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My 5 year old basset hound and lab mix has a herniated disc. The vet gave her muscle relaxer and pain meds, but now she can’t move her back legs. We have restricted her to a crate so she can rest, we can’t afford surgery. Is there hope that she will get better with meds and crate rest or should I start preparing for the worst?
Is the red puffiness allergies? Both her eyes look like this, I can’t tell if she’s in pain, she’s acting completely normal. It just concerns me, because they look painful
Good morning? Sorry about your pup. I don’t wait on the eyes… I always think of them as an emergency for obvious reasons. I would call my vet right away, and have them checked. Even if it ends up being allergies, they can give your dog something to help. And if it something more, you’ll be very happy you didn’t wait.
I agree, that’s concerning. Please get her to the vet today.
2 days ago i noticed a big black scab on my cats chin, i am familiar with cat-ne (feline acne) and i have not noticed it on him previously. The scab was pretty large and when i looked at it today, he allowed me to touch it so im assuming it isnt causing him pain and it kinda just fell right off. However, now there is a big raw spot where the scab was. Its rather pink and i think i saw some clear and possibly some yellow fluid coming out of a couple spots. But at this point, he was uncomfortable and ran away so i couldnt get a better look. Anyone have any ideas? It just seemed like too big a scab to be acne..
Good morning? Years ago we had a very similar situation. We were advised to switch feeding bowls to ceramic or stainless steel instead of plastic, and that solved the issue. Hope this helps!
Hello,
I see lots of these. usually it is acne or allergic reaction to bowls/water dishes. Keep the area clean, ask your vet for a topical antibiotic scrub that can be used around the face a mouth and follow up with them for antibiotics or allergy meds if it doesnt resolve.
Bridget is a 9 yo Havenese with a history of glaucoma. The eye was non-functional and painful. Her best option was enucleation. Her story is here.
Note; Briget was my patient. This is her story at my clinic.
Here is her invoice (note she also had 3 teeth removed during this procedure. That charge was removed from the posted enucleation charge above.
Invoice Number XXX
Date 6/11/2018
Total $934.09
Paid in Transaction $934.09
Paid to Date $934.09
Amount Remaining $0.00
Patient Provider Description Date Quantity Subtotal Tax Total
Bridget Krista Magnifico, D.V.M. ENUCLEATION CANINE 6/11/2018 1 $350.00 0 $350.00
Bridget Krista Magnifico, D.V.M. ANESTHESIA 6/11/2018 1 $125.00 0 $125.00
Bridget Krista Magnifico, D.V.M. ANESTHESIA (ADDITIONAL/MINUTE) 6/11/2018 25 $37.50 0 $37.50
Bridget Krista Magnifico, D.V.M. I V CATHETER PLACEMENT 6/11/2018 1 $40.00 0 $40.00
Bridget Krista Magnifico, D.V.M. FLUIDS INTRAVENOUS 6/11/2018 1 $50.00 0 $50.00
Bridget Krista Magnifico, D.V.M. Fluid Pump 6/11/2018 1 $25.00 0 $25.00
Bridget Krista Magnifico, D.V.M. Propoflo Induction, per use 6/11/2018 1 $60.00 0 $60.00
Bridget Krista Magnifico, D.V.M. Ampicillin injectable 100mg/ml 6/11/2018 0.8 $21.64 0 $21.64
Bridget Krista Magnifico, D.V.M. RIMADYL INJ. 50mg/mL 6/11/2018 0.6 $21.59 0 $21.59
Bridget Krista Magnifico, D.V.M. Fentanyl Patch 25mcg/h 6/11/2018 1 $48.00 0 $48.00
Bridget Krista Magnifico, D.V.M. Additional Suture Pack 6/11/2018 1 $15.00 0 $15.00
Bridget Krista Magnifico, D.V.M. Clavamox 62.5 mg. 6/11/2018 20 $34.00 0 $34.00
Bridget Krista Magnifico, D.V.M. Rimadyl 25 mg Chewable 6/11/2018 8 $21.36 0 $21.36
Bridget Krista Magnifico, D.V.M. Collar, Plastic Small 6/11/2018 1 $10.00 0 $10.00
Bridget Krista Magnifico, D.V.M. Tooth Extraction, single root 6/11/2018 3 $75.00 0 $75.00
Invoice Total $934.09 $934.09
Paid in Transaction $934.09
Paid to Date $934.09
Amount Remaining $0.00
Hi, Dr. Mag,
Dean and I have been feeding Riley and Coco the Verus brand of dog food. Recently, we were told to switch to a different dogfood because of the FDA warning (even though Verus was not one of the brands listed by the FDA). Then I came across this article that basically says the warnings are a scam and would like your thoughts. Thanks!!!
