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Brianna | 1 week ago
I Just Moved Over 3 States, Which Was A Financial Blow. I Expected To Adjust To My …

I just moved over 3 states, which was a financial blow. I expected to adjust to my new life, but my kitty baby (Female 2 yr old Calico Cat) at the end of July – beginning of August 2025 suddenly had major weight loss and impacted anal glands. Being experienced I relieved them successfully externally, but took her to the vet to get antibiotics and anti-inflammatories and to get to the bottom of what caused it in the first place. I had to struggle finding a vet since I moved here, and no one wants to take payments anymore… the doctor that I talked to was horribly mean to me, made sure to let me know that I was un-welcome, but that they would work with me this one time and to never expect this grace again. From the small town in Arkansas that I grew up in, we have always been able to do payments or a tab, the animal always came first… I have literal receipts and statements from other vets showing that I never miss my payments with the vet, regardless of my credit. I did not realize it then, but their goal was to give me the anti-biotics and anti-inflammatory and send me on my way. But not before they tried to express her anal glands internally in an un-necessary manner. They were not gentle about it either, as she is an extremely quiet animal whose cries and screams when upset or in pain are almost inaudible. But when they took her back there, I could hear her all the way from the other room. I noticed that stuff did not look 100% correct when we got home, but everyone kept gaslighting me and saying it was just the inflammation and it would heal and go away eventually and that I just needed to let the drugs do what they were supposed to do. She started eating again and things were looking up, until this past weekend. She suddenly quit eating and I had to encourage her to eat. I changed her diet to the science diet so she has been on that since the visit. She was losing weight so I got her some vetri-cal while I logged her BM’s and everything until I could figure out what is going on to tell someone. Her butthole did look fine, until it didn’t. I don’t have money, so I was working to try and get to where I can take her, because I know they are going to want payment for EVERYTHING up front. But tonight, when I got home from working late, she was anxious to be going to the bathroom. So, I tried my best to encourage her, but noticed that when she was trying to have a BM she was straining and the inner lining of her butthole was trying to protrude with the BM. She pooped successfully crying the entire time, and there is no protrusion at this time. everything looks normal and dark pink to light red. She has an issue with it gaping off & on. But I am shocked and taken aback and sick to my stomach because I need help and I don’t know where to take her. I can pay, but I just can’t pay all at once in this economy, what can I do? Just took these photos a few seconds ago so you could have a reference to see what it looks like right now.

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I’m sorry to hear about your cat.
    I have been a veterinarian for over 20 years. In that time I have very (very) rarely seen anal glands be a chronic issue, or cause chronic problems in cats if they can be emptied. I doubt that this is your primary issue. I do think that they should be checked at every examination however.
    I also feel that very few veterinarians run payment plans anymore. Unless you are a long standing good client you are very unlikely to see this available.
    If your cat is not doing well I can only recommend that you find a local, kind, compassionate vet to help you. It is ok to tell them that you are on a budget and it is common practice for us to offer a list of options that can be provided over time as you can afford them.
    I also think that it is important to keep up to date on vaccines, blood work and a fecal check.
    Good luck.

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Roxanne | 4 weeks ago
Hi Krista, I Hope You’re Doing Well! I Came Across Some Of Your Videos On …

Hi Krista,

I hope you’re doing well! I came across some of your videos on social media and noticed that you’ve handled a similar situation to what I’m currently facing with my cat. My cat has been experiencing some breathing issues, and her vet mentioned the possibility of a polyp in her sinus area.

I saw that you’ve dealt with similar cases before, and I was wondering if you could provide me with a general quote based on your experience. I should mention that I don’t live in Maryland, but I’m definitely willing to travel if it means getting the best care for her. Vet prices are pretty high where I am, and I’ve been dealing with a lot of unexpected expenses for my other pets, so any help or insight you can offer would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you so much for your time and help!

Best regards,
Roxanne

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    A polyp can occur in any part of the ear, nose or throat area. I have only seen them in young cats. Most cats over 5-6 years old are more likely to either have chronic rhinitis or a tumor. That’s why it is recommended to see a specialist who can use a camera/scope or take a CT scan.
    I am only able to help those cats who have a polyp in the ear or back of the mouth and we only remove them by traction/avulsion. In some cases I cannot adequately reach them and in others we cannot get the whole mass.

    I cannot give an estimate for your cat but for the cases I have helped the estimate has been between $300-800.

