Ask questions and share about your pet's health to help others.
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?
My 9 year old Boxer had MCT (benign) surgery on her side in the Fall. Its been healed for months. Overnight a very large growth appeared at the incision site. Egg sized. Its firm and a little warm. The dog is acting normally. Is this urgent? The soonest I can get into my vet is a week from now. I explained the issue when I called the vet’s office, sent pictures and was told it’s not urgent. Perhaps they are thinking its a seroma? Is it okay to wait so long to see a vet? (I like my vet and really don’t want to be a nuisance–nor do I want my pet’s health to suffer.)
Hello,
I am not sure if this is urgent or not as I don’t know what the swelling is due to. Is there any way your vet can refer you to someone who can see you sooner. Just to look at the incision? Hopefully it isn’t anything serious.. but you cannot be sure until your vet (or a vet) looks at it.
Thanks so much for the response. I do feel like my dog should be seen sooner but didn’t want my vet to think I was pushy. Thanks for the suggestion to just ask her for a referral.
So, just to update, the swelling was a very large post surgical abcess. While I was trying to find a different vet who could see me sooner than my regular vet, the abcess ruptured. My dog was in a lot of pain. I regret not being more persistent with my own vet. When I called and told my regular vet about the rupture, I then got in on an urgent basis. Next time I’ll know to just be a pushy nuisance when I think something is really wrong. I am just sorry I made my dog suffer. (She is now on antibiotics, warm compresses etc and seems to be getting better. Fingers crossed.) Thanks again Dr. Magnifico for the advice.
My dog has had about 10 seizures since last nite he is taking phenobarbital he is 11yrs old
Hello,
Please consider this an emergency and go immediately to your vets office.
We did they put Jim on phenobarbital but he still having just as many seizures is der anything we can do or give until we have enuf money to go back to vets we only get paid on Mondays and we brought him Monday gone they put him on phenobarbital 2 2wice a day
Perhaps you can Call the vet and ask for a prescription of Valium? Or another sedative to help manage the seizures like gabapentin? Maybe these can help and be affordable? They are also available at human pharmacies and often are very affordable. Or ask your vet to see you and allow you to make payments. Your pup needs help ASAP.
Hi everyone! One of my pups is acting very strange. We took him on a car ride today and on the way home he started acting weird. It’s almost like he’s dizzy and can’t keep his balance. He had a tiny (not even half) of piece of bacon this morning and later hit his head off of the coffee table. I’m not sure if it’s something to be concerned about but I’m just worried!
I would get to the vet….
Head trauma would lead to dizziness. Please get that pup to the vet today.
I’d definitely get to a vet ASAP.
When did you get you’re first puppy/dog?
Puppies should be no younger than 8 weeks of age…ideally closer to 10/12 weeks.
Potty training is fairl6 straight forward, so long as you put in the effort. Don’t allow time for accidents- in other words, puppy is with you and supervised at all possible times during training. When you see puppy posture to “go” then swiftly take puppy outside and then praise them they will learn quickly.
I like umbilical training – puppy is leashed TO a person when supervised and crated when not supervised. Go out every 20 minutes, at first. As puppy ages you can slowly increase the time between visits outside. This is a pain in the butt, so be prepared – puppies are a full time job for the first year, and the majority of that time is spent doing potty runs outside.
If possible get a pup from a breeder who used the misty method. I’ve used it for all my litters and my boy has been fully house trained since 6 weeks old. It makes life a lot easier.
All animals require time, care and devotion.
Puppies, regardless of breed, are a pain in the buns for the first year. As I said in your other post, they are a full time job for their first year of life. I would try to assess how much time you have, and determine whether you can spend the majority of your day working with and training a puppy.
I would encourage going to a rescue and getting an adult dog, particularly if this is your first dog. Adults are easier.
Good morning! All dogs are trainable, so long as their owners are willing to put in the work. I suggest a basic obedience class to start with. It’s good for both owner and dogs.
I just adopted an 8 year old cat about 2 weeks ago, he seemed to be doing well at first and he seemed very comfortable. I moved the temporary litter box that i had for him in my room near the litter box that my other cat uses. He knew where i put it as he had followed me down there and sniffed both. However, this morning i woke up to find that he pooped in the cat bed that i had in my room. As i left for work i decided i would bring the litter box up to prevent any further accidents. As soon as i sat it down he used it. Im not sure i understand where the disconnect is since he knew where i put it to begin with. I cant keep this litter box in my room forever, so im wondering if anyone has any ideas for transitioning the litter box to the normal space
Hello,
I think the disconnect is in teaching him to go in your room then assuming he would understand he wasn’t supposed to. I recommend not confusing your pet by starting with one direction (ex here is a litter box for you but it will be in a different place tomorrow) and then being upset he is confused. Why can’t you keep it in your room? If he is your cat and stays with you it will probably be the best way to insure he is going where you want him to (in the box). If you refuse to have it in your room you will have to wait until he is acclimated to the house and using the other one. And then you will have to start very (like very!) gradually moving the box in your room to the place you want it to be. Also. Lots of cats don’t want to share litter box spaces or areas. It is a place they feel threatened or anxious so they prefer to be in a quiet private place. I hope this helps.
Better to have boxes on both floors anyway. 🙂
Thanks.
Hello,
I’m sorry if you thought the answer was condescending. It wasn’t intended to be. It was intended to be my perception of what your new cat might be thinking and why he might be confused with the litter box moving and your expectation of his response and confusion. If it upset you I apologize. It wasn’t my intention.
My dog is 1 year old and he is trained to go on his pee pad (my boyfriend and I live in an apartment). We’ve recently got another dog a few months ago and we have already expected our older dog to be territorial and mark in places around the apartment. That has stopped for a while then all of a sudden he is peeing in places he knows are bad. For example, he peed on our couch while my boyfriend was sleeping on it! I’ve already taken him to the vet and he is fine heath wise. We’ve been keeping a better eye on him to make sure he doesn’t pee where he’s not suppose to and so we can also reward him for when he does go in the right spot. It’s been good for a couple of days. Then today when I came home from work, I took him into the bathroom with me (where we keep his pad) and I waited for him to use the bathroom. I even tried to tell him to “go potty”. Nothing happened for about 10 minutes so I opened the door and we headed to the living room….I see him peeing on our comforter that’s hanging off the couch with his ears down and that “oh no I’m in trouble” look on his face. I don’t know what to do because I feel he knows better than this.
Is everyone neutered?
And no I vehemently argue that they “know better”. They may know you are not happy but they do not know spite or anger. I don’t recommend training on pee pads because it gets too confusing for pets. As I think is the case for your dogs. How are they supposed to understand “pee in the house, BUT only right in this little spot on this little thing?” How confusing must that be?
You could also try a belly band while you figure out how to manage the bathroom issues.
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.