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Angie | 3 years ago
We Adopted A Rescue Cat Named Fluffy About 6 Months Ago. We Slowly Got Her Used To …

We adopted a rescue cat named Fluffy about 6 months ago. We slowly got her used to our house and about a month ago we let her expand a bit onto the main level of the house (where the other cats are) they all met previously but they’ve only been out and about all together for about a month.

1 of the 3 original cats (Ben) is having territorial issues with Fluffy. He is obsessive over her. He follows her, stares at her, chases her, corners her, and just doesn’t seem to want to stop. She minds her own business but he always finds her.

We’ve gotten extra litter boxes, extra perches, separate feeding areas, feliway diffusers, everything we can think of. But Ben won’t let up.

What can we do?

2 Responses

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  1. Sarah

    Hi there!! I’m wondering if he might just need more time? Perhaps supervised visits and then keep those two separated when you cannot supervise? Then try again to go unsupervised and figure out what works. It sounds like you’ve really done your homework and prepared for multiple cats with the perches and extra litter boxes, etc. I’m hoping they get used to each other. I know sometimes things never get “lovey-dovey” but they can learn to coexist and tolerate one another…

  2. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I agree about needing more time. And I also think that things like feliway catnip, toys and even time out areas where your new cat can retreat to might help. Also talk to your vet about anxiety medications to help bridge the gap. I use a lot of gabapentin and fluoxetine. It really can help while they are getting used to each other.

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Melody | 3 years ago
What Can I Do For My Cat’s Teeth? My Cat Has Yellowed Teeth And Bad …

What can I do for my cat’s teeth? My cat has yellowed teeth and bad breath. His gumline is also red around some teeth. He’s eating and acting normally, but I’m very concerned about his teeth. It’s difficult to get a veterinary appointment where I live due to the pandemic so I’m only able to take him to the vet a month from now. Until I can take him to the vet, what can I do for a month to help his teeth?

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  1. Sarah

    I’m glad you have an appointment scheduled. It does sound like he needs to be seen by a vet and have his teeth looked at and cleaned. Perhaps your vet can push up your appointment?

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megan | 3 years ago
My Cat Has Laryngeal Paralysis. The Surgery Is Far Too Expensive, Therefore I’m Looking Into …

My cat has laryngeal paralysis. The surgery is far too expensive, therefore i’m looking into alternatives to treating the laryngeal paralysis. I saw that some vets offer acupuncture and electro acupuncture, which is supposed to stimulate nerve movement and could cure paralysis. Is thing something that would really work? I don’t know much about it but it seems like possibly it could get the nerves around his larynx to work again, then it could move properly? If you could provide me with any information asap I’d appreciate it! 🙂

1 Response

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    There may be anecdotal reports of this working but I have no experience. The only cat I ever had with this was given a tracheostomy tube placement for a few weeks while the nerves that were damaged and causing the paralysis recovered.

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Micki | 3 years ago
My Cat Was Diagnosed On Monday With An Abscess Most Likely From Dental Problems. My Cat …

My cat was diagnosed on Monday with an abscess most likely from dental problems. My cat was given an antibiotic shot at the appointment. The abscess has not gone down. How long does it typically take to go away?

1 Response

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    Some abscesses can be really difficult to resolve. Especially if in bone or deep in tissue. If I don’t see improvement on an antibiotic within a few days I change the antibiotic. If it still not responding it might be time for a culture or advanced diagnostics. Like X-ray or biopsy. Please keep in touch with your vet especially if you feel like things are not progressing as expected.

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Jessica | 3 years ago
I Have Two Cats – Vinny Born 2/2020 And Adopted 4/2020. In 3/2021, We Adopted Our Second Cat, Duke, …

I have two cats – Vinny born 2/2020 and adopted 4/2020. In 3/2021, we adopted our second cat, Duke, who was born 9/2020

Vinny has been very healthy until recently. Not long after adopting Duke, Vinny lost his voice, started coughing, deep breathing – we took him to the vet and they treated him for a URI.