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J | 2 months ago
My 7 Year Old Male Long Haired Cat Began 1 Week Ago With A Honking Sound And Increased …

My 7 year old male long haired cat began 1 week ago with a honking sound and increased grooming. I brought him to regular vet for exam and they suggested upper respiratory infection, despite no fever/discharge and gave convenia. After 2 days snorting sound is worsening and he was making frequent trips (6/hr) to litter box to urinate without production of urine. I brought him to emergency vet, vitals are normal, bladder was empty, it was suggested cystitis from stress, and sound may be possible naso -pharyngeal polyp, nsaid provided. He has been on nsaid for 3 days, honking sounds have gotten worse and now has whistling sound through nose with breathing. I consulted with Dr Hahn office: east end veterinary hospital in Riverhead and they quoted me $6,000 for CT and scope to diagnose whether polyp or inhaled foreign body in nasal passage without guarantee. My cat is currently eating, drinking and producing urine and bowel movements but honking sounds when grooming, eating food and playing with toys. Over the last 24 hours he has begun frequently scratching his right ear. I have already been to my primary vet and emergency care and invested almost $1k and still don’t have a definitive diagnosis. I watched Dr Krista Magnifico video on YouTube and was wondering if you have a recommendation for treatment or evaluation here on Long Island that is more reasonable? Would nasal foreign body cause similar honking sound to polyp? In your opinion what is the best way to move forward with treatment?

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Krassi | 4 months ago
My Girl Is A 16 Years Old Cheweenie (chihuahua And Dachshund Mix). Last Month The Vet Found …

My girl is a 16 years old Cheweenie (chihuahua and dachshund mix). Last month the vet found a small mass on her spleen. She has some arthritis and get’s monthly Librela injections, also have some heart issues, but they said is minor and no need of medication, just have to monitor it. Her sight is starting to fade, but overall she’s in a good shape, enjoys little slow walkies and have tremendous appetite. We have an appointment next week to discuss the option of a surgery. I’m just worried if she’s going to survive the surgery and heal. What can I expect if we don’t get the spleen removed? Should I insist to get the surgery or not? Please share some insights.

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Danielle | 5 months ago
I Took My 9 Year Old Maine Coon To The Groomer About A Week Ago. He Has …

I took my 9 year old Maine Coon to the groomer about a week ago. He has been here several times before. After I brought him home, he has not been the same. He doesn’t appear ‘sick’, however, his demeanor changed significantly, he seems very ‘down’, he is moving around very slow, I have been carrying him mostly everywhere, he has been laying in one spot sleeping a lot. As of yesterday, he was still using the bathroom, but I can’t tell the last time he ate or drank. I now have a camera monitoring his food/water. He is not interested in his treats any more (once extremely motivated by treats). He ate half of a squeezable treat last night, also unusual, he LOVES them. At about 7pm last night, I laid with him on the couch, and it is now 11am the next day and he hasn’t left that spot. Since he doesn’t appear ‘sick’, I don’t know what to do.

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Aisha | 5 months ago
My Cat Has Been Having Audible Breathing Noises For A Few Months. No Open Mouth Breathing, …

My cat has been having audible breathing noises for a few months. No open mouth breathing, just audible through the nose, on and off throughout the day. She’s developed some weird other noises especially while sleeping or falling asleep some snoring, random sneezing as well. She isn’t overweight or old.
We’ve tried antibiotics but it didn’t help. The vets are quoting between $2-10k for just imaging for polyps, not even removal, if they see any. It’s impossible to afford it. She’s eating and playing and acting normal otherwise. I’m wondering what it can be, is it likely polyps and if I don’t go into debt to see, am I going to make her like unliveable?
I’m wondering if I can even rent a car and come down to a cheaper clinic in the US (I’m in Canada) which may be cheaper than doing it locally. There are very few low cost vets here and they only work with people on welfare so it wouldn’t apply. There’s a huge gap between people who are on assistance and people who aren’t but still can’t a afford $10k in imaging.

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    Without knowing more details I would say keep looking into finding a place that will help you affordably. I do t know why vetmed has gotten so unkind or unwilling to help people and pets like you, but there are still places and vets who will offer care to help patients. Please keep asking for help. I have lots of videos on polyps and I write a lot about them. In almost all cases I recommend a n exam under general anesthesia to look behind the soft palate. I also take skull X-rays and flush the nares if I don’t find one.
    Polyps are most commonly found in young cats. It can be a life saving procedure to remove them. I charge about $500-700

    1. Aisha Post author

      Hi Krista,
      Where are you located? If I were able to get to the States (I’m assuming you are there) would it be possible to book in with you? There are no lower cost vets here I’ve been looking for a long time and am willing to travel, at this point it seems likes my only option, or not doing anything.

