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Jessica | 4 years ago
IVDD – Beagle My 9 Year Old Beagle Is Displaying Symptoms Of IVDD. Currently He Is Still …

IVDD – Beagle
My 9 year old beagle is displaying symptoms of IVDD. Currently he is still able to walk. He holds up a paw when he stands but does have pain in the neck area. He has been displaying these symptoms for a month. This is the third times he has had issues with this leg which we always assumed was so sort of sprain and was helped by rest. The nuroligst wanted to do an emergency MRI and possible surgery if the MRI confirmed IVDD. However, his symptoms don’t seem nearly as bad as other have expressed. Is surgery really the way to go if I can afford it to help him heal the quickest? I want him to heal as quickly as possible, but I am nervous that the surgery seems risky. Any advice?

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,,
    I can only answer this as an “in general” answer. I dont know your pup and therefore I cannot provide much help in providing the kind of answered tailored to your pup like your vet, or your neurologist can. We do believe, in general, that pets who with an acutely ruptured disc will have a better prognosis than those who do not. This does not remove the risk of surgery or general anesthesia, but, it doesnt allow the disc to stay impeding the spinal cord and acting like a crushing tourniquet. I have seen some pets do amazing after surgery, and others also do amazing when they couldnt afford surgery.
    In general, dogs who are acutely paralyzed do best wiht immediate surgery. Dogs with slow, mild disease do fine with cage rest and time.
    I have to say, honestly, if he were my pup or my patient that I would be hesitant to do surgery on dog that has such mild clinical signs. This absolutely means that you use a harness, dont allow anytime off the leash, no running, jumping, or excessive play. On a leash or in a cage.

    This is my personal opinion. I hope that your vet and your neurologist can give you theirs.

    keep us posted.

    krista

    1. Jessica Post author

      Thank you so much for the quick response! I have decided to cage rest and lifestyle change to restrict all jumping and stairs to see how he reacts to that treatment. I am looking to have him check out by another neurologist to get a second opinion on his progress. Again really appreciate your response!

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Valerie | 4 years ago
Hi There. My Dog Ruby Had Sudden Onset Mast Cell Tumors Present About 3 Weeks Ago. She…

Hi there. My dog Ruby had sudden onset Mast Cell Tumors present about 3 weeks ago. She’s an energetic 4 year old pit/great dane mix (I know because I spent a billion dollars on a DNA kit). I noticed about 7 subcutaneous lumps on her left side while she was outside playing. They felt like little oblong marbles under her skin. Our vet is an hour away. We had moved a few months back and kept our vet because we love him so much. We still see him for routine care. There is a vet very close to our home and I have read good reviews and have had email conversation previously when I was deciding whether or not to switch vets. I was concerned Ruby would have cancer, I just felt it, and didn’t want her to have to make several long trips to our vet if she were to require surgery, etc. So I decided to take her to the new close to home vet. As it is Covid-19 season, I did not get to go inside the vet’s office with her. They aspirated one of the lumps and were concerned. She was scheduled for surgery in the following week. I talked to my other vet about this, and he was not pleased to hear they aspirated her, because he was worried that the histamines from the tumor would cause it to spread. I was alarmed and researched Dr. Google for 2 days. It seemed to me after my research that the aspiration was standard course of care. Ruby had her surgery and had 2 large masses removed. They could not take all of them because there would have been too many incision sites. Directions for care included keeping her inactive for 10-14 days, not an easy dear with an anxious 65 lb lap dog. On day 7 of recovery, I noticed a fluid buildup around the incision site. Back to Dr. Google, I decided she had a seroma. I called the vet the next morning and we took her over and my suspicion was confirmed. They told us to call if it got worse. We still haven’t received the pathology back on the two masses that were removed. This morning I decided I needed to do more research, as two new masses have cropped up (the tumors, not seroma). Ruby is in good spirits and just wants to play and run with our other dogs. She’s mad at me, I’m sure of it, for making her lay around all day. Is it normal to have a seroma after surgery? Why do these tumors pop up all of a sudden?