Hello,
I don’t know who told you to switch or why, but if it was one of our vets I would say to start there. Second I do not find this site credible (just because you invented a dog food doesn’t make you an expert) and I take great offense at the two underlying arguments about why he believes the claim should be discredited “vets financial gain with the food companies is utter malarkey. The second unqualified and ambiguous reason is equally bogus. So I wouldn’t give this any credit and ask the vet who recommended you switch to clarify their position. If I can help I’m happy to. And no I’m not paid by the vet food companies to offer you or anyone any help. Hope you are all well and staying safe at home!
Hello Dr. Krista, my 3,5 year old shiz-poo, male got paralyzed on March 29, just playing at home with another dog. Next day we went to EI and we were told that his injury is (slipped disc) at T13-L3, based on xray. Surgery would have been 10.000 $, with 50/50 chance of recovery according to doctor, no chance with steroids. We couldn’t afford the surgery. Our home doctor gave us little hope and Shadow has been on steroids since March 31. After 7 days there was no improvement,doctor recommended euthanasia but with minimum chance we asked for 7 more days of meds. He has very weak deep pain sensation. His back legs are paralyzed, he poops and pees without control, has good appetite and when let out of cage he wants to run on his front legs dragging the back. I just ran across your videos on youtube, not to give up on those dogs, but i am not sure if a miracle can really happen. Is it really possible that he would walk again? I dont want him to suffer but not sure what to do. Could you please let me know your opinion about it, thank you so much! We are desperate…Anita
do what you can to help your pup and i hope you the best
if you believe that your pup will be able to live through the pain then he will so never give up
hope the best
Hello,
I would never tell anyone that miracles can’t happen. They do. Although they are far and few between. Is it possible to care for him as a parapalegic? Can you manage him as he is? Can you keep him clean and dry and manage the bathroom difficulties? If so why not continue to do so?
8 year old Shih-tzu Maltese diagnosed with a bulging disc 🙁
Hi, thank you for making all of the videos on youtube. I have found them very helpful with my little guy Benson…it’s nice to see a vet that goes the extra mile for their patients. Our vet clinic is also caring and affordable as well, which is hard to find these days.
Benson is a miracle dog. He has already survived a grade 2 mast cell inguinal tumor so Cornell and our local vet love him and call him their miracle dog (this was 2.5 years ago)
Now for his most recent issue which is why I’m writing; For a week, he was dragging his front left paw. We took him to our vet (on Monday, March 19th) and she diagnosed him with arthritis….things got worse throughout the week to the point where he would knuckle his front left paw. Our vet had only told us to limit his activity and no jumping so we didn’t restrict him to a crate. By Sunday morning (March 25th) (and he was on 5mg of prednisone since Monday) his back left paw was now knuckling and he was getting worse to the point where he could barely stand up.
We took him back to the vet and they did x-rays and found a bulging disc right around his shoulder blades. He has been on 10mg of prednisone, Methocarbamol, gabapentin and in a crate 24/7 ever since Sunday the 25th. Luckily, he is really only affected on his left side of his body.
We are seeing a little bit of improvement at times and at other times, he is still just as bad as he was on Sunday.
He has never lost the ability to pee or defecate (thankfully) annnnd Benny loves to eat (or drink) so that will never be an issue haha…
However what worries me is the fact that he is ALWAYS as stiff as a board in the morning when we get up or when he gets stressed/excited. It’s as if he re-injures himself because he can’t walk and can barely stand. It takes him at least an hour to recover, stop panting and then relax again until it seems like he is not in pain anymore….
Is there anything we can do to prevent the “morning/excited episodes” or is it all just part of the process? I thought the muscle relaxer would help but it isn’t. I have even gone so far as to put signs on our front door asking visitors to not knock or ring the doorbell.
Last question-do you have an opinion about a dog chiropractor?
Any advice you could give, we would appreciate! We love our little guy-he has such a personality and adds so much fun to our lives.
