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Ed Schmitz | 5 years ago
My Dog Sampson Is A 15 Year Old Boxer/pittie Mix(50 Pounds). Has Had Diabetes For 7 Years. …

My dog Sampson is a 15 year old boxer/pittie mix(50 pounds). Has had diabetes for 7 years. Been on arthritis pain meds the last year.. Has become very sluggish the past 2-3 weeks. Vet diagnosed him with a early stage heart murmur and slight anemia. Changed his arthritis pain meds to Gabapentin. It made him so drowsy that he fell asleep while eating. Became unable to walk without assistance. We weaned him off the Gabapentin and back on the old pain meds. His walking has improved a little but still is wobbly. Yesterday he refused to eat, which is highly unusual for him. Still drinking, but not eating today. He sleeps a lot but also has 30-60 minute spells of restless/repetitive behavior. I’m thinking he may have dementia. Any suggestions on how to help him?

2 Responses

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    This is largely a diagnosis of exclusion. I would call your vet back. Go over everything and repeat the blood work, cheat radiographs and discuss a cardiologist. There are too many things going on with your pup for me to say with any kind of degree of confidence to add that diagnosis to the list. All of the conditions you speak of can cause mental depression. So I would start over and ask for a referral to both an internal medicine specialist and even a catdiologist. I have a lot of information on my blog about cognitive dysfunction and there are lots of things you can do at home to help. But don’t over look previous issues before jumping into a new condition. To find the information on cognitive dysfunction please go to kmdvm.blogspot.com and in the search bar type cognitive dysfunction. I hope this helps.

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Christine | 5 years ago
Hi! Penny And Sampson Are Patients. They Are Currently Eating Raw Dog Food. I Want To …

Hi! Penny and Sampson are patients. They are currently eating raw dog food. I want to switch them to one like The Farmers Dog. I know how to handle it with kibble. Would it be the same from raw to cooked or is the transitioning different?

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello!
    I am happy to help as their veterinarian but I am not a nutritionist so these questions make me a little uneasy. First I have to admit that I am not a raw food fan. There are a lot of studies about how dangerous it can be and how high the contaminated samples are often found to be in these studies. I get so much flack for this opinion, but it is sincerely based on science. As far as switching to the new food I also have to admit that I am not familiar with them so I cannot advocate for that food either. If you are comfortable with the food change, it isn’t a raw food, and, it isn’t grain free (cardio concerns with them), then the advice about how to transition is often as follows;
    Do a very gradual transition. Ideally 1/4 new with 3/4 old for a few days (maybe 3-5), then 1/2 and 1/2 for the same period and then 3/4 new with 1/4 old for the last 3-5 days. This is done to help slowly transition the gi system and not overwhelm it with a sudden change that might cause vomiting, diarrhea or even pancreatitis.
    I hope this helps.

    Take care. Ty for the question.

    1. Christine Post author

      I don’t know what food is best. One site says, kibble is over processed and has very little nutritional value because of the high heat used. Then there is organic and non gmo but dehydrated or freeze dried keeps more nutrients but I can’t find a dehydrated food that is also organic. They (mainly Sampson) did not do well on any of the kibbles and both gained weight even on the prescription diet food. I would cook for them but I’m afraid I wouldn’t give them all the nutrients they need. I tried to find a nutritionist on line but no success. I welcome any suggestions you may have. Who knew finding good nutritional options for your pet would be this difficult. Just want them healthy and to live a long like.

      Thank you!!!

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Moika | 5 years ago
I Inherited A Healthy, Except For A Slight Heart Murmur, 10 Year Old Chihuahua. She Is Current …

I inherited a healthy, except for a slight heart murmur, 10 year old chihuahua. She is current on shots and had no reaction to them. She ate small breed pedigree at first, but now feed Lotus good grain chicken kibble and pet plate topper (left over from a dog that died). I noticed she scratched her back alot, but didn’t see fleas, hair loss, a rash, and she mostly scratches after coming in from walks or arriving anyplace other than home. For a month, I left her home with my 7 year old chihuahua. They had the run of the house. One day I noticed pieces of my carpet in the hall. Now a whole corner of the rug is gone. I crated her. She screamed and whined and eventually escaped. I secured the crate with a carabiner. I came home to a crime scene. The bridge of her nose was bloodied and one of her nails was pulled out. I am taking her to work with me at a doggy daycare and boarding facility. Her nose has hair missing. I want to treat it, but with what and when will the hair grow back? Money is an issue because my hours are severely deceased now

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  1. Sarah

    Oh my goodness! I am so sorry this has happened. I think it depends on a few things as far as treatment. If it is a deeper wound, then you will need antiseptic solution to keep it clean, and possibly antibiotic because of possible infection. If it is superficial, then that would be a different story. I am more concerned about her nail pulled out. I think that needs to be seen by the vet. I would call and get her in to be checked out. I know these are tough times. Your vet does too- and would hopefully be willing to give you a bit of time to pay for service. I hope your dog is ok????????

