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Ethan | 7 months ago
Sudden Change In Dogs Behavior

Good evening. Before reaching out and scheduling an appointment with vet in the morning. I will ask here.

We have a 9 year old Sharpei-Hound mix named Emma, that has had a significant change in personality with-in the last 3-4 days. Overall her “Normal” behavior is what you would imagine with a blood hound; laid back and basically lazy. But when she’s outside her Sharpei side shows; playful but a little more on the aggressive side.

We have a fenced in property, and ability to closely monitor her and our other dog; a 12 year Chocolate Lab. With that said, 1 week ago February 25th we were going through our bedtime routine. Both dogs went out. Our Lab came back in rather quickly, but Emma stayed out a little longer before making her way back to the door.

When she came inside, she was shaking very much and appeared traumatized. My wife and I attempted multiple times to check her over and give her some love. But very unlike herself she did not want any part of it. She had No signs of cuts or abrasions or any type of trauma. But the only thing was when we touched the top of her head more over her left side she would yelp and whimper.

The next day she was back to her normal self. Only with in the last 3-4 days we are noticing some rather concerning things with her. That has never been previously observed.

1.Today she has developed a lump about the size of an acorn on the top of her head and still cries out when touched.

2. Appetite has not diminished, but she has had an increase in amount of water drinking.

3. She seems to be having trouble hearing.

4. Significant “Spotting” the last 3 days. This has never occurred before. And yes she is spayed.

5. Tonight when letting the dogs out after supper, I found Emma sleeping on her bed but with her eyes wide open and shallow breathing. I initially thought she had passed away suddenly, but after jolting her she awoke and came to in this rather “dazed and confused” state.

6. I would say that she is a slightly lethargic, she still wanted to go out and play but was more stand off-ish when around other dog and kids.

As stated we found no signs of being bitten by another animal, and until within the last day or so she has been her normal self. She has no underlying health problems, and is very active for being 9 years old.

We will be setting up an appointment, but in the meantime looking for help or assistance of others who have experienced this with their dog.

1 Response

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  1. Laura

    I can’t fathom what this might be, though a toxicity comes to mind. Definitely get her to the vet.

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Jean-Pierre | 7 months ago
My 16 Year Old Cat Has Hard Poop It Hurts Him To Pass. I Helpped Him Pass …

My 16 year old cat has hard poop it hurts him to pass. I helpped him pass a hard peice last night in the tub with warm water.

I have to release his anal glands every so often. I plan on giving him an enima via puppy feeding tubes with 1/3 pet Ema, 1/3 water soluble medical lube and 1/3 warm water.. with a totally amount of 30cc

Questions are can I use tap water or should I use distilled? Can I use puppy feeding tube.

He gets wet food in the morning and dry at night I am going to give him just wet from now on and I was hoping to find a laxative that is safe to use for everyone humans dogs and cats.

I might start giving him iv fluids under his skin because he’s never drank enough water.

Thank you

2 Responses

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,

    I really have to recommend that you see a veterinarian for help with this. I would want to check things like hyperthyroidism or anything that might cause muscle loss or weakness. I would also be concerned about joints and joint pain causing him to to be reluctant to use the litter box. Maybe a pain medication like gabapentin or solensia might help. Also adding something like Purina hydra care or canned food with water added can help. My point is there are lots of things to talk about that might help the underlying cause for this.

    1. Jean-Pierre Post author

      Thank you I’ll call a vet tomorrow, he seems better today, I started giving him water in his pate food Purina, he has no problem with his litter box, he had a hard peice of poop he could pass it was breaching so I sat him in warm water and that worked, I can fell his colon it seems like normal amount in there but it’s a little hard.

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Chris | 7 months ago
Hello.  Can You Please Cut And Paste This To Pawbly.com And I Will Reply There.  …

Please help with removing nasal polyp.

Hello,

My girlfriend has a cat she rescued almost 10 years ago.  Her name is Kitty.

She has quite a bit of difficulty breathing.  We have taken here to and from several local veterinary hospitals and they have prescribed various antibiotics and steroids.

After almost 6 months these seem to offer little relief to our poor little Kitty.

I am willing and able to drive Kitty anywhere within 500miles to try to remove the polyp.  We can stay for a few days if you need us to.

The local hospitals want over $10k total in several rounds of scans, xrays and preoperative over several weeks.  We can’t afford this.  Someone will be be able to make a real difference in Kitty’s life they would agree to meet with her and do what they can. 

I would also add that my girlfriend has a deep love of animals.  She regularly helps local shelters and hard luck cases like when she found Kitty.  She cleans and grooms pets for a living and volunteers her services to local shelters. You would be making an incredible gift to her.  I don’t have $10000 but I would gladly pay fairly for the procedure and arrange for our travel to you.