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Ashley | 4 years ago
Hello. My Cat Was Spayed 4 Days Ago And I Have Been Noticing Some Swelling Around The …

Hello. My cat was spayed 4 days ago and I have been noticing some swelling around the incision but it looked normal color and no warmth or drainage so I wasn’t worried but today upon further inspection it seems to be more of a bulge. It is semi firm to the touch. My initial thought was a hernia but it doesn’t reduce when pushed and is not soft as I would assume that would be. She doesn’t seem to be in any pain and is a very active energetic cat as much as I’ve tried to keep her quiet after surgery. Is it possible this is a seroma? As it is the weekend right now I’m trying to wait till Monday to get her into the vet. A little worried but she also is acting totally fine so I hope she’s alright until Monday. Trying to attach a photo but struggling. Gonna try to add it in a comment below. Any thoughts would help ease my racing mind. Thanks.

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    The only way to know what the swelling is is to talk to a vet who can examine her. If she is acting normally and if the area is not showing signs of infection; pain, swelling, redness, warm to the touch, or discharge that is thick, malodorous and or yellow/purulent, then you are probably ok to wait until Monday when your vet opens. Some swelling is normal but all swelling should be seen by a vet ASAP. And all cats not acting normally need a vet ASAP. Keep her calm, quiet and under right monitoring and see a vet, preferably the vet who did the surgery as soon as possible. Thank you for spaying her and best wishes to you both.

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Lizbeth | 4 years ago
Hi, I Have An Issue With My 2 Year Old Husky. Just 3 Days Ago, She Got Her …

Hi, I have an issue with my 2 year old husky. Just 3 days ago, she got her nail Vertically broken. What should I do?

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    1. Lizbeth Post author

      She’s been limping since day one, but today it’s worse. I try to limit her time with outside and playing about, she’s not bleeding which is good but I notice that it’s starting to smell. I have alcohol and trying to regularly clean it, but she starts to lick it.

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Sandy | 4 years ago
Hello. I Am Hoping Dr. Magnifico Sees This Message As She Treated Samantha Yesterday (Friday) For …

Hello. I am hoping Dr. Magnifico sees this message as she treated Samantha yesterday (Friday) for me.
She has found a quiet hiding place and I am able to pet her although she is not thrilled….turns her head. I have not seen her eat but I cannot rule it out because she may come out when we are asleep.
Do you think she could be in any pain? If not okay but if you do I have a syringe of 5 ml buprenorphine that was for Dexter but he did not need
It. I did not want to do anything without asking you. If you think it would help could I give her the med?

Another question. One if my other cats was diagnosed with probable lymphoma. I mentioned on Wednesday (I think it was Wednesday) that she had been sneezing from time to time but it was recommended that we hold off because we were already dealing with something major unless it got worse. She is doing it more frequently and seems to effect her purring. There is a good chance I may bring her in tomorrow to see you.

Thanks
Sandy

If you are reading this I want you to know that I truly appreciate you helping us out at the last minute yesterday because of my stupidity.

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I don’t expect that she is painful. It was very superficial and as long as the staples stay in place it should heal up fine. If possible please put her in a small room or area to monitor her closely. She will need the staples removed in about 7-10 days. I am here if you need me. Be safe and call me at the clinic or email me anytime.

    We gave her an injectable antibiotic to help the sneezing.

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Caleb | 4 years ago
So, We Rescued A Dog About A Month Ago, And Since Then Me And Him Have …

So, we rescued a dog about a month ago, and since then me and him have had a really strong bond until recently. Nearly 2 weeks ago we found a baby kitten abandon and we took him home, so I’ve been busy taking care of him aswell. My dog seems to be more distant towards me and hanging out with other household members instead. I think he may be upset, will this go on forever or will he get over it? I miss my big boy by my side all the time

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  1. Laura

    Only a month before bringing another animal in? He might be unsettled. Get back to your daily training and he’ll come back to you as his primary person.

  2. Sarah

    Hi there-
    Thanks for opening your home to animals in need. I agree with Laura- he is unsettled. I have to stress ROUTINE. He will thrive on routine and it will help reinforce the bond between you. Just think- you’re life is completely changed and as soon as you start to understand it, another big change is happening. Even if it is a positive change, he doesn’t understand that. I also have to say- WALKS. Nice ones of quality time for the two of you. Try to make them part of your routine that he can count on. The more consistent you are, the more trust you will build. He will come around. Don’t give up.????????

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Caleb | 4 years ago
This Isn’t Anything Major, I’m Just Wondering Why, When I’m Busy Or On …

This isn’t anything major, I’m just wondering why, when I’m busy or on my phone, my dog just stares at me with the saddest eyes the whole time? We rescued him a little over a month ago, he had been shot in the head with a BB gun and we nursed him back to health. He’s the only one he does this to

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  1. Sarah

    ????????He probably just wants to know why you aren’t paying attention to him???? It’s like when your kids do t want anything to do with you until you have work to do. Thanks for rescuing!!!!