  2. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I am not too worried about the abrasions to the nose or the nail. I have seen these both happen many times and they always heal well if given time. I am more concerned about the heart and based on age and breed; dental disease. The rest needs behavioral assistance as it sounds like separation anxiety. This is resolvable with time, attention and patience. I would see a vet. Have the degree of heart disease assessed and discuss preventative care like heartworm etc if needed. The carpet, if ingested is also a real threat to health as it can cause a foreign body obstruction. There’s a lot going on here. Your vet with a simple exam can help you. Find someone who is willing to take the time to help you and budgets are a normal constraint for most of us these days. Ask around for a reputable kind and patient vet. They are out there.

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Sarah | 5 years ago
Charley Is A 9 Year Old Lab Mix Female, Approx 70 Lbs. She Has Always Been An Incredibly …

Charley is a 9 year old lab mix female, approx 70 lbs. She has always been an incredibly active dog. Over the last year or so we have noticed her slowing down and assumed it was wear and tear of her joints after being so athletic and active. We started her on anti inflammatories (ostimax) after speaking with our vet, and used it as needed. It seemed to help. Within the last 3 months things worsened and we began giving her the anti inflammatory daily, as well as gabapentin. Things worsened again, and we finally requested that xrays be taken. They found a partial tear in one back acl and a fully torn acl in the other, we aren’t sure when this happened. She is receiving an injectable (adequan) 2 x a week for a month, and is taking the anti inflammatory, a cbd chew and gabapentin. This regimen is new this week and she looks a little better but still prefers to be laying down, has a hard time standing up/sitting down. We try to walk a block and she stops to lie down (we never push her). She sleeps most of the day, assuming from the meds. She is a different dog, it’s heartbreaking. She still eats and drinks but we put her food in front of her now, and mix it with wet (to hide the pills), otherwise I don’t know how often she would eat on her own. Thoughts on how surgery will help? Recovery? Our consult with the surgeon referred by our vet isn’t until July 31st (there is a backup with Covid) so we are looking for other options and might have a spot with a local vet- we are hoping to not have to wait that long because she’s just not our Charley, and we don’t want to see her in pain any longer.
some notes from vet: Ambulates tender hind legs R+L . thickened stifles- toe touching both and small stride on gait . Sits
slowly and swings legs out to avoid flexing too much . Crepitous on flex/ ext R side- patellar groove . Rlat- chip prox tibia- thickened JC and irregular lat collateral. L side – joitn mouse caudal joint – thickened JC irrgular medial collateral lig mild drawer both

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I think a few things might help. Call and get a referral to an orthopedic surgeon. Start there. They can help more than anyone else at this stage. The other option is to try a veterinary school. Everyone is backed up now do you covid. So I cannot promise these willl help. Also look into a suitcase type harness and orthopedic bed. Also swimming or underwater treadmill might help. I would also make sure your dog has had a full bloodwork done including thyroid. I also always check Lyme status. You don’t want to miss infectious or other disease when you are so focused on orthopedic. The best places around me are VOSM and VaTech vet school. If you cannot get into to surgery you can ask about braces. They might help. The folks at doglegs. I will forward their website. Did the vet take hip radiographs? Is your dog overweight? Did anyone help with other medications or supplements?

    1. Sarah Post author

      Thank you! My aunt Janet has spoken so highly of you, I appreciate your feedback! The vet said her hips and back looked great on the xray, was just the back knees. I will ask about getting bloodwork and checking for Lyme’s. As far as meds and supplements she is taking the ostimax, gaba, cbd chews and the adequan injections. Thank you again!

      1. Krista Magnifico

        Hello! Please let me know how things go. If you have trouble call Janet and have her send you my number. I can make some local calls to see if we can get some answers and help started. Good luck.

