Question
Profile Image
Lorna | 5 years ago
I Have A 3 Year Old Rottweiler With An Ear Infection (it Is A Reoccurring Problem). He …

I have a 3 year old rottweiler with an ear infection (it is a reoccurring problem). He has a vet appt Monday. The ear is oozing and he is in pain.

He is very aggressive when I take him in with ear issues so I have to give him Gabapentin and Trazadone to calm him down.

Can I give him either of those for pain now? He weighs 110 lbs.
I have 3 100 mg gabapentin pills which is his normal does
I have 2 trazadone (he normally takes 1 1/2)
but he’s only taken them before appts.

Thank you for any guidance.

1 Response

Comments

  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I’m sorry to hear about your pup. I’m also sorry but we cannot prescribe or comment on prescriptions as we do not know your dog. If your vet prescribed then they are the people to ask. I can tell you that trazadone is usually used for fear anxiety and sedation. It is not for pain. Gabapentin is used as an analgesic and sedation. I hope this helps. Please also ask your vet about medication for long term help with the ears. I usually try an anti allergy medication and some of the se are very effective for long term management. It has helped many of my patients.

Question
Profile Image
Amber | 6 years ago
I Am The Owner Of A 2 Year Old English Bulldog. Last Year His Urethra Prolapsed And …

I am the owner of a 2 year old English Bulldog. Last year his urethra prolapsed and he received a purse string suture and was neutered at the pet ER in Bel Air. The issue resolved itself and he had been doing well until this last week when the urethra prolapsed again. We took him through the Towson pet ER so he could see a surgical specialist. They evaluated him and suggested surgery. After surgery they sent him home to recover and stressed the importance of him staying calm. We stayed by his side, even staying home from work, to ensure that he didn’t do anything to distrupt the healing. We kept him in a play pen and carried him up and down the stairs to potty. Two days after the surgery (and lots of bloody laundry later) we noticed that he was extremely uncomfortable even while on the pain and sedative meds. We also noticed the protrusion of his urethra tissue. We took him back to the surgeon and they confirmed that the urethra has prolapsed and they have recommended that the surgery be performed for a second time (tomorrow). We have ruled out the obvious contributing factors that may cause pressure such as stones, uti, etc. Any thoughts for treatment options moving forward? Are we missing anything? I just want our little guy to start feeling well again! Thank you.

Amber

3 Responses

Comments

  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello.

    These are really frustrating cases. I’m so sorry about your experience and I empathize completely. I guess my first concern is that we don’t often know why this happens. My second concern is that you are going to repeat the same surgery and it should be assumed the failure has a pretty fair chance of happening again. My preference as the surgeon for cases like these (and they happen to all of us) is to both offer a redo (although I will admit I rarely charge or I charge a nominal redo fee) is to also offer a different surgeon to try over. My concern is that failing twice is an awful big expenditure and a tough explanation as to why I didn’t see that coming. My personal preference is to refer these difficult refractory cases to the vet teaching hospitals. They have faster easier and better access to more minds and more diverse experience. You just can’t get that at a private facility. I use UPenn or va tech vet schools. They are often cheaper and give a broader access to options and experience. I hope this helps. Please let me know what happens. I would love to hear a follow up and I would love to hear about your previous surgery and experience. Especially to add this to our storylines page. It is such a unique case. Very best of luck. Krista.

    1. Amber Post author

      Thank you so much for your reply and suggestions. We will move forward with the second attempt to repair the prolapse despite the low success rate and cost associated. If it is unsuccessful we will need to get another opinion. I hadn’t thought to consult with a vet school and I think that is great advice. I will certainly keep you posted along the way.

  2. Laura

    I want to second Dr. M’s recommendation of a vet school. UPenn is phenomenal – we drove up from Timonium. They couldn’t help my puppy but they literally threw everything they could at him to diagnose his issue, and it was more than the local vets could do.

Question
Profile Image
Claire | 6 years ago
Morning, I Have A Golden Retriever Called Roxy Who Developed A Abscess Following A Anti Inflammatory …

Morning, I have a golden retriever called Roxy who developed a abscess following a anti inflammatory injection (in her neck) – this was incised under GA and left a MASSIVE seroma. Many months later it eventually closed only to reform again and rupture. The vet gave a course of antibiotics when the discharge changed colour from a light pink to a dark red colour and the exudate improved to a lighter colour. It is still a very deep sinus. I have been dressing it twice a day with boiled cooled water and two drops of tea tree oil, and then packing it with a natural bee wax ointment and a Betadine solution mix. Recently I took her back for another opinion because the lump was not improving, which in all honesty was a nightmare vet trip. The vet stuck her hand into the sinus and scraped and scraped – the return was clots of blood that looked like liver and the consultation room looked like a slaughter house. They said that if it didn’t heal over the next few weeks she would need to have surgery again and they would do a ‘running stitch’ to close it from the inside. I am not going this route! I vowed that would be the last vet trip I take her too. It was so traumatic for her and for me (I am a nursing sister so I can stomach most things, but this was too brutal and too close to my heart). So the twice a day dressing continues. I have been working away at this for about 6 months now and it is a huge strain on me, washing bandages and dressing whilst working a fulltime job and caring for my child and house. I do not want to give up, but I have moments when this is what I want to do, I suppose this is normal. She is 11 years old. This morning it seems to be smelling like infection is brewing again… 🙁 Should I do Milton solution irrigations? What can I do to aid healing? Any advice gratefully received, I am desperate. Claire Neithercut

