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Daisy | 5 years ago
My Cat Disappeared Outdoors For Numerous Days (he’s Indoor, But LOVED It Out At Night) …

My cat disappeared outdoors for numerous days (he’s indoor, but LOVED it out at night) I always had the back door a bit loosely closed, so he could get back in. He was 12yo and could get in.

After days of worry and a small sighting of him, he came to me gaunt and meowing. He wasn’t a big meower— It was sad sounding as well.
After 1 1/2 days of exhibiting odd spots to just lay around the house, he deteriorated in hours. I found him with vomit at his mouth and what appeared to be urine at his backside. He had passed.
My husband was convinced that our new dog just bothered him enough to the point that he’d gone to our neighbors, outside. Or was being fed somewhere. I looked for him constantly and only once did he attempt to come up to me. After a few days, to see him in such weak and fragile state, I’m so horrified at what was going on; to which I have no answered questions and regrets.
*He weighed considerably less upon returning home
*He was a WELL fed cat (didn’t eat after returning)
*He recently (2mo prior) had blood work done and his shots. Not cancer/diabetes
*He deteriorated very quickly (when he couldn’t walk and use his back legs, he passed before anything could happen; ie; vet etc)
*He didn’t seem to to be able to eat? My last time trying to feed him, he’s s head repeatedly tapped the bowl. Uncontrollably and he couldn’t get food. This being before he went. -It was awful-. I left food by him and went to explain the severity to my husband.

Prior to disappearing, he seemed in perfect health at 12.

So overnight he couldn’t walk and within the hour of dying, function. He laid and went. Vomit at his mouth (some food by his head partially chewed)
And urine stain backside.

I’m devastated. Please help!

2 Responses

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  1. Laura

    That’s terrible, Daisy, and I’m very sorry. Honestly, the only way to determine cause is via a necropsy. Unfortunately this is a risk when we let our cats outside.

  2. Krista Magnifico

    I’m sorry for your loss. If you are asking me to guess what happened I would say possibly trauma, toxin ingestion, infection or hepatic lipidosis. I have seen all in cases like this. Again our sympathies. Cats should be inside. We just live in that kind of world sadly.

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Nana | 5 years ago
I Just Recently Moved In With My S/O And Their Dog Hates It. She Gets …

I just recently moved in with my S/O and their dog hates it. She gets jealous. She didnt pee in the floor before and now she does. She always has to be under the covers and worms her way in between us. She stares at me all the time and when i walk towards her she rolls on her back and shows me her stomach. If we leave her outside of the room she whines and claws at the door. When its just me home she doesnt get in the bed, but if hes home she’ll hop right up with us. Im at a whits end.

3 Responses

Comments

  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    Please try to understand your partners pets point of view. How would you feel if you believed that your whole life that no one else I RN he world mattered as much as you and then all of the sudden you are told to move over and make room for someone else? It takes time to adjust to a new person especially a new person invading your space and your life. It doesn’t matter if we are talking about pets or kids. If you are the new person to the equation you have to adapt to their way of life not the other way around. I strongly suggest that you embrace the challenge of earring this pets love and trust by making small meaningful steps towards acceptance. Start by having a long chat with your partner about helping with the pets care. Start feeding walking and spending time with them. Be patient and understanding that this won’t get fixed overnight. It takes time patience and dedication to move into a family as the new person. I also think that seeing your vet to rule our pain, disease or infection is important. Take walks together. Go to puppy classes (even if this isn’t a puppy) to start bonding together. And be patient. You will be surprised how much love a pet can give.

  2. Sarah

    Hello-
    I agree with Krista. I would just like to add my experience with walking with your dog(s). Walks are sooooo much more than physical exercise. They help establish pack order, keep the peace, provide mental stimulation, help secure the bonds within the pack, provide routine and reassurance…. I really could go on for quite a while on all the benefits of walking with your dog your dogs as a family unit. My advice would be to be patient, and try adding a nice daily walk when you and your significant other both have time to spend with the dog together. Best of luck!????????

  3. Laura

    Your SO needs to be involved in your dog’s life. Training, feeding, etc. Dogs don’t urinate out of spite, however – it’s simply a new place, with new rules. Make sure the stress of the move didn’t kick off a UTI, and go back to housebreaking basics. And yes, as Dr. Magnifico suggested, take a basic obedience class as a family and make sure he’s the one working her.

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Nana | 5 years ago
I Just Recently Moved In With My S/O And Their Dog Hates It. She Gets …

I just recently moved in with my S/O and their dog hates it. She gets jealous. She didnt pee in the floor before and now she does. She always has to be under the covers and worms her way in between us. She stares at me all the time and when i walk towards her she rolls on her back and shows me her stomach. If we leave her outside of the room she whines and claws at the door. When its just me home she doesnt get in the bed, but if hes home she’ll hop right up with us. Im at a whits end.

