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Lupe | 5 years ago
My 6-year-old Cat Has Recently Had Some Trouble Breathing And Has A Snoring Sound When Breathing In.

My 6-year-old cat has recently had some trouble breathing. She gets a deep sounding snore when breathing in and can’t seem to take a complete breath. The snoring only seems to occur when she is breathing in, and not out. The snoring does sometimes stop. This mainly happens when she is sleeping, her breaths are softer and she seems to be able to breath better. I have also noticed that when I hold her mouth open a little bit, she is able to breathe in and out without any problem. She occasionally has sneezing fits, but they are very rare to see. There is no discharge from her nose, eyes, or ears. She actually has a very dry nose. I have also noticed that she has been eating less than before, but she is still able to eat and drink water. We took her to a vet, but they told us they would only be able to diagnose her with an endoscopy, which they said would cost us around $1,300. I’ve looked online for symptoms similar to hers and cats that had similar breathing patterns/sounds. The closest thing I have been able to find is something called a “nasopharyngeal polyp”. I’m a little lost on what to do. Should I continue with the first vet, and get a concrete diagnosis? or get a second opinion and maybe bring up what I found while researching online? The cost of the first vet is kind of high for me as I’m a college student, but If it is what my cat needs to be able to breathe comfortably again I’ll pay it.

1 Response

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I think that it perfectly acceptable to go back to your vet and express your concerns. I also think it is completely inappropriate to not have offered loads of options, everything from medications to inhalers, to humidifiers your supplements to referral in this case. I also think that all vets should be willing to do a sedated oral cavity exploratory exam to look for a polyp. But that’s just me and lots of vets think I am too generous with my patients and clients. So maybe you should talk to your vet and ask friends family and all local cat people for a referral to someone who will give your more help and meaningful treatment options. Let me know what happens. Good luck!

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Michaela Leftwich | 5 years ago
We Have A Lab Almost A Year Old. She Wont Eat Out Of Her Bowl. She …

We have a lab almost a year old. She wont eat out of her bowl. She will eat the dog food if we put it in our hand but she wont eat it out of her bowl. She will eat other treats and table food. She also seems very lethargic per her usual self. We have been watching to make sure she is still pooping but something just seems off. What should our next steps be? Should we try changing dog food? Could she be going into heat?

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    Bowl aversion is one thing but acting lethargic is a reason to see your vet. We always have to be worried that there is a medical condition going on and with that the vets should be seen.

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Christiana | 5 years ago
I Am So Lost In Caring For My Chihuahua/dachshund Mix. She Was Diagnosed With IVDD …

I am so lost in caring for my Chihuahua/dachshund mix. She was diagnosed with IVDD on Sunday December 15, 2019. Surgery was not an option financially so we opted for conservative treatment combined with acupuncture and the Assisi loop treatments. The one thing I can not get a definitive answer on if she needs to 24/7 cage rest of if letting her rest with us on the couch in the evenings okay. Some blogs says strict cage rest for 8 weeks and only out for potty time while many others suggest other treatment plans. I just want to know if I am hurting my fur baby by letting her rest on the couch with me or not. Since the start of her treatments she has gone from full paralysis in her hind legs and being in continent to being able to walk a little and has full control over her bladder/bowels in just a little over a week!

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  1. Sarah

    Good morning. Dr. Magnifico has a lot of videos posted on YouTube that may be helpful