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Heather | 4 years ago
My Cat Is 12 Years Old. We Noticed She Had Lost Some Weight Over A Short Period …

My cat is 12 years old. We noticed she had lost some weight over a short period of time and booked a visit to see our vet on Monday. Then she stopped eating over the weekend and became lethargic so we took her to the ER vet. They diagnosed her with CKD and it is very advanced. Her values were so high they needed to dilute their sample to get a reading. We were told it would not be inappropriate to euthanize her right then and there or we could hospitalize her but she might not handle the treatment well because of her heart murmur. It was such a shock I had no idea she was so unwell, but I couldn’t put her down without trying anything. She was admitted for 2 days and hydrated and while she did perk up and start eating, her numbers did not go down significantly. She came home and was perky for roughly 45 minutes, then laid down to sleep on our sofa and has been using that spot as home base for the last 2 days. She’ll get up to drink and use the litterbox and greet us but then promptly returns to her spot. She is grooming herself. These are some good signs. What worries me is she has already gone off eating. She didn’t have much the first day but today she licked some gravy off some wet food and has had a few treats. She is less perky already. The vet sent us home with mirtazpine ointment and subQ fluids… but nothing for nausea. My question is: should I force feed her? Should I have a tube put in? Should I let her go? I don’t want her to suffer if it’s her time but I also want to give her a chance if she can still lead a good life. She’s an agreable cat and tolérâtes the sub Q fluids well, though I don’t think she would like to be force fed. I won’t give up on her but I don’t want her to suffer either by putting in a tube or force feeding if it will only keep her with me another week.

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  1. Laura

    I wouldn’t force feed without vet guidance. I would, however, call your regular vet and have a serious conversation about what you can do for her, and what sort of prognosis your vet can give you.

    I will say she needs to start eating, so I would get her in to your vet today if at all possible.

    I’m so sorry this is happening. It’s scary when it’s so sudden. My heart goes out to you as my stinky kidney cat burps in my face. Let us know what happens?

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Karen Guckert | 4 years ago
I Have A 3 1/2 Yr Old Male Cavalier King Charles Spaniel And Are Getting Another Cav Puppy. …

I have a 3 1/2 yr old male Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and are getting another Cav puppy. Is it better to get a female this time? I want to create the best opportunity for them to get along. Is another male ok?

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Mary Fischer | 4 years ago
I Have. 2.5 Yr Old GSD That Has Had Diarrhea And Vomiting. He Is Drinking Water And …

I have. 2.5 yr old GSD that has had diarrhea and vomiting. He is drinking water and does not seem lethargic. Some sleep might do him good, but he still wants to play. Is there anything i can give him??

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  1. Laura

    Depending on how long this has gone on, I would fast him for 24 hours, then slowly introduce bland food in the form of chicken or ground beef cooked well with no other seasonings and mixed with plain white rice, with a higher rice to meat ratio at first. Give SMALL amounts to see how he does. Give plenty of water. If the vomit and diarrhea persist, call the vet. If the vomit and diarrhea have persisted more than 48 hours already, call the vet.

    1. Mary Fischer Post author

      Thank you. It has been over 24 hours. I did make an apt with his vet. Hope its not premature.

      1. Laura

        I think it’s fair, especially if you’ve never dealt with this before. We were definitely more willing to call the vet over every little thing until we began to understand how our dog handles things. Better to be overly cautious than let something go for far too long, you know?

        I forgot to add one thing: once he’s keeping food down, plain yogurt is something I’d keep in your repertoire of things to help gut health. Bonus, most dogs absolutely love it.

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Kerry | 4 years ago
My 11 Year Old Yorkie Began Trembling And Having Trouble Walking 8 Days Ago. I Took Her To …

My 11 year old yorkie began trembling and having trouble walking 8 days ago. I took her to the vet the next day and she suspected IVDD. She put her on a pain reliever, prednasolome, and a muscle relaxer. She could still walk a bit when she went outside to go potty. 3 days ago she started to have extreme pain in her left shoulder/neck. She completely stopped walking but she tries and can stand and sit, but she falls over. I took her back to the vet and had an x ray done. They showed that the vertebrae between the neck and shoulder was very messed up. They kept her on the same meds. Is there hope for her? She is extremely healthy and fit. She is not over weight and was still very playful. She starts shaking and her neck muscles tighten and start twitching about 4 hours after I have given her the muscle relaxer, and she takes it every 12 hours so she is very tight for hours! What can I do for her? We cannot afford an MRI although wish we could. Also how often do I move her during the night? Thank you!

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  1. Sarah

    Hello- so sorry that you and your pup are going through this. If you look up on YouTube, Dr. Magnifico has posted a lot on ivdd. You may be able to find some valuable advice from her. Hoping that she see your post here- she’s very knowledgeable and will hopefully be able to offer some tips on how to help. Best of luck ????????

