Ask questions and share about your pet's health to help others.
My cat had a polyp according to the xray, but veterinarian could not find it when he was going to remove it. He tells us to go to a specialist but it’s too expensive for us. What can we do?
7y/0 M golden retriever had mass removed near spine. Incision site was relatively large and is healing quite nicely . Since about day 5 post op he has had a sac of fluid underneath the skin (diagnosed by vet as seroma). After 2 fine needle aspirations, 2 rounds of anti-inflammatory and an antibiotic, the seroma has not gone down in size. He has been very minimally active (just goes out to use potty). Seroma has not reduced size and vet said it is ok to ease back into routine.
Any advice on how long this will last and if playing with buddies at park (he wrestles his one best friend) will delay healing? It seems no activity is not helping the swelling anyway.
Just want my pup to have a bit more fun during the day he’s been isolated for over one month!
Hello
Seromas can take quite a long time to resolve. I have seen it take weeks. Or even 2-3 months. The key is that it is never bothering your dog and never shows any signs of being n infection.
In my experience it just has to reabsorb on its own and on its own time.
My 3 year old male cat had emergency urinary tract obstruction. Luckily we very able to get him to teh hospital on time. He stayed 2 nights in hospital (super expensive). All went well and he was back home on Friday. Eating well, purring, playing, sleeping. He also goes and pee in litter box, but also is peeing small amounts around house. Like he cannot hold it. I just hope that is because of sensitive urethra and relaxation medication that they gave him. I stopped that relaxation medication immediatelly.
Another worry is he also has not been able to poop. He ppooped in hospital last time on Friday and today is Monday morning. I am thinking because of brand new urinary food that he started eating and his stomach needs to adjust. Or maybe antibiotics.
I hope he is OK and that this is just healing process. Ut has been only 2 days since catheter was pulled out. I am worried so much here.
Hello,
I hope that your cat is doing better.
Many cats have discomfort when urinating for the first few days after the urinary catheter is removed. This is normal. Make sure he is able to urinate (pass urine) I usually recommend a prescription urinary diet and ask about any and all options to help manage inflammation (I like a few things so ask your vet which might work for you (nsaid, steroid, other anti inflammatories) pain medication (analgesics) and any way to increase fluids ( there are lots of options like sq fluids at home, adding water to food or hydra care).
As far as defecating goes. I only worry if they are straining to defecate and unable to. In almost all cases they are not eating well in the hospital to form a stool. So it can be days before they poop normally.
Thank you so much for your thorough answer. He is doing much better now. It has been 9 days since catheter was removed. We are only feeding urinary wet food. He is peeing normally:), and is pooping fine. Urine is still sometimes rose color, like maybe there is blood but he seems to be fine. Does not make any painful noises, purring a lot when we play with him. I give him half 5 oz can in the morning, and other half at night. During a day, few crunchy treats. Since did is wet he does not drink much of the water, rarely. Today he was not really having good appetite , so we again stated to worry. Hopefully his urinary tract has not been damaged by procedure. Our vet is super experienced.
My cat has been doing fine for the past week or so. Now again all of sudden he started peeing pinkish pee. Like bloody. And he cannot control himsself. It seems like urinary infection. What is going on all of a sudden. Such a mess and stress for all of us. What do I do? Can urinary infection be fixed? He has been doing fine. He is only eating wet food. I think the food might be the culprit. Who knows where this food is coming from…
Please help! I have never owned a cat before, actually I am allergic. The Universe dropped two kittens in my lap that the mother never returned for. On of the kittens dies. I had them before their eyes were open. Through some good people at my vet I was able to learn some things (the hard way) and able to raise the kitten off the bottle. I have the kitten and named her Luna. And to say the least Luna is a handful. She acts feral when new people are around or I take her to the vet. She attacks everything and she is rarely calm enough to love on. She has peed in my tub one time before a couple weeks ago but today she pooped and then hours later peed in my tub. The same day. Today actually. Please if anyone knows anything about bottle baby kittens or has any advice please help.
Hello,
Call recurses and vet offices and post something on social media to see if you can find anyone locally to help advise you. Also there are multiple resources on YouTube and Facebook for kitten experts. See if you can follow them. They have extensive articles and archives.
My DSH cat Ollie, 6 years old started vomiting and having trouble eating on Wed 3/1/23, same thing Thurs. threw up everything he ate. I gave him watered down fancy feast broth via syringe that evening. I took him to the ER vet Thurs night. The ER vet did body XRays and found nothing abnormal. Gave him fluids. She thought it might be related to his teeth removal in Aug 2022. She gave him pain meds and nausea medicine. There’s been no more vomiting.
Followed up with his veterinarian practice Friday morning 3/3/2023. She did a very thorough mouth exam. Did not believe related to dental work. His blood work came back normal. Was not reactive to firm pressure anywhere near mouth. She agreed to continue pain and nausea meds but no other info. Given antibiotic shot. He was fed watered down meat baby food on Friday and more water via syringe.
Saturday 3/4/2023 went back to his vet practice to see another vet. She did additional bloodwork and ruled out pancreatic issues. She did same exam and noted his was not reactive to pressure/touch anywhere except back of mouth/throat area. Told to stop pain meds. Given steroid shot to see if his throat/back of mouth is inflamed. Said should notice a difference Monday if this is effective. Has follow up with this vet on Tuesday morning. He started hills science prescription a/d food today via syringe and continuing water mixed with a little baby food for extra hydration/nourishment. She said if this doesn’t help he will need to seek an internal specialist.
