Ask questions and share about your pet's health to help others.
Hello I have an 8 week old male puppy named diesel. He had been dewormed and had his first two sets of shots. I’ve noticed he had a quarter size spot near his tail. It’s crusty and has hair loss. I’m very worried
My 9 month old female miniature dachshund was emitting a metallic odor from her back end yesterday. I noticed it, did some google-ing, and shortly after the smell disappeared. My research concluded that it might be her anal glands. But I can’t understand why the smell disappeared (and as of this morning had not returned). She has exhibited no other signs or symptoms (no scooting on the floor, no problems going to the bathroom, acting perfectly normal)
As the mystery continued, we were walking outside to use the potty before taking a drive. After peeing, we got into the truck with her on my lap. I noticed she has made a wet spot on my pants. Assuming it was just some urine from her potty trip, I used a towel to wipe me and her off. That’s when I noticed that coming from her vulva was a thick, milky, yellow color liquid that was accompanied by a fishy smell. This led me to think that maybe she has a case of vaginitis. As the day progressed, both smells and the discharge disappeared. And as of this morning, no trace of either can found. I was already planning on taking her to the vet on Friday, should I take her in sooner? She just finished her first heat last week and I am planning on finding out this week when we can get her fixed.
Normally, Cookie needs minimum of 3 hours of high activity (running through the bush, chasing critters, playing …) daily, otherwise she climbs the walls (pretty much literally). Ortho suggesting a month or more of rest. I voice that it is impossible unless Cookie sedated. (Because the more energy she stores up the more she’s likely to go crazy regardless of environment, confinement and situation. As I mention, literally bouncing off the walls. Plus the frustration and feeling unhappy that would come with that I’m sure does not facilitate healing either.
So we discussed it and ortho prescribed the Trazodone as effective and safe. What is your experience with this products? Side effects? Interestingly I specifically asked about side effects and was told there were none. However, when one looks it up there are side effects listed. Of course, side effects such as sedation are desirable. Others, such as vomiting, diarrhea, agitation, hyperactivity, panting, shaking and restlessness are NOT.
Ortho vet also said drug doesn’t not affect either kidneys or liver but infor says should be used with caution if liver, kidney or heart disease present. Cookie does not have those but if it doesn’t affect those organs, why the precaution?
I am not a fan of drugs but I feel that in order for Cookie to be able to undergo the period of restricted activity some chemical management to help her feel more aloof is necessary. Thoughts?
Thank you, would you? Because the other tranquilize options aren’t all that attractive either, particularly Acepromazine … *sigh
First do no harm, right? But I feel that without some chemical help she will be very miserable and a danger to herself …
Hi, I definitely understand your worry. I have personal experience with trazodone and it’s actually been extremely positive. I worked with a board certified veterinary surgeon who used it on pretty much all of his patients post-op if he was worried about activity level. For my dog, I’ve used it for anxiety in the car (as recommended by a board certified veterinary behaviorist). In my opinion it’s a lot better than other sedatives post-op because it really is fairly safe and also reduces anxiety (a lot better than something like Acepromazine). One of the main things you will read about is serotonin syndrome when it is used with other drugs. However, the surgeon I worked with used it with pain meds like tramadol, and just used the lower end of the dose range because he was aware of that risk (I’m sure if your vet uses it frequently they are as well). Most of side effects you listed, while I know they are concerning, are pretty easy to recognize and are side effects of many other medications too…and if you recognize them after starting, you can always just stop the medication. I think that the minor risks of this medication greatly out weigh the alternative risk of her high energy level after a orthopedic surgery, in order to prevent the risk of her needing a repeat surgery.
Since your baby is healthy and I’m sure they will be doing bloodwork pre-op, I don’t see any reason to be overly concerned about the organ adverse effects. My own dog had a history of acute renal injury after use of NSAIDs and is very sensitive to a lot of drugs (he’s MDR1 positive) and it was safe enough to use for him. It’s a medication that was actually developed for people with insomnia and is newer for use in vet-med but I don’t know of anyone who has experience with it that would say bad things. I think it’s great that you care so much to ask.
Thank you, Lindsey, I’m very happy to hear about such good experience(s)!
KAdd additional information to this question …
Cat has bald spot on belly with skin tag type bumps in center. recently treated for allergies. not sure what this is?
This picture is of the biggest skin tag. the others feel just like little bumps (what a human would equate to zits)
This looks like a skin disorder one of my cats had. Go to a vet it’s very important to figure out what this is exactly because it could be very hazardous to the cats organs if it’s a sign of infection or so other underlying problem.
What happened with your cat?
What exactly does that mean? Diego is a boy (don’t know if that gives you more info).