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Emily | 5 months ago
Hello! My Cat Daisy (3y/o F, Spayed) Has Been Having Upper Respiratory Symptoms, Specifically, Nasal …

Hello! My cat Daisy (3y/o F, spayed) has been having upper respiratory symptoms, specifically, nasal discharge in one nostril, reverse sneezing, and congestion on and off since November 2024. She is otherwise acting normal (same appetite, energy levels, etc). She will go a day with these symptoms and the next day they’ll clear up, then come back again. I’ve taken her to the vet twice and the first time they said to just give lysine supplements (didn’t work) because she’s had a history of URI when I adopted her 2 years ago and the second time they said to give chlorpheniramine (which didn’t work) and then prescribed hydroxyzine (which also didn’t work). I don’t really know where to go from here if it isn’t allergies. Just wondering if you have any thoughts? Thank you!

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    If this is only one side of the nose then I would worry about a potential foreign body or even a tumor.
    When I get a case like this we talk about what our potential differential diagnosis is after an exam. We usually start with an antibiotic because an upper respiratory infection is the most common thing we see in cats. Then we talk about a different antibiotic or antiviral if the first doesn’t work. After that we start talking about either running diagnostics like an Xray, blood work, or sending our patient to an internal medicine specialist for a second opinion.

    For people who are cost sensitive we try options of different medications or a nasal flush or head Xray.

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Linda | 6 months ago
My Cat Sassy Who Is Almost 16 Yrs Old Has A Large Mass On Her Back Leg. …

My cat Sassy who is almost 16 yrs old has a large mass on her back leg. Took her to our vet and at first she said it was a cyst. It never went down and it’s still there. I took her back to the vet and she did blood work to check her kidneys. Which are not good at her age. Vet said she would most likely die from kidney failure before that mass will do anything. It doesn’t seem to bother Sassy but she doesn’t like me touching it. She eats her can food well, not to crazy about dry food anymore but will eat her treats. Sorry I don’t have a picture of it right now but I can get one in the near future. What do you think of this? At her age I am worried about surgery. I don’t want to lose her to soon.
Thank you
Linda Karppinen

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    The best way to understand whether or not a mass is a problem that requires surgery to remove it is to try to get an idea of what the mass really is. If I am concerned about anesthesia I recommend an aspirate. See if that is an option or go get a second opinion from another vet to help decide what to do.

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Danielle | 7 months ago
Dr. Magnifico- My Captain (5 Month Old GSD) Started Vomiting This Afternoon. Threw Up All The Food He Had …

Dr. Magnifico – My captain (5 month old GSD) started vomiting this afternoon. Threw up all the food he had in his stomach at the time and has since thrown up 8 other times. Mostly foamy mucus and liquid. Had diarrhea once so far that was very gassy and liquidy. He can’t hold any water down. He is now just laying down. I can hear his stomach gurgle every once in a while. I’m held up in the kitchen with him. This started around 6pm, it’s now almost 11pm. I don’t know if I should wait through the night or go to ER now. Help please.

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I’m sorry to hear about Captain. In puppies we worry about parvovirus, intestinal parasites, foreign bodies and eating something that doesn’t agree with them. With your pup I am not as concerned about the first two.

    I am at the clinic first thing. We will fit you in.
    Dr Magnifico

  2. Danielle Post author

    Thank you for following up. He is back to his normal self this morning. He has eaten fine as well. I guess something did not agree with him.

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Cathy | 8 months ago
My Lulu Purrl – Female 2 Yo Siberian – Threw Up Her Whole Dinner Last Night And …

My Lulu Purrl – female 2 yo Siberian – threw up her whole dinner last night and hasn’t eaten since. She disappeared under a bed until this morning. This kitty lives to eat! Won’t take anything today. I found a clear liquid thick puddle on the floor this am. She is lying on the floor. Not moving. And I don’t know if I should bring her to vets. We go to Jarrettsville. Could she possibly have a blockage? I have caught her chewing plastic in the past. But I don’t think she does it often. I have only once found a chewed piece of plastic.
Thanks, Krista 😢

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    These aren’t specific signs for anyone to offer a diagnosis. In some cases it can be a transient condition from a virus, a bad piece of kibble or even an unknown stressful event.
    In others it certainly can be something more concerning like a blockage or organ/systemic condition like pancreatitis.
    If your cat isn’t better call the clinic asap to try to be seen, or consider the ER for help.

    Good luck.