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8 week old female kitten not defecting properly….several days. My 21 year old daughter (away at college) just got a kitten last Tuesday. She noticed the kitten wasn’t pooping but the kitten was trying but either nothing was coming out or a piece was stuck in and hanging of her rectum. Sometimes my daughter returns to the room where the kitten is and finds smears of poop. he took her to the ER and they gave the kitten an enema… which sort of worked a bit and the kitten did go on Friday (the day after). They wanted to do more such as an X-ray and give fluids but the cost was so high my daughter didn’t want to do that. Since then, the kitten is trying to go anywhere and everywhere but nothing coming out. Occasionally some poop smears are found. Thus far the kitten has been in decent spirits…. playful a bit and eating wet food (with a little aded water). Of course, I’m sure this will change fast. Last night the kitten tried to poop while sitting on my daughters lap. 🙁
We have an appt. on Tuesday afternoon at a local vet whom I use for my cats and I trust….. I’m worried we can’t wait til then to get her checked. Any suggestions on what could be going on? I’m worried its something more serious. Thank you so much for your consideration!!!
Got this 3-4 week kitten who needed a home and appears to have a twisted/angular wrist. He was most likely born with this deformity since I don’t believe his legs cause him any pain. He is starting to walk and it is becoming a bit of a struggle.
Can someone recommend me any options? I don’t want to go to the Vet just now because i know it will end being costly with X-rays and such. Right now i’m considering splinting, but I also want to know other options like maybe messages, etc. He is doing pretty well, but since he does sometimes walk, supporting his leg on the leg twisted (the bone, rather than his paw), i’m afraid it’ll become a future problem when he’s older.
Hello.
If you follow my blog at kmdvm.blogspot.com I have a few articles on this. I would use a soft splint and rest. These kittens grow and the legs strengthen and they can have normal lives. If you are anywhere near me in northern Maryland I will help.
Hi. I have an almost 6 year old lab who keeps vomiting when she eats or drinks. She is otherwise happy and doesn’t appear to be in any pain but does appear to be losing weight (she’s a heavier build). She wants to keep eating and drinking though and not having any other problems. Is there something I can give her to resolve the stomach issue or could it be something more serious?
This sounds like it could be a partial obstruction in her gut. That’s something I’d consider emergent. Please get her to the vet.
I agree with Laura. I also worry about pancreatitis and Addisons. Although there are other possibilities. Please see a vet.
Should I be concerned about the heart disease DCM caused by or related to grain free dog diets?
I would read the studies, honestly. I prefer NOT to feed commercial grain free dog food, as I have found no benefit. My previous dog always had runny stool on grain free, but when I switched her to a grain inclusive food it firmed right up and her coat improved. My current dog is the same way. I prefer not to supplement with pumpkin, and it appears dogs do benefit from the fiber in grain inclusive foods.
If you DO choose to feed grain free, make sure the ingredients don’t have legumes high on the ingredient list. There seems to be a correlation.
I sat on this a little more, and wanted to add: DCM is absolutely deadly as a disease. My Doberman had it (the breed is prone to it, so we expected it would happen) and it’s not something for which I’d ever want to increase risk. It presents as two forms – congestive and arrhythmic. Congestive is congestive heart failure, which is the animal literally drowning on their own fluids. Arrhythmic is sudden death. Neither are good, both are fatal.
Ripley’s form was arrhythmic. She was fine until her first collapse, when she went on medication to treat. In normal situations that would have earned us a few months. We got a miracle of an entire year with her post diagnosis…and she left us in the same way, with a heart attack that killed her instantly. Diagnosis is expensive, as is medication. I can absolutely say I would do whatever I can to avoid it from both an emotional and fiscally responsible standpoint.
My 6 month old cat came in 4 days ago with a limp. I have called around to so many different vets and shelters but it looks like it will cost too much for me to be able to help her. Her back left paw has swollen up to twice it’s normal size should I just give her to a shelter or is there a chance she will heal on her own. I can get her some medication. Should I give her antibiotics or something for the swelling?
Hello,
Please call your vet and ask to be seen asap. Your cat most likely needs antibiotics RIGHT NOW. you can decline all of the diagnostics they want to run and just insist on an antibiotic. Also you need to talk about whether this is a wound and whether your pet has a possible rabies exposure.