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Kate | 4 years ago
I Live In A Studio Apartment With Two Female Cats (ages 1.5 & 5) And When I’m …

I live in a studio apartment with two female cats (ages 1.5 & 5) and when I’m not in the apartment, they get along fine. During the day if I’m home, they only compete when they are hungry. But all of a sudden between 12am and 1am if I’m home, they start to chase each other to the point of some scary yowels. I can only assume it’s jealousy-triggered. My question is, how do I mitigate the fighting if i can only separate them between a cold bathroom and the huge main room (that has me in it)? Would separating them like that only make things worse? Any herbal remedies to calm newly competitive kitties?

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  1. Sarah

    Hi there- there may be an underlying issue that is unknown or unrealized to you that is causing this change in behavior. So that might be worth investigating. As far as keeping them separated in your studio- have you tried to make places where they can “escape” to? For instance, we used to have a cat that was very sociable, but when she needed her alone time she would go up on the window sill of our basement window (high up) where no one else could bother her. When the cat we currently have needs a break from the dogs, she goes on the shelf in our closet where she can be alone. Maybe a cat tree or a high shelf might be helpful? ????????

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Toya | 4 years ago
Started Out Pea Size Over Summer. Now It Has Gotten Bigger. I Was Going To Get …

Started out pea size over summer. Now it has gotten bigger. I was going to get it checked in spring time when he gets his shots and hoping finances will be better. Two questions does anyone know what this is and are there sponsor that can help with pet bills. Thank you so much in advance for any and all comments.

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  1. Sarah

    Hi there-
    It is hard to tell from a photo. Is it an open wound or more like a growth? Either way- your best bet (and probably least expensive option) is to get to the vet sooner rather than later. The longer you wait, the worse it seems to be getting on turn the more expensive the treatment will end up being. Hopefully, if it is a tumor, it is benign or if it isn’t that you have caught it in time.

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Sara | 4 years ago
My Cat Has Been Limping On His Hind Left Leg He Hissing Aggressively Meows When He …

My cat has been limping on his hind left leg he hissing aggressively meows when he moves I’m pretty sure he either has a fracture or sprain or dislocation. he is eating an drink and using the bathroom but I can’t afford to take him to the vet for treatment what can I do for him and for his pain?

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  1. Sarah

    I’m sorry your cat is in so much pain. Really, you need to get him to a vet… especially since he is in so my pain.

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Alexandra | 4 years ago
I Found A Spot Under My Male Cats Left Neck Area While Petting Him. He Does …

I found a spot under my male cats left neck area while petting him. He does not seem to be bothered by it but I do see him licking that area. Is this a hot spot? If so, is this something that can be treated over the counter or does this warrant a trip to the vet? I bring him to Jarretsville Vet with Dr. Graf (love you guys!) but if it’s not necessary to bring him on a car ride I would avoid it. Just looking for advice. Thank you so much!

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I don’t usually see hotspots in cats. And there is a significant amount of hair loss so I am a little worried. I can talk to de graf tomorrow and we can come up with a plan that works for you.
    Please call the clinic in the morning to remind me.
    Thank you for using pawbly and I will talk to you tomorrow.
    Krista

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Jessica | 4 years ago
My 3 Y/o Lab Has Chronically Had Bad Breath Since He Was About 1 Y/o, No …

My 3 y/o lab has chronically had bad breath since he was about 1 y/o, no matter what food he is on (currently Purino Pro Plan Lamb & Rice). When he licks you, his saliva residue smells really bad, and can actually feel stinging, leading me to worry about the possibility of acid reflux for him that we’ve missed all along. Is there anything we can try with him either OTC or natural supplements for him to address this? Or does this warrant a trip to the vet to address?

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  1. Laura

    If it’s gone on for 2 years and you haven’t gotten it addressed in that time, it’s most likely something that REALLY needs a vet’s involvement. Could be medical, could be dental, but you should call the vet about it.

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Teresa | 4 years ago
Cat Unable To Eat Due To Esophagus Constricted

Attached below I have x-rays of my 12 year old cat. He has been having problems eating and breathing for a while. I thought that it was nasal polyps, but Dr. Krista told me that that was most likely not the case. The x-rays taken at his regular vet below show that he has something pinching in the middle of his esophagus. He can only eat a couple licks of watered down food, then walks away with a pained look in his face. I’m asking if anyone has ever had this situation with any other pets before. I will be scheduling an ultrasound at Jarrettsville vet ASAP in order to find out if there is anything that can be done to alleviate his struggling to breathe and eat. We are using transdermal prednisone to help with any inflammation. Also, his recent bloodwork has been great except for his glucose being a little high.

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I am not sure if you are already a client of jvc. Please call the clinic and ask for an appointment. We can discuss future diagnostics from there. I wish you the best of luck

    1. Teresa Post author

      Thank you Dr. Magnifico. I’ll call first thing in the morning.