He’s been off the antibiotics for about a week and his voice started becoming hoarse on 4/8, which slight coughing starting 4/9.

Duke has apparently always had a thing with sneezing. Usually 1-2 times daily, very random times. The foster care chalked it up to stress. His FELV came back negative when they tested him.

Both cats are set up with vet appointments – Vinny as a sick visit and Duke to get a general check up (new vet for us due to a recent move) and to address the sneezing concern. Both cats are completely up to date on all vaccinations and both neutered. 100% indoor cats.

I’m considering asking the vet to test them both for Feline Herpes Virus and do a retest for FELV.

Anything else that it could be?

1 Response

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    There are literally dozens if not more possible causes. I think it would be neat to contact your vet for help. It might be time to repeat diagnostics or add blood work or imaging. In some cases it is even appropriate to talk about obtaining samples for pathology or culture. It might also help to find a feline specialist. Good luck.

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MISTY | 3 years ago
My Eight Year Old Rat Terrier Went In For A Dental Cleaning And A Single Tooth …

My eight year old rat terrier went in for a dental cleaning and a single tooth removal, but ended up having to have fourteen teeth pulled. My vet said they were baby teeth that never fell out and had died. She did comment that he had a very unusual mouth. I was wondering why no other vet had ever noticed he still had baby teeth for all these years. Is this common?

1 Response

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I will say that every pre op dental exam I do I notify the pet parents of any residual baby teeth before undergoing anesthesia. I also check at every exam I do. I think it might be helpful to ask your vet to clarify and explain why you weren’t notified of this in advance.
    Good luck.

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Tyarra | 3 years ago
My Dog Mila (Daschund) Is Pregnant And Should Be 59 Days Pregnant (possibly More But Very Unsure). …

My dog Mila (Daschund) is pregnant and should be 59 days pregnant (possibly more but very unsure). Her stomachs been hard since last night and she stopped eating yesterday afternoon but recently just ate again but only a little. She’s been a little strange today and yesterday but besides that she seems normal. She did lose her mucus plug Monday morning and a little more of it Tuesday. Could she be close to labor or possibly already starting first stage?

2 Responses

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  1. Sarah

    Hello-
    Congrats on puppies☺️ I think that if I were you, I would call my vet and have them advise.

  2. Laura

    I would talk to the vet who’s been monitoring the dam throughout the pregnancy as well as your breed mentor.

    If you don’t have either of those, call your regular vet. Today, this morning, right now.

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Cathy | 3 years ago
Hello, My 8yr Old Anatolian Shepherd Had A Mass Removal Surgery Done About A Month Ago. …

Hello,

My 8yr old Anatolian Shepherd had a mass removal surgery done about a month ago. At the end of the second week of recovery he developed a large seroma (it was tested and not infected). The vet has since put 2 different drains in and although they work, the seroma re-develops after each time. He just had his most recent drain removed on Sunday and today (5 days later) I notice a small amount of liquid coming back. I really don’t want him to have to go into another surgery 🙁 will the seroma go away on its own? He doesn’t seem to be in any pain and the seroma is not warm to the touch, and it is much smaller this time around but I am worried it is going to just keep growing.

1 Response

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  1. Sarah

    Good morning. In my personal experience, a seroma will go away on its own…. it just takes time. So unless it is on a spot where it will be likely to cause discomfort or irritation, perhaps just leaving it to give it time to clear up on its own, is a good option. You may want to confirm with your vet. Best of luck!☺️????

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Tanya | 3 years ago
My 8 Year Old Labrador Had A Lump Removed From Her Chest Area Two Weeks Ago And …

My 8 year old Labrador had a lump removed from her chest area two weeks ago and has developed a seroma at the incision site. Vet is monitoring and happy that it’s not infected, but is there anything I can do to help it reduce, light massage? Hot or cold compress? She isn’t in pain, but she does seem to be finding it uncomfortable to lay down.

