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Sabrea | 5 years ago
My New Kitten Who Is About 5-6 Months Old Has Tapeworms, And I Need To Know …

My new kitten who is about 5-6 months old has tapeworms, and I need to know what to get to treat him safely.

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    Tapeworms are caused by ingesting fleas. So please make sure you year both the fleas and the tapes. At this age your kitten should have been vaccinated for rabies so please ask your vet which product they prefer. Please do not use an over the counter. I just feel that they aren’t safe especially in a young cat. Ideally a fecal sample is submitted to the vet lab and the pet is checked for all parasites and then dewormed accordingly. I prefer drontal plus but there are other options. Your vet can help. Please also have her spayed ASAP. Ty for helping her.

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William | 5 years ago
Hi Krista, I Have A 6 Month Old Kitten (Shadow) With Polyps And I Saw Your Video …

Hi Krista, I have a 6 month old kitten (Shadow) with polyps and I saw your video on YouTube and got excited because I know how much vets charge and I can’t afford that. I’m in Greensburg PA, just east of Pittsburgh. If you know of any affordable vets in my area I could try them but most places are 3+ weeks out just for appointment or not taking new customers at all. Otherwise I could definitely take the drive to MD if it helps my baby breathe and meow! Please let me know if you can help. Thanks!

1 Response

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I don’t know if anyone there. But I think that one of the best places to start to look for affordable help is by calling any and all of the local shelters, rescues and pet focused foundations. They know who is fair reputable and affordable. If you cannot fund anyone please let me know. Or call my clinic at 410-692-6171 and leave a message for me. Tell them that you are booking an appointment to be seen and I will call you back from the clinic. Good luck. If you find someone who can help please notify me so I can pass it along for future use.

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Oscar | 5 years ago
My Kitten Of (five Weeks – Six Weeks) Appears To Have A Swollen Belly. I Have …

My kitten of (five weeks – six weeks) appears to have a swollen belly. I have been concerned for a while as it does not seem to go away, my kitten also seems to constipate a bit and isolate himself from other kittens. Although he shows some odd behavior, he still is the most energetic kitten of the lot and eats very often, more so than the other kittens, and he loves climbing, jumping, running, and is an all around happy lil guy. His feces does not seem to show any signs of parasitic infection (no eggs, mucus, blood) and I’m concerned it might even be FIP. Just wondering what it could be, thanks for taking the time in reading this!

3 Responses

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  1. Sarah

    Good morning-
    When is your next vet appointment? I’m assuming you already have them lined up for vaccinations and check ups since they’re so little. I’m sure the vet will give them all a physical and check for parasites etc. at that time. I think I would try to get in ahead of schedule for this little guy though since your concerned. Best of luck????????

  2. Laura

    I’d get him to the vet. Big bellies are (usually) wormy bellies, but your vet will be able to help you here.

  3. Krista Magnifico

    My first concern would be FIP too. There are some new treatment plans for this disease so I would have it diagnosed ASAP for the best chance at a successful treatment.

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Kathryn | 5 years ago
Hi, This Is Our 11 Month Old Kitten! I Snapped This Photo Of Her Yawning And It …

Hi,

This is our 11 month old kitten! I snapped this photo of her yawning and it appears she has an extra tooth on the left side?

We have had her for almost 6 weeks now, she chews on almost everything so were growing concerned. She is eating, sleeping, and playing all the same.

Please let us know what you think is going on in this little mouth

5 Responses

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  1. Kathryn Post author

    i’m just wondering if a vet would have to extract or if these usually fall out on their own?

  2. Sarah

    Hi there ???? Seeing as she is almost a year old kitten, I am assuming that you have a vet visit lined up for her in the near future for vaccinations/booster shots. I would make a note of it and mention it to the vet. If it doesn’t seem to be bothering her or effecting her appetite, it is probably ok to wait until your appointment. If there is a change in eating habits or behavior- you may want to call your vet sooner.

  3. Laura

    I know vets will extract retained baby teeth in dogs. I would imagine they do the same for cats.

