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Pawbly | 7 years ago
I’ve Just Brought Indigo, My 3.5-year-old Male Cat, From My Father’s Acreage To My One-bedroom…

I’ve just brought Indigo, my 3.5-year-old male cat, from my father’s acreage to my one-bedroom city apartment which I share with two cats already. I knew it would be a handful going in, but Indigo is very, very important to me and I desperately want him to have the longest, healthiest and most love-filled life possible; he was primarily outside, even during cold Canadian winters, and unless I was home to visit, and my father is a way very often which causes me to worry about my pets that get left behind. Indigo’s an extremely confident and friendly cat and I think things have gone quite well considering how huge of a change it’s been. He does not hide, he’s eating and drinking, playing, etc., and is getting less freaked out by traffic noise and neighbors with each passing day. All three cats are getting along very well, although it’s very crowded and I do realize I may need to rehome one of my cats to improve the quality of life for all of them, as well as myself. I also intend to take him out to a park across the street on a harness once it is warmer out so that he still gets to enjoy the outdoors like at home.
My concern is that Indigo’s personality seems to have changed a bit, especially towards me. It’s like he hasn’t forgiven me for bringing him here. He and I have had a special bond and it’s heartbreaking for me to think he’s not happy here, or that I may have harmed our bond. He is usually the sweetest, happiest and most loving cat, but he hasn’t been very cuddly with me, or really responding/purring when I pet him. I’ve had friends over and he seems to much friendlier with them, even literally walking over me to go sit with someone else. He still sleeps next to me at night, but he just lays down instead of cuddling/kneading first. I’m doing everything I can to make him happy, and I know its still very early on in the new situation to tell (been here less than a week), but I just can’t help but feel that I’ve ruined our bond by bringing him here to keep him safe. How best can I maximize his quality of life and win back my cat’s love?

1 Response

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    First of all I applaud your devotion to your cats. As you mention he seems to be acclimating amazingly well. Please understand that this is in my opinion the most important part of this situation. Secondly, I do not believe that cats are capable of punishing or holding grudges. So I don’t think that this should be a reason to explain his change in behavior.
    Cats are very intuitive and intelligent creatures. He is doing the best he can and he sounds like he is excelling in his ability to adapt and overcome big (really big) changes. Please don’t take anything personally. He doesn’t love you less he just has had to learn to survive differently. Be proud of him for this and be patient. It is the most important part of being a parent. Loving unconditionally and staying devoted through thick and thin. Best of luck.

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Lisa Outlaw | 7 years ago
I Left My 8 Yr Old Maltese Mix Alone For 45 Minutes. When I…

I left my 8 yr old maltese mix alone for 45 minutes. When I returned she was acting very strange like she was dizzy and afraid of me. She won’t let me hold her and she won’t eat or drink.

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  1. Sarah

    Is there a chance that’s she got into anything poisonous (household cleaner, prescription meds, etc…) or can you see any chewed wires around by chance? I would call the vet ASAP.

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Pawbly | 7 years ago
I Have An Amstaf,last Night He Get Into A Fight With Other Mixbreed Giant Mastiff,and…

i have an amstaf,last night he get into a fight with other mixbreed giant mastiff,and now his stools are dark red,but no signs of diarrhea , he’s not eating at all.
what i have to do…..?

1 Response

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    Has a vet examined him? For infection? (I suspect every dog fight dog will get infection from the bite wounds). Has he been examined for possible internal injuries? Has he been given pain medication? I suspect these are all in order before he goes back to eating and feeling better

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Pawbly | 7 years ago
I Have A 1year And Four Month Old Chihuahua Mix. She Is 8 Lb Full…

I have a 1year and four month old chihuahua mix. She is 8 lb full grown, not over weight, and eats a grain free natural diet. Last night as I was petting her, I noticed this red bump. I am scared to death and am going to make a vet apt when they open today, but for now…anyone know what this bump could be? It is red, moveable, topical (doesn’t feel like it is attached to deep tissue at all), and is not causing pain. She is eating and drinking normally. should I be worried? Anyone have any ideas as to what it may be?

2 Responses

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  1. Sarah

    GOod morning
    It’s hard to tell from a photo, but it could be something as simple as a clogged hair follicle or a pimple, which hopefully that is all it is? I would still call the vet and make sure, but try not to stress yourself out over it. Good luck!

  2. Krista Magnifico

    I agree with Sarah. Also a bug bite, wound, etc? Dont get too worried. See your vet when you can about it. Also if she isn’t spayed I would inquire about that. That’s a bigger worry for me.

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Michele Bandy | 7 years ago
Our 8-9 Month Old Cat Is A Stray Adoption From The Humane Society, But He…

Our 8-9 month old cat is a stray adoption from the humane society, but he is a total pig! You would think he is starving all the time. We have another cat in the house, but if he’s not at his dish during feeding time Jimmy will eat his own food and the other cat’s food. I have tried feeding him several smaller meals throughout the day or a large one in the morning, but nothing seems to satisfy him. He is on his way to being too fat. Any suggestions for satisfying his appetite or giving me some peace with his constant begging?

