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I have 3 cats and have some litter box issues. I used to have the covered boxes, but noticed that one of the cats was peeing outside the box. So I removed all of the lids. The problem seemed to stop, but then started again on occasion. I bought larger boxes, (I have three of them) and the issue still occurs. I finally discovered it was my cat with colitis. She does pee in the box, but gets so close to the edge or stands instead of squats that it goes outside the box. Is she doing this because of the colitis or a behavior issue? perhaps higher sided boxes would help? I keep the areas lined with pee pads, but they are no match for cat urine. Suggestions?
My dog had surgery 9 days ago for a broken knee. A week after surgery there is a large swelling on the site of the incision and in his foot on the same leg . Is it broken again do you think it feels spongy like it’s full of fluid . Thanks in advance for any advice
Good morning? Sorry about your pup. I would definitely get back into the vet right away. They performed the surgery and know what they want the healing process to look like. It may just be swelling due to the surgery, but it might be onset of infection. If your pet is running any sort of temp or the site is painful or warm, then I would get into the vet today and not wait for the follow up exam. Best of luck on a speedy recovery!??
Hi pawbly friends….
One of our GSD, Butch, is in his twilight years, approaching 14. It has been very eventful here with the addition of two new GSD rescues since July, and there have been some scuffles, but everyone is managing great now. All the “teething troubles” seem to have been worked out. When we lost Butch’s best bud, he stopped eating and lost about half of his body weight. The rescues kind of helped put some pep back in his step and he is doing great. He’s still underweight, but not like before. My question is, I’m worried about preventatives. With so much of him gone, I’m afraid to give him his dose of parastar, but I also fear Lyme disease, especially given his age. Being that it isn’t winter, I hate to admit, I haven’t been giving him his dose. Now that spring is around the corner, I am more concerned about ticks because of the warmer weather. Thoughts on preventatives? Should I give a lower dose? Regular dose? Every other month? I’m just worried because he is compromised enough and underweight, but Lyme is also very serious and would be awful for him as well. Any advice is very appreciated. Thanks!
Hello,
Preventatives are always tailored to the patient, their environment and risk of exposure. They are also dosed based on ideal body weight or current body weight in cases of current physical body status. In some cases I also use a drug that I am more comfortable with or have used for a longer time and have more experience with. I also always recommend that clients keep notes on when they were given and note any adverse reactions and then further tailor from there. I understand your concerns. For the last year of my pup Jekyll’s life I was very sparing on these. I only used them sporadically. But I did check a lot of fecal samples. I hope this helps. Xox to you all.
My 6 month old male puppy has been peeing on our house lately. It seems like the past two weeks he has been doing it at least once a day. He didn’t used to do this, or at least not as much. He won’t really let us know he has to go, then will just release on the ground & look like he knows it was wrong. He will only sometimes let us know he has to go (usually for poops). I have recently started letting him have access to water at all times when not in the crate. (I feel like this is why he’s been peeing so much) but he needs to start letting us know in some way that he has to go. Should I start giving him less water in his bowl or start giving him after at certain times until he finally gets it.. I feel very stuck right now & would love to hear some opinions.
Start this discussion at the vets office. I see a lot of urinary tract infections in puppies. Never limit water intake. If your pet is thirsty there is a reason. Withholding water can do significant damage to kidneys. Let us know what happens
Good morning….? along with dr. Magnifico’s advice, I would check your routine with him. Make sure you have a dependable schedule with definite walk times in place that your pup can depend on. Make sure as soon as he goes potty outside, you praise him. If there is a particular spot you prefer him to go, bring him directly there and when he goes praise him and use a treat too. I know it sounds back to the basics, but you may just need to reestablish things, especially if (hopefully) a uti is ruled out. When he goes inside the house, just say “no” and clean it up. No other attention. I hope this isn’t helpful. Good luck!
?sorry! I meant to type I hope this IS helpful. My apologies for the typo!!
In addition to the suggestions already give him, he should not have free access to the house. Leash him to you or confine him to the room you’re occupying, and take him out every 30 minutes. Once you’ve cleared him of any kidney or urinary issues, you’ll know whether this is health or training…if it proves to be training, you’ll want to SLOWLY increase time between visits outside. I would never restrict water unless you had a gulper.
Our little Morkie, Stella, is dragging her butt across the floor. I’m assuming it’s an anal gland issue? I’m not sure. We try to watch what she’s fed to keep her poop on par and she goes on walks. Any thoughts from anyone on how to resolve the issue?
Could be anal glands, could be diarrhea, could be worms. I wouldn’t consider this emergent, but if it persists I’d give the vet a call.
Hello,
I would start at the vets office with an examination and a rectal exam to check the anal sacs. If they are empty it’s usually allergies and an itchy butt. But my guess is anal sacs. Start there.
In tears over a feral cat that I recently trapped for tnrv; At the vet, a rectal/anal prolapse was repaired. After release , I noticed it has the prolapse is back. He appears gaunt and dying; Hes untrappable at this point because he’s afraid of the trap. Will he slowly die in front of me day by day? Is he sufferring? in pain? Or will he die rapidly from this condition? Without a dart gun, hes untrappable. I thought the vet would have euthanized him to stop his suffering, but I’m at a loss at what I can do. The vet said to bring him in as soon as possible; but he’s Feral for God’s sake! You don’t get a second chance to trap a feral cat. Once bitten twice shy. Help! any ideas? Kristen Magnifico directed me here. Shes so compassionate. Thank u all!!!
Hi –
I’m so sorry you have to watch this going on. Is there any way you think you could get a larger trap and sort of attempt to camoflauge it? My thinking is, if the trap is bigger, there is more room and the cat may not expect the same thing. And I wouldn’t skip on the bait fir sure… ham, tuna…something super smelly and tasty so that the cat can’t resist. I hope this helps.
Sarah, ty for the quick response. That’s a great idea; Im trying to track down a “drop trap” but theres very few in this area. Our local organization only has two and you literally have to monitor them 24/7 to catch the specific animal. Your idea is a good one. TY!
Hello. I’m sorry about your kitty. I hope you can figure out some way to get him back to the vet. These cases are so frustrating. And often heart breaking. But I applaud you and your vet for trying. They all deserve a chance and a compassionate friend to look after them. Best of luck
You’re so right! They have so few voices out there, especially feral animals. Reducing the massive increase in population through tnr is helpful but when they r ill, it’s doubly challenging. Thanks for giving us hope out here and Please know you are making a difference. I so very much appreciate your unfiltered rants re: your frustration at times with affordability. I think the law in this country stating that People cannot be turned away in emergency rooms in this nation when presented with an illness, regardless of ability to pay, should extend to our furry friends. You’re doing heroic work.
You’re so welcome!! Stand strong and know that you are doing amazing really important work. And that you aren’t alone.
Hi?
I would try a box with higher sides. I would also discuss this with my vet to make use it isn’t related to the medical issue.
I agree with Sarah – get a box with higher sides. You should have 4 for that number of cats, anyway, so it’s a good time to pick that up.