandruff. I read about it on google and thought it could be a food allergy so i changed his food a while ago and it got better super fast, but he’s still constantly scratching and rolling around and i’m not sure why. His fur is a bit dry and rough so i’m thinking it could be his fur scratching him, i’m not sure. Is there any products or anything at all you would recommend?

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    These clinical signs are too broad and vague to offer much help here. Please see a vet for help. This can be something simple like fleas or something difficult like an immune system disorder or organ issue. Please start with an examination at the vets office. And stop wasting time on the Internet. There aren’t answers here that are reliable without your vets help in pointing you in a credible direction. Ask friends and family for a vet they trust. Then start the Internet detective work.

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TJ Flanagan | 4 years ago
My 5 Year Old English Setter Has Just Barking Viciously At My 15 Year Old Dog They Have …

My 5 year old English Setter has just barking viciously at my 15 year old dog They have gotten sling for the past four years but the past 2 evenings I’ve had to keep them separated. My old dog was just diagnosed with kidney disease.

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    1. TJ Flanagan Post author

      All my dogs get along well up to 2 days ago when my setter has started being aggressive towards my old dog. I am wondering if she senses the change in my old boy with the kidney disease or if there is something else going on. AND how can I help my dogs so that we have peace in the house and no one gets hurt. They are five outside but I now separate them in the house. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks. TJ

      1. Laura

        It could be the sudden change in smell, certainly. I think I’d keep them separated for awhile, then reintroduce. If reintroductions go poorly, expect to separate until your older dog passes.

        (The older dog might want to be separated from the younger while feeling ill, as well.)

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James | 4 years ago
My Four Year Old Dachshund Was Just Diagnosed With IVDD, And Is Presenting With Full Paralysis …

My four year old dachshund was just diagnosed with IVDD, and is presenting with full paralysis of his hind legs. He seems to be in a lot of pain despite being put on Robaxin by our vet. I am feeling very overwhelmed because it happened so suddenly, and am really looking for ways to help him as much as I can. I work full time as well, but live with my parents who will be home with him everyday so I would like to be able to coach them in what I learn. Is there a go to resource for helping your dog to heal from IVDD?

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  1. Sarah

    Hi there- so sorry!! Dr. Magnifico has videos that may be able to help you on her YouTube channel. I would take a look there… very best of luck to you and your pup????????

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Leslie | 4 years ago
Hi! My Dog Has Recently Been Licking Around Is Butt And Has Completely Licked Off The …

Hi! My dog has recently been licking around is butt and has completely licked off the hair on the back of his tail. He’s been doing it for about 2-3 weeks now. I thought it was the new food I tried with him but after seeing him do it for a few days, I stopped and went back to his original food. However, he has not stopped and now I’ve notice my other dog biting around her tail a little. Not nearly as bad as my male dog though. I am concerned something else is going on like worms. I unfortunately still owe a lot of money to my current vet for emergency visits the dogs had early this year and can’t afford to take them in to be checked. Can I try using Safe-Guard with them to see if that corrects the issue? Is something else possibly going on?

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  1. Laura

    This could be anal glands, it could be intestinal parasites, it could be his diet isn’t working for him. We can only guess. I would at least try to get a stool sample checked out.

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Christine | 4 years ago
Hi There!!! Penny And Sampson’s Mom Here. Quick Question…they Weighed In At 47 Lbs And 48 …

Hi there!!!

Penny and Sampson’s mom here. Quick question…they weighed in at 47 lbs and 48 lbs last month when they saw Dr. Ahrens for their Cytopoint shots. Dr. Ahrens said Sampson looks a bit underweight. I took the recommendation you gave me for Wellness dog food and just started tapering them off the raw. I like them around 50-53 lbs they both look a bit underweight to me. I will follow the feeding guidelines and watch their weight. Do I need to go to the next weight class down for their Heartguard medication or can I still use the 50 lbs and up dosage?

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    So I talk more about muscle condition score with these breeds versus body condition score. I’m not sure how they fare in either. Can you post photos from the side and above? Or we can set up a FaceTime chat. And I try to stick to the weight guidelines in the packages. If you bought them from us we will happily exchange for the correct size. Unless you think you will put the extra few pounds on and have them at the correct dose. Let me know what works for you. ???? krista.

    1. Christine Post author

      Either way is fine. We can start with the photos. I can send them tomorrow since they are in bed for the night. I do plan on getting then up just a few pounds I certainly don’t want them overweight again. They are due for their Heartguard tomorrow. So once I send the pics I will go from there with whatever your recommendations are. I gotta say I love Pawbly. It makes asking questions so much easier and you are amazing at getting back quickly. Wish there were more human doctors like that????

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Jess | 4 years ago
Hi Again!! Do You Recommend A Neck Brace For A Dog With A Herniated Disk In …

Hi again!! Do you recommend a neck brace for a dog with a herniated disk in his neck? The neck brace I’m Considering getting for my boy is “BALTO DOG NECK BRACE”.
Please please let me know if you’d advice this for his condition.

Thank you!!!!