  2. Laura

    He sounds terribly polite.

    Why not take him for a walk? 🙂

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Sarah | 4 years ago
Good Morning Pawbly Friends- I Have A Corn Cob Question… Thursday (a Week Ago) Rontu Threw …

Good Morning Pawbly friends-
I have a corn cob question… Thursday (a week ago) Rontu threw up a bunch of grass and a white blob. We could not figure out what the heck it was, or where he got it from. He was fine- running, playing, pooping. I always check their poo schedule and make sure it looks normal- sorry I’m weird. Anyway, Friday evening on our walk he pooped and I swear it had a chunk (pretty sizeable) of corn cob in it. We do not eat corn, so I have no idea when or how he got into corn. Especially this time of year when none of the fields around us are growing yet. Then again on Saturday morning on our long walk around 11, he passed another, much smaller chunk of cob. He had already done a normal poo at our early morning walk. He has been acting normal ever since. My original “plan” with all of this covid going on was to watch him closely and see if he passed it, which he seems to have. He is having normal bathroom and has been eating and drinking normally- so I thought we dodged that bullet. But every so often, he is slow to get up- and his back legs quiver. After he has a poo, it stops and he is running and playing and having a ball. It happened this morning and Monday morning. So my question is, does this warrant a trip to the vet? I hate to bother everyone during this hard time. And could it be related to the corn cob somehow? Sorry for the long post.

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello!
    i have to start at the most concerning part of your question: who doesnt eat corn? its not the checking the poo that makes you weird.. its the corn, 😉
    I think that your plan,, even amongst the COVID stuff is perfect! Just watch closely. Corn cobs are most concerning with respect to obstruction. Obstruction causes anorexia, vomiting, lethargy. I am not sure if the leg issues are related. Based on breed and age I would recommend an x-ray of the hips when we are back up and running normally..
    Watch for normal eating, normal activity and normal fecal output. call me anytime if you are worried,, as far as to where the corn cob came from.. who knows,, it might have been pieces left over from last season. thats where my dogs get theirs.

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Ana Garcia | 4 years ago
Hello! I Have Been A Follower For A Couple Of Years And You Helped Me To …

Hello! I have been a follower for a couple of years and you helped me to not give up hope when my 15 year old dachshund suffered from cervical IVDD in October….he was completely paralyzed for 1 month and is mostly back to his rambunctious self. Thank you!!
I do have a question. I am currently fostering an old lady chihuahua who has red eyes. I was wondering if you had come across it or have any resources I could use? She does not have conjunctivitis. She sees well, but does appear to startle if we move too quickly. It appears that the cornea and iris are red…like that of a hamster or rat. There is not really any pupil distinction, however, it does not seem as though she suffers from light sensitivity. Thank you for any information that you can provide.

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    If she wasnt born like this ( a condition where there arent any of the normal pigments present in the eyes, as in forms of albinism) then I would see a vet asap. I would be afraid of neoplasia (can happen in the iris), high blood pressure, and even bleeding disorders. Your vet can do a cursory ophthalmic exam to help identify a problem versus a congenital, or acquired condition. In many cases your vet might want to refer you to a boarded ophthalmologist for confirmation and treatment assistance.

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deehoeck1 | 4 years ago
I Have A 10-1/2 That You (Dr. Morgan) Has Seen Over The Years. Lilly Started Sneezing …

I have a 10-1/2 black lab that you (Dr. Morgan) has seen over the years. Lilly started sneezing yesterday and last nite and today she has had a nose bleed. What could be causing this? Thank you!

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    There are lots of reasons pets sneeze. Allergies, foreign material inhaled (Like a piece of grass) into the nostrils, infection and even cancer are all possible. In general sneezing or longer than a few days duration causes rupturing of the delicate covering of the nasal turbinates (the internal tissue of the nose). When you over stress this tissue it starts to breakdown and causes bleeding. I use the analogy of blowing your nose for days when you have a head cold and then notice blood in your tissue/Kleenex. If the sneezing persists please call for an exam so we can help identify what the cause might be. Then we can help with treatment options. For right now try to increase the humidity on your home with a humidifier or running a hot shower and coding your pup Inside the bathroom With you. I have also seen some dogs have nose bleeds due to tick disease but usually not precipitated with sneezing. De Morgan is here tomorrow if you would like to call the clinic to set up an exam.