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Pawbly | 9 years ago
I Just Adopted A Maltese And He Keep Coughing At Night Like A Hacking Sound…

I just adopted a Maltese and he keep coughing at night like a hacking sound and wanting to know what we can do to help him till we can get him to a vet next Friday?

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  1. PK Dennis

    How old is this dog? If he is an older adult I would suspect an enlarged heart.  During the day dogs with this condition are up and round and don’t cough, but when they settle down at night to sleep they feel the pressure of the heart pressing on their lungs and they start coughing.  While this condition can not be cured, your pooch can live years symptom free with the proper care.  

  2. Casee Brewer

    We haven’t took him to a vet because I don’t have a day off till Friday. He is 10 to 12 years old.

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Pawbly | 9 years ago
Whenever My Family And I Touch Our 6 Year Old Maltese Shitzu Back Leg He…

Whenever my family and I touch our 6 year old Maltese Shitzu back leg he yelps in pain? Walks with a limp and from time to time he walks on his right leg only because of it. He has no other health problems and this is very out of the blue? We went to the vet a day after it started (23rd/12th) and she thinks it’s something to do with his muscle but not 100% sure. What do you think it is and what would be the cost?

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Pawbly | 9 years ago
My Maltese(2yr-M) Is Puking Yellow Bile And Vomit, And Is Lacking Appetite. He Hasn’t Eaten…

My maltese(2yr-M) is puking yellow bile and vomit, and is lacking appetite. He hasn’t eaten at all today and we have a flight tomorrow at 4AM that is two hours long.. Help?

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  1. Anonymous

    he needs a vet, not a flight anywhere.  please reconsider flying him and instead take him to the vet.

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Pawbly | 9 years ago
We Have 2 Male And Neutered Cats, And One Female Spayed Dog. One Of The…

We have 2 male and neutered cats, and one female spayed dog. One of the cats (we aren’t 100% certain which, but are setting up video cameras to determine which) is peeing on the dog beds. It started a year ago and would happen for a couple of weeks, then stop for a few months, start over again, repeat repeat. It happens mostly on the dog’s various beds, but has also happened on plastic shopping bags full of clothes. Comfy, soft things.

We took both cats to the vet when it first started and they didn’t find anything wrong… Just a few tiny crystals that most likely formed because they had to wait 2 days between the samples being taken and being tested, so all three of the vets said they were normal. We are taking them both to the vet again next week to do more testing (or just these guilty one, once we discover which one is doing it).

We have multiple CLEAN litter boxes, both open and closed top. One is even self cleaning after use, and my husband empties the others very frequently and cleans/washes them evey week. They have various bathroom and liter options, so I’m sure that’s not the problem.

We have tried cleaning the dog beds with all the appropriate cat urine cleaning solutions, but the second time we threw them all out and bought new ones. We did that the third time too. Now our poor dog has no beds until we solve the problem.

The dog is not a fan of the cats. She growls at them a lot, and is very protective of her food, “spaces,” toys, and bed. The cats don’t seem to mind at all, and act as though she’s not there, although I know sometimes cats don’t show when they are stressed. We know this is an issue, but she has been this way her while life. We not getting rid of the dog to solve the problem, not an option.

We of course will do all the tests at the vet (and do any surgery, take any medicine, or perform any procedure he needs), but we are worried that the poor cat is doing this due to a behavioral or dominance problem. If this is the case, does anyone have any recommendations about how to change his behavior? We will not be putting him in a shelter, we will not be re-homing him (unless we discover that he needs to be in a single pet home, in which case I will be heart broken but we will find him the perfect family), and no way in hell will we be putting him down. We will keep him even if he pees on my favorite rug or couch or carpet every 2 days. But I would obviously prefer if that weren’t the case… We have a baby coming in 6 months and I am hoping we have the issue mostly dealt with by then (although I realize long term behavior may take longer than that to change completely). Please help if you can. I feel like I am losing my very hormonal mind.

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Pawbly | 9 years ago
I Have A 17- Month Old Male GSD. We’ve Had Him Since He Was 8…

I have a 17- month old male GSD. We’ve had him since he was 8 weeks old. He is attached to me but is OK when I go out. He watches me from a window and then lays down and waits or goes to my father and sits by him. He goes into his crate with no problem when we go out and he may bark for a few seconds but that is it. I work from home and felt daycare would be good for him to combat boredom, socialize him and allow me to work with focus. My vet recommended the daycare. My dog freaked out when I left him and just paced and panted. He then boarded at the daycare for 14 days to overcome the anxiety. He came home happy and calm and obedient. I took him back to daycare after one day at home, he ran right to his favourite staff person for a greeting and then he freaked when I left. I called to check on him and the owner said he is anxious again and that we need to address this now and we have scheduled a home visit. Before the boarding, my father had a habit of yelling and didn’t see anything wrong with a snout slap and I was overly affectionate and babying. The daycare owner feels this is the problem and that my dad abuses and I coddle. However, we were models of calm and patience and positive reinforcement when our boy came home. We really want to create and enjoy a fabulous dog so we agreed to police each other and give our dog what he needs and deserves. After the drop off this morning and the call with the daycare owner I am feeling dejected and I really don’t know what to think. Is my dog too attached to me? Does anyone have any advice or suggestions?