This is a lot to digest. We have a 15-year-old dog that has been on meds for congestive heart failure. He was doing fine until…the other day he apparently got into the trash and ingested a paper towel with meat gravy. For the past 24 hours he has been vomiting up food he ate after the ingestion so we obviously have not fed him further. He has been drinking water regularly throughout the day and night but vomiting it up at times as well. I have discontinued giving him water so the vomiting doesn’t dehydrate him. He did vomit up part of the paper towel but now we believe there may be a piece in his digestive tract too. He is resting now but has been very lethargic as one might expect. Not interested in eating, vomit is a combination of yellow and clear. One earlier vomit was very brown and “pudding” consistency. Since then mostly watery. Our vet is in surgery and is unavailable for the entire day, The main question is how dangerous is the paper towel if in fact it is lodged in the digestive tract? Will it degrade fast enough to allow water first and then food to pass. Our vet said the dog’s age and heart condition preclude any surgery. We are at a loss as to what, if any steps are available to us. He is not in immediate distress but is clearly in need of something.
Hello,
I think that you need to get in contact with your vet asap. Otherwise the ER is your next best option.
Good morning, I’m looking to get a 2nd opinion as to which flea and tick preventative is safest for a dog with history of seizures (5 year old golden doodle with 3 random seizures in the past year and a half.) My current Vet said NexGard is safe although, the online information states it is an “isoxazoline class drug “and caution should be used in dogs with a history of seizures or neurological disorders Anv guidance would be greatly appreciated.
Hello,
I do not use, or advise the use of these products if the patient has a history of seizures. Try something else. There are lots of good products on the market.
Ask your vet for another option if you are also worried about the black box warning.
Good morning, I have an 8wk old presumed female kitten with a rare congenital defect causing a cloaca instead of normal anus and vagina. She went to another vet for what was thought to be constipation and a partial vaginal prolapse and we were given the diagnosis and told of an expensive surgery that could correct the issue but were advised that euthanasia might be the best course as we’re a rescue and the surgery is not only expensive but has a high complication rate. I’m trying to find anyone with experience with this or surgeons that have done this surgery. We’re trying to decide if the surgery will prolong a happy, comfortable life or only cause issues down the road. She is currently being maintained with laxatives, abdominal massages, antibiotics both oral and topical, prednisone, and bathing. She is a normal, happy kitten except for her bathroom needs and being very undersized(1.4lbs and half the size of her littermates).
Her diagnosis:
Type II Atresia Ani
Rectourethral Fistula
Just seeing if you know anybody in Chicagoland that is able to do somewhat affordable surgery. My cat had unblocking last Monday, model patient & fine til Sat when not flowing as freely, he is trying so hard, I’m trying to gently help him while going. I’m 1400.00 in & don’t want to lose my Lil guy cz of money. He’s trying so hard & I’m losing my mind going thru it all. We have most of the antibiotics & pain meds, just need to get past this, did the overnight at home and stayed up, all went well. 5 days 2 soon…..if could direct us somewhere near Ill go. He deserves to live, not die cz his dad can’t afford this unblocking.
Thanks
Bretster7@gmail.com
If email can give u more contact info
Hello,
I’m sorry to hear about your kitty and this situation.
I would post on social media looking for advice and affordable options. Call all of the shelters and rescues and ask your vet for help.
Next ask to be unblocked via the most affordable option they will give you. Ask to decline all diagnostics and ask to be allowed to go home with the urinary catheter in place. Or ask if your vet will permit your cat to be hospitalized at their facility for a few days. I have written a lot about trying to afford this. Please go to my blog at kmdvm.blogspot.com and search for UO or blocked cat.
There are also Facebook groups on this. See if anyone there can offer help.
Please let me know if you find someone to help.
My daughter Adopted a dog from Tru Rescue she was just spayed with one of their vets. She’s one two years old. My daughter noticed that one of her back teeth has a huge cavity in it at the root. She took her in to the same vet in Baltimore and he said it needs to be removed. She is not really thrilled with that Vet or the office staff. I told her about Dr Mag and all the wonderful people and Jarrettsville Vet. She plans on switching over to Jarrettsville Vet because that’s where I take all of mine and I love them. Just curious how much it would be to have that tooth extracted and a dental cleaning I suppose since she’s already under. Thanks.
Hello,
Dental costs are a combination of a few things. The degree of difficulty, the tooth (different teeth have different numbers of roots), patient status and anesthesia time. In general patients like this need the following; examination ($50), pre op blood work (lowest cost option is $50) and dental cost (usually $800 and up). Then post op medications like pain meds and antibiotics ($50-150).
During the exam we can give you a better estimate. Thank you for rescuing this dog.
PS you can also call the shelter/rescue and ask if they can provide this service.
Krista.
Hello,
I think that every 21 year old college person needs to rethink such a young pet. I also think that you should regard yourself as this kittens parent until she is spayed and fully vaccinated. Kittens, and anything this young are inherently fragile and vulnerable and need constant supervision and immediate veterinary care from the first days of adoption.
As far as being able to wait until Tuesday I cannot answer that with anything other than what I wrote above. The minute you fear there is a problem you should be at a vets office.
I hope she is ok