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Christiana | 5 years ago
I Am So Lost In Caring For My Chihuahua/dachshund Mix. She Was Diagnosed With IVDD …

I am so lost in caring for my Chihuahua/dachshund mix. She was diagnosed with IVDD on Sunday December 15, 2019. Surgery was not an option financially so we opted for conservative treatment combined with acupuncture and the Assisi loop treatments. The one thing I can not get a definitive answer on if she needs to 24/7 cage rest of if letting her rest with us on the couch in the evenings okay. Some blogs says strict cage rest for 8 weeks and only out for potty time while many others suggest other treatment plans. I just want to know if I am hurting my fur baby by letting her rest on the couch with me or not. Since the start of her treatments she has gone from full paralysis in her hind legs and being in continent to being able to walk a little and has full control over her bladder/bowels in just a little over a week!

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  1. Sarah

    Good morning. Dr. Magnifico has a lot of videos posted on YouTube that may be helpful to you. She has a lot of experience with IVDD and has posted blogs about it as well. Don’t give up- especially since your pup is showing improvement. Best of luck to you guys!

  2. Krista Magnifico

    In my opinion it is 24/7 cage rest unless they are in your arms ( while you are awake) or outside going potty. No expeditions. Ever. Because one accidental anything can result in reinjury and loss of any healing you have gained. I hope this helps and I wish you the best of luck.

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Lea | 5 years ago
I Have A 4 Year Old Miniture Dachshund That Suddenly Couldn’t Walk Anymore We Took Him …

I have a 4 year old miniture dachshund that suddenly couldn’t walk anymore we took him to the emergency room and they took some x Ray’s and stated that there were a couple disks that looked concerning. We were told to keep him in the cage for 4 weeks and see how things go 2 days he seems worse so we took him to the vet and they said make sure that he continues to eat and drink and urinate. IVDD surgery seems like one of our only options however, I dont want it to fail and have him be in more pain any suggestion?

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I’m sorry to hear about your pup. I would say that in general veterinarians agree that surgery done as soon as possible is the best course of treatment for the next long term prognosis. I tell my clients that it is usually about a $7-10,000 endeavor. If this is not affordable (which is the majority of cases) to provide medical management and strict cage rest. And that they usually get worse over 3-5 days and not better. I also say to focus all your time and attention to basic husbandry. Keep them clean dry and pain free and monitor for urination. Also start PT in about day 4-6. Most pets don’t defecate for a few days so keep food watery and soup like. Time, safe housing (crate 24/7 except for bathroom supervised) and pain control are mandatory. After that patience. I hope this helps.

Emergency Visit
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Krista Magnifico | 5 years ago
First Sick Puppy Exam, Meet Denver. This Is A Story Of A New Puppy And His First Vet Visit Because He Wasn’t Feeling Well.
Treatment Cost (USD): $211.00
Denvers first exam was when he was not feeling well. He was having vomiting and diarrhea and not eating well.\ for about a day. As with all puppy illness it is really important to not wait long if they aren't doing well. Puppies are fragile and they can dehydrate very quickly.
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Regular Vet Visit
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Krista Magnifico | 5 years ago
First Puppy Exam, Meet Oakley. This Is A Story Of A New Puppy And The Veterinary Visits They Need To Start Off On The Right Paw.
Treatment Cost (USD): $155.00
It is my advice that every new pet should be seen by a veterinarian within 3-5 days of purchase/ adoption. Based on the previous records a puppy vaccination, surgical, and behavioral plan can be laid out.
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Emergency Visit
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Krista Magnifico | 5 years ago
Bella And Her Pyometra Surgery. Pyometra Canine
Treatment Cost (USD): $1696.57
Bella is a 10 year old intact dog. Her dad recognized that she was not eating well, not acting like her normal happy self and slowing down. In veterinary terms we call this hyporexia, malaise and lethargy. Her most concerning and telling sign of her diagnosis was her mucopurulent vaginal discharge.
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suerena schaefer | 5 years ago
My Dog Is13 1/2 Years Old. He Is A Dachshund/German Shepard Mix. More Dachshund. He Has 5 …