Looking forward to your reply.

Thank you,

Chris

6 Responses

Comments

  1. brian

    I think I might be able to help. I’ll look into this immediately and let you know what I find out before today’s end.

    Respectfully,
    Brian

    1. Chris Post author

      Hi Brian, I am in Ottawa, Canada. I actually reached to your clinic…Dr. Krista Magnifico fyi.

  2. Krista Magnifico

    Hello.
    I would be happy to help BUT I do not have a scope to do what the specialist would do. So unless I can see it behind the soft palate to avulse it I can’t do what they can do. Also polyps are much less common in older cats (like over 3 years old). It is more likely to be either infection or mass (possibly cancerous).

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Shay | 7 months ago
My 18 Year Old Cat (long Hair) Has Been Having Some Issues For About 2 Weeks Now. On 2/10/24 …

My 18 year old cat (long hair) has been having some issues for about 2 weeks now. On 2/10/24 he started throwing up at breakfast and didn’t want dinner, Stopped drinking and eating from that point and howl crying by sunday night into Monday. Got hospitalized on Monday the 12th got labs done, a urinalysis, semi ultrasound and xrays. He was severely dehydrated, negative for UTI, severely anemic (6.8 range was 10.9-15 ). Over night he got IV fluids and antibiotics and ate some the morning, labs were normal by discharge except for anemia. Xray ray did reveal, distended stomach with gas, arthritis, one small kidney. He came home didn’t really eat much, followed up with regular vet got subq fluids and appetite stimulant (rubs on ear), 1-2 days after he ate like a horse mostly broths and liquids foods. He is now constipated and vomiting again, not eating and lethargic. Took him to the vet 2/24/24 for subq fluids vet also gave him an enema. He has not pooped still its been about 30 hours. I tried to give him gabapentin yesterday but he threw up. This morning he threw up “poop” like vomit. We gave him 1/2 ish teaspoon of miralax this morning threw up a little while later more poop like vomit. Seems to have broken a bit of his k9 tooth off also, doesnt seem to bee botbering him… We are considering doing at home mineral oil enema with a baby enema glycerin suppository with more miralax. He has eaten a tiny bit of Broth treat today and gotten outside for 2 walks. Are we doing the right steps ? Is there more or less we should be doing ? Trying to get to a more equipped vet hospital but probably won’t be until Tuesday 2/2724. Should I seek emergency medical attention or waiting until Tuesday be okay. Planning to take him to regular small vet tomorrow for subq at the least.Please help.

1 Response

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    It sounds like your cat doesn’t have a diagnosis and we are chasing treatment options that don’t seem to be working. This tactic always gets me concerned because it makes it very hard to know what to do next or where to go for help. If you can afford it I recommend you see a feline practitioner. This is a veterinarian who only sees cats, or has a veterinary practice that only takes care of cats. I would also ask about trying a steroid, appetite stimulant, feeding tube and better help with at home care if you do not re hospitalize for iv fluids and in patient care.
    I also strongly recommend that the constipation be confirmed with a recital exam by the vet before enemas are done at home.
    This is a tough case and your cat needs to see the vet.

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Paige | 7 months ago
My Dog Broke Her Dew Claw Somehow And It Is Now Cracked. It Bled A Little, …

My dog broke her dew claw somehow and it is now cracked. It bled a little, but is not anymore. I plan to wrap it with gauze and vet wrap, then call the vet when they open in the morning, but any other suggestions in the meantime? She doesn’t seem to be in significant discomfort and is walking fine on that leg.

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Joyce | 7 months ago
My 14 Year Old Cat Has Undergone A Wedge Excision Of Submandibular Tumor (AC) With Skin Flap 12 …

My 14 year old cat has undergone a wedge excision of submandibular tumor (AC) with skin flap 12 days ago. Surgery was rather successful, margin was cleared, drain was removed at post op day 6. He started to develop soft swelling (feels like a pouch of fluid) over his wound site and rather noticeably with some tension on the wound. He didn’t seem to be annoyed by the swelling (craving for food as always) and the site wasn’t warm. He was supposed to see the vet in a week time for off stitches. We wanted to consult the vet earlier but he’s out of town, anything we should be aware these couple days? Please help. Thank!

1 Response

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  1. Shiria

    Oh just saw this now. I hope he is fine and you got to see your vet?
    Sometimes fluids build up after a tumor gets removed. If he’s not in pain and eating normally I would say its okay to wait a week. Of course if it gets herder, the skin gets discoloured (red or bluish) you should go ealier.