1 Response

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    While I don’t think that massage or compress hurts I don’t think it speeds up the absorption. Keep a close eye on it and call your get if anything concerning arises.

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Haley | 3 years ago
Is This A Nasal Polyp?

Hi, I adopted a Snowshoe/Siamese cat from a shelter about 6 weeks ago. They estimate he is about 3 years old but his history is unknown. He had an upper respiratory infection when I adopted him and was on antibiotics. He was very sneezy but that cleared up with the antibiotics the shelter gave me. I then took him to the vet for a wellness check the day after I adopted him and they found a yeast infection in one of his ears. We treated that and it’s been fine. He was also given Bravecto Plus topical just in case and is an indoor only cat.

About a week later he developed a skin issue, he’s been itching and ripping hair out in massive clumps and had some scabs. He was given two steroid injections over the course of a month. Also an antibiotic injection. I also changed his diet to rule out food allergen but after more than a week of diarrhea from the Hills z/d diet we switched to a sensitive skin Blue Buffalo instead which he is tolerating much better.

The skin issue has been getting better so I’m not concerned about that but just want to preface his history with me. Now onto the current issue. I noticed he snores and has trouble breathing when he is sleeping. I chalked this up to the URI but it has not gone away with the URI. His whole body basically flexes as he inhales. It’s only while he is asleep but does not matter what position he lies in. After spending over $1,000 and going to two different vet offices in the last 6 weeks, I would like to reach out to see if anyone has answers about this. We got back from the vet today with his second steroid injection and the itching has reduced significantly after this one (last one didn’t do much) and we are sending in blood work. The vet suggested next we do a full body x-ray which I’m not opposed to but I’m a graduate student and I’ve already spent over $1,000 on him and I have only had him for 6 weeks! I am going to get the x-rays for peace of mind but tonight I was checking his nose while he slept and found this. I’m assuming it’s a polyp? But I’m not a vet and won’t pretend to be one. If it is a polyp, where can I get this taken care of for a reasonable price? I really don’t want to dip into my emergency fund but I’ve already spent so much on him for vet bills, let alone changing food, litter, etc. To rule out allergens. I’ll include a picture of what I presume to be a polyp.

I appreciate anyone willing to help! I live in the New Orleans area so if you have recommendations for clinics, that would be great too! I am also willing to travel a longer distance for less pricey care. He does well in the car.

He is the one thing that’s really keeping me going right now so I really want to help him.

3 Responses

Comments

  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    It is impossible to diagnose via a photo. I think the best thing to do is have your vet look at your cat. I also think that it might be helpful to ask about cerenia nose drops just in case it is inflammation. I know there is a dr Mike down in NOLA that has been very affordable and helpful to people with financial constraints. See if anyone local knows about him. Let me know. Good luck

    1. Haley Post author

      Thank you for your response! His blood work came back today and the vet said it is perfect so that was good news. He is getting full body x-rays done tomorrow. It’s another $285 but I am hoping we get some answers about his snoring and breathing. She is going to thoroughly check his nose and what not while he is sedated. He is a squirmy boy! I will definitely be looking into Dr. Mike. Thank you so much! I really appreciate it.

    2. Haley Post author

      Hi, I got the results from his vet today. She said that his nose looks like just inflamed tissue. She said his lungs were a little foggy on the x-ray but she thinks antibiotics (equivalent of human z-pak) and a diuretic will clear it up so we are doing that. His heart was slightly enlarged but he doesn’t have a detectable murmur. She is sending for a DNT test since they still had his blood for $62 to see if he may have heart disease. His left kidney was very enlarged and his right was atrophied. She said this could be cancer. His blood work and his urine both showed no issues with kidney function so she said this could just be large to compensate for the atrophied one. She said that we could do an ultrasound and biopsy but it will be very expensive and an echocardiogram if the DNT comes back indicating something is off. I am so upset. Should I be really worried about his kidney if it’s functioning fine? Thank you for your time.