1 Response

Comments

  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    Please try to understand your partners pets point of view. How would you feel if you believed that your whole life that no one else I RN he world mattered as much as you and then all of the sudden you are told to move over and make room for someone else? It takes time to adjust to a new person especially a new person invading your space and your life. It doesn’t matter if we are talking about pets or kids. If you are the new person to the equation you have to adapt to their way of life not the other way around. I strongly suggest that you embrace the challenge of earring this pets love and trust by making small meaningful steps towards acceptance. Start by having a long chat with your partner about helping with the pets care. Start feeding walking and spending time with them. Be patient and understanding that this won’t get fixed overnight. It takes time patience and dedication to move into a family as the new person. I also think that seeing your vet to rule our pain, disease or infection is important. Take walks together. Go to puppy classes (even if this isn’t a puppy) to start bonding together. And be patient. You will be surprised how much love a pet can give.

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Laura Tomaschefsky | 5 years ago
What Are Your Recommendations To Comfort Dogs During Thunderstorms And Fireworks? My Mother-in-laws Dog Is Petrified …

What are your recommendations to comfort dogs during thunderstorms and fireworks?
My mother-in-laws Dog is petrified over loud noises and hides, shakes, growls, gets very very panicked… etc. You can’t even hold him and try to comfort him when he gets this way. She has tried the thunder blanket and that didn’t work. He’s actually starting to freak out as soon as it gets dark.
Is there any over the counter meds available that would relax him? If so what and how much for a 19lb dog? Can dogs have Xanax or Valium?

1 Response

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I actually offer a lot of advice to clients. First I try a thunder shirt and recommend putting a cage or crate in the darkest quietest part of the house with heavy blankets on top to dampen the noise. I also recommend that you talk to your vet about medications that might help. There is a huge assortment of things you can try. They can discuss lots and lots of options from things like antihistamines to prescription medications like sileo or even diazepam etc. try to use background noise like a tv or radio and keep calm even if your pet isn’t. There are other options like DAP (a pheromone) or over the counter homeopathic options. It’s best to talk to your vet as there are a huge number of options and a huge range of patient needs.

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Kaarah | 5 years ago
My Dog Is Panting Walking In Circles And Acting Restless And Confused And Has Very Bad …

My dog is panting walking in circles and acting restless and confused and has very bad smell to him

2 Responses

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  1. Sarah

    Are there other symptoms that you are aware of? Has your dog been outside too long in the heat? Was your dog running hard for too long? Is your dog eating and drinking? Are they drinking excessively? Is your dog showing signs of pain? If you’re dog was outside today, he may be showing signs of heat exhaustion. If that is the case, keep him calm and inside in air conditioning. Do not let him stress or exert himself for some time- make sure he drinks water. If there is no improvement, a call to the vet is warranted. If your dog was not outside in this hot weather, then I would call the vet right away as it could be something serious. I hope everything is ok.????????

  2. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I’m sorry but there isn’t enough information here for me to direct you confidently. I am worried about a few things like; seizures, pain, disease, and even benign stuff like anal sacs and ear infection. I think it would be best to call your vet to see if they can take a look at your pup.

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Kaarah | 5 years ago
My Dog Is Panting Walking In Circles And Acting Restless And Confused And Has Very Bad …

My dog is panting walking in circles and acting restless and confused and has very bad smell to him

1 Response

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  1. Laura

    Hi Kaarah, I would consider this an emergency. Please get him to the vet.

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Nicholas P. Woodward | 5 years ago
Ok So This Is A Little Crazy… I Never Imagined I Would See This Day, And …

Ok so this is a little crazy… I never imagined I would see this day, and how I’m having visions of a technological apocalypse. My dog is a video game addict. She literally goes and starts pawing at people’s phones that are left lying about thinking the critters from her game are going to come out to play. I’m 90% decided I shouldn’t let her play anymore because of how much she gets sucked into it. I’m not sure it’s unhealthy but not sure it’s healthy either. Pawbly people what are your thoughts on pet video games and apps like this?

2 Responses

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    just because people have become obsessed crazed zombie-game players does not mean our pets should too. Doesn’t sound healthy or like she’s happy. Satiated stimuli should include food, attention and behavioral reinforcement of desired reactions.. i think your pup needs a walk and a squeaky toy,,, don’t feed the addiction once you identify she has one.

