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Sandra Sellers | 5 years ago
I Could Use Some Advice To Keep My Dog From Eating Cat Poop. We Have 1 Dog …

I could use some advice to keep my dog from eating cat poop. We have 1 dog and 2 cats. On our first floor there is a mudroom with a pet gate with a cat door. The cats have their litter boxes on one side of the mudroom and food on the other side. This arrangement has worked for 8 years. My daughter’s young cat has had digestive issues for her entire life and would poop on the floor outside the box once a week. We tried all different kinds of boxes and litter and probiotics and food but no changes. She also hates the feel of litter. We tried all kinds and newspaper and towels and pee pads…you name it.
For a month she decided to poop on my daughter’s bed twice a week…which of course was a cleaning nightmare. Sometimes she pooped on the bed while my daughter was sleeping in it.
Finally we found a limited ingredient food that worked along side of a probiotic and her poops are now more manageable for her, less painful I’m guessing and pretty regular. We added a litterbox upstairs to my daughter’s bedroom but she would never use it. We moved it to the large hallway outside my daughter’s room where it was darker and more private and she still didn’t use it. Purchased cat attraction litter and after 1 week she finally used the upstairs box to poop. I held my excitement but it’s been 3 weeks now and no more pooping on the bed. Her poops are also a lot less messy and stinky. Now my problem is if she goes at night the dog jumps right up and eats it. I caught her doing this twice but she was too fast to stop. Other times you can smell that she must have pooped but it’s gone. She’s only going upstairs so I don’t want to take the box away. She’s so picky with boxes and how she sits in the box and how it smells a covered litter box won’t work. There isn’t way to put a gate up in that hallway as it’s a super old house and shaped weird. I’m afraid any change to the box will stop all the good progress. My dog probably gets to the litter box before us about half the time–so it’s not every time. My dog is healthy, eats well, is up to date on everything and is well taken care of. Thanks for your patience with the long explanation.

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  1. Laura

    Clevercat litterboxes are a LIFESAVER. Not even my long-nosed Doberman can get into them. That said, now that the cat’s using the box reliably, can you move it to a room with a gate? You can also get free-standing gates for oddly shaped entries…we use one in our puppy pre-K class to block an egress point, and it works very well.

  2. Laura

    OH and as far as your dog’s nutrition is concerned…for some reason, most dogs REALLY LIKE cat poop. I’m not sure why, Dr. Magnifico might have an idea, but this seems to be a thing even with dogs which wouldn’t normally do this. I agree it’s gross, and I hope you can find a solution which works for your situation.

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Charlotte | 5 years ago
Hello Pawbly Friends Today I Have A Few Questions Today About My Female Dwarf Hamster I …

Hello Pawbly friends today I have a few questions today about my female dwarf hamster I just realized 2 days ago when I put her on the floor to run around she falls over her back legs yes she can still walk but falls over with ever couple of steps and I have put a video below of her walking and I did some research and found that it could be possible 2 things and I think it might be cage parallelism so I have been doing what online said and giving her plenty of exercise also she has always had a wheel and tubes in her cage but has stop useing them and no longer runs in her ball so I put her on the floor to run for her exercise when I touch it she does not seem like it hurts and she is eating and drinking fine but is their anything else I can do to help her since I don’t have money for a vet please help and also I found a small bump near her private area which I also put a picture of below

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Mary | 5 years ago
Hi All, I Have A Six Year Old Jack Russell Mix Presented With Neck Pain About 5 …

Hi all, I have a six year old Jack Russell mix presented with neck pain about 5 weeks ago. The vet did xrays and saw calcifications in the c2-c3 area. I can’t afford to go the neurologist, so my vet is treating him with prednisone, tramadol, diazepam, methocarbamal, and gabapentin. He had a few days last week without his “episodes” as I call them after we upped his diazepam. Also last week we lowered his prednisone. I have had to hand feed him soft food because crunchy causes an episode, and him eating from a bowl causes an episode. These “episodes” are him screaming in pain, his neck thickens up, his back arches, it is so gut wrenching to see my baby go through this. Well after 5 days of no events, he had an episode yesterday and he hurt all day. It seemed to be worse than when it all started. Today is awful also. He is taking his meds but cries when he does. I have him on crate rest. I even put a note on the door asking people not to knock or ring the doorbell as barking also causes problems. I guess my question is with all these meds and rest, should we further along than where we are? I will call my vet in the morning for his opinion, but I was curious as to how others have handled this timeline.

