Ask questions and share about your pet's health to help others.
My year old Aussie boy developed what the vet diagnosed as a Seroma on his right leg. He had no surgery or trauma that we know of. He does like to sleep in the “superman” position over the a/c vent on the hardwood and ceramic. Has anyone ever had this experience or heard of something similar
Is there a technique to reduce the side effects of Mirtazapine? My 9lb cat takes 1/16th of a 15mg tablet every 5-7 days. She meows and howls for 12 hours after each pill.
Hello,
Have you spoken to your vet about this? Can you try a different appetite stimulant (assuming that is what you are using it for) to see if maybe that would help? Also ask about concurrent disease like thyroid, blood pressure, kidney diseas etc?
Hi, thank you for the response. Yes, the vet knows, and it is being used as an appetite stimulant. The cat has IBD. I was just hoping there was some way to lessen the side effects, the dosage has been reduced over time. It used to be 24 hours of hysterics. It may be time to try something else.
Thank you Dr Krista and Laura, appreciate the advice, will update progress, 🙂
My cat was hit by a car and broke her pelvis. The vet suggested surgery which is very expensive. Is surgery the only way to treat her? or is there any other alternative? So far she can urinate on her own but having problem pooping. I think she’s in pain. The vet prescribed Tramadol and lactulose for her. Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Hello,
Well this is a somewhat difficult question to answer. Here has been my experience. If you do not have the ability to see a surgeon and have this corrected by them (in my area it would be anywhere from $2000 to $5000. Then I always suggest strict cage rest. No leaving the cage for two weeks. No exceptions. The crate should have a very low bed, low sided litter box and food and water. They should be fed a watered down wet food to keep the stool soft and easy to pass. After two weeks see your vet for a recheck X-ray to see how the pelvis is healing.
Have the cat spayed asap.
If the cat presents with anal tone and deep pain in all four feet I recommend cage rest
The best option is surgery. If you cannot afford it try cage rest. They will be painful for a few day. A fentanyl patch might help or try buprinex. Ask your vet about these.
Let me know how she does
Her pelvis is broken. It needs to be stabilized, surgically, for proper healing. If you DON’T get the surgery, she will be in pain, most likely for the rest of her life.
I would get ahold of my vet and try to have this very discussion with them perhaps there is something they can do that fits for both of you.
My Boston terrier is in a lot of pain. His jaw is swollen and he keeps tilting his head sideways. I don’t know what happened,if he was maybe kicked or bit by a spider or if it is a tooth or ear infection? I live in a small rural town and the closest 24 hour emergency vet is 2 hour drive away. What can I do to help him. Do u have any suggestions or advice you can give me?
Hello Amie, when does your Vet open? Is there one closer than the emergency Vet? We couldn’t begin to tell you whats happened to your dog it could be any number of things. Have you checked his ear for infection? One thing is for sure he needs a Vet urgently. You could try a hot water bottle, not too hot but warm) held against his jaw it may ease it a little. Other than that please get him to a Vet for diagnosis and the correct treatment as soon as you possibly can. Good luck.
My 18 year old cat has eaten very little today. She is still drinking and urinating normally. She is very thin. I am taking her in tomorrow. What can I expect during the visit?I’m scared that I will have to put her to sleep.
I may glad you already have an appointment. I’m sure if you tell the vet your concerns upfront they will work with you.
Hello,
I expect that after an exam, some questions about how much she drinks and pees that they will recommend some blood work. I also expect it to include thyroid and a urinalysis. From here most of the needed information can be gathered. As long as her heart and lungs sound ok bloodwork usually holds the answer. At my clinic this is about $200 total.
And for the record only you decide it is time for your cat to pass on. No one else has the right to decide. Except a judge if they deem it to be cruelty. If your cat is struggling to the point that you questioning she still has a quality of life acceptable to you then your vets job is to help both of you come to a peaceful end of life journey. It’s your decision. Never feel coerced or intimidated. Find a vet who cares and wants to help. Also hospice is available if you ask. Please let me know what happens tomorrow. I wish you both the best. Krista
Thank you both for answering my question. I’m still very worried that I may lose her.
