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Karin | 4 years ago
My Dog Is Having Soft Stool. Giving Her Forti Flora In Her Food With Chicken And …

My dog is having soft stool. Giving her Forti Flora in her food with chicken and dry food. Was wondering if I can give her Pepto Bismol

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  1. carrie Urquhart

    I wouldnt. I dont think it helps. Forta flora helps helps replace bad bacteria for good, kinda like probiotic yogurt. Id give her plain boiled chicken and rice for a day or so, and slowly add her dry food back in. Avoid any table scraps and offer plenty of water. Also check online for any recalls in her dry food.

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Michelle | 4 years ago
My Dog Is Paralyzed From The Waist Down. My Dog Is A 4 Year Old, 10 Pound Shi-poo …

My dog is paralyzed from the waist down. My dog is a 4 year old, 10 pound Shi-poo mix. He suffered from some trauma yesterday (Friday) after getting his paws stuck in some metal grating he seemed ok but then his symptoms exacerbated after running around the park and playing with another dog. At around 5pm on Friday, he was able to poop and urinate and ran around at the dog park but by the evening he couldn’t put any weight on his hind legs. At 8pm, my dog was still able to wag his tail. We went to a doctor this morning and that doctor says he still has sensation in his hind legs (even though they he cannot move them). We have been given the option of MRI followed immediately by surgery but we are not sure if we want to put his body through that much trauma with the risk that he could die on the operating table. We have taken him to a “holistic” vet who has treated him with acupuncture, Chinese herbs, and cortisone. The acupuncturist Vet said he would need 4 weeks with 1 session a week to see if that method could help but also told us we could very well have “missed” his critical cure time if it doesn’t. Nevertheless the acupuncturist said he is very confident as his method has seen much success in IVDD in older dogs. My dog is in a lot of pain and has not urinated or passed stool since yesterday I do not believe he has control over his bowel movements And he is constantly holding his head back and he is constantly propping himself up on his two front legs. I would love a second opinion and an honest opinion of what his chances of regaining full motor function and bowel control are with OR without surgery.

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  1. Sarah

    Hello- I am so sorry you are going through this. I am hoping that Dr. Magnifico sees your past, as she has a lot of experience with ivdd. I can however direct you to her YouTube webpage where she has helpful videos dealing with ivdd that may be useful to you. Very best to you and your pup. I hope things work out well????????

  2. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I’m sorry to hear about your dog. I’m also not a neurologist and it doesn’t appear that you have done the diagnostics to acurately and definitively diagnose him. I think the best advice I can give is to go to a neurologist and see if they can help do this. They typically need an mri to diagnose. This is usually over $1,000 and I don’t encourage clients to do it unless they are ready and able to do surgery after. This is usually about $7,000. If you chose to or cannot afford these then I think full body xrays with a concentration on the spine is the next best option. From here if it is spinal trauma I advise strict cage rest without being outside to do anything except go to the bathroom. Also the pain has to be addressed. Someone need to provide this immediately. I have a lot of information available on this (search IVDD) on my blog and YouTube channel. I think it addresses all possible scenarios and outcomes. Please go there. Read and review all of it. It will help. Good luck.

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megan | 5 years ago
Does My Dogs Neuter Incision Look Normal? I’m Trying To Keep Him Blocked Off Into …

does my dogs neuter incision look normal? I’m trying to keep him blocked off into a small room in my basement and it’s been storming a lot recently and he’s terrified of storms so he knocks down or jumps over everything i use as a dog gate to keep him confined and makes him way to sit up on the stairs. One night he also some how got his cone off while i was sleeping. I can’t control him and keep him confined and nothing i do is working. He just got neutered friday morning.

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  1. Sarah

    Hi there-
    When is your follow up visit? I think I would try to get in to see the vet. And perhaps they can give you something to help keep him calmer? I would also have a conversation about what to look for at the incision site. Right now, it looks like it is more red than your last photo (it is so hard to tell from a picture) and it looks as if it might be oozing? So I would make a phone call to the vet. Best of luck- keep us posted.????????????

  2. Laura

    Have you tried:
    crating
    melatonin for storms
    sleeping in the same room until he heals

  3. Gloria

    Also, consider trying a Thundershirt. They’re supposed to keep dogs calmer during storms. Good luck!

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megan | 5 years ago
My Dog Got Neutered Yesterday And Some How Managed To Get His Come Off While I …

my dog got neutered yesterday and some how managed to get his come off while i was sleeping, I think his stitches may have came open from him licking it but i’m not sure. I’ve put a picture of his incision below. Does it look abnormal?

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  1. Sarah

    Hi there???? I cannot tell from the picture- sorry. My advice, considering it’s the weekend and after hours, is to keep a close eye on the incision and make sure he doesn’t get at it. If it feels warm or looks like it is swelling, I would call the vet. I think personally, just for peace of mind, I would make a phone call Monday to the vet anyway. Best of luck????????

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Tom | 5 years ago
Does My Dog Need A 4DX Test Before Taking A Heartworm Preventive? My Dog Is 71/2 Yrs …

Does my dog need a 4DX test before taking a heartworm preventive? My dog is 71/2 yrs old and has been taking Sentinel monthly since he was a pup, and his Lyme vaccination is up to date. I realize the 4DX test is worthwhile and will get it done at the next annual exam. But the vet is refusing to renew the sentinel prescription without a 4DX test, and that doesn’t make sense to me.

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  1. Laura

    The 4DX test is the heartworm test, and every vet I’ve used has required it prior to filling heartworm prescription.

    1. Tom Post author

      Yep, I’m aware that’s what the test is for. I pose the question because the vet has been supplying Sentinel for my dog for the past seven years without a 4dx test, so it’s a belated change in protocol. Plus, if Sentinel works as intended, why test for heartworm? I’ve never missed a monthly dose.

      1. Laura

        That’s interesting, and best addressed with the vet. It’s possible they simply changed protocol, or maybe they’ve mixed up your normal schedule.

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Linnea | 5 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 | 5 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 | 5 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 | 5 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 | 5 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.