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Valerie | 5 years ago
Hello . My Dog Was Just Diagnosed With Ivdd. She Is 5 Years Old . We Are On Day 6 …

Hello . My dog was just diagnosed with ivdd. She is 5 years old . We are on day 6 and at night I notice she will wake up from a sleep and Yelp and try to get comfortable again . Sometimes she twitches too . She seems restless . She is on gabapentin tramadol and predisone . I feel that she is still in pain any suggestions?

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  1. Sarah

    Good morning- so sorry about your pup. You should speak to your vet again and explain your concerns about pain, medications and management. Also- I know that Dr. Magnifico has a lot of information on ivdd on her YouTube channel, in case you have not checked there already. Very best to you????????

    1. Valerie Post author

      Thank You Very much . Update my pup is doing Very well I am so happy to say! She will still need to be in crate for another two weeks but that’s ok I’m so happy she made a turn around

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Andrew | 5 years ago
Hi. My Welsh Springer Was Drinking Alot But Not Eating For 4 Days And Following An Ultrasound …

Hi. My Welsh Springer was drinking alot but not eating for 4 days and following an ultrasound was diagnosed with pyometra. She underwent surgery ten days ago.
Since having the operation she still refuses to eat. She has had anti nausea treatment as well as mirtazapine. The vet has now also prescribed trazodone. We did book her in to stay at the vets for a couple of days and they said she did eat some chicken. They showed me a video as evidence. Physically they could find nothing wrong with her. On returning home she still refuses to eat but is drinking. She will not eat anything, even her favourite treats, her usual dog food, nothing. So far it has cost me nearly £2000 for her treatment and I have no funds left. It really feels as though she will starve herself to death, although I thought dogs would never do this. I have tried restoring her old pattern of eating and have removed uneaten food after an hour and offered her nothing until her next meal but she still will not eat. I am at a loss as what to do next. Thanks for your advice. Andrew.

4 Responses

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I’m sorry to hear that your pup isn’t bouncing back as you had hoped. I would call the vet back and ask for help. I would also talk about placing a feeding tube to supplement food and give her some more time to return to normal. At this point it is too long to safely wait. She needs the nutrition and she needs help in getting it. A small nasal-gastric tube can be placed with minimal topical sedation and it will at least help with liquid meal delivery. I would also look at any medications you are giving and consider stopping them all. Also I would ask about adding cerenia. It has helped me with cases like this many times. I hope this helps. Keep offering any and every kind of food. Meat flavored baby food, canned cat food, macaroni and cheese, purreed food of any kind. Keep offering. Best of luck.

    1. Andrew Post author

      Thank you. I will keep trying and speak to the vet about the tube.

  2. Sarah

    Hello-
    I am sorry this is happening. I would definitely speak to the vet again and ask about help in feeding her. I would also try to entice her with boiled chicken or hot dog pieces or ham…. anything that is a super treat that might get her into eating again. I hope she is ok!!????????

    1. Andrew Post author

      Thank you. I have tried her with chicken, ham etc. No joy.

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Oliva Melo | 5 years ago
I Have A 4 Year Old Poodle That I Adopted After He Became Paralyzed From His Back …

I have a 4 year old poodle that I adopted after he became paralyzed from his back legs. He became paralyzed Dec 2018 and due to lack of resources, we chose the conservative method, but have seen minimal changes in the past 1.5 years since his injury. He is a very happy and friendly dog and doesn’t appear to miss his rear legs. My question is if he’ll ever feel his rear legs again? If his brain will ever detect them or know they are there? He has a wheelchair, but he dislikes it. His diagnosis is a slipped disk from two vets who also said he would be paralyzed for life. I took him to a trial treatment at Texas A&M Vet school, but unfortunately, the product they are developing is too far into the future. Looking for your opinion on what options, if any, my pet might have.
Thank you!

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I am not a neurologist specialist, but, I think almost every veterinarian would say that if you haven’t seen much, or, any progress by this point you are probably very unlikely to. I do however know many many dogs who have done quite well for many years in the same condition yours is. I would insure a few things;
    1. The home is safe and handicapped accessible. Block stairs and provide same level access to all needed things. Like bed, food and water.
    2. Make sure you protect the wear surfaces on his body. Like legs, ankles and joints. If he is dragging he isn’t using the toe pads which are thick and protect the skin.
    3. Make sure he is urinating completely (learn how to palpate the bladder to make sure it is emptied after every urination.
    4. Make sure he is moving feces normally and comfortably. Think about soft food and adding a probiotic or motility agent.
    5. See your vet often. I would say very 3 months or more if you are worried about anything.
    6. Get him in the grass for play and exercise as often as you are able.