  4. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    Is she spayed? We would remove any extra baby teeth while doing th at under general anesthesia. Although I cannot get a really great look at the mouth I don’t see an obvious extra tooth on the photo. But please have your vet look. Leaving extra teeth behind predisposes them to accelerated dental disease. So go when you can. It’s not an emergency. Even if your cat is spayed we recheck them at about 18 months old for their next vaccines and rabies booster. Hope this helps. Be safe.

  5. Kathryn Post author

    hi guys!
    it was a baby tooth, the vet was able to pull it out without sedation because our good girl just laid down for a belly rub,
    he isnt sure if this will stop her from chewing everything in sight, he thinks that must just be how she is.

    but i am thankful there was no infection or anything!

    thank you all for the advice!!!

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Caleb | 5 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

2 Responses

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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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Jennifer Taylor | 5 years ago
A Year And A Half Ago We Rescued A 4 Week Old Kitten Who Presented Unresponsive With …

A year and a half ago we rescued a 4 week old kitten who presented unresponsive with a body temp so low it did not register. She was revived. As the caretaker was going to put her back out that evening I stepped in and offered to take her with the plan to rehome her. I have rehomed dozens of kittens over the years, all who came from feral colonies. From the get go Annabelle was incredibly sick and had behaviors that weren’t what we were used to. When held she would attack faces, when stimulated she would attack, we continued to work with her and a year and a half later she lays with us at night and as long as we don’t touch her does not attack people. Instead she attacks items. This occurs whenever there is any stimulation in our home, folding laundry, cleaning out a closet, dogs playing, children laughing, the list goes on and on. She has destroyed a sofa, armchair, curtains, tablecloths, comforters, sheets, duvet covers, etc, etc. We can not trim her nails….because we can’t handle her and truly even with her nails trimmed I am sure she would rip things apart with her teeth. We are no stranger to ferals, I am happy to allow them to hide until they feel comfortable, there is no hiding with Annabelle instead she literally runs into the chaos. When we let our dogs out and at feeding time out she runs into the chaos, when I vacuum she runs around the room, when we have company she runs around as I warn our guests not to touch her. We are no stranger to keeping cats happy, we have cat towers, scratching posts, scratching boards, elevated areas, areas to hide. Our other 4 cats are incredibly happy members of our family. I am at my whits end, I honestly feel like we attempted to tame a raccoon and are living with it in our house. I do wonder if Annabelle would be happier outside, but with no sense of danger and a habit of running into the chaos I can’t help but worry she would get killed….and I didn’t save her to have that happen.
I am open to suggestions and curious if anyone has ever had a similar experience.

6 Responses

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  1. Sarah

    Hi Jenn- I don’t know if this advice will help, but Dori is crazy like that too. While she has free roam of the house, we have things set up where she also has areas that are just hers, and that seems to have helped a little bit. She still “kills” furniture and pillows, but it isn’t as bad as it was.

    1. Jennifer Taylor Post author

      Thank you, I am comforted in knowing we aren’t the only ones with a different cat. We are finishing our basement. The cats will have the laundry room completely to themselves with a kitty door. We are also making our screen porch a cat haven. I am hoping that helps.

  2. Laura

    Some cats truly are happier outside – usually far fewer than people think, but she sounds like one of them. Do you happen to have a catio or a large dog crate you can put her in outside, just to see how she does?

    Would you consider rehoming her to a farm?

    The fact that she doesn’t seem capable of integrating is frustrating, and I can only imagine how you feel.

    1. Jennifer Taylor Post author

      We do have a large screened porch, she does enjoy spending time out there. We are in the process of making a cat “jungle gym”, an area where the cats can climb and be up high while on the screened porch. We also actually do live on a little farm. If she wanted she could be an outdoor or indoor/outdoor cat. Her tiny stature and inability to assess danger make me nervous, we have fox and coyote….I guess I am afraid she would be killed. On the other hand I really don’t know if she is “happy” being kept as a house cat.

      1. Laura

        I completely understand that fear. I’m of the opinion that the vast majority of domesticated felines should be kept safely behind walls and screens, so I get your reluctance. I also know some cats really just cannot be housed indoors. Good luck.

