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Sierra | 5 years ago
My Six Year Old Male Mini Pin Was Crying Out In Pain Four Nights Ago. He …

My six year old male mini pin was crying out in pain four nights ago. He sticks his neck foward in a downward gaze, arches his back and lifts one leg. I timed each cry and they were 10 minutes apart. We decided to take him to the emergency vet, which was located 25 miles away. During the car ride, my baby did not cry out loud once. After completing blood work, the vet. did not mention anything concerning other than she thought he hurt his back. She prescribed two medications. Fast forward to today, and the pain continues, although it’s not every ten minutes, but almost every single time he moves his body. He can walk on all four legs, eats and drinks as he normally did, but he is not the same. You can tell he is in extreme pain- the medication does not seem to be helping. Why did the emergency vet not screen for IVDD? Do you think these are the early signs of the condition? If so, how should I go about mitigating the pain?

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  1. Sarah

    Hi there-
    I am so sorry you and your dog are going through this. I think I would get in to see your regular vet ASAP- bring all the info from the ER vet to share. Let your vet know your suspicions. I also think that you are within your rights to phone the ER vet and ask them about ivdd and why they didn’t check that possibility out (or do an X-ray). Also let them know that the meds are not helping. Meantime- I would think crate rest and limited activity might help- you might want to search out Dr. Magnifico’s YouTube videos on ivdd. She has a lot of experience and you could find some helpful info there. Very best of luck to you????

    1. Sierra Post author

      Thank you for the information Sarah! I am happy to report that he has not cried out once today! But I will still reach out to vet to ensure everything looks good.

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Susan Poage | 5 years ago
My 6 Year Old Female Pit Was Diagnosed With Chylothorax Yesterday, 7/5. My Vest Was Only Able To …

My 6 year old female pit was diagnosed with Chylothorax yesterday, 7/5. My vest was only able to pull a little of the gel type liquid from her lungs. She referred us to a specialist, but they cannot see her until Aug 4. Do you know if there is another specialist in the Baltimore, Maryland area that could see her? She is currently taking 50mg of Lasix. I don’t want to wait four weeks. She has barely eaten anything over the last two weeks as it is. She’s lost about 7-10 pounds.

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    Without knowing exactly where you are located I would go to UPenn through the ER service and that way you can be seen immediately. You should not wait until August. In fact I would be incredibly worried that you don’t have that much time to safely wait. My preference is UPenn above all other referral centers as I have found them to be the most efficient and affordable of all the specialty centers. There are other specialty centers like the PetER and Chesapeake Vet Referral in Towson but I have had many clients find them cost prohibitive for care. If you in the through ER at a specialty hospital you can be transferred to the internal medicine department from there same or next day at the latest. Good luck. Go very soon especially if your pet is acting unwell.

    1. Susan Poage Post author

      I ended up taking her to Pet ER in Towson and they said she has Pyothorax . The thick fluid includes bacteria and maybe cancerous cells.

      They said the only thing they could do was all in or nothing. Is surgery the only option? I did ask them to send the liquid from her chest to the Pathologist. I want to know for a fact that there are cancerous cells. What if it’s only bacteria, would antibiotics resolve the infection? Do they have to do open chest surgery to remove the liquid?

      1. Susan Poage Post author

        I have decided to wait for the pathology report to be certain it is cancer. I’m also looking into autoimmune disease. I’ve been told by several people that their dogs were going through the same as my Ginger. They were told it was cancer, but they fought and advocated for their dogs. They were both found to have autoimmune disease and have been treated with steroids and have been alive and well for over four years.

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Christina McMillan | 5 years ago
My Daughter’s Beautiful 5 Year Old Pitbull Died Suddenly Last Night. He Was Current With Shots …

My daughter’s beautiful 5 year old pitbull died suddenly last night. He was current with shots and vet visits, bloodwork, etc. and had no known health issues. My son in law had played frisbee with him. He did not exhibit any signs of heat exhaustion. Drank a lot of water when he came inside and was fine while my son in law took a shower. He fed him after his shower and he cried out while eating, seized a bit, collapsed and died. Son in law checked for airway obstruction and did several compressions on his chest, but he did not recover. They are heartbroken. How does this happen?