    Good luck. I hope this helps.

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Ashley | 5 years ago
I Have The Sweetest 5 Year Old Pit Bull On The Planet, I’m Sure. Yesterday I …

I have the sweetest 5 year old pit bull on the planet, I’m sure. Yesterday I noticed a large sore on the side on his lower, back leg. Its about the size of a grape or marble and protrudes. Its been moist all day today and started bleeding when he bumped it on the doggie door. He’s not obsessively messing with it but when he lies down I can tell he takes special care that it doesn’t make contact with the ground so it must be sensitive. Does anyone know what this is? I did call the vet and they advised to do neosporin and wrap it. Which I’ve done today but it doesn’t look any better or less angry.
Of course Google has me convinced my dog has cancer so that’s been fun… any advice? I’ve had him his whole life almost but my first dog. He does has sensitive skin (especially this season) and rolls in the grass 95% of the day.

2 Responses

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    If the lesion doesn’t resolve in a few days, or worsens at anytime please call your vet back and ask to be seen. In general the only way to diagnose a mass is with a biopsy. I would not worry too much right now but I would have it seen soon. And it’s best to relive the mass and have it biopsied.

  2. Laura

    How often does he lick it? Is is possible this is a lick granuloma?

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Samantha | 5 years ago
Hi I’m Messaging In Regards To My Aunt’s Dog Who Has Alot Of Blood …

Hi I’m messaging in regards to my aunt’s dog who has alot of blood and swelling coming from her vagina (I will also add a picture below) the problem is my aunt has covid-19 and isn’t allowed to leave her house the dog is still eating but BARELY and she is drinking TONS of WATER, my question is does this look like a regular heat cycle? I forgot to mention this dog is almost 9 years old and is a frenchie do you think this is something that is a emergency the problem is my aunt doesn’t want to expose anyone to the virus but if this is urgent I will go pick up and transport to vet myself

6 Responses

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  1. Sarah

    Good morning. Given that the dog is 9 and there is so much blood and swelling, and that the eating and drinking habits have drastically changed- I would call the vet and get her in right away. Best of luck ????

    1. Samantha Post author

      The problem is my aunt has covid-19 and she doesn’t wanna expose anyone to the virus we live in maryland (harfor county) and it’s really bad here in MD

      1. Sarah

        Please get this dog to a vet somehow. Perhaps someone can safely pick the dog up and bring her? I know our vet has protocol in place for bringing pets to to office.

  2. Krista Magnifico

    This pup needs a vet help!. Covid or not. Please seek vet help ASAP. An exam, blood work and xrays are needed. My fear is cancer, a hormone related issue. She needs help ASAP.

    1. Samantha Post author

      Dr magnifco question can I bring her to your office today I found out your clinic is only 20 minutes from me and also how much would it cost to get blood work and xrays my aunt said she has around 400 to get her emergency care do you think that’s enough or can you work with payments if it isn’t enough we need to get her help

      1. Krista Magnifico

        Hello I am not working today. Please call the clinic and ask if you could be fit in 419-692-6171. Tell then that you spoke to me on Pawbly and when you get there (we are doing curbside service so you won’t t be able to come in. Also tell then that you are on a budget. If they can’t fit you in today we have tomorrow available also. Walk ions 1-3. Keep me posted. I hope we can help.

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Karin | 5 years ago
Our Houston Vet Confirmed This Dog As Already Neutered. He As A Slight Greenish Discharge Coming …

Our Houston vet confirmed this dog as already neutered. He as a slight greenish discharge coming from his penis. He was seen by his adopted family’s vet who said he has most likely Cryptorchid, that his testicles have failed to descend into his scrotum. This vet recommended a special procedure for neuter.
How could that be missed by the first vet? What do you think is going on with this little fella who only weighs 11 pounds and is 3 years old?

1 Response

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    As with all things it is hard to diagnose via a photo. But. Here are my thoughts.
    1. In almost all cases of preputial discharge it is normal. I don’t go too crazy about it. It is usually a small amount, thick green-yellow and the patient is acting normally.
    2. Although rare, bilateral crytochordism can happen. But typically we have a good history to go by. I start palpating for testes at the first visit and check every subsequent one. I know if they haven’t descended and we go looking for them at age 9-11 months. I will add a blog I have written on it.
    3. I would be very careful based on that photo that these are the bulbourethral glands.

    Please ask for a second opinion before going under anesthesia to remove these.

    Let us know what happens.

    Thank you for rescuing
    Krista