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    These cases are really hard to fit a normal. Everyone is different and each has its own twists and turns. Also I get concerned when we don’t have a firm diagnosis. Has your vet done xrays and bloodwork? If so I think it’s best to ask for a recheck ASAP and go over your pets medications and plan. It might need a little tweaking based on the pain your dog is having now. Also please inquire about cage rest. It sounds like you are on a good pain regimen but rest and sedation might be needed now. I hope this helps.

    1. Mary Post author

      Thanks for the quick reply. Yes, the doc did bloodwork and xrays. That’s what concerns me. We have tweaked meds several times now. We started with 10mg prednisone, upped to 20mg, now back down to 10mg since my boy is only 28 pounds when we started. We are at 100mg tramadol, 1000mg methocarbamol, 25mg diazepam, and 300mg gabapentin. Is that a lot for his weight or is there still room to change it up?

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Karen | 5 years ago
I Have A 7 Year Old Female Cat Who Seems To Have Contracted A Bad Cold. Her …

I have a 7 year old female cat who seems to have contracted a bad cold. Her nose is completely stuffed up to the point where she has to breathe through her mouth . Because of that she is eating and drinking very litte and I am very worried about her. I have had her since she was born and she means the world to me. I know she should be seen by a vet but I can’t afford that until I get paid in two weeks . Does anyone have any recommendations for any OTC meds I can purchase locally to help open my baby’s nose so she can breathe better and start eating and drinking again. Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thsnk you.

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I’m sorry to hear about your cat. I think it is best to been seen by a get before presuming this is infection. I also think that waiting for help or trying OTCs that are probably not going to work and may possibly even be unsafe is too dangerous for me to advocate. I understand about needing to waiting to be paid but perhaps there are low cost options locally. Call every rescue, vet and shelter to look for assistance. You can certainly keep her face and nose clean by removing any caked on mucous around the nose or eyes but if it is infection or even a polyp waiting can be dangerous pr even fatal. Cal, ask for help. Reach out in all social media platforms and try to get an exam with a vet ASAP. I also think that a felv /fiv year is warranted and an antibiotic. Some vets also prescribe a humidifier or even children’s decongestant drops. But please ask about these or any medication before you give it. And don’t wait. Most cats who can’t smell don’t eat well and this can be very impactful to cats too. (Look yo hepatic lipidosis and you will see what I mean).
    Good luck.

  2. Sarah

    Hello
    I agree that your cat needs to be seen by a vet right away. The longer you wait, the worse and more costly it will be, unfortunately. Explain to your vet that you don’t get paid until two weeks, and see if they can hold your bill until then. Best of luck.

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Zoey | 5 years ago
A Repeat Rhinoscopy On My 11 Year Old Cat Revealed New Tissue Growth In The Nasopharyngeal Space …

A repeat rhinoscopy on my 11 year old cat revealed new tissue growth in the nasopharyngeal space with a very small polyp that has not changed in size since last year. The new tissue growth and polyp was biopsied again (last year it was negative) for cancer which is what the vet suspects. Her labs are all normal. I will have a definitive diagnosis in 3-5 days. If it comes back negative again, it would be highly indicative of Nasopharyngeal Stenosis according to the vet. Has anyone out there had any experiences with this possible diagnosis? In the meantime my kitty continues to have very noisy and difficulty breathing with trouble swallowing her food. The nasopharyngeal flush did nothing to improve her symptoms this. I am doing my best to keep her calm and adding water to her pate food to assist with eating as she still has a very good appetite. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I have to say this is a very rare condition in cats for me. I am not sure who you are using for this but my recommendation would be to find a feline specialist who is also focused on internal medicine. If possible. If not go with one or the other. But get a second opinion. Also I am not sure if they offered any possible treatment options but a surgeon might be able to help. The Veterinary colleges are also excellent resources to utilize. Please keep me posted on what happens. And also make sure your cat is on a good diet and not overweight. That helps too! Good luck.

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Kelli | 5 years ago
My 9 Year Old Pug Has A Seroma On His Right Back Hip. It Was Drained Once …

My 9 year old pug has a seroma on his right back hip. It was drained once due to discomfort.

It’s now filled back up over the last few days. We’ve been monitoring it since our vet doesn’t want to drain it unless it’s absolutely necessary.

It’s really big. It’s pulling the skin down with the weight of it.

How is it possible for the body to heal the muscle area where the space exists when all that liquid is in there and stretching the skin?

He is eating, drinking and seems fine, but he’s having trouble walking with the weight of the liquid he’s now walking around with.

Is it dangerous at any point? Is there a time where it’s too much fluid in the area?

The space was cause by a car tire. He was grazed in our driveway. The skin got separated and me has formed a seroma. He is recovering well from the experience. He’s on antibiotics for the cuts he had and an anti inflammatory.