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Haven | 7 months ago
16 Year Old Cat Lethargic With Labored Breathing; Has Not Ate In 24 Hours. We Took Her To …

16 year old cat lethargic with labored breathing; has not ate in 24 hours. We took her to the vet this morning and her lungs were clear and her heart sounded good and did not look enlarged. Her bloodwork showed that she did have elevated white blood count and kidney disease but not end stages. Also her electrolytes looked normal. The vet was thinking that a blood clot may have passed but it was not indicated with anything but the labored breathing. She also thought she may have labored breathing possibly due to being in pain from arthritis. She gave her an injection for this that can be given monthly and sent us home with a low dose of gabapentin in hopes that she can rest and recover. She also added fluid under her skin in case she didn’t eat today. So far there is no change in her, if anything she is more lethargic but this could just be the medication. Just hoping someone may be able to give us other ideas of what may be wrong. We are really hoping our old girl pulls through.

2 Responses

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    It sounds like your vet did a thorough job in the work up. But. You still don’t ha e an answer that is hoping your cat feel better. For cases like this I would say to do two things. One, call the vet back and notify them of these concerns. And two seek a second opinion. If you can find a feline specialist go to them.
    Keep us posted and good luck.

  2. Shiria

    I agree with Krista here. One of my past cats also had kidney disease, he was not end stage, but every few months he woulds have a really bad week. Bloodwork weren’t that bad either. But he wouldn’t eat or drink, and sometimes even couldn’t walk. He needed daily fluids (the vet showed me how to do that at home) and was fed with a syringe. After 4-7 days he started to get better again.

    I would ask your vet to show you how to gove fluids udner the skin and feeding with a syringe, so that you can do this at home and help her for a few days. If she doesn’t get better it’s maybe nessecary to get a second opinion. But sometimes you just can’t find what is wrong :(.

    I wish you all the best!

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Cathy Owensby | 7 months ago
My Dog Needs An Echocardiogram. I Was Quoted $915. I Was Hoping To Find A More Affordable …

My dog needs an echocardiogram. I was quoted $915. I was hoping to find a more affordable option. Is there one?

2 Responses

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  1. Laura

    Hi Cathy – you can look for a clinic if this isn’t emergent. Usually they’re lower cost…BUT they’re only for dogs without a diagnosis of cardiac issues. If your dog has a suspected problem like dilated cardiomyopathy, you should go directly to a veterinary cardiologist…and yes, they’re expensive outside of cardiac clinic events. I would recommend reaching out to the nearest Doberman club or rescue to see if they know the next clinic event – that’s how I got my Dobe tested before she developed DCM.

    I’m so sorry you have a need. I hope your dog isn’t symptomatic.

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wendy | 7 months ago
Seeking Diagnosis/Treatment For Possible Nasopharyngeal Polyp In Cat Our 5#, 18 Mo Old Cat Has Been Having …

Seeking Diagnosis/Treatment for Possible Nasopharyngeal Polyp in Cat

Our 5#, 18 mo old cat has been having breathing difficulty for about 6 months. We’ve been to two “regular” vets and one specialty vet. The “regular” vets have done chest x-rays and bloodwork trying to diagnose. We’ve been on multiple rounds of antibiotics, several steroid shots, and a few breathing treatments. The first vet suspected asthma, but none of the meds worked. The second vet suspected lung infection, but again, none of the meds caused any improvement. The cat is acting fine, eating and eliminating normally. No nasal discharge. Sounds like she’s snoring all the time.

We saw a specialist today. She determined that the cat isn’t able to breathe thru her nose much, if at all. We are waiting on lab results for a fungal infection. The next step she suggested would be for CT scan and rhinoscopy to check for foreign body, polyp, or other physical abnormality. I’m ok with sedated imaging, but their estimated cost for that is $4,000. I called MS State University Vet Clinic, and their estimate was also in that range. We’ve already spent hundreds trying to diagnose and treat this. I’m ok with spending more but not $4,000.

Can anyone suggest a vet in the Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi region that we can try?

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Sandee | 8 months ago
Anyone Have Thoughts, Suggestions And/or Recipes For Homemade Dog Food That Provides Complete Nutrition For …

Anyone have thoughts, suggestions and/or recipes for homemade dog food that provides complete nutrition for large breed dogs, specifically lab mixes. I am interested in exploring what feeding homemade food would look like from both an ingredient and time commitment perspective. Thank you in advance.

1 Response

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  1. Laura

    I would say get your vet involved, and/or a veterinary dietician if there’s one near you. There’s a lot more leeway with dogs than with cats, but I’d be very careful about making sure they get the right balance of nutrition without overdosing them on anything.

    Oh, avoid legumes. There’s a link between heavy legume inclusion and dilated cardiomyopathy, which is something I wouldn’t wish on anyone.

    Lots of folks go with a raw diet. This seems to be somewhat controversial in vet circles (Dr. Magnifico will weigh in on this when she sees it), but it’s another feeding method that requires a lot of research first.