Question
Profile Image
Vivienne Barnes | 8 years ago
How Can I Make Life Easier For My Little Cocker Spaniel Who Is On Steroids…

How can I make life easier for my little Cocker Spaniel who is on steroids and a tablet for her immune system? She is absolutely ravenous yet I dont want to overfeed her. She was never a greedy dog yet she would eat the bowl at the minute. Those big brown eyes are so sad its breaking my heart. I understand to keep her alive we need to give her the drugs.

6 Responses

Comments

  1. Vivienne Barnes Post author

    Thank you very much. I have been bulking out with more veg than usual. She loves pasta. Would that be ok?

  2. Sarah

    We give our boys cold baby carrots, and canned or fresh bits of pumpkin as training treats. They absolutely live it, and I worry less about them getting fat from treats.?

  3. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    You can offer food that have bulk, and are therefore filling, without adding calories, like fiber. Pumpkin, and many other veggies can do this. Also I think that a nice distraction like a walk or play time (disease status permitting) also help. You can also break the meals into smaller meals.

  4. Dawn Ferara, DVM

    Pasta is not a good choice it’s high in calories and starches that turn to sugar.

Question
Profile Image
Vivienne Barnes | 8 years ago
My Dog Has Been Diagnosed With IMHA And Is On Steroids And Also A Tablet…

My dog has been diagnosed with IMHA and is on steroids and also a tablet for her immune system. She is absolutely ravenous and I feel so sorry for her because obviously I cannot overfeed her. Any tips please to make this easier?

2 Responses

Comments

  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    This is a very serious disease that should be very closely monitored by your vet. It is asssumed that the prednisone is the cause of the polyphagia (increased consumption) but there is no “one dose fits all” so you should call your vet and ask for a recheck to make sure you aren’t giving too much or staying on it for too long. The polyphagia should rewsolve as the pred is tapered. For now inquire about low fat highly nutritious options like w/d or O/M foods.
    I hope he recovers quickly and without further complications.

  2. Vivienne Barnes Post author

    Thank you for your response. My vet sees Holly each week with a phone call also to check on her. She is doing really well and the steroid has been decreased in dosage this week. What are w/d and o/m foods? I have started her on a “make her feel full” food from my vet so hopefully this may help. I also try to bulk out with veg.

Question
Profile Image
Pawbly | 8 years ago
I Have A 11 Month Old Golden. We Have Built Her A Kennel Above…

I have a 11 month old Golden. We have built her a kennel above ground.. (To avoid digging and bugs) … My husband plans to keep her outdoors in the kennel during our work hours, (and inside all the rest of the time) no matter how cold it is. This is my first dog… He says it’s fine.. But I am worried about it. Opinions appreciated.

4 Responses

Comments

  1. Sarah

    Our dogs have a lovely pen, that we do use. They go in it when the weather is nice, when we aren’t home. It does have a nice platform with a doghouse on top in case the weather changes before one of us can get home to them. It’s about 30 X 20, with a 6 foot high fence, and their house is 2 feet off of the ground- platform about 5X9 and the house on it about 3X9. (And if they want to be out when we are home but not outside with them during hunting season, we put them in there for safety.) If it is bad weather, they stay inside with me, or in our finished basement if I am working. I’m fortunate that I do not work full time and my mother also now lives with us, and can assist in caring for the boys on days that I do work. All told, the dogs are probably on their own about 3 or 4 hours each day Monday thru Friday. We make sure to follow our routine no matter the weather or how we feel. Morning walk, breakfast, afternoon walk, play, evening walk dinner. This is followed even if they have been outside playing with the kids all day- walks in my opinion are crucial. Anyway, what I guess I am saying is, a pen or kennel, in my opinion, is a good PART of your dog’s life, but should not be their entire life. They are part of your family/pack, and should be cared for accordingly. Good and proper training will make your dog a fantastic family member that will respect your home and your family. Please try to pursuade your husband to reconsider his thoughts on keeping the dog outside all of the time while you are at work…especially during bad weather. It doesn’t sound like a life where it would be part of your family, and pets should be.

  2. Anonymous

    I think your husband’s ideas are outdated and may very well put the dog’s health at risk…that’s not even touching on the risk of theft, poisoning, and abuse from other people.

  3. Krista Magnifico

    I think your dog deserves better. I cannot imagine this as a life I would ever wish for my kids.. and my kids are my dogs. I also think your husband got a dog for all the wrong reasons if he doesn’t care more about her than to provide a safer, happier and healthier environment than this.
    Who would ever want to live like this?
    I don’t know your local dog safety laws but it may not even be legal.
    Thank you for being worried. I hope you can convince him that this is a sad and unfair way to keep a pet.

  4. April Adams

    I’m not sure how to use this forum, but I will try. So, you all think it’s not okay for my dog to stay in her outdoor kennel while I am working from 715/115..? Would you say it would be better to keep her in her crate in the house? She loves it outdoors in the kennel, she watches the squirrels and birds… And when it snows I don’t work… Do you think maybe we should decide on a temperature to keep her in the house at? I just want to do what’s best for her well being. I also think it’s sad to stay cooped up in a crate… I don’t want her to be bored and get overweight. I know my husband loves her, and has had dogs for 50 years… but I do too. Lol

Question
Profile Image
Pawbly | 8 years ago
Dear Sir, I Feed Some Rock Pigeons Everyday, One Of The Female Rock Pigeon Is…

Dear sir, I feed some rock pigeons everyday, one of the female rock pigeon is walking with crumpled leg, (no fracture, no visible fatal injury) which medicine do you suggest and what if the other healthy pigeon eats that medicated food meant for the unhealthy pigeon, please suggest dosage and frequency.

