Hello,
I’m sorry to hear about your dog. It sounds like it might be IVDD. I wish your vet had impressed upon you how imperative it is to cage rest these patients. I insist on cage rest. I know everyone wants to convince me that this is cruel and they can adequately watch their pets, BUT, these guys all do the same thing. They start to feel better and start to do too much, and then they end up worse then they started out.

I have tons of information on IVDD, Please visit my blog and YouTube channel for all the advice I have.

you can also go to YouTube and search “ivdd krista magnifico” and all of my videos on this will come up.

https://kmdvm.blogspot.com/2017/01/hank-cervical-disc-disease-management.html

https://kmdvm.blogspot.com/2016/08/ivdd-days-immediately-following.html

https://kmdvm.blogspot.com/2016/05/ivdd-dr-kelcourses-advice.html

I am sure that all of the answers to your questions are there. please let me know if you cannot find what you are looking for.

good luck

https://kmdvm.blogspot.com/2017/01/hank-cervical-disc-disease-management.html

Hello,
I have a few patients who have this sound produced when they move a certain way and cause the Surfaces of the joints to rub together. It’s like cracking your knuckles of your hands. I would guess this is what might be going on with your dog? People and dogs can have knees that crack or vertebra or any other joint area. If it is this than it usually is not treatable other than trying to reduce the times it happens by not repeating the motion that causes it. Which can be hard if not impossible in a dog. I would ask about a joint supplement and even chiropractic vets to see if they can help. At this point you need to figure out where the noise occurs and what it might possibly mean to your dog. But I would say this. If your dog is happy and acting like they are feeling perfectly fine and normal let her be a dog. She needs exercise and activity (especially this breed!!) or you are likely to cause more problems than you can solve. Let her be happy. Don’t treat her like glass. She’s probably going to be fine even if you do or don’t figure out the noise.

Hello,
If your dog has had the vaccine at least twice before (I.e this isn’t a one year old pet or younger) AND if you think that your pet is considered “low risk” (ie not a field dog, nor likely to get into fights with wildlife), then you are probably safe to wait until this blows over. We take rabies very seriously so it is always a case by case basis. Young dogs need the vaccine at 12-16 weeks and then a year later. Then the duration of immunity lasts at least 3 years.

Call me or text if you have specific questions. I am here for you. Be safe!

Hello,
Please call your vet ASAP and ask to be seen. This is a very young puppy and diarrhea can cause dehydration faster in young pups then adults. If your vet is not available go to the ER. Good luck. I hope he’s ok

Hello,
Is there anyway you could have her seen? The reason I ask is that we always want to differentiate between inflammation (red ears can be a sign) and infection as they take different treatments. I am at the clinic tomorrow. For now you can give Benadryl (50 mg) by mouth to see if it helps the redness. If you prefer to not leave your home we can start with an ear cleaner you can pick up here and see if this helps. If there is pain or a foul odor coming from the ears you really should have her seen ASAP. Be safe. Krista.

Hello,
Your dog needs to be seen by a vet. I can’t tell you if the bump is even relevant to the clinical signs she is showing. She needs to be examined and a rectal exam done too. It might be allergies. Parasites. Anal sacs. Or even am impacted anal sac. These require oral antibiotics, pain meds and maybe even a drain. Please see a vet ASAP.

Hello,
I’m sorry but this is so vague to offer much assistance. It is best that you see your vet. I think a thorough physical examination to include ausculting the heart and lungs and a very good overall whole body exam is in order. It might also be helpful to take a chest X-ray for things like pneumonia and megaesophagus and maybe even blood work to include low thyroid. My point is that there are numerous possible causes and until you start ruling some in or out it is a guess at best. I hope this helps.

Hello,
If you are worried your pet is acting strange you should err on the side of caution and seek immediate veterinary assistance. I hope everything is ok.

Hello,
Ear infections are best diagnosed with an otoscope visualization and a swab and microscopic slide evaluation of the ears. In some cases there is simply dirt and debris and only an ear cleaning is needed. In others it is infection and therefore an otic antibiotic or antifungal is needed and in some cases it is just a red itchy ear due to an allergy. In any and all cases of head shaking it is imperative to identify what is going on and alleviate it ASAP or you can get an aural hematoma. Which adds two things to treat for and a painful pup too. Please call me and we can take a peek to see what’s up. As you are my client I will add the following at home tips.
1. Look at the ear flap. Is it red? If so this indicated inflammation and discomfort. Try diphenhydramine mg size equals weight of dog. Ie 50# dog = 50 mg diphenhydramine orally every 8 hours. If two doses don’t knock it out see me!
2. Is there any dirt or debris that looks like dark chunky wax inside the ear canal? If so you need to clean the ears. I have a video on this on my YouTube channel?
3. Do you see any yellow liquid in the ear? Does it smell terrible? If so you need a vet ASAP!
4. If it hurts to touch the ear see me ASAP.

Whatever the cause is once you have one ear issue you should expect more. So ask your vet about at home care and ear cleaners to help avoid this from happening again. Also lots of red rated head shaking dogs have allergies. Ask about this before you get an aural hematoma. (YouTube on that too!)