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I noticed last Friday an outline of a circle on my dog head that you can to look for a certain angle to see. The next day you could see it more and it open up and was bleeding. I took my dog to the vets on Monday and asked if it could be cancer and was told it could be then given betafuse that I applied twice a day till today, the cream done nothing. The growth itself I don’t think has grown outwards but I think it grown a bit upwards. His been acting less energetic lately it mite be due to him getting older as his close to 8 he only seem full of energy when it come to walks or play but he just seem a bit of off less up for going up the stairs. His also got a small lump on his side and neck tho they ain’t the size of this lump.
My question is about food for my cats and dogs.
Cats
Ive always been told to keep dry food out at all times so I do but I also feed them in the morning and at dinner with a mixture of wet and dry. They are all 6 years old and they are putting on weight. Should I take up the dry food so they don’t graze on it all day and just feed them their 2 meals a day. Is that enough?
Dogs
I have always fed my 13 year old once a day with a mixture of wet and dry and of course he gets tid bits from our plates through the day. Lol. He’s always been a healthy weight and seems very happy. I rescued a dog a year go that was a stray and she was 1. I kept dry food out for her all day, as suggested by my vet, and also feed her with her brother at diner time with the same mixture. I have recently taken up her dry food and only feed her once a day Now with the brother.
Am I doing the correct things for my animals. I don’t want to overindulge them and have them become overweight and have the many problems that come along with that. But i also don’t want them hungry. Not sure what to do.
Thanks
Hi there???? Personally, we feed twice a day, our cats and dogs both. They get fed in the morning after their first walk and then again in the evening after their last walk. We also only feed dry food. They do get small pieces of dog treat throughout the day for good behavior and training as well. If you are truly questioning your feeding habits though, I would speak with your vet for advice. Best of luck!
I agree with Sarah!
I agree with Sarah, as well. Never free feed, especially with multiple animals in the house. It’s hard to track who is eating what and who’s off their food. In addition, you may find it better for both dogs to feed twice a day, to keep their blood sugar even and their guts happy. (I have a breed prone to bile pukes if they aren’t fed twice daily.)
Hello,
For indoor overweight cats I recommend one 5 oz can of a high quality canned food per cat twice a day. I also say to add water. It will help them feel full and not add calories. Also limit how much dry food you offer and the type of dry food. There are lots of low calorie options available. I use these as snacks during the day.
For dogs I feed twice a day because they need calories twice a day and that way you know who is eating and how much. Which is super important if anyone gets sick or isn’t feeling well. I am a bit old. Fashioned. I like science diet. They have lots Of options and Are always affordable.
My dog is on day 9 after being diagnosed with ivdd . He was walking a lot better after losing mobility in his right front and back leg but today it looks like he’s losing the mobility in his 2 front legs all over again. What happened?? He was doing so well. His pain looked like it had gone away and he was sleeping through the night without the pain killer.
Hello,
This is a hard question to answer for a few reasons. One we hardly ever get a confirmatory diagnosis on this disease. To do that you would need an mri or ct and an csf tap. Without them we guess that it is IVDD which is the most common cause of acute paralysis or weakness. So trying to understand what is or isn’t normal when we aren’t sure of the diagnosis is difficult.
If it is IVDD then yes it is not uncommon for them to get worse as we try to get them better. The worsening can occur because more of the disc is slipping into the spinal cord area or because another disc is also slipping. Or because the damage to the spinal cord is progressing. Please call your vet with any questions or concerns or changes to your pet. They can help. Best of luck.
Does this mean a longer recovery time? He is now on day 15 since he went down. I have him on around the clock Gabapentin and galliprant which seems to help . He’s still very wobbly and can only walk a few steps before falling.
Has anyone ever used the Assisi Loop for their dog with IVDD? Does it work?
I haven’t used it, nor had clients who have. But I’ve seen them at the trade shows. I don’t think there is any hard evidence or studies to support their use. But I also don’t think they do any harm. If you use it and like it will you let me know.?
Sure, still doing my research on it but I’ll let you know if I buy it.
Sure, still doing my research on it but I’ll let you know if I buy it.
My dog is 15 years old and was diagnosed with ivdd. He keeps trying to walk around but continues fall. I have him in a play pen right now. Should I continue to let him walk around? I feel like he’s going to end up hurting himself more.
Hello,
I suppose I would ask why do you think he is walking? I’d be bored? Felling better? Stressed? What do you think? In my experience they start walking when the pain dissipates so I am all for walking and maintaining muscle mass. But, it doesn’t displace the need for physical therapy to regain lost nerve function and muscle mass. Ie you still want to encourage them to use the weak legs and not just the sting and functional legs. As long as it is safe (no stairs or access to danger) and they are not causing abrasions on the feet they can’t use normally, AND you can keep doing your pt then I am ok with it.
Hi Dr. Magnifico, thank you so much for replying. Half of me thinks he is doing it because he’s bored but the other half of me says that he does it because he’s in pain. Because right before he wants to start walking he cries a lot and then I stand him up so he can walk and he stops crying and only whimpers a little as he walks.
ok, so I will continue to let him walk around under supervision .
Thank you!
Hello,
The only way a lump or bump is definitively diagnosed is with a biopsy. A photo can’t provide the answer as many of them look very similar. I would follow the directions of your vet and follow up if it worsens or doesn’t resolve. You can also ask about a biopsy or a referral to a veterinary dermatologist. Because it is on the head I would also ask about it possibly being a histiocytoma. Let us know what happens.
Hello and thanks for the response. How long should I watch it for, would waiting and seeing not risk the chance of spreading or is this not a concern with tumour on top of the skin?