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  1. Kasia R

    Sounds like separation anxiety, which a trainer could give you advice on. Also, a “snout slap”..that is a form of abuse, please, don’t let anyone hit your beloved puppy!!

  2. Kasia R

    Not saying that you abuse your dog at all, but hitting is hitting, and some might think nothing of it but my dogs are “family”, and I’d never raise a hand to them.

  3. Anne Wright

    Just as a follow up, I do not agree with any form of hitting, or threatening with anyone’s pets. The reason he was boarded was to combat the separation anxiety. And as I said, even though my dad is 89 and “old school” he has agreed to never raise a hand or yell and we are now watching out for each other to curb any bad behaviour on our part. My worry is that after two weeks of boarding/training to curb the separation anxiety my boy was anxious again and not happy about me leaving him.

  4. PK Dennis

    I say skip the daycare.  Your dog is happier being at home waiting for you and spending time with your dad.  I really don’t trust vets to give advice on behavior – most of them have not been trained in this!  I would spend the time, energy, effort and money on training your dog to entertain himself at home so you can focus.

    I worked out of my home for years with 2 to 7 dogs in my house.  I fenced in 4 acres of land (I know most people can’t provide that much land for their dogs) and my terriers & shelties would go in and out the dog door – hunting for chipmunks, sunning, and occasionally checking on me while I worked.  They were never disruptive to my job and if I was on the phone with a client a snap of my fingers told them to be silent.

    For what you pay in daycare you could afford to have a trainer come to your house and work with you, your dad, and the dog!  Or, you could take the dog to training classes to expose him to more dogs and people (this will be even less expensive than daycare!).  Letting your dog be with his pack, and giving him a strong leader (a well trained YOU!) is going to make for a happier dog in the long run.  Believe me! 

    What do dogs really want?  They want their pack, their familiar space, a strong leader, and routine.

    PK

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Pawbly | 9 years ago
Maltese. 10 Pounds. Ate An Old Chocolate Brownie That Is The Size Of A Hand…

Maltese. 10 pounds. ate an old chocolate brownie that is the size of a hand. acting fine, playing, barking, running, but panting and has a weird breathing pattern. but she is taking medication because she has Addison’s disease

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  1. brianna capistrano

    can’t afford to take her to the vet

  2. brianna capistrano

    I called my vet and they said to bring her in but I can’t afford to

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Pawbly | 9 years ago
I Have An 8 1/2 Month Old, 6 Pound, Miniature Dachshund. About 8 Days Ago…

I have an 8 1/2 month old, 6 pound, miniature dachshund. About 8 days ago, I noticed her nipples were slightly bigger than normal. I was planning on taking her to the vet to see if she was ready to be fixed (my vet recommended waiting until she was 8 months old to give all her baby teeth time to fall out) but the night before I was to take her, I noticed her vulva was swollen and protruding. I wiped her and a brownish color appeared. I was still not 100% she was in heat due to the color.

The next morning I checked her again – her vulva was even more swollen and the discharge had now changed to bright red blood. It has now been 3 days since I first noticed the swelling and discharge/blood.

I did a lot of research online but have gotten conflicting information about almost everything that has to do with a dog in heat, including how many stages there are in the heat cycle, what happens in each cycle, what color the discharge/blood changes and when, when she would be most fertile, etc. I read that one way to know for sure she was in heat was to scratch the top of her butt right before her tail and if she moves her tail to the side she is definitely in heat. THEN I read that means she is already in the 2nd stage of the heat cycle. I’ve also read conflicting timelines of cycle from 2 weeks to 4.

I’m so lost and confused and hesitant to go to the vet. I don’t know if it is safe to take her because of the possibility of the presence of male dogs. I don’t want to be the idiot first time pet parent who will just get told ‘all dogs are different. there’s no way to know anything’.

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  1. Dawn Ferara, DVM

    Ashley,

    I would recommend calling your vet to see if they will spay a dog in heat.  It is riskier to spay a dog in heat because of the excess blood in the uterus during this period of time and the fact the tissues can be more fragile.

    In answer to your question, dogs cycles last about 6 months.  This time period can vary from dog to dog and in different breeds.  However of the 4 phases, the 1st 3 phases are the ones that are going to concern you the most.  The 1st stage last 7-9 days, during this period the vulva is swollen and the discharge tends to be bloody.  During this phase the female will not allow the male to mount her.  After this phase, starting around day 8-10 and lasting for about 2 weeks is actually standing heat.  At this point she will allow the male to mount her and she can become pregnant.  The 3rd phase can last up to 60 days.  During this time the female will slowly begin to return to normal or if bred the puppies will grow.  All dogs go through a false pregnancy during this phase.

    I’m trying to not get to involved in the phases so that you understand but aren’t overwhelmed by the information.

    I hope this answers your questions and you get your baby spayed before you have any unwanted puppies.