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I’m so sorry about your dog. All of the same issues that can happen with people can happen with dogs. Heart attack, aneurysm, blood clot, hypoglycemia, heat stroke or hyperthermia, etc etc. It is possibly o do a necropsy (animal version of autopsy to try to ie the cause of death). Please call your local ER or vet for more information on where this might be available. I’m sorry for your loss.

  2. Sarah

    I am so sorry for you all. Heartbreaking. I would see about a necropsy to possibly find out what happens. I truly am so sorry.

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Worried | 5 years ago
Hi! My Cat’s Catheter Has Just Been Removed, And Since Then He Can Urinate, But …

Hi! my cat’s catheter has just been removed, and since then he can urinate, but his urine was blood (Not literal blood), but compared to the last 2 days he can eat now,and drink water, he can urinate sometimes large amounts and sometimes small ones, i just want to ask is this part or sign that he’s recovering?

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    Please call the vet who placed and removed the catheter for assistance. My preference is to be seen again and have the pet assessed immediately. If this is a case of urinary blockage I would like to hear the rest of your cats story. And I would plea for you to add it as a case based story to our storylines section. So that it might helps others like you.

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Kenneth | 5 years ago
Could Repeated Flinching/seizure-like Behavior Be Associated With Eyesight? Here Is A Compilation Video: Https://vimeo….

Could repeated flinching/seizure-like behavior be associated with eyesight?

Here is a compilation video: https://vimeo.com/434151259

Our 10-year-old toy poodle has begun flinching (for lack of a better word) repeatedly on walks. We’ve been to the vet, but due to an enlarged heart with a leaky valve he wants her to see her cardiologist to ensure it isn’t heart-related. We are trying to get an appointment but the pandemic is making wait times in the weeks and we’re concerned in the meantime about how dangerous waiting could be.

Based on our experience, the flinches rarely happen at home, happen much more frequently in bright sunlight on walks, especially facing the sun. They also occur much more frequently when leaving a shadow into the sun or leaving the sun into a shadow. Her vet has noticed early signs of cataracts and we’ve noticed her eyes getting cloudy. She’s also begun walking into things occasionally.

We’re hoping these are eye-sight related rather than seizures or neurological issues, but are unsure of next steps while waiting appointments with specialists.

Thanks.

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    This is a tough question to answer based on the information given. The optic nerve which services the eyes is connected to the brain so yes they can influence each other. But I am also worried about pain. I think it’s imperative to see a neurologist. Or try to get a second opinion from another vet. I also think that bloodwork and xrays are a good place to start. You can also ask to see an ophthalmologist. Please keep calling and please seek help from a vet locally. I hope this helps. Let me know what happens. Good luck.

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deehoeck1 | 5 years ago
I Have A American Staffordshire Terrier. She Has Had Anxiety Since We Got Her At A …

I have a American Staffordshire Terrier. She has had anxiety since we got her at a very young age of 6 weeks from a kill shelter in WV. She is now 7. I think all the vets at Jarrettsville Vet have seen Lucy at one time or another. We just moved 2 weeks ago. From the beginning of May when we started packing up the old house and continuing after we moved, she is having anxiety about going outside to use the potty. She has a covered crate, which she loves, that she stays in while I’m at work. But she has terrible anxiety about going outside, even if Lilly comes with us. I might get her to pee then she runs back into the house and poops. I don’t get it. I’ve never had an issue with her messing in the house before this. Does a calming medication help in this type of situation? I don’t want to drug her but we somehow have to work thru this so she feels comfortable about going outside and doing her business. She is on a leash so i’m always with her. I just don’t know what else to do. Any suggestions? Thank you for any help you can provide!

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  1. Sarah

    Hi there- so sorry this is going on. I think you might have to go “back to basics” just for a bit… meaning that rewarding for going outside like when first potty training. Being on a leash will help her from bolting back inside. You may have to wait outside until she goes, but rewarding right after will help cement the deal. As she was house trained before, it may not take long at all to get her back on track. Hope this is helpful!????????

  2. Laura

    I wouldn’t be afraid of medication. Sometimes it’s necessary to bring the dog back down from an anxious state to work with them to get through an issue.