4 Responses

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  1. Sarah

    We feed twice a day- that’s it. Dogs and cats in our house get their food at 4/4:30 am and then the cat gets a 2:30/3 pm meal and the dogs get a 7 pm meal. We train with treats -dogs and the cat-throughout the day as well. It took everyone about a week, maybe a little less to get in tune with the schedule, but now it’s very routine and works for our household. My point is, perhaps setting up a feeding schedule of some sort will be helpful. This way there isn’t food out unless it is time to eat. (Ignoring the cries for food for a few days can be challenging, so toys help redirect here.) Best of luck?

  2. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    The vet inside of me always has to recommend that you do a full work up to make sure there is not an underlying medical reason for the polyphagia (excessive hunger). Also make sure there is no access to any medications or plants or toxins that might influence this (people in the house using steroid creams or plants). Then addres the diet choices you are offering him. Try switching to a high quality wet food and add water. Offer organic cat grass. Or catnip. Or toys. Or even start taking him for walks in a harness on a leash. My point is to offer lots of options to food. See if this helps. If not ask your vet for advice or visit a cat specialist for more tips and tricks.

  3. Starr Henry

    I often rescue strays and it seems the longer they’ve been on the street the more likely it is they do this. Most likely because they are used to not knowing when the next meal is coming from and when it’s coming. I have one cat that will beg for anything with pasta sauce on it. You just have to try to show them they will have food all the time it might be easier because he’s young but there’s really no telling how a cat will delve lip with time.

  4. Shiria

    I agree with Starr – if he was a stray for some time, he may has learned to eat as much and as fast as he can, as he never knows when or how much food comes again. We experience this sometimes with cats we take in in our shelter.
    It may take him a while to realise that from now on he doesn’t have to worry anymore. I would still have him checked, to make sure he’s healthy.
    For everything else I agree with what Krista said.

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Pawbly | 7 years ago
Hi, I Brought My Cat To The Vet On Thursday. She Has Been Straining To…

Hi, I brought my cat to the vet on Thursday. She has been straining to urinate since Wednesday night. She had also been throwing up her food and had had diarrhoea on the Thursday morning. The vet prescribed antibiotics for cystitis and I am brining her back after a week for a recheck. She had quite a lot of blood in her urine before she started the antibiotics but this has stopped since. She is still frequently going to the litter tray and is still straining and doesn’t seem to be able to get much out. She has stopped getting sick and is eating and drinking as normal. Apart from a little bit of diarrhoea on the Thursday morning she has not defecated at all and prior to that it had been at least 4 days. Could you give me some advice on when I should begin to see improvements?

4 Responses

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  1. E

    Thank you for your responses. I rang the emergency vet today and she told me that it would take a few days until she is urinating normal again and as long as she is eating and drinking she should be ok. She no longer has blood in her urine, however I am still quite worried as there doesn’t seem to be much improvement in the volume of her urine output and she seems to be straining a lot with only a a little dribble of urine each time. She is also licking the area after every time she tries to urinate. Other than this her temperment seems normal and she is lively.

  2. Julie Brader

    Hi …if you are in any way concerned please take your cat back to the Vet before her check up is due. If she is still straining to urinate and has not defacated for 4 days it could be something other than cystitis.
    Take a urine sample to the Vet with you and perhaps ask for blood tests to check kidney function etc. I hope she recovers soon.

  3. Shiria

    If she still has blood in her urine and is straining to get somethign out I would visit the vet again. Maybe she has bladderstones or something else partly blocks the way.
    Same if she can’t defecate. Sometimes it takes a while after diarrhoea until the colon starts working again normally, but if shes eating normal since 4 days and wasn’t able to use the toilet since then I would get that checked, too.

  4. Krista Magnifico

    I am very very worried that the cat is unable to urinate which is an emergency. Please go immediately to the vet now!

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Kathleen Munna | 7 years ago
Sorry To Disturb But I Need Advice. Appears Jessy The Latest Rescue Who Is 1…

Sorry to disturb but I need advice. Appears Jessy the latest rescue who is 1 years old is causing a pretty disturbing home environment. Here goes: daisy the 13 year old dog has been eating non-stop, Lucy the 9 year old has completely withdrawn very depressed, Stella a 9 year old dog bit the hell out of Jessy trying to get her to stop nipping at her. Tao my male 5 year old cat has started swatting my younger cat Mia. Sasha the youngest cat hasn’t been seen since last weekend hiding from all of us under my bed. I have dog and cat pheromones on all 3 floors. Jessy appears to be herding all the animals by nipping at their haunches. And non stop sniffing which is iratating all the animals. Any advice on how to calm the house?

4 Responses

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  1. Anonymous

    Get Daisy to the vet if she’s eating non-stop. Reestablish a routine for EVERYONE in the house. This may include feeding all the dogs in their crates for now.

    I would also encourage getting a behaviorist in the home, to see exactly what’s going on. There may be an underlying behavioral issue that you aren’t seeing.