Thank you. ????????

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    In general I address seromas this way; if it isn’t infected or causing the patient problem I leave them alone. It takes time, often weeks to months but the body will reabsorb the fluid slowly and without incident. If it is a problem a drain can be placed in and around the pocket. But this comes with possible consequences. Like every surgery has risk. It requires anesthesia. There is a charge and a risk with this. Opening a sterile pocket to place a drain allows for the introduction of bacteria and can lead to infection. That’s worse than a sterile pocket of fluid. So talk to your vet about all of this and then decide what you think is best for your dog.

  2. Sarah

    If you did not get any paperwork with your puppy, I would make an appointment with your vet immediately. Let them know he is brand new and has no records.

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Melissa | 5 years ago
We Have A New Puppy, A 9wk Doxipoo, He Seems Extremely Lazy And Doesn’t Ever …

We have a new puppy, a 9wk doxipoo, he seems extremely lazy and doesn’t ever really want to move unless we make him. Even when he goes to the bathroom, he goes while laying down and it doesn’t seem to phase him? He doesn’t cry or whimper.. just lays there. His eating schedule has been quite unpredictable as well. At first I thought that he just needed an adjustment period to get used to his new people and place but now I’m getting worried. Shouldn’t he be playing more than this? Or at least have some interest in exploring? Should I be worried about Parvo or another sickness?
He came from an in-home breeder and I haven’t been able to get ahold of her since I became worried.

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  1. Sarah

    I would get to the vet immediately! Puppies should not be lethargic like that. And the fact that the person you got the puppy from is not getting back to you is concerning. Let your vet know your suspicions when you make the appointment so that they can be prepared. Best of luck. I hope things turn out ok.

  2. Krista Magnifico

    Yes. I would be worried. Any abnormal behavior, especially in puppies this young , makes me very very worried. It’s time for a visit to the vet ASAP. I hope they check a parvo test and fecal. Along with physical exam and temp. Please go today. Let us know what the vet says.

  3. Melissa Post author

    Vet said could be PARVO, anemia from fleas, parasite or a congenital defect since he was so much smaller than the rest of the litter.

    We’re hoping just anemia from fleas since that’d be easiest to treat

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Alissa | 5 years ago
My 3 Year Old Cat Has A Red Bump On His Arm, Any Ideas? He Is Acting …

My 3 year old cat has a red bump on his arm, any ideas? He is acting normal, eating normally and doesn’t mind when I touch it. Thanks!

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    In general bumps and lumps are pretty close to impossible to diagnose with a photo. In many cases an aspirate or biopsy is needed to definitely diagnose it. My best advice is always to see your vet and inquire about removing it before it becomes a problem. Let us know what happens.

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Krista Magnifico | 5 years ago
Radioiodine Treatment For A Hyperthyroid Cat. Treatment For Hyperthyroidism In A Cat With I-131.
Treatment Cost (USD): $1962.00
Bica was experiencing weight loss. This was also muscle loss. She seemed healthy, was eating well, but losing muscle mass.
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Madeline | 5 years ago
I Have A 12 Year Old Cat Who Vomits Almost Every Day Since I Adopted Her 5 Months …

I have a 12 year old cat who vomits almost every day since I adopted her 5 months ago. She has been to the vet several times and a sonogram revealed she has chronic pancreatitis. They didn’t see any other issues. She was eating canned Fancy Feast with water, but now I have her on NomNomNow because I thought fresh food would help her. But she is still vomiting. It’s usually food at first but then she moves spots and vomits bile or saliva/foam. Once or twice the saliva looked bloody (took her to the vet right after). The vet had her on vitamin E, pepcid, and a round of antibiotics. Nothing helped. She has never been very playful but she is behaving relatively normally, eats, grooms, poops, etc. I don’t know what else to do! Thanks for any advice!

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  1. Sarah

    Hi-
    I’m so sorry you’re having such a time trying to help this cat. Has your vet ruled out everything else as far as a diagnosis? Perhaps there is something else that is worsening her initial issue? Have you tried feeding more meals throughout the day, but smaller portions? (A little at a time)

  2. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I would suggest you talk about a few things with your vet like a sensitive stomach diet like i/d or even try a stomach protectant like sulcralfate or even maripotent or metoclopramide. I often try medications with a diet change. Ideally a wet food diet fed in small amounts with increased frequency. Or ask about an ultrasound or even upper gi endoscopy. My point is that there are lots of options to discuss and try. I would first start with a fecal exam for intestinal parasites. Hope this helps. Let us know what happens.