My dog is13 1/2 years old. He is a dachshund/German Shepard mix. More dachshund. He has 5 fatty tumors that have all been biopsied and are not cancerous. They do seem to continue to grow in size. Not substantially but still grow. He had to go In for emergency surgery 2 years ago from cutting his artery in one of his paws during a walk. He has been a little different since then. More afraid of things. Urinates in the house every so often. I don’t know if it is from the surgery or just his age. But my question is whether or not I should have his Tumors removed with his age and how he responded to his last surgery. He is in very good health except for one health issue one time. A year ago he fell down and couldn’t walk. Took him to the vet. They kept him over night. They said it was old dogs disease. It went away 2 days later and hasn’t returned. Other than that he is very healthy. Gets his vaccines, heart worm, tick and flea meds. So do I remove them at his age or leave them alone. I keep debating this in my head and can’t make the call. I want what is best for him. I just don’t want to chance issues with going under anesthesia.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

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  1. Sarah

    Hi there ???? I think I would chat with the vet at his next checkup and see what their thoughts are. There is always a risk with surgery, but if the pros outweigh the cons, then the answer is obvious. At this stage though, if your vet feels they aren’t a threat and you feel that the dog’s quality of life isn’t effected, then those would be strong factors in determining what the next step would be. You and your vet know your guy best, so that would be where I would start my discussion. Best of luck!!!

  2. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I agree with Sarah. This needs to be a decision that you make with the help and guidance of the surgeon. You can get as many opinions as you need but they need tone from someone who can examine your dog. Find a vet (or two or more, or even a boarded surgeon) and ask for advice. Very best of luck.

    1. suerena schaefer Post author

      I have consulted my vet and she told me it was my decision. The tumors are not in the way of his normal every day activity, Yet. I’m just afraid left unchecked they might become too large to handle. I just don’t know what the recommendations are for an almost 14 year old dog in regards to surgery. I know with every surgery there is a risk and I would assume his risk is greater than others due to his age. My gut tells me to remove them but will they just grow back? My heart tells me to leave them alone due to the fear of losing him under anesthesia. I’m absolutely torn.

      1. Sarah

        Just thinking more about your situation…. wondering if you could just have it with your vet to have more frequent visits to check the tumors and make sure they aren’t growing or changing? That might help give you some peace of mind should you opt out of surgery.

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Stan | 5 years ago
Does Congestive Heart Failure Lead To Seizures In Dogs?

Does congestive heart failure lead to seizures in dogs?

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  1. Laura

    I don’t believe so. As I understand it, syncope and fainting can be symptoms but are not the same as seizures.

  2. Krista Magnifico

    Please call your vet. I would be worried about calcium, electrolytes and a whole host of other things that cause seizures .

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Krista Magnifico | 5 years ago
Cat Spay. Routine OHE. Meet Dash, About The Sweetest, Cutest Kitten Ever!
Treatment Cost (USD): $221.51
Dash was adopted a little later than most kittens are. She was vaccinated previously at anpther local small animal clinic. When her new family adopted her they brought her to us for an exam and pre-op bloodwork. Cost of the exam $45 Blood work (6 panel chemistry and CBC) $60
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Ben | 5 years ago
I Noticed A Raised Lump On My Staffordshire Bull Terrier Aged 8 On The 21st Of November …

I noticed a raised lump on my Staffordshire bull terrier aged 8 on the 21st of November on my dog head that ulcerated the next day. The ulcerated lump scabed over then got knocked off the following week. I have been to 2 different vets within that time and both feel it either a histiocytoma or a mast cell tumour with both vets leaning toward it being a histiocytoma but only a biopsy will make sure. I have a biopsy for Wednesday but my question is would it be worth doing is this lump too close to the eyes for good margins? I have done days of googling and I see 1cm is all that needed for good margins and 90% of other sites saying 2-3cm is needed. I would not put my dog through radio therapy so if good margins is not possible would it be worth doing a biopsy? Another thing is I know it low chance but I don’t want to risk Anesthesia with my dog being that 1 in 2000 dog to die from it. Anyone know if good margins is possible from looking at the picture of my dog?

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  1. Sarah

    Hi there-
    Sorry you are going through so much stress with this situation. Unfortunately, it is always so hard to tell anything definite from A picture. I would have frank discussion with my vet and ask about all of my different treatment options from aggressive on down. They know you and your pet best, and can advise accordingly. Best of luck to you both.????????

Regular Vet Visit
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Krista Magnifico | 5 years ago
Dog Neuter. Meet Cletus. A Young Healthy Routine Neuter
Treatment Cost (USD): $315.00
Cletus is an almost one year old mixed breed dog.. He was seen for all of his puppy vaccines, and had pre op blood work before his neuter was performed.
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