  3. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I think it comes down to a few key points to consider.
    One is she just a wild child at heart. And if so could we break her free form that with time, containment (to which I mean she would have to be caged for a long time. Think Diedra’s cat Tulio)… and then still be prepared to just having an angry hostile cat. I don’t think this is my favorite option because she isn’t afraid of people she just plain old doesn’t want to be around people.
    2. Try to medicate her into being happier. May take a few months and may cost you value finger sensation for the rest of your life.
    3. Let her be who she is and be happy. Maybe she is just the free wild spirit and maybe she won’t live as long as possible but maybe that’s how she wants it.

    I think it really comes down to a spring her as who she is. Allowing her to live her life in her terms and loving her inspire of not being able to advise her.

    I’m sure this is of no help. Sorry. I can help with the caging and meds if needed. Xox

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Karen Hesch | 5 years ago
So I Have A 2 Y/o Female Cat Who Isnt Fixed Yet But Soon Will Be. …

So i have a 2 y/o female cat who isnt fixed yet but soon will be. I also have a 2 y/o ferret. They have always gotten along as they both have free range (no one yell about thre ferret having free range please, that isnt the issue and he’s very safe) i found a 4 week old ish kitten about a month ago and decided to keep him. My fear was my cat… but to my surprise she fell head over heels in love with the kitten and now seems to think she’s his mom… that’s being said she cleans him, watches over him, sleeps with him, disciplines him and PROTECTS him… with that being said everytime my kitten and the ferret play she goes aggressively at the ferret and he runs n hides… i feel terrible and have tried to encourage them to play and distract her while they play but she’s relentless. Help!!! All my life ive had different combos of animals and have always found ways to make them get along but im at a loss here… getting her fixed should help this???

1 Response

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    Spaying might help. Big emphasis on might. I would say this is going to take time and boundaries. There is no other way around it. It is very common for the family dynamics to change with the addition of a new pet. You can try to isolate and spend time independently with everyone. Or try caging the aggressor intermittently to see if that helps de intensify the situation (but better wanted it might make the stress worse). Or find a separate place for your ferret and get him his own friend. Really my biggest concern is the ferrets safety. It will take time to see if they can work it out. But I don’t want to risk him in the process. Whatever the resolution might be I encourage you to stay optimistic. Try not to make matters worse with stress or reprimand (Never ever works on animals!) and just trying lots of options. Like adjusting feeding placement and attention rewards for the food behavior.
    Ask your vet for help from a behaviorist. And get the cat spayed. If needed ask the vet about behavior modification assistance. There are lots of options there. Very best of luck!

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Gina Lastner | 5 years ago
Good Afternoon! I Volunteer At A Local Rescue In Their Feline Only Facility. We Received A …

Good afternoon!

I volunteer at a local rescue in their feline only facility. We received a young cat, named Cami, recently that is 9 months old. She has a right head tilt that started about 2 months ago (7 months of age) according to the person who had her since she was a kitten.
A local vet attempted an exam but did not have a scope small enough to look into her ear and the exam became very uncomfortable for Cami. The plan was to get a smaller scope, knock her out and do the exam. Unfortunately, they are unable to acquire the scope at this time. The suspicious is that this is a polyp.
Any ideas what this could be? We are currently wondering if this could be something treatable with medication (to try first) or should we pursue the polyp investigation. Since we are a rescue we are trying to balance the cost but still address Cami’s needs.
Cami shows no distress because of her condition. She does not scratch the ear or shake her head. And is awfully cute!
Thank you, in advance, for any help you can offer!

2 Responses

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello!
    In cases like these I really prefer to get a good exam before jumping on other treatment options. After I am sure there is nothing abnormal in the ear we talk about other possible causes of head tilt. I think it might be best to sedate and examine for ear issues and even a polyp in the oropharynx area. Start here. Try not to do otics until you get an exam done. I hope this helps. Let me know what happens.

    1. Gina Lastner Post author

      Thank you! I appreciate your advice – I’ve seen your videos on polyps and you’ve seen a friend’s cat for nasal polyps. Will let you know what we find out.

