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Mary | 2 years ago
I Saw The YouTube Video About Constipated Cats. I Really Need Help With My Cat. We …

I saw the YouTube video about constipated cats. I really need help with my cat. We have been through so much starting with elevated liver enzymes that are finally back to normal,  diabetes that has resolved and now constipation.  He was at the ER over the weekend and had an enema, and is on Lactulose and Miralax.  I live alone with him and my dog. I am a grad student and completely exhausted from all the  care I have given him and and my dog (who also has elevated liver enzymes) in addition to trying to keep up with school and the bills.

Please contact me with any help at maryob814@gmail.com or 415-754-9587. After watching your YouTube video, I took away the dry food. I should have thought of that sooner. I want to know how to care for him and my dog.  They are my babies and all I have. Please contact me.  Thanks.

3 Responses

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I am sorry for the delay.

    These cases can be really frustrating. If at all possible try to find a feline only veterinarian.

    I scrutinize diet, environment and do a thorough physical exam and talk about blood work, xrays. ultrasound and try to identify any underlying causes that might be causing the difficulty in ability to defecate.
    im sorry but i can only provide medical advice and care for established clients. if you are near northern maryland i am happy to see you at the clinic, jarrettsville veterinary center.

    you can ask your vet about trying to identify the cause(s) and trying medications to see if they help,, like metocolpramide., motility agents, even anit nausea medications and providing fluids at home (we sell sq fluids kits at my practice).

    I really wish you the best of luck

    1. Mary Post author

      He has been on sq fluids and now on a motility agent. He passed 4 small single round pieces of poop throughout the day on Friday after I gave alittle Lactulose. Nothing Saturday and now I’m debating on giving alittle more Lactulose to help him out going into Sunday. I don’t want to use the laxative too much not wanting him to depend on it but also don’t want to go through another enema. He has now had two of those (Saturday morning and Wednesday morning last week). I’m trying to stay on top of it. It’s very frustrating and scary.
      I wish I was in Maryland. I’m not. I’m across country in Bay Area, California if there is anyone you can recommend here. He has been seeing an internist since we started with the elevated liver enzymes back in December. I’m looking for a feline only vet. Found a couple. He doesn’t have a primary care right now since we moved just before the pandemic hit. I’ve been trying to find a good one. So hard trying to find a doctor I trust.

      He was playing with his toy today and I have been walking around the house having him follow me for exercise. He has been sleeping comfortably and the meds seem to help with urination. That was being retained too after getting off the steroids. I’m really hoping the steroids were the cause of this. All blood values are normal. He had x-rays along with the enema and had an ultrasound back in January with the liver enzymes. That can be repeated if needed. The x-ray showed he had a large bladder both times but didn’t see anything else. I’m hoping since the meds helped him empty his bladder that the poop should follow soon.

      I’m trying to keep fluids up by offering gravy from the canned food a couple times throughout the day in addition to the sq fluids. Trying everything I can…. please pray we get through this. Thanks for your help.

    2. Mary Post author

      Hi Krista,
      I am overwhelmed with joy and had to share the news. He just had his 1st fully formed, normal sized, normal color, alittle soft POOP!!! This is the first since the 2 enemas and starting on the laxatives. We have an acupuncture appt in the morning and hope he continues to do well from here.

      Thank you again for your help. Thank you for posting that video and validating that I was on the right path to helping him. I am sooo grateful. ????????

      Mary

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Mick | 2 years ago
Hello, A Cat That I Fed In The Backyard Recently Started Making Very Strange Snorting Sound. …

Hello,

A cat that I fed in the backyard recently started making very strange snorting sound. I also noticed he refused the food.
After trying to catch him for about a week he was brought to a clinic where he was given Convenia and prednisone to which he responded positively – had appetite again and started meowing.
However, after about a week the simptoms returned and x-ray was done that showed growth in nasal area.

At this time he is on prednison (one dose a day) again and is showing some interest in food, especially bologna. He’s still not meowing which he has always done outside until he got ill.
It was suggested he should be taken for a CT scan but this procedure requires sedation and is extremely cost prohibitive considering what additional information it could offer.
Would you have any suggestion what it could be if X-ray and bloodwork (which was very good) provided?
Thank you
Mick

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Patty | 2 years ago
Is It Safe To Put Chicken Broth/stock On My Dog’s Food? She Is A 13 …

Is it safe to put chicken broth/stock on my dog’s food? She is a 13 year old German Shepherd mix who is a picky eater. She has no problem eating human food but isn’t especially interested in eating her dog food. Just trying to think of ways to get her more interested in her food.