5 Responses

Comments

  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I’m sorry to hear about your pups condition and your experience with the vets so far. I would never advise anyone to give up on their pets but I am a vet so it is also difficult for me to advise you to go this without medical assistance my first concern is that it sounds like your pup needs a better plan for treatment. If this was an abscess/ seroma or hematoma it would be nice to have had a culture to better decide the antibiotic and maybe even a drain placed do help healing. Although it might have been difficult to see exploring a wound or mass is often indicated to help rule out infection disease and even cancer. This is important so we can provide a treatment plan and prognosis. If you are seeking alternative treatment options please ask for a referral for this. Or seek a third opinion from another vet who you trust. ask your friends if there is a vet they can recommend. I’m just concerned about going this alone. There are vets out there who can help. It sometimes takes a few visits before you find your preferred provider. I wish you both the best of luck.

    1. Claire Post author

      Thank you, I won’t give up, I love her dearly, just irrigated and fluid return is clear, just very deep, about 20cm, I will look for an alternative vet referral, thank you so much

      1. Claire Post author

        They did take a sample to look at but I haven’t had feedback, disappointing…

  2. Sarah

    Good morning-
    I am sorry that you are having such a time with this and worse that your experience with the vet hasn’t been the best. I would definitely find a vet thatbyou trust and will listen to you and help guide you through a treatment plan.

    1. Claire Post author

      Thank you, just hit a low point and here there isn’t a huge choice with vets and alternative treatments, just don’t want any aggressive treatment anymore xx

Question
Profile Image
Christine | 6 years ago
So I Had The Question A Few Hours Ago About Missing A Dose Of Heart Worm …

So I had the question a few hours ago about missing a dose of heart worm medicine. My pups, Penny & Sampson are your patients. Sorry for the lack of information. They are indoor dogs except for walks and potty time in the yard. Should I have them tested before giving it to them again. Thank you!

1 Response

Comments

  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    Thanks for clarifying. I can’t really tell you what to do but I can explain the scenarios either way. The reason we test is to check Heartworm status of the patient. For new patients starting the medication we want to make sure they are negative before starting meds so we don’t miss a patient harboring adults in the heart. Over time Heartworms In The heart can be fatal. Your dogs were tested in feb (Sampson) and April (penny) and clear. We test yearly if they stay on meds year around. The advantage is that we will catch a dog in the earliest stages if we monitor yearly. This way we hopefully avoid the dangers of many adults in the heart. A missed dose is cause for retesting so we know they are always negative while always on prevention. If a pet on preventatives comes up positive AND if the test and prevention was bought at our clinic the hw rx manufacturer will pay for treatment which is about $1000. Realistically it is unlikely your dogs will test pos now as you just missed a dose. It takes 6 months for the test to show pos after exposure. I know that’s a lot of info. But to boil it down. There’s a low chance of infection in our area. A low chance they will test pos now. And they need to be on hw meds year around. So if your budget is tight just keep them on it. Give a dose now. And then another on Nov 1. And each first of the month there after. Retest in feb and April and go from there. If you want 100% peace of mind bring them in ASAP and have them tested. And retest in 6 months. There is not a cut and dry answer. Sorry. .

Question
Profile Image
Christine | 6 years ago
I Give My Dogs Heart Guard Plus. For The Life Of Me I Cannot Remember If …

I give my dogs Heart Guard Plus. For the life of me I cannot remember if I gave Them their September dose. (They were due September 1st). I need to know should they be tested for heart worms before I give them a dose now or is it ok to just give it to them?

Thank you!!

1 Response

Comments

  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    These are the questions that are best decided by a phone call to your vet. I don’t know where you live and I don’t know the degree of Heartworm disease you have there. Here, in N Md late Sunner I would say to my clients to start now and work back toward the beginning of the month. Some vets will prefer to test and restart the pills from there. It’s definitely a question of exposure, environment and risk of disease. I hope this helps. Thank you for having your pets on Heartworm prevention. Take care.