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MaryPat Feiss | 6 years ago
So We Stumbled Upon A 2 Yr Old Puggle Who Was Going To Be Surrender…

So we stumbled upon a 2 yr old puggle who was going to be surrender to the Humane Society. We were told that she is being treated for a UTI but was very healthy. The owners were keeping her in a cage for 12-15 hrs which would definitely cause the UTI. So we asked around and found a family member in NY that was willing to take her. Long story short, we took her to NY and got her a check up. She doesn’t only have a UTI but also a huge stone in her bladder which needs to be removed surgically. My mother in law cannot afford this surgery being on a fixed income. Being the owner of 5 of my own pets, I cannot afford it either. But we don’t want this sweet dog going back to the owner or shelter. Can you recommend somewhere that would consider doing pro-bono or discounted work for rescue pets? We plan on bringing her back to Maryland tonight.

2 Responses

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I’m sorry I don’t know of anyone who does pro bono work for owned pets. You can apply to foundations or borrow from friends. There is also the possibility of trying a diet to dissolve the stone. In some cases this works and most dogs need to be on a prescription diet to prevent the stone from getting larger or recurring anyway.

  2. MaryPat Feiss Post author

    Ugh! The vet said it was too big and needed surgery. It’s gonna break my heart but I have no choice but to let the owner bring her to the shelter. At least they will do the surgery and she will be comfortable. I just don’t want her in pain much longer.

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Sarah | 6 years ago
Hello Pawbly Friends- Quick Question. Our Youngest GSD (1 & 1/2)is Not Comfortable Getting His Nails…

Hello Pawbly friends-
Quick question. Our youngest GSD (1 & 1/2)is not comfortable getting his nails trimmed, and it is getting worse?I will admit- ever since I quicked our Dierks years ago, I am always apprehensive about doing nails. Butch HATES getting his nails trimmed. Riva “tolerates” it. I know it is important, so I take a deep breath, calm myself and keep going. My thinking is that Rontu can still sense my anxiety and I need to get it in check. I realize that I could bring him in to get his nails trimmed, but at this point, and how involved with my dogs I try to be, I feel bringing him in is a cop out of sorts. I am also feeling like trimming nails, as small as that sounds, has great potential in building a better level of trust- but I need to approach it just right. Any advice is so very appreciated ???thanks

2 Responses

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  1. Anonymous

    Try a dremel. It requires desensitization but it’s easier to use, as you’re less likely to quick your dogs with it, especially with dark nails. While you work on desensitization, take your dog to a groomer for trims.

    Or, since we’re local to each other (I’m just down in Baltimore), I could show you the basics of using a dremel sometime soon? I’d be happy to do it.

  2. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I tell clients to try to make nail exercises part of every day and every joyous occasion.. like taking “give paw” to the next level… make handing the feet over a task, offer rewards to reinforce participation and then start with a softer nail trimmer… like a file, or even a dremel (dremel takes longer to desensitize due to noise and vibration). But whatever you do keep at it.. also, if you do what I do, which is use nail trimmers, make sure they are sharp and know what you are aiming for.

    heres some help

    https://kmdvm.blogspot.com/2012/03/how-to-trim-nails.html

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Maria Chiaia | 6 years ago
IVDD – Beagle. Hi, I Reached Out A Few Weeks Ago Because My Dog Was…

IVDD – Beagle.

Hi, I reached out a few weeks ago because my dog was diagnosed with IVDD but could not use the bathroom on his own and it was next to impossible to express him. After a couple of weeks of manually catheterizing him, he started to use the bathroom on his own regularly. He also started to regain a lot of strength back, especially in his back legs. The problem area is in his neck but he is able to wag his tail and turn his neck all around. He still cannot walk, he can hold his backend up but his front two paws continue to knuckle and go under him when he tries to walk. I watched the videos on Hank and I know he had a similar issue but you did not go into depth as one video his front paws didn’t work and then the next video all of a sudden he was walking. Is there anything I can do to speed up this process or help him? I’m so proud of how hard he’s come and I don’t want to give up now.

2 Responses

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I’m so glad to hear that your dog is still with us and improving. I also think that your question is wonderful! Here’s what I did with Hank. I did lots and lots and more lots of massage and passive range of motion. I also placed him with support and encouraged him to just stand. I would hold his sternum and place his back legs (a little wider than normal) and just try to hold him there. Like teaching a baby to walk. I did this all the time. I know people are afraid of hurting them but the problem with paralysis is muscle atrophy. Which happens really really quick. Like in days. So I pushed him hard to keep trying and to wake his brain up to talk to his muscles. I hope this helps. Good luck. Keep us posted.

    1. Maria Chiaia Post author

      Great news! So happy and thankful to report that after three long, tough months, my dog is walking again!! The only thing that really helped was putting him in a pool and doing water therapy with him every day.