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    If you told me that you were making the stock and you werent using any salt, or dangerous ingredients (onions, garlic, etc), then I might say ok..

    but the issue for me is in the why your dog isnt interested in a dog food? Ask your vet for recommendations on a diet that is suitable for your dog. This advice should come after you have done a thorough physical exam and blood work to include fecal, thyroid and urine. (maybe additional diagnostics after these?).

    I also use canned and dry food with my dogs to keep the dry kibble more interesting and palatable.

    hope this helps

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Angela | 2 years ago
My Cat Has Broken Her Toenail On Her Back Paw It Doesn’t Seem To Be …

My cat has broken her toenail on her back paw it doesn’t seem to be bleeding too much but it definitely needs attention I can’t really afford a vet at all so please somebody help me with what I should do for her.

2 Responses

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I usually don’t worry too much about a broken toenail. I can rot clearly see the photo either. My best advice is to make sure she isn’t licking the area and make sure it stays clean, especially because litter boxes. If it looks like it is infected you will need a vet. I strongly discourage wrapping feet on cats. They will make the area worse by chewing at rhe bandage or it will cause swelling as they never stay on unless they are too tight. So never place a bandage on a cat.
    Please see a vet if you are worried.

  2. Angela Post author

    Omg my heart sank when I saw that I actually got a response from someone like you. Thank you for taking the time to write back .My animals are my life and to think of one of them being hurt and in pain kills my soul. There is no way I could afford a vet at the moment . I do have a good job but being the only one with income at the moment and also the only one that does EVERYTHING around the house ON TOP of working a 60+ hour work week . I do good with making sure everyone has a roof over their head clothes on their back and food on the table. Every penny I make goes for bills, food and gas! I wish I could take her to the vet right this second. Thanks for taking the time to read . I appreciate you more than you could ever imagine!!! Sincerely
    The family of 22 Angela , Kayla . Haydin, Olivia . Then the Dogs are Nola , Navi , Nash, Bosephus ,Lexi .. puppies are Molly,Sophie, Stevie,Rocko, Potato,Layla,Ronake,Tiny. The cats are Joplin, Atlas,GusGus, Garfield and the injured lil black one is Lola baby!!!!!

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Sandra Sellers | 2 years ago
Just Caught My Dog Eating A Churu Cat Treat Wrapper She Dug Out Of The Trash. …

Just caught my dog eating a Churu cat treat wrapper she dug out of the trash. I only found 1/3 of it. I’m guessing it’s plastic and foil and I have no idea if this is going to cause her to be sick.

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    It depends on a few things.. how much of the wrapper was swallowed. How much was chewed (for example did the wrapper get chewed into small pieces), and how big and healthy is your dog?
    All of these influence the ability for it to be passed.
    I wish I could help you more.

  2. Sandra Sellers Post author

    After I finished panicking I went on a scavenger hunt and found all the pieces that I could and compared to a new wrapper. It looks like only a few small pieces were ingested—maybe 3. The pieces left over were all squished up and I had to smooth them out. If it was that easy to chew through and tear up I’m going to hope it passes ok. She’s a regular patient with Dr Morgan and is a youthful 11 year old border collie/lab mix. Her lab work is decent and only real health issues is arthritis and some lumps and bumps. She’s healthy weight of 42 lbs.

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Janie | 2 years ago
My 12 Year Old Male Dog Has Two Tumors On Him And I Took Him To The …

My 12 year old male dog has two tumors on him and I took him to the vet but they said there wasn’t anything they could do about it because of where he is so old what should I do about these tumors I just need somebody to help me with him I will travel. He is a lab mixed with a beagle and is 12 years old

3 Responses

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I would find a vet who helps you and your pet. If you aren’t comfortable with the answer you are being given keep looking for a vet who helps you. There is no such thing as being too old to be helped.

    1. Janie Post author

      Hello I have watched a lot of your videos and I have been very impressed with your work. I would like to know where you’re located to see if I could bring him to you. I have all of his records and he just got cleared blood work it came back good. I would like to see about getting them removed or at least see what you could do to maybe help me with my dog. I am willing to travel to help my dog. And pay whatever I need to pay.

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Jana | 2 years ago
Amybody Using Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) Inhibitor Injections For Dogs?

Amybody using nerve growth factor (NGF) inhibitor injections for dogs?

2 Responses

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello.

    I haven’t. Nor do I have any patients at the clinic with the other doctors who do.

    What are you considering it for?

    1. Jana Post author

      Cookie’s vet is recommending it for arthritis. I’m sure she’s got some, she’s 11 years and one-month-old Rottweiler now, but I don’t know how bad she has it–I don’t feel very bad. I think it’s quite interesting, but my question is whether it might inhibit something that shouldn’t be inhibited and so on. Very new around here, a little longer in use in Europe …

      While I think it’s an interesting idea, I’m on the fence. I’m much more partial to things that are more natural such as PRP or stem cells, but nobody does that up here.

