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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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Alisha | 5 years ago
Someone Please Help Me I Have A 5yo Male Cat That Is My Entire World He …

Someone please help me I have a 5yo male cat that is my entire world he is blocked and in tremendous pain. I am a single mom of two living on a fixed income. I love my boy so much and I will be devastated to lose him. I do not have the money to take him to the vet. Someone please help me I rescued this baby he has been nuetered. He is my entire world.

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  1. Sarah

    I’m sorry, but this is something you will have to see your vet about. Have a candid conversation about affordability, and explain that your budget only allows for “x” amount. Ask if you can pay in installments monthly or weekly. Best of luck.

  2. Sandra Sellers

    A cat won’t show pain unless things are really bad. You are going to have to figure out a way to have him seen at a vet. Call around and get prices and ask about payment arrangements. If you have good credit a lot of vets take Care Credit and you can pay interest free. If not come up with x amount of dollars you can give them now and how much you can give each month and see if they will work with you. It may not be as expensive as you think.

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Sandra | 5 years ago
My 12 Year Old Jack Russell Just Recently Had A Some Drops Of Blood In Her Stool. …

My 12 year old Jack Russell just recently had a some drops of blood in her stool. She was straining a bit the last time she went, and this time she was straining a lot. Her stool wasn’t completely solid, nor was it diarrhea. She has been very gassy the past couple of days. Now her stomach is making noises, but she just passes gas and it stops. She ate her food normally before this happened, and now she doesn’t seem to have any other problems besides being gassy. Do I need to be concerned, or could it be from straining so much?

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  1. Sarah

    Good morning,
    I would keep an eye on her bathrooming. Hoping she just ate something that isn’t agreeing with her. If she continues having difficulty, then I would definitely call the vet. Sometimes, it may just be a one off and they get back to normal just fine, but if it doesn’t resolve quickly then they could get into trouble. Try to give her bland food… boiled chicken and rice. That might help settle her stomach from grumbling. When she passes that, I would check the stool. Then go from there. Good luck!????

  2. Sandra Sellers

    Usually a few drops of blood is normal if they are constipated. A large amount or not happening every time would be a sign they need to see a vet. I agree with some bland food. Also a little pumpkin can help move the stool along. It could be a small episode that will never happen again. I would monitor and if it continues they would need to be checked out for a blockage or tumor or something.

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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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Charlotte | 5 years ago
Today Well Cleaning My Female Dwarf Hamsters Cage I Seen She Has A White Spot In …

Today well cleaning my female dwarf hamsters cage I seen she has a white spot in her right eye but their is not one in her left eye this is the first time I have noticed it she seems to be acting fine but I would like to know what I should do thank you

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    White spots can be corneal damage, fat, or even pus. A veterinarian should be consulted to identify the source.

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Jennifer Taylor | 5 years ago
Today After Running Errands I Came Home To Find My 7yo Shepherd Mix Cowering In The …

Today after running errands I came home to find my 7yo Shepherd Mix cowering in the corner. Typically he runs to greet us. I made sure he hadn’t gotten into anything then I let him out while unloading groceries, typically he enjoys running around the farm but today he hopped into the back of my SUV and refused to budge. As my truck was in a shady spot I let him be with the hatch and windows open while I mowed. Now several hours later he is still in the back of my truck. He has been offered water which he drank and we let his Golden Retriever best bud out who he was happy to see but still refused to budge. Typically he is a “Velcro” dog and stays right with us, especially my daughter. This behavior is very out of character and has me concerned .

4 Responses

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  1. Sarah

    I am sorry you didn’t get a response sooner. I would be concerned as well with such a sudden change in behavior. I would get to the vet- just for peace of mind for sure. Even if you go and they find no temperature or anything else wrong, you will at least know that part of the equation is ok. Maybe he just ate something he shouldn’t have and will bounce back? I’m hoping by now you have a better idea of what is going on.

    1. Jennifer Taylor Post author

      I am very lucky in that I could contact my vet after hours who suggested taking him for a ride and seeing if he was normal upon returning home. We took a quick drive to our favorite hiking spot, he had popped up, tail wagging so we took a short hike and swim. Upon returning home he again refused to leave my SUV. I moved my vehicle and offered to take him in a different door to the house which was a success. Seems something must have scared him in our kitchen and the hike was an added bonus. Completely normal today.

  2. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    It sounds like something got him startled and he needed a little change if scenery to get himself off the issue. If he’s still afraid of the kitchen start desensitizing him back to it.

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Charlotte | 5 years ago
I Have A One Year Old Lab Basset Hound Mix And Every Time We Go In …

I have a one year old lab basset hound mix and every time we go in the car she throws up I know it is just car sickness but is it something she will grow out of or something I should be worried about

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  1. Sarah

    It could be nerves/anxiety… in which case you would have to work to change the behavior and also work on her anxiety. You may want to discuss it with the vet and see if they have any recommendation as they know your pet better than me. I would try to find a good dog behaviorist (your vet may have a recommendation) to help show you the best way to handle this with your dog. 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.

1 Response

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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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Christine | 5 years ago
I Have What May Be A Ridiculous Question But I’m Going To Ask Any Way… …

I have what may be a ridiculous question but I’m going to ask any way… I just order leather collars for my dogs. I did a lot of research to make sure there were no toxic chemicals used during the process. However, I couldn’t find info on the hardware (buckle). It is made of brass. I just want to make sure that this won’t be toxic on my dogs skin?

1 Response

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Well that’s one I haven’t gotten before. Now I’m not a metallurgist. But I am fairly certain brass and stainless steel are considered the safest. So I think you are good!!
    Thanks for asking. ????
    Krista .

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Linda | 5 years ago
When I Go For A Run With My 1 Year Old Yellow Lab, She Wants To Stop …

When I go for a run with my 1 year old yellow lab, she wants to stop every 15 seconds to smell and sniff everything! It’s annoying because I just want to run. I take her because she’s ancy to go in the morning and it’s good exercise for her

2 Responses

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    You each have a different motivation while outside. I take my dogs for a run (they are a year old too), every single day. But I only run after they have had a walk to go to the bathroom and investigate their territory. That way we each get our outside time and preferences for being out there out of our system. The other thing that helps is running with someone who’s dog already understands the routine. Let them learn from another dog. And please whatever you do never get upset or frustrated. Your dogs whole life and purpose is you. So be kind and considerate and remember this is your kid so you have to compromise. They will love you more for it and your life together will be happier and easier.

  2. Sarah

    Hi there-
    I also run with one of my dogs. But we all have a pack walk earlier in the morning, (and another after lunch and dinner)so that bathrooming, smelling, general “romping around”, etc…. are all out of the way. It took us about 5 runs for each of our routes, for him to get the routine down, but basically, he could probably run our route(s) without me if he had to???? If you give a nice 20 minutes or so morning walk to your pup before you head out to run, they should pick up rather quickly that “oh! Yay! We are running now.” If he veers off, a gentle tug and a fun “come on let’s run????” should do the trick. Hope this helps. Happy running!????????