1 Response

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I don’t have any experience with a brace. I always (BIG CAPS HERE.ALWAYS!!) want these pets kept in a cage except to for bathroom time. They need time and rest. I think the brace is more likely to mask signs of pain or possibly put pressure someplace that will cause problems down the road. I don’t use them except for chronic degenerative issues.

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Sarah | 4 years ago
Hi Pawbly Friends???? I Was Just Reading Through And Saw The Question About Dog Food. I …

Hi Pawbly friends????
I was just reading through and saw the question about dog food. I am a bit of a paranoid dog mom- they are literally siblings to my three human children. I have always given them (the dogs not the kids, lol!)Purina One, because somewhere along the way I had read something where Purina was regulated in some way by the FDA and I thought it would make it a safe option. All three of our dogs are healthy GSDs and happy with there food. No stomach issues. Maybe a little indulged with treats, but no worse for the wear. Perhaps I am just being nervous, but is it a safe/good choice for dog food? (Insert eye roll from my husband whose comment was,” We have a 15 year old German Shepherd who won’t quit. You can’t switch his food now regardless.”) Just asking one case there is a better option I should be considering. Thanks! ????

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    I think that this dog food is fine. B it I also think age appropriate diets are best. So maybe a senior formula for your eldest and adult for the rest? Also as dog age I keep the food interesting. I want them to be eating twice a day and a normal amount so I use toppings. Wet food or the delifresh. Xoxox

  2. Laura

    I like Pro Plan quite a bit. We were huge fans of grain free but struggled with coat issues, and I find my Ripley does better with a grain-inclusive diet.

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Madison | 4 years ago
Hello I Have A Pug And He Is About To Turn 2 He Woke Up This Morning …

Hello I have a pug and he is about to turn 2 he woke up this morning and threw up twice he is also chasing his tail a lot it’s the first time he does this other than that he is eating and playing he is drinking water and acting like a normal dog it’s just that problem should I worry?

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I’m sorry but there isn’t enough pertinent medical information for anyone to answer this. It doesn’t sound like an emergency but I would call your regular vet and ask for a check up. Just to be safe. Ask for the anal sacs to be checked. If the vomiting persists for to the vet ASAP

      1. Krista Magnifico

        If you aren’t on a preventative and you aren’t submitting fecals every year then yes. It’s possible. But do not buy an otc without taking to your vet first.

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Jess | 4 years ago
Hi! This Message Is For Dr. Magnifico: I Just Watched One Of Your YouTube Videos On …

Hi! This message is for Dr. Magnifico: I just watched one of your YouTube videos on IVDD disc disease and it gave me so much Comfort listening to you speak about the pup you were treating and the amount of pain he was in. I have my boy, 11 year old schnauzer_ 25 lbs- we did an MRI Last Saturday which revealed a disc extrusion a C3-4 with other milder disc protrusions. My guy has also had some liver issues for the past three years which has him on denamarin every day but also since this supplement, his liver enzymes have gone back to Normal. He is currently on Dexamethasone 0.5 mg, gabapentin 100mg and tramadol 50mg. Even though I did ask the doctor from the emergency hospital as well as Rex’s (my dog) other regular physician if these medications would be OK with him and his past liver problems, They both said yeah, I still can’t help but feel a little bit worried that these medications are going to hurt his already damaged liver. I’ve been trying to take it easy on the tramadol as a matter of fact they waited only until yesterday to start giving it to him because he is fine during the day he can still walk poop,pee and is still a total scavenger, But come night time that’s when he starts getting more comfortable and about 4 to 5 times he has woken up crying in pain which breaks my heart. Of course these episodes thank God only last about 10 to 20 seconds no longer and then he shakes it off and is fine after that. During these episodes though he gets up lift his right leg up and sort of paralyzes for that short amount of time his neck is not able to move his whole body hunches it’s a really scary experience the first time I saw it happen I thought he was dying, so you describing it the way that you did in one of your YouTube videos really really made me feel so much better about Rex and what he is going through and if anything made me feel thankful that even though my baby is in pain and is feeling uncomfortable there are so many other puppies out there doing so much worse than him. I’ve decided to buy him a stroller just because his brother, him and I are outdoor people we would go every day on 2 to 3 hour walks and now we’ve diminished them to 10 to 20 minute walks which still think that’s a lot so I think his stroller is going to help all three of us. I’m sorry for the rant I’ll finally get to the point-I just wanted to ask you what’s your experience with those three medications that I just mentioned do you think they are going to eventually become an issue with his liver? Also what’s your opinion on a neck brace for dogs I was thinking and looking up a few neck braces that might help him keep his next treat would you recommend this?
I hope to hear back from you soon and once again, thank you so much for your YouTube videos. I wish all veterinarians were like you.

Sincerely,

Jess V.

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    Although dex is a great anti inflammatory and analgesic I would be more worried about it with the liver. I also am not a fan of tramadol. I prefer gabapentin and robaxin for the IVDD dogs. Some of this is personal preference. Please call your vet and ask about your concerns with the liver and if they think the drugs I mentioned might help. Keep us posted. I have a long blog on IVDD at kmdvm.blogspot.com. And multiple YouTube videos. Please review all of them for help. Good Iuck.