      So it’s one of the things that sounds great on the paper, but is it really? Jasmine’s vet down South uses it on cats, but mostly because there are much fewer treatment options for cats, so more worth the risk.

      Cookie’s PT has a couple of patients who get it and apparently, it helps them markedly. But will it eventually crop up some unwanted effects? So that’s the question.

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Natsuno | 2 years ago
Hi, My Cat Has Been Sneezing And Had A Runny Nose Frequently Recently. Her Ears And …

Hi, my cat has been sneezing and had a runny nose frequently recently. Her ears and gum also look pale. She’s underweight since before I pick him up from the street. May I know, what is going on with her? I am afraid to go to the vet because Im afraid I can’t pay the bill.

1 Response

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  1. Laura

    Unfortunately, diagnoses for things like this *cannot* be made over the internet. She needs to see a vet…especially if she’s been consistently underweight. She’ll need a full exam, with bloodwork and possibly a urinalysis.

    I’m sorry. But if you refuse the vet, you’re furthering her illness. Please find a way to pay for it.

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Mary Fischer | 2 years ago
I Have A German Shepherd Who Suffers From Allergies And Is On Apoquel Again… But I …

I have a German Shepherd who suffers from allergies and is on apoquel again… but I continue to read that they are notoriously allergic to chicken. Wondering what is the best food for dogs with allergies?? Other than the pro plan Salmon and the Lamb, we tried both and both of my dogs hated it.
I have a Siberian Husky who has suffered from ear infections forever and now I can’t help but wonder if the food is the culprit. He has been to the vet more times than I can count for it and his peeling nose!

3 Responses

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  1. Laura

    A friend’s chicken allergic Greyhound did well on Natural Balance turkey limited ingredient diet. Another friend feeds her Dobes Annamaet Aqualuk and Manitok with significant success – the dogs love it and look great on it.

    Pro plan had a fairly recent recipe change of the sensitive salmon (as in last year), and a lot of dogs seemed to go off it. I’m told it may have improved since then.

  2. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    There is a possibility that a food allergen can be the culprit. I was told by a dermatologist that it is about 8-12% of the dogs with allergies. The problem is that there are no commercially available over the counter foods that are truly hypoallergenic. You have to get a prescription diet which is either a novel protein (like kangaroo or venison) or a hydrolyzed diet where the proteins are broken down to be so small the body cannot recognize them. These are expensive and the pet cannot have anything else out in their mouths while on these foods. We feed for at least a month and then we challenge with the old food to see if the itching returns. It is difficult to do and expensive. In my opinion it is imperative to be on a good flea and tick prevention and on it year around. Then use apoquel and shampoos to help. If this works it is the best affordable option most of my patients are on. Occasionally I have to add a steroid for a small period of time or cytopoint. But most are managed well.

    Find a vet who has an interest in dermatology or ask for a referral.

    1. Mary Fischer Post author

      Thank you for your replies! The apoquel definitely makes a difference. I think it works better on him than the Cytopoint shot did, but I’ve heard that the Apoquel has a lot of side effects. I have not noticed any issues. They are both on Frontline all year since we back to woods and like to spend time at the creek.
      I was going to try Victor Ocean Fish? Doesn’t do anything for their breath though. I need to mix dasaquin in one meal a day and like to use wet food which makes for more searching of good quality food.
      I will continue the Apoquel for now though.

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Vivienne Barnes | 2 years ago
Hi, My One Year Old Springer Has Had The Runs For 2 Days But Is In Excellent …

Hi, my one year old springer has had the runs for 2 days but is in excellent form. Should I take her to the vet? Also what is best to give her to eat please.

Thank you

3 Responses

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  1. Laura

    What have you done to help alleviate this in the interim?

    I don’t immediately run to the vet UNLESS this is a very young puppy or a very small dog. Instead, I switch over from dog food to unseasoned cooked ground meat and cooked rice, with a higher rice to meat content. I stick to ground turkey breast, low fat ground beef, and ground chicken if I can find it. USUALLY diarrhea will resolve quickly with this change…once it does, I slowly add kibble back in.

    After 2 days on this, if the dog’s loose stool is not resolving, I call the vet.

    1. Vivienne Barnes Post author

      Hi Laura thank you for your comments. I have been giving her boiled rice, scrambled and boiled chicken. However as there is a little mucus in the poo today the vet wants to see her.

      1. Laura

        Makes me wonder if she’s got something like giardia. Let us know what they say?