1 Response

Comments

  1. Anonymous

    Without knowing what, exactly, is wrong, no vet can give you a prescription. Please get your bird to the vet.

Question
Profile Image
Sandy | 8 years ago
I Just Figured Out Which Of My Cats Was Having Soft Extremely Fowl Smelling Poop…

I just figured out which of my cats was having soft extremely fowl smelling poop. I put some of it into a collecting container
and plan to drop it off tomorrow before noon. If he goes again,
I will get the fresher sample but will the other one work? If so,
should I keep it in the refrigerator. In a bottle and a bag of course.

Thanks
Sandy Brown

Cat is Dexter who goes to Jarrettsville Veterinary Hospital

1 Response

Comments

  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello
    The freshest sample you can get is always the best. Please keep it refrigerated until you can get it to the vet

Question
Profile Image
Pawbly | 8 years ago
My Two Rabbits Get Really Jealous When I Pet The Other One. What Can I Do…

My two rabbits get really jealous when i pet the other one.
What can i do to prevent that

1 Response

Comments

Question
Profile Image
Pawbly | 8 years ago
My Dog Does Not Move His Back Legs Normally, This Afternoon He Ran And Jumped…

My dog does not move his back legs normally, this afternoon he ran and jumped as always , but in the night I want to take him for his walk and I’m notice that his left leg looked strange as numb and walk a bit odd , when I went to check his leg I’m notice that he had the tendons were tight and caused him discomfort when pressing them strong, when the stretch and moved it looked completely normal when he got up again, note that his right leg was like walking a little wobbly too, he is not dragging his legs , He stood on four legs but the back looked shaky as if weakness and alternated his weight from one leg to the other .He seemed to tire, He walk and jump into bed and lay back, he don’t have fever or breathing difficulties, and so far it has made their physiological needs normally. I am very worried, it’s late at night and do not know what I can do and I cannot go to the vet at least not now!? I do

3 Responses

Comments

  1. yuly ruiz

    thank so much for the ansewr¡¡ this mornig he was so much better except for a slight limp in his left leg. The veterinary came to look him and said maybe was something whit his hip she said the was rare to happen with small dog and so young but not impossible,she gave him an injection for the pain and massaging and did not find anything unusual.she told us to give him some pills for pain during the course of the week and to give him massages whit one cream to relax the muscles. he look good, he can do his physiologica needs whit normally and he don’t lost his appetite so is pretty good¡¡the next week will take an X-ray just to be sure that there is nothing abnormal

  2. Julie Brader

    Hi I’m so sorry your dog has injured himself. If you cannot get him to an emergency Vet could you possibly cage rest him? He could have seriously damaged something and the less he uses his back legs the better. If he needs to go outside to the toilet you could also support him under his tummy with a large towel to keep the weight off his legs until you can take him to the Vet for a diagnosis. Please do try and take him to an emergency Vet if you possibly can though. I do hope he will be OK and you too…they are such a worry aren’t you they. Good luck!

  3. Sarah

    Hopefully you got him in to see a vet. It may just be a strain or pulled muscle, but I would have a vet diagnose that. Best of luck.

Question
Profile Image
Pawbly | 8 years ago
If On Homemade Diet How Much Calcium For 17lb Dog. Are Human Supp Okay? …

If on homemade diet how much calcium for 17lb dog. Are human supp okay? If mix comm food and homemade still same req? Was on homemade for 11 mnths wthout supplements will this be bad for her? Home diet green beans ground beef pumpkin and cabbage.

1 Response

Comments

  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello
    There are veterinary nutritionists who can help you formulate a diet that is balanced and safe. Without knowing a whole lot more about your dog and your available food resources I am always petrified to recommend a homemade diet. I have seen far too many well intentioned pet parents miss giving key nutritional dietary components to advise homemade diets. Please contact a licensed veterinary nutritionist for specific dietary guidance to insure you are providing all of your dogs dietary needs.
    I hope this helps. And I wish you the best of luck

Question
Profile Image
Pawbly | 8 years ago
My Puppy Got Sick After Deworming. She Wont Eat But Drink If We Force Her…

My puppy got sick after deworming. She wont eat but drink if we force her. Is this normal after deworming? Because im really worried.

1 Response

Comments

  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    If you got the dewormer from your vet they need to be notified as soon as possible. If this was an over the counter dewormer please see a vet immediately. If your dog is sick and if she is not acting normally I recommend you seek immediate veterinary assistance at the emergency clinic. Please never buy or use OTC dewormers without your vets ok first. They are terribly toxic in my opinion and I have seen them cause more problems than they solve. A vomiting puppy should always be considered an emergency as they are very fragile and can dehydrate quickly.

Question
Profile Image
Pawbly | 8 years ago
My Beagle Wiener Mix Dog Has A Bad Rash Under His Belly Leading To…

My beagle wiener mix dog has a bad rash under his belly leading to his back legs. He is getting sores now from nibbiling and licking himself by his legs, tail, and genital area. Is this something i can take care of or should i be really concerned and take him to a vet?

2 Responses

Comments

  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello
    If the itching and chewing is resulting in open wounds you need to seek veterinary help. In most cases something to stop the irch is needed along with antibiotics and an ecollar. They can have him felling better very soon.

  2. Caroline Harrold

    My dogs had that aswell, my vet put them on antibiotics to fight any infections and to help healing and also gave them steroids to stop them scratching so much