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Michelle | 5 years ago
My Dog Is Paralyzed From The Waist Down. My Dog Is A 4 Year Old, 10 Pound Shi-poo …

My dog is paralyzed from the waist down. My dog is a 4 year old, 10 pound Shi-poo mix. He suffered from some trauma yesterday (Friday) after getting his paws stuck in some metal grating he seemed ok but then his symptoms exacerbated after running around the park and playing with another dog. At around 5pm on Friday, he was able to poop and urinate and ran around at the dog park but by the evening he couldn’t put any weight on his hind legs. At 8pm, my dog was still able to wag his tail. We went to a doctor this morning and that doctor says he still has sensation in his hind legs (even though they he cannot move them). We have been given the option of MRI followed immediately by surgery but we are not sure if we want to put his body through that much trauma with the risk that he could die on the operating table. We have taken him to a “holistic” vet who has treated him with acupuncture, Chinese herbs, and cortisone. The acupuncturist Vet said he would need 4 weeks with 1 session a week to see if that method could help but also told us we could very well have “missed” his critical cure time if it doesn’t. Nevertheless the acupuncturist said he is very confident as his method has seen much success in IVDD in older dogs. My dog is in a lot of pain and has not urinated or passed stool since yesterday I do not believe he has control over his bowel movements And he is constantly holding his head back and he is constantly propping himself up on his two front legs. I would love a second opinion and an honest opinion of what his chances of regaining full motor function and bowel control are with OR without surgery.

2 Responses

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  1. Sarah

    Hello- I am so sorry you are going through this. I am hoping that Dr. Magnifico sees your past, as she has a lot of experience with ivdd. I can however direct you to her YouTube webpage where she has helpful videos dealing with ivdd that may be useful to you. Very best to you and your pup. I hope things work out well????????

  2. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I’m sorry to hear about your dog. I’m also not a neurologist and it doesn’t appear that you have done the diagnostics to acurately and definitively diagnose him. I think the best advice I can give is to go to a neurologist and see if they can help do this. They typically need an mri to diagnose. This is usually over $1,000 and I don’t encourage clients to do it unless they are ready and able to do surgery after. This is usually about $7,000. If you chose to or cannot afford these then I think full body xrays with a concentration on the spine is the next best option. From here if it is spinal trauma I advise strict cage rest without being outside to do anything except go to the bathroom. Also the pain has to be addressed. Someone need to provide this immediately. I have a lot of information available on this (search IVDD) on my blog and YouTube channel. I think it addresses all possible scenarios and outcomes. Please go there. Read and review all of it. It will help. Good luck.

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Deborah | 5 years ago
My Cat Is Making Noise When Breathing

My cat is making noise when breathing

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I can’t tell you if this is serious or not, but, we always have to prepare and address the worst and hope for the best. Please call your vet and ask to be seen. If it is something that affects the ability to breath it needs to be treated immediately If it is an infection you will need antibiorcs from them.

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Amber | 5 years ago
Hello! My Cat Chunk Has Been Recently Having Issues With His Front Paws For The Past 2 …

Hello!
my cat chunk has been recently having issues with his front paws for the past 2 months. It’s off and on and when I touch his paws he doesn’t wince or cry. He still uses the scratching pad with no issue, but he’s limping and he can no longer jump up on the bed as easily. I’m afraid he may have arthritis. What is a good supplement or something we can get to help him with his joints so he’s strong again! He’s not an elderly cat, I guess you could call him middle aged. Thank you! He’s about 15 lbs

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  1. Laura

    I think I’d start with a vet check. Medicating without diagnosis can be dangerous, and it’s possible he has an injury you can’t see.

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Giselle | 5 years ago
I Have Kitten That Is 10 Weeks Old. Just Recently I Noticed Him Limping On His Left …

I have kitten that is 10 weeks old. Just recently I noticed him limping on his left front arm, and a swollen ball on his neck It has now gotten big and swollen. What should I do, let me know ASAP plz .

1 Response

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello.
    This kitten should be seen but a vet ASAP. I am worried about a fracture and abscess. These should be treated immediately in a kitten this young.