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Hanna | 5 years ago
Hi I Have Read Your Article About Seromas And How To Best Leave Them Alone. Now …

Hi I have read your article about seromas and how to best leave them alone. Now my kitten has one after her desexing surgery however hers keeps getting bigger. At what size does it become concerning?
It doesn’t look infected and she is behaving just fine.
Thank you!

4 Responses

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  1. Sarah

    Good morning-
    Have you already gone to your follow up visit to the vet? If not- I would ask them to look at it. Meantime, so long as it is not warm or sore to the touch or bothering her, I would just keep a close watch. If her behavior changes (lethargic, loss of appetite) I would call the vet ASAP. I’m assuming you’ll have a few kitten check ups in the near future, so your vet can also help you monitor it. Seromas can take a very long time to resolve. Best of luck!!

    1. Hanna Post author

      Hey! Thank you so much for your response! I’ve been to the vet and they have said to give it some time. They have already removed three of the four stitches and we have an appointment for the last one next week. She seems okay I am only worried now that she sleeps 90% of the day which is very unlikely! Do I need to worry or is that normal after an operation?

  2. Krista Magnifico

    I agree with Sarah! Seromas aren’t inherently dangerous but they can also hide an underlying issue so it’s best to have your vet check it. Thank you for having your kitten spayed. It is so important to help them live longer healthier lives and control the over burdened pet population. Best wishes to you both. Let us know what happens.

    1. Hanna Post author

      Hi Krista,
      Thank you so much for your reply! I have been to the vet and they said to give it some time. We have another appointment to remove the last of the stitches next week!
      She is just still so tiered sleeping 90% of the day… is that normal? She is eating fine and extremely snuggly. Just out of character for her to sleep this much.

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Chrystal | 5 years ago
I Rescued A Kitten Several Weeks Ago. He Was Said To Be A Female And To …

I rescued a kitten several weeks ago. He was said to be a female and to be 4 /5 weeks old. Took him to vet next day and she turned out to be a boy around 3 weeks old. Was very sick and had fleas really bad. He is healthy now but very aggressive. I have an 8 year old cat who has never been with any other cats. The kitten attacks him to the point he cries and I can’t get him to stop attacking my adult cat. Please help

4 Responses

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  1. Sarah

    Good morning- keeping the kitten confined may help. I am confused as to how a kitten so small can have the ability to be attacking a full grown cat though. As far as introducing them, I would keep visits monitored , and go slowly.

    1. Chrystal Post author

      We are already past the introduction and at first they were fine and all was well. The healthier the kitten gets the more aggressive he gets. My adult cat will not return the aggression. I honestly don’t understand it either

  2. Krista Magnifico

    Hello!
    Here’s what has worked for me in the past. We set very strict schedules and regiments to help define acceptable behavior and safe times and zones. I think that the other very Important item to talk about is cats don’t think like us. They usually like and need the opposite of what we think they want. So. For cases like this we define individual and community zones. All cats get their own space where no one can bother or harass them. If needed cages are used. At the clinic with all of the cats coming and going we cage them at night and it reinforces a safe me only zone. It also reduces intercat aggression. Things like toys, Feliway and games help. Cats with too much energy are given toys to keep busy and burn off excess steam. Things like hunting for food (my way of scattering dry kibble instead of getting it given to you without working for it. I also use catnip, catnip toys, laser pointers and neutering ASAP. In some cases we have used harness training to let cats go outside on chaperoned walks.
    It’s important to say that you cannot reprimand a cat. They are not trainable like dogs. Reprimand will only cause fear and heighten aggression. If all else fails sometimes finding a kitten to play with your kitten helps. They can correct each other and exhaust each other. I hope this helps.

    1. Chrystal Post author

      Thank you for the advice. They did well last night and Koba, my adult cat actually layed with me for an hour like he did before Stinky Pete, the kitten came. The vet said he can’t be neutered until May so that will have to wait. I say a lot that I will send Stinky Pete packing but I honestly would never do that. He is with us til I pass and at that point one of my kids will take them then.