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Pawbly | 9 years ago
I Have Three Dogs A 16 Year Old Chow Lab Mix Female A Golden Retriever…

I have three dogs a 16 year old chow lab mix female a golden retriever 11 year old male a pit bull 6 female. I had the chow lab and golden first and than the 6 year old pit. The pit gets along with my chow and golden very well. But

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  1. Eddie Eidinger

    I ran out of room. But when I take the pit bull out she goes crazy when she sees other dogs she wants to go after them I don’t no if she trying to protect herself or me or just very dog aggressive is there a way to change her behavior

  2. Diedra Cardamone

    Hi Eddie,

    Your veterinarian may be able to refer you to a behavior specialist – this is where I would start.  They have so much wonderful knowledge and can get you and your pit started in the right direction.  It is wonderful that you care enough about her to get some answers about her behavior.  In many cases it is us as owners learning as much as our pets.  Have you had the pit for her entire life or is she a rescue?  Please keep us posted!

    Diedra

  3. Laura Kyle

    Hi Eddie, your pups behavior is pretty common and can absolutely be fixed. Without knowing your pup it is hard to say why she is reactive on a leash so I agree that you should work with a trainer. I would look for a trainer that uses both corrective methods and positive reinforcement. Once you get a plan for your dog I would also suggest takin her for walks with unfamiliar dogs. She doesn’t need to interact with them, she just needs to learn how to walk with other dogs. I know it sounds like the simplest thing in the world, but in my experience a simple pack walk can make a world of difference. Good luck! Please keep us posted

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Pawbly | 9 years ago
I Have A Golden Retriever 11 Years Male A Chow Lab Mix 15 Female And…

I have a golden retriever 11 years male a chow lab mix 15 female and pit bull mix 6 female they all get along without any issues but the pit bull doesn’t get along with any dogs outside of the house so I would like someone opinion about my rescue dog pit bull 2 female friendly keeping her in her own room with access to side back yard area walking her daily and socializing with other dogs be ok ?

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  1. julie brader

    Hello Eddie, I don’t quite understand the question….but I think you mean separate your pitbull from the other dogs in your house? Give her her own room with outside access to the yard? 

    This would be ok but I think you might run the risk of upsetting the harmony between the 3 of them. Your pitbull may end up jealous and feeling left out. She could turn on the other two maybe. She would certainly miss them. All you could do is give it a try and see. 

    I don’t know if your pitbull would ever be able to socialise and be friendly with other dogs at 6 years old, she could be too set in her ways now. Maybe you could muzzle her and see how that goes too…..the last thing you want is another dog bitten…..

    You sound a very responsible owner and I hope it all works out for you. Good luck. 

  2. Eddie Eidinger

    I met the new dog 2 year old might not get along with the 6 year old I would keep the 6 year old Pitt with the golden and lab chow mix they get along fine but she probably wouldn’t get along with the new dog so I was going to keep the new dog by it self

  3. julie brader

    Oh I see lol….yes that would be fine I’m sure. Be careful your pitbull doesn’t come face to face with your new dog though ….but I’m already sure you won’t ?

    Good luck with the new dog!

  4. PK Dennis

    I think you will get tired of this arrangement very quickly.  After a few day if one or two of the dogs think they need to get to the other dog(s) you will have a dangerous situation.  One second of not paying attention.  One visiting friend that doesn’t understand the consequences of opening a door and you will have an out-of-control situation.

    And these are all BIG dogs.  You won’t be able to just pick up one of the dogs to end the fight.

    I have fostered dogs that wanted to kill smaller dogs (one of my own dogs!).  Every precaution was taken — two doors/gates between the dogs.  The aggressive dog was harnessed and had to always drag a leash for me to step on (these were terriers that I could pick up to help end any aggression).  The aggressive dog was never allowed into the yard with the smaller dogs unless there were 2 handlers that were working with the aggressive dog (1 to work with the aggressive dog, and 1 to make sure the smaller dogs did not approach the aggressive dog).  

    I finally got the aggressive dog to accept that MY small dog was not something for him to kill and they got to the point that they could all be in the kennel all day together.  BUT he was still willing to attack unknown small dogs on sight.

    In the 6 months he was with me, even being as careful as I could be, this dog attacked small dogs four times.  Visitors opened a door that someone else left unlocked, the aggressive dog pushed down a baby gate that we thought was secure enough to hold him, he got over a fence that we thought was too high for him to climb, etc.  Each of the small dogs attacked were bitten and bloody — and they suffered PTS.  It was pure luck that determined dog never got just the right hold on the other dogs so that he could break their necks.  Cause that is what he was trying to do!

    So, ask yourself how dangerous is the situation.  How sure are you that you can keep your dog(s) safe from the aggressor.  I have fostered over 30 dogs, several of which came to me as very aggressive dogs so I had experience.  And it was still very overwhelming for me at times.

    I commend you for wanting to rescue another dog — just be sure you don’t endanger the new dog, or your own dog(s) in the process.

    Good luck.

    PK 

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Pawbly | 9 years ago
My Male Dog Penetrated My Other Male Dog. They Were Tied For About 15 Minutes…

My male dog penetrated my other male dog. They were tied for about 15 minutes. This was yesterday. Now my Yorkie Poodle is moving around very slowly, has diarreah and wont eat. I chekced his stool and NO blood.

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