Question
Profile Image
Heather | 6 years ago
Hi! My 14-year-old Shiba, Cody, Has A Slipped Disc. This Happened On Thursday (today Is Saturday) …

Hi! My 14-year-old shiba, Cody, has a slipped disc. This happened on Thursday (today is Saturday) and he seems to be doing much better. The vet that saw my pup on Thursday said this was a mild case since he was still able to walk. He’s on prednisone, a muscle relaxant and a nerve relaxant and his disc is in his lower back. He’s been on rest and I’ve been icing the area. My question is if there is anything else I should be doing? Any other at home treatments? I read online that strict confinement is key but my dog has anxiety issues with cages/crates but he has been laying down most the day, just walks to go to the bathroom really. Also, ive been noticing his energy is back up and wants to walk longer distances but haven’t let him to make him rest.

1 Response

Comments

  1. Sarah

    Sorry for the late response. It sounds like you are doing everything recommended. It is difficult to keep them resting when they begin to feel better, but try to get him to rest as recommended. You could call your vet and let them know how he is doing and they may be able to advise you as to the next steps and what more you can do to help him.

Question
Profile Image
Monica | 6 years ago
Hi Last Saturday Sept 14 My Dog Maltipoo 5 Years Old Woke Up In Pain And Was Hunching …

Hi last Saturday Sept 14 my dog maltipoo 5 years old woke up in pain and was hunching back. Took her to the Vet, they did x rays and bloodwork that came out fine but vet said probably she had bulging disk. I guess they dx: IVDD ( I didn’t really know then) They told me to not have her jump and sent home with gabapetin, rimadyl methocarbamol for 14 days. She seem back to her old self but on Wed she let out a yelp and her back leg gave out. I called they said to resume all meds again. As I was only doing Rimadyl in Tuesday. She seemed to walk again but back leg still weak. Brought her to the vet again today and this doctor said Daizie has decline in on left left no neurological respond when bended. The right leg has slow response. They tell me to now have her limited in movement. So I got her a dog pen as she never like to be in a crate. The vet is referring for MRI/ct scan and surgery. I asked about conservative care and she did rx supplement but said at this point no guarantee. I did purchase phycox max vet recommended. Vet makes it seem like only option is to proceed with surgery. Which MRI alone is costly. Can I still do conservative care and if so what recommendations.

2 Responses

Comments

  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I’m sorry to hear about your pup. No one online can diagnose or prescribe a treatment plan for your dog. If you are asking if you “can” well, sure. You can do whichever plan you chose for your dog. Is it going to be as effective as surgery? No one really knows. We think that surgery offers a faster recovery and a better long term prognosis overall. But which is best for you is a decision to be made after a long talk with a vet you trust. In almost all cases my clients choose conservative care because they simply can not afford the mri and surgery. I also strongly (strongly!!) recommend strict cage rest for 8 weeks. If your pup isn’t on your lap or outside going potty they are in a cage. Period. No excuses or exceptions. I say this so the scenario that your describe is less likely to happen. I hope this helps. I have tons of info on my blog and YouTube channel. Also the book below is super helpful.

    1. Monica Post author

      I wish the vet would have been that specific with me, even when I call her on Monday that she was doing better she okay to stop meds, wish she would have tell me to stay the course and keep her in strict confinement. I will do that now, the hope is she able to walk and is not in pain. I found you through YouTube. I didn’t see the book…. Also Do you know if there is any vet like you in Houston area?

Question
Profile Image
Pam Brooks | 6 years ago
My Cat Lucas Is Still Sick With Horner’s Syndrome. After Many Tests Have Not Been …

My cat Lucas is still sick with Horner’s syndrome. After many tests have not been able to determine a definitive cause. I would like to look into getting a myringotomy for him so I can know what the fluid in his middle ear is. It is causing him to have serious nasal issues every time he eats. Does anyone know if this procedure – myringotomy – is ever done by a regular vet, or does it require a specialist. And what have others paid. Any information would be helpful. See recent photo of Lucas – with his good eye. The other eye is affected by Horner’s syndrome.

2 Responses

Comments

  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I don’t know enough about your cats case to offer any real advice. I have seen horners take months to resolve. And I’m not sure what triggered your cats condition. My best advice is to see a feline specialist or neurologist to discuss diagnostics and options. I don’t think you will find anyone outside of then to discuss this procedure. I would also strongly recommend that you ask yourself why you are worried about it and what potential side effects you might see if you pursue treatment plans without confirming the underlying cause. I leave Horner s alone unless a pet parent wants to do a CT scan. And I refer them if so. If your cat is happy and eating and ambulatory well I would leave well enough alone. As long as infection does not look like the underlying cause. I also rule out polyps. As these are treatable easily. In my opinion.
    Please let me know what happens. Good luck.

