Ask questions and share about your pet's health to help others.
If it helps a puppy to grow up with another puppy does the same hold true for kittens? Will cats be happier and better adjusted if they have a sibling? Does it help to get 2 from the same litter or should they be unrelated?
We have an almost 8 month old hound mix. We were thinking about getting an invisible fence. I’m curious about any opinions you have of invisible fences and also if you think it’s a good idea for a hound. Thank you.
Invisible fences should never be used unattended…and every person I know with one ends up with a real fence eventually. THAT SAID I know a number of hound people who hunt train their dogs and use e-collars for distance training. I would encourage you to look into field/hunt training.
My 9 year old Cocker Spaniel has had quite a few issues. Pancreas probems to name one. This past few days she has not been herself at all. Limping slightly and having great difficulty in getting up on to the chair, also difficulty in moving along the settee or the bed, more or less shuffling along and wimpering looking at me as if to say “mum I`m hurting” any ideas please.
Hi sorry to hear about your Cocker Spaniel…I too have the same breed. Cockers are prone to spinal problems, IVDD (premature ageing of the spine). It sounds like your dog could have a problem with one of his discs. He needs to see a Vet urgently. If this condition is left he could be paralysed, so please don’t leave him, Vet now. Don’t let him attempt to jump on sofas, go up stairs ect…keep him on the same level. Hope all goes well, please let us know.
Hi Julie, Took Holly to vet last night and he thinks it is arthritis and is doing tests. She had been on steroids for some time and was weaned off them lately so probably they were keeping the pain at bay. had a jag last night and I have tablets to try so here`s hoping. She seems a bit brighter this morning and had a good nights sleep. Thank you for taking the time to respond.
Torn ACL- My 8 year old Siberian Husky has been diagnosed w/ a torn ACL, although a MRI wasn’t done. Dr said it was a lot of manipulation in the knee which is not normal, indicating a tear. Question is should I do surgery or considering using a leg brace? Besides the high cost, I’ve read mixed reviews that after surgery “their dog was never the same.” My dog is a very active Siberian Husky. X-ray showed great hips and blood was that of a healthy dog. I don’t want him to be miserable. Advise??
Hello,
I don’t know enough about your dog to offer a specific course. But, in general I feel the dogs who have surgery with a surgeon so far better than those who don’t. I never advise a brave unless the patient cannnot safely tolerate anesthesia.
Dr. Magnifico,
Thank you so much for your response! I was looking for your advise. They suggested the place in Towson, CVSS and I found a place VOSM. Do you recommend anyone?
My 9 year old Cocker Spaniel was left on her own for a couple of hours on Sat (she is used to time alone when necessary) When we got back she had poopd all over the downstairs. Never happened before she is spotless usually. 5 poo bags needed. What is going on?
Morning-
Is it possible she got into something she shouldn’t have? That seems like an awful lot of mess formamshort period of time. I’d take a look around to make sure- anything bad that she may have gotten into, I would give a call to the vet and see what they recommend. Hope it’s ok!
Many thanks. As far as I can tell everything was normal when we left. No cupboards left open etc. very strange. She was ok yesterday though not left alone, should I still give the vet a call?
I probably would. They may want you to bring in a stool sample to test. I would definitely keep an eye on her today, and if it happens again or she seems to be straining I would get to the vet.
I will thank you very much.
I have 2 shihtzus they both have started with dark spots on their belly’s . I have a white one and a gray/white/ Black one . I am worried it is something wrong .
Hello, If you are worried you should talk to your vet about them. The only way any kind of lesion can be diagnosed is via an examination and in most cases a biopsy. Just like with people. Things like melanomas are possible in both dogs and humans. They are diagnosed via in person exam and histopathology.
I have a 6 week old kitten that developed severe diarrhea 5 days ago. I took her to the vets 3 days ago. Stool culture positive for coccidia. She has been on treatment for 3 days with no improvement. Her rectal area is raw. She is eating and drinking but obviously does not feel well. I have been bathing her and putting Desitin on her rectal area per my vets recommendation. Shouldn’t she be getting better by now?
I would call the vet in the morning and let them know your concerns. Ask if there is anything else that you could be doing and you might want to ask if there is some supplement that you could give to her food-wise too. Good luck
Yes. If I would expext rhat if the cias wit the diarrhea was singularly the parasites that she would be better. In cases like these I usually recommend “playing” with the formula. Powder versus liquid replacer and trying to add more water vs less formula. I would also talk to the vet about checking another fecal sample for parasites and even switching to a kitten food. Even a different kind of food can help. If it’s not parasites it’s the diet. That’s my usual treatment plan for theee guys. Good luck. Please let us know what happens
Took kitten back to vets yesterday. Was given Flagyl. Seems to be working plus Royal Canin GI food. Rectal swelling appears a little better.
My dog Zeus has a reddish pink pea sized bump on his snout. I’ve
looked up all kinds of things. I think it’s a histiocytoma. It let’s out blood and oozes once in awhile and then fills up fast and big again. If someone can help I want to make sure what it is. The pic is not showing how it really looks. It’s very puffy. Thank you Debbie
Hello,
The only way to make sure what it is is by removing it for a biopsy. After that it is educated guesses by the vet. It is not possible to diagnose via a description or picture. Please see your vet. Based on breed, age and an examination they can help guide you to a plan to help resolve it. Good luck.
I do have an appt. thought maybe a vet would know.
Thanx Deb
Hi there, our dog Snoop has got a partial rupture of his ACL, he has gone through the series of 3 plasma injections, which had shown signs of improvement, however he still has a lump on the inside of his knee joint so the vet has recommend TPLO surgery. Is this the only option as it seems like major surgery. Snoop is 5 years old
Hello,
In my experience if the lameness persists the best option is surgery. In most cases the boarded veterinary surgeons suggest a tplo as the best option to correct this. Good luck
My dog has scratched himself raw. No signs of fleas anywhere. Any ideas? I can’t get him to the vet till next week.
Hello,
It could be allergies or infection (amongst a host of other possibilities). If your dog is not on a flea preventative I still recommend you use one. Please use a safe one (lots of otc’s are not). Also you can ask your vet about trying Benadryl or an anti itch bath. In lots of cases a prescription medication is needed to stop the itch and treat the secondary skin infections.
All it takes is one flea to cause misery if your pet is allergic to their saliva. I hope you’ve found relief for him.
We had a few “pairs” in our lifetime- meaning they were from the same litter. Never had an issue- all three times, they were really nice, affectionate and all around good pets. I have heard of littermate syndrome in dogs, which can prove to be a challenge, but I do not think the same holds true for cats. I will say that a kitten is a lot of work- box training, house rules, scratching, etc. so keep in mind that is all double duty when bringing two in at the same time. Best of luck!!
I’ve never had kittens, so I cannot speak to this part of your question. I do know quite a bit about dogs, however, and I would NEVER suggest getting two littermates in dogs. Ever. This causes some serious developmental issues – littermate syndrome and dog aggression are but two of them.