I got some very afforable meds from my animal clinic. He ended up healthy. I thought it was a nipple too. Male cats have nipples.
The vet said she would have 90 days either way, whether it was removed or not.. This dog is everything to me, I am devastated.
Ultra sound and xrays have been done. Vet sent them off for a specialist to read. He said more than likely it has gone into the liver from the looks of it, but not the lungs.
How can I find out if it is malignant? Should I have her spleen removed?
Thank you so much for addressing my situation. You wrote: “The only way to know if it is malignant is to do a biopsy. If you are going to do that do the splenectomy” Does that mean the splenectomy will be the biopsy? There is a Cancer Center for Dogs in Carlsbad, CA, If it were you would you go with an organization like this rather than an individual vet? http://www.cvsangelcare.com/About-ACCC/
So appreciative,
Elaine
She is a spayed female, around 2 years old. She cannot urinate, and has a clear discharge with some blood coming from her vulva.
****Also all vets are closed until Monday. I called everywhere, so in the meantime I’d appreaciate any advice
Go to your vet it sounds like an obstruction and it could be dangerous. With no urination your dog could possibly be developing kidney issues as well. Cysts can develops in the liver and kidneys causing blockage. Those are my thoughts
You have to take her to an Emergency Vet now!!!!
If she can’t urinate her bladder will have ruptured by Monday, and thats fatal…..this is urgent you cannot leave it that long.
Animal vets can be called in this is an emergent. Find an animal hospital if possible
Please do not say, take him to your vet. My dog is a Yorkie, he is 9 years old and he has 2 tumors in his belly that have grown. They don’t know how long he has to live but my vet said that surgery isn’t an option because she believes he would only have a 10% chance of making it. This was two months ago and today his tummy is 4 times bigger than normal. A lot of it is fluid. I can feel his organs in his belly just floating in the fluid. Is there anything thing I can give him to help get rid of the fluid. I understand he doesn’t have much time but he is still full of life, my heart is breaking.
Oh no….I am so so sorry. This must be heartbreaking for you.
I honestly don’t think there is anything you can give him to get rid of this fluid. This, as I’m sure you know, happens with cancer.
The only way to get rid of it is to have it drained by the Vet. It won’t go any other way.But I think it will just build up again within a short time.
Again my heart goes out to you.
Thank you Krista and Julie. I am going to call my vet and see if she would drain the fluid but I don’t think she will. Even though he is active he isn’t as active as he was a couple months ago and I am sad to say that there isn’t any meat on his body anymore. Thanks again !
We bought the wrong kind. We bought something for adult dogs. He is not an adult yet so we went back yesterday and bought the right kind. The vomiting stopped now he just won’t eat and he still has a fever. He’ll eat his doggie treats here and there just not his actual food. What should we do?
I would take your dog and the dog food you bought to a vet! This may be a case of poisoning from a recalled food – or it could be unrelated to the food at all! Only the vet can help you determine what is happening with your pups’s health. Typically switching to an adult dog food does not result in vomiting and fever! I suspect something else is going on.
Thank You So Much I Just Called The Vet And Made An Appointment For Tomorrow Morning.
Thank You I Called They Told Me To Come First Thing In The Morning
Our yorkie male is holding his left rear leg up. Upon looking at it, the center part of the pad is pink, not black. Suggestions!!
It sounds like an injury, which in the city can result when dogs scrape the pad on concrete, like the sidewalk.
If this is the case then I would watch the area to be sure it does not get infected or inflamed. However, I cannot examine your dog over the internet so my recommendation is to visit your vet. If for no other reason then to obtain pain meds.
Good Luck
Dr Dawn
Carefully feel the leg, joints, and all parts of the paw. He may have popped a knee cap and so now it hurts, or it may be a thorn in the paw. Has he jumped any distance lately (off a bed for example)? Then I would worry that he damaged something. These little dogs can be delicate! I would also wonder if he got stepped on my accident.
When my boys are limping or holding their legs up I check for spots that are painful, or stickers, etc. If I find no smoking guns then I wait a few days to see if it resolves on its own. If it continues for more than 3 days then we go to the vet to see if they can find what I have overlooked.
The center pink could be from a blister that has healed (and it will darken to match the rest of the pad in time), or it could be the beginning of a raw spot. Feel the pad carefully to make sure there is not a sticker in there and then just keep an eye on things.
Hello Earl.
Have a thorough orthopedic/neurological examination performed by a veterinarian you have confidence in. It may be a pad injury; but it’s best to make sure it’s not something more serious before making that assumption.
Dr K
i’d get her in today, if possible JUST to make sure.