Please help. Thoughts ?
Hello,
This is a tough one because we don’t have a direction to go in
Here’s my advice. First weigh him everyday. We need to be sure he is not losing weight. Next try a canned only food. I like science diet I/d. (As in intestinal diet). Available at your vets office. Ideally feed small meals every 3-4 hours as long as he is not vomiting. Next make sure a full cbc chemistry fecal (very important to do a fecal) and urine is done. Then full X-rays. If I am still worried I send the X-rays to a radiologist for review and then do an ultrasound. If possible find a feline only veterinarian to get a second opinion. Then I call for an internal medicine consult via my lab services company. All of these are things you should (hopefully) have access to before you go to an internal medicine specialist.
The issue with your cat seems to be the hat you do not have a diagnosis for the cause of the vomiting. All of the above should help you get to one.
I hope this helps. Please keep me posted.
Krista.
Thank you Krista! The vomiting has stopped but he won’t eat on his own. I truly appreciate your help. I’m really trying while we work toward answers.
My dog can’t walk I jut want you can say a second opinion my vet said he has Spine Osteochondromalacia and I can’t find on giogle something like that I’m afraid he was wrong diagnosed
In a perfect world every pet would receive a second opinion. I think that is a great idea!
My female DSH cat started having urinary issues about 5 days ago. I noticed she’s not used the litter box for a day and I took her to the vet. They did an ultrasound and a blood test. The blood test was normal and the ultrasound detected a cystitis. We started giving her antibiotics. The night after she still wasn’t using the litter box so I took her to the ER. They said there was nothing with her though.
She still doesn’t use the litter box on her own, I have to put her in it a couple of times a day to make her pee(and still she does that only once a day)
What should I do?
Hello
These are often complicated issues involving multiple underlying things. To include diet, litter and litter box dislikes and environmental stress. I would look for a vet who specializes in feline medicine and place different kinds of litter boxes and litter types for your cat. Also make the area your cat lives in is as free of stress as possible. Calm quiet and easy to access all of the things she needs. Like fresh high quality canned food. Fresh water. And immaculately clean litter boxes. Also I add an anti inflammatory like dasaquin and a pain medication. I like gabapentin but your vet might use something else. Also ask about learning how to give sq fluids at home. Follow up with a urinalysis too.
Good luck
My cat just started yowling. He had a soft stool this morning, and tonight he is in pain. He has soft stools slowly oozing out, there is some blood. He vomited a few times. He is drinking when I bring him water. It seems like anal gland inflammation or intestinal?
I would guess intestinal. Please get him to the vet first thing this morning.
Our mobile vet was able to come to the house. She noticed he was a little anemic too. Two fluid injections, expressed anal glands, blood draw, nails clipped, various other shots and medicine and appetite stimulants…he is better, but so grumpy about it all!
Oh I’m SO relieved to hear that! Our cats do get dehydrated quickly – I’d probably invest in a fountain or two to encourage more water consumption.
This started three days ago. I noticed that my cat is not eating. When he does eat, he cries, then he throws up and it looks yellowish in tint. Earlier I put food down for my other cat and I guess because of the smell of it he started to cry then throw up again. This time it wasn’t as yellow. Could you please help me? My cat is six years old. I do have a two year old cat living in my house as well but my two year old cat is not vomiting at all. Also, my cat that is vomiting has not gone to the restroom either. When he goes inside his litter box, he tries to throw up as well. The only thing that comes out of his mouth is foam in there.
I would consider this an emergency at this point. Please get him to the vet NOW.
I have a cat that is dealing with urinary issues. Started yesterday with him straining but nothing coming out. I like many others do not have the $2k that the vet will most likely charge.
**I will take him in tomorrow to have bladder emptied, get antibiotics & anti inflammatory which will be around $300. That I can handle. My question is, what can I do at home to help the situation?
I saw online that apple cider vinegar has been used? Does anyone have any experience with home / natural remedies of any kind?
I do understand that it can be fatal if cats bladder is not relieved because of accumulation of toxins and electrolyte imbalance.
And I know that often we are referred to rescues & animal shelters for options with financial help. But unfortunately all of them in my area are already asking for help from community. And last vey I took a cat to for this recommended euthanasia if couldn’t afford to treat, so I’m also well aware that vets aren’t going to help either.
So is there ANYONE in this community that has experience with homeopathic/ natural remedies that can assist?
Hello,
I’m so sorry to hear about your cat. And all of the others in his situation.
I do not have any experience with apple cider and honestly I am too worried about what is likely already going on with your cat to try to advise anything else other then the er.
I’m working really hard to accumulate a list of affordable places and options. Please let me know if you find anyone locally. Please keep calling everyone and everywhere.
If all else fails offer to surrender your cat to get the care he needs. I know it’s not fair but it’s better to save his life.
Keep me appraised of what happens.
Best of luck
Hello,
In cases like this I recommend two things.
1. Make sure you are treating the pet not the diagnostics. Therefore I remind people that diagnostics are lovely to help understand what you are treating but they don’t really treat anything. We treat the patient. If you think that your cats clinical signs are consistent with a polyp then try to find someone who will help you look for one. In some cases it is not big enough or in a place where it can be seen with an exam, or exam under general anesthesia. A specialist can use a small camera to look in places we cannot see without one.
2. Never give up advocating for your pet.
And don’t feel badly you cannot afford a specialist. Many people cannot. But keep looking for ways to help your pet and keep your primary vet notified of your cats status.