    Is Jessy a herding breed? How long have you had her in the home? What sort of training have you done with her thus far?

  2. Krista Magnifico

    Hello.
    I agree with laura. I would start by providing boundaries and restrictions to the entire group to see if this can be resolved with time and patience. In some cases we try to encourage exercise to get the frustrations worked out on neutral territory. Or try rotating cage time-outs until the group settles down. Also seeking the help of a behaviorist to help break down the personalities and your participation in the group dynamics can really help.

  3. Kathleen Munna Post author

    Jessy is a rescue I have had for 2 weeks. all canines are shi-tzus but Id bet Jessy is a mix maybe a jack Russell she jumps and leaps like a Russell. All canines are rescues I’ve had for 2-3 years. So far no training just verbal discipline. Both back legs are in bad shape with hip displaysia and torn cruciate ligament so I have been using a beep and zap to stop her from using the stairs.

  4. Anonymous

    Okay, you need to set rules rather than discipline the dog(s). You’re punishing without showing what you expect, and that causes a LOT of issues. I strongly suggest getting into a class with Jessy.

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Pawbly | 7 years ago
Does My Dog Look Pregnant? She Has Signs Of Pregnancy Like Nesting, Big Stomach, …

Does my dog look pregnant? She has signs of pregnancy like nesting, big stomach, throwing up, more lazy, not eating as much, drinking a lot, swollen teats, etc. When I feel her stomach she flenches, and I can feel little movements. She also get wide eyed at times. Not sure if she is, can’t take her to vet. She also walks around then gets back in her box multiple times at night, lays on her stomach too.Don’t know what to do and dont know how long she has if she is pregnant until labor?

3 Responses

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  1. Sarah

    Hello-
    I understand that you feel you ar unable to take your dog to the vet, however, that really is the only way to know what is going on for sure. If she is pregnant, they can do an X-ray to find out how many pups she is expecting. They can do an exam to see approximately how far along she is. They can make sure she is otherwise healthy and is capable of having a healthy labor and delivering live pups. If you cannot care for her and her pups the way they will need you to, please consider contacting a local animal shelter for assistance or to surrender your dog and her litter to someone who is able to care for them properly. I do not mean to offend or sound curt, however it can become very costly and it is necessary to have the puppies checked out by a vet and given inoculations. I would also suggest having your dog spayed to prevent any future pregnancies that you will have. Best of luck to you. I really hope that you can find a way to get your dog to a vet.

  2. Julie Brader

    Totally agree with Sarah. Please find a way to take your dog to a Vet. She may not pass the puppies, she may need a cesarean. Puppies need constant monitoring, keeping warm, regular worming…as does their mum. As Sarah says if you cannot provide the care ypur bitch and the puppies will need please find an Animal Shelter who will give them all the care they require.

  3. Anonymous

    Your dog needs prenatal care, and you need to prepare for the possibility that she needs emergency assistance during delivery.

    If this is not an option, spay abort.

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Pawbly | 7 years ago
We Adopted A 15 Month Old Akita Mix Recently. In The Past Couple Of…

We adopted a 15 month old Akita mix recently. In the past couple of days we’ve noticed a “Hairy water balloon” on the back of her neck. We took her to the vet and the doctor said it was a Seroma nd drained it. It has since returned days later and now he wants to install a drain. I am not comfortable with that I feel that it should be able to go away on its own, after reading an article that agreed with my thought. He is eating, playing and it is not hot to the touch, just squishy. We want to do the right thing but don’t want any unnecessary stress or infection.

2 Responses

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    Can you please confirm that the photo of the crusted nose is your dog? This looks like an older dogs nose?
    As far as the fluid filled mass goes is it on the top of the body, like top of the neck? If so why would it have occurred?
    Of the mass is the chin area, especially bottom neck, I would ask about a mucocele or sialocele.

  2. Erin Aungst

    The only picture I added was of the back of the neck, you cannot see her nose. We aren’t sure why it happened. We thought possibly it is where her chip is placed. I attached a photo of her face.

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Pawbly | 7 years ago
Has Anyone Had A Kitty That Developed An Autoimmune Disease Where Their Body Attacks The…

Has anyone had a kitty that developed an autoimmune disease where their body attacks the plaque on the teeth causing extreme pain and inability to eat? I have 2 now that have developed it and have had to have all their teeth extracted. I’m having such a difficult time making sure they get the nutrition they need. Looking for sugggetikns and possibly an explanation as to why this happens to cats. I just want to make sure I’m not doing anything that caused it.

2 Responses

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  1. Anonymous

    Are the cats related in any way?

  2. Krista Magnifico

    I think you are referring to stomatitis? I have seen it most often in young cats.. even whole litters.. in most cases the only way to resolve it completely is to remove all of the teeth. I know it sounds terrible but these cats are so much happier afterward.. I have done many of them. I have also tried every other conceivable treatment option. At this point I tell my clients to save their money on all of the other stuff,, like steroids, anitbiotics, and just pull the teeth. Often we do it in stages. All of the molars first. As these are what are most commonly affected. Canine teeth last.