    1. Pam Brooks Post author

      Thank you. I read this article http://veterinarymedicine.dvm360.com/skills-laboratory-how-perform-myringotomy?pageID=1 and because Lucas does have Otitis Media bilaterally – as diagnosed from a scan (not an MRI but a less expensive scan done by Sonopath) I wondered if treating it would help resolve the Horner Syndrome. I spoke with my cat’s regular vet earlier and he agrees with you – to see a neurologist before attempting to do anything with the middle ear issue.
      Lucas is on gabapentin for nerve pain in his face. It is keeping the pain away. But he hypersalivates and his respiratory system seems to go haywire when he eats. After he eats his nose and face are wet to the touch. He sneezes and flings thick mucous. Then he bathes his face with his front paws and they become wet so that he looks like he’s been doused with water on his head and front legs. That is why I am trying to find out what is causing the Horner syndrome – which seems to be triggering this hyper response to eating and creating nerve pain on one side of his face – the side where one eye has Horner syndrome.
      Pam

Question
Profile Image
Madison | 6 years ago
My Dogs Nail Broke In Half What Should I Do

My dogs nail broke in half what should I do

4 Responses

Comments

  1. Sarah

    Good morning-
    If you have nail clippers, and your dog will allow it, I would trim the nail up as best you can so that it doesn’t catch on anything and tear worse. Is the quick exposed? Is it bleeding or raw? If you think it has the chance of catching and tearing, you might try wrapping it until you can get it trimmed up. I would use caution and clean it well too. You may want to just give a phone call to the vet- they may just ask you to slip in so that someone can trim it up nice and close for you and double check that all is good.

    1. Madison Post author

      Thank you it isn’t bleeding at all but when we try to touch it he doesn’t allow us too. We will take him to the vet today to see what thy can do for him

    1. Sarah

      Ouch- that is the quick… I think the vet is probably going to have to handle it.

Question
Profile Image
Alyvia | 6 years ago
My Cat Has Herpes & Has Had Worms In The Past. She Has Had 3 Litters Of …

My cat has herpes & has had worms in the past. She has had 3 litters of kittens before. The first litter was 3 stillborns. The second litter was only 2 babies (one of them being boo of course.) The third happened recently about 4 weeks ago & there was 3 of them (we’re not sure if it was the same father as the last two.) The kittens seemed very healthy but with having other outdoor cats we had to often give them flea baths & even then the fleas would still be there & climb up to their faces but obviously we were hesitant getting their faces. Their mother fed them very well (I could even say maybe over fed them) & they got plenty of rest. The only concern I would say I noticed is how one of them only seemed to use three of her legs, but I didn’t think much about it because I assumed she was young & just still learning how to walk. Then all of a sudden a few hours before she passed she kind of just really wanted nothing to do with anything & just keep sleeping. When I saw she was dead later I noticed brown squiggly things on her, I figured it was either flea eggs or some type of worm. It couldn’t have been the same worms her mother used to have because those were white. We obviously took her away from the others, and then their mother seemed to not want much to do with the two ones still alive. She’s done this in the past when she had her stillborns, she was depressed for a while. I figured it could either be that or my mother read online that it could be because she knows they’re sick & she doesn’t want anything to do with it. So me & my family purchased kitten formula, a bottle, & turkey wet food made specifically for kittens. We’ve made an effort to feed them 15 ml of the formula every 4 hours. We also provided them with warm blankets and shelter since they are lacking their mothers body heat. One of them was acting like the kitten that had just passed, just really not up for doing anything. The next morning we saw them & they seemed fine, then we check on them about 15 minutes later & that same kitten was from before was dead. We’re now making an effort to really keep an eye on this one & do everything we can. He was doing so well this morning, & we’ve been holding him to our chest for more intense warmth & continued to feed him 15 ml of formula every 4 hours. Now for the past 4 hours or so he’s starting to look really lazy like the other two. We’re scared he’s not going to make it very long

3 Responses

Comments

  1. Sarah

    Good morning. My advice would be to get to a vet. I would also advise spaying this cat in an effort to prevent this same event from repeating itself as this is the third time you’re going through this. Best of luck.

  2. Laura

    I agree with Sarah. You need a vet for the litter as well as for your queen – spay her, speuter the kittens when they’re ready for their new homes. Stop the cycle of producing sick cats.

  3. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I’m sorry to hear about your kittens. There are so many things that this could be. It’s really almost impossible for me to even speculate. I think it would be really helpful to provide basic medical care. Like parasite control and treatment and vaccines. And yes of course spaying and neutering to prevent future litters and the high mortality associated with them. I would guess that it is probably a few simple things. Parasites, disease, exposure are the big killers for cats and kittens. I applaud your compassion but I think it’s time to start providing more medical intervention. If it helps it was a story much like yours that compelled me to become a veterinarian. I was determined to never watch another pet die without being able to intervene and do all I could to save them. I wish you all well.