Hello,
I just wanted to let you know that Rugrat has passed away. She died before her vet appointment. Thank you so much for all of your help.
I’m so sorry for your loss.
I want to learn canine anatomy from home and am trying to find the best resources. Do you know the best ways to learn canine anatomy from home? Textbooks, websites, computer softwares, etc.
There are many of both. I like the canine atlas with photos of a greyhound they dissect inch by inch. I was just looking at it yesterday and feeling so melancholy about that dog. (Very true). It’s excellent to remind us of each nerve, muscle, bone but morbid. There are also web based design modules. They aren’t cheap though.
Does my dog look pregnant? She has signs of pregnancy like nesting, big stomach, throwing up, more lazy, not eating as much, drinking a lot, swollen teats, etc. When I feel her stomach she flenches, and I can feel little movements. She also get wide eyed at times. Not sure if she is, can’t take her to vet. She also walks around then gets back in her box multiple times at night, lays on her stomach too.Don’t know what to do and dont know how long she has if she is pregnant until labor?
Hello-
I understand that you feel you ar unable to take your dog to the vet, however, that really is the only way to know what is going on for sure. If she is pregnant, they can do an X-ray to find out how many pups she is expecting. They can do an exam to see approximately how far along she is. They can make sure she is otherwise healthy and is capable of having a healthy labor and delivering live pups. If you cannot care for her and her pups the way they will need you to, please consider contacting a local animal shelter for assistance or to surrender your dog and her litter to someone who is able to care for them properly. I do not mean to offend or sound curt, however it can become very costly and it is necessary to have the puppies checked out by a vet and given inoculations. I would also suggest having your dog spayed to prevent any future pregnancies that you will have. Best of luck to you. I really hope that you can find a way to get your dog to a vet.
Totally agree with Sarah. Please find a way to take your dog to a Vet. She may not pass the puppies, she may need a cesarean. Puppies need constant monitoring, keeping warm, regular worming…as does their mum. As Sarah says if you cannot provide the care ypur bitch and the puppies will need please find an Animal Shelter who will give them all the care they require.
Your dog needs prenatal care, and you need to prepare for the possibility that she needs emergency assistance during delivery.
If this is not an option, spay abort.
We adopted a 15 month old Akita mix recently. In the past couple of days we’ve noticed a “Hairy water balloon” on the back of her neck. We took her to the vet and the doctor said it was a Seroma nd drained it. It has since returned days later and now he wants to install a drain. I am not comfortable with that I feel that it should be able to go away on its own, after reading an article that agreed with my thought. He is eating, playing and it is not hot to the touch, just squishy. We want to do the right thing but don’t want any unnecessary stress or infection.
Hello,
Can you please confirm that the photo of the crusted nose is your dog? This looks like an older dogs nose?
As far as the fluid filled mass goes is it on the top of the body, like top of the neck? If so why would it have occurred?
Of the mass is the chin area, especially bottom neck, I would ask about a mucocele or sialocele.
The only picture I added was of the back of the neck, you cannot see her nose. We aren’t sure why it happened. We thought possibly it is where her chip is placed. I attached a photo of her face.
Yesterday I spotted hair loss with bleeding near neck of My Labrador. That wet spot and hairloss with bleeding has increased today. Plz suggest me what problem Is he facing and solution for it.
Hello…the wound looks very red and sore. Your Labrador needs to go to his Vet for diagnosis and treatment. It could be a “hotspot” but it could be something worse. Hope he recovers soon.
I agree-get to the vet. It also looks as if it might be infected, which you’ll need antibiotics for. Good luck.
Hello,
I have only seen this occur due to surgery. But it can happen with trauma. Did you ask your vet what they thought my be the cause?