Thanks so much,
Megan and Missy
Hello,
Thanks for being such a kind parent and for all of the nice things you commented on. I think that some of the morning stuff is normal and that the pain has been unmedicated overnight sonit often takes a little while after the morning meds to see them relax and feel better. I think asking about acupuncture is a better place to start than chiropractic help. By massage is also beneficial. Also aquatherapy when she feels stronger might also help her recovery. You can also ask about laser therapy. I hope this helps. Very best of luck.
My beagle is 2 weeks post op from her 2nd IVDD surgery. Despite steroids and pain meds, she still yelps when picked up and sometimes when she repositions herself. I don’t recall her yelping after her first surgery, but I know this procedure was more delicate because of spinal cord maniplulation (removal of calcification from first surgery) along with nerve root issue, but is it reasonable to expect she’d still be in pain after 14 days post op? Her vet is continuing steroids and pain meds. So discouraging when she goes almost 24 hrs with no audible signs of pain only to end up yelping on a routine potty break. Truly feels like one step forward, two steps back.
Hello,
I’m so sorry to hear about your pup. I think it is super important to lean hard on your vet and their expertise. BUT don’t be shy and don’t be afraid to ask for a second opinion if you are feeling lost and concerned. Sometimes it takes a second eye to see things in a different light. Also please reach out to a neurologist for help. They are excellent resources to utilize.
I have a 1year and four month old chihuahua mix. She is 8 lb full grown, not over weight, and eats a grain free natural diet. Last night as I was petting her, I noticed this red bump. I am scared to death and am going to make a vet apt when they open today, but for now…anyone know what this bump could be? It is red, moveable, topical (doesn’t feel like it is attached to deep tissue at all), and is not causing pain. She is eating and drinking normally. should I be worried? Anyone have any ideas as to what it may be?
GOod morning
It’s hard to tell from a photo, but it could be something as simple as a clogged hair follicle or a pimple, which hopefully that is all it is? I would still call the vet and make sure, but try not to stress yourself out over it. Good luck!
I agree with Sarah. Also a bug bite, wound, etc? Dont get too worried. See your vet when you can about it. Also if she isn’t spayed I would inquire about that. That’s a bigger worry for me.
Hi pawbly friends…
It was a snowy, no school day here. Try as I might, I could not get the dogs to stay in while the kids were out playing in the snow, and all that running and horse play took a toll on our 12 year old GSD Butch. He just fell going down the stairs…. not the whole stair case, the stepto get onto the landing. My husband picked him up and rather than having him try to use the stairs tonight, we brought him round the outside way to use the hill instead. He seems fine on his walk just now, but slow going. My question is this: he’s got rimadyl that we give him sparingly for pain from his arthritis. Should I give him some tonight, or wait til morning when he will probably be really stiff, or give tonight and tomorrow? Thanks for anyand all advice!
Just to update:
Butch is stiff this morning, so I did give him his pill. I did not give it to him last night because when I went fir the dogs last tuck in, he was already comfortable. He had a tough time getting up the stairs this morning, and we had to help him… he needs a little help most mornings, but again after all his playing and running yesterday its no surprise he needed more help than usual this morning. If any of you have any other advice on how to help him recover from thinking he was 10 years younger yesterday, please share.
I didn’t see this last night but I wouldn’t give NSAIDs preemptively.
I think I would try to work on leashing him if he’s going to go a little off his rocker on snow days. 😉 That or work on the kids not letting him out.
Oh, and for recovery, crate rest for the day.
Hi Sarah, just wondered if you had considered Acupuncture for Butch? I know it helps a lot of dogs.
You could also ask your Vet about Gabapentin as an alternative to Rimadyl. It gives good pain relief and has no side effects in canines.
Do hope Butch is feeling better soon ?
My cat seems to have an ulcer on his neck, this is the second one he’s had the first was on his shoulder blade it’s clean and there’s no hair around he’s eaten today but it worries me, he doesn’t seem to be in pain or even notice it but it’s gooey and smells odd should I rush him to the vet?
Yes definately take your cat to the Vet. Whatever is on his neck needs diagnosing. Its obviously infected from your description and also needs antibiotics. There could well be a reason your cat keeps getting these ulcers (if thats what they are) and it would be wise to find the source of the problem. Good luck.
Hello,
I don’t know enough about your dog or the time frame to offer much advice. I do have a lot of helpful tips and advice on this disease via my blog. Kmdvm.blogspot.com and YouTube channel. Search IVDD and hank. I think that every piece of any kind of question is all there. In general I tell people to keep in close contact with their vet. Seek an exam with a neurologist and give these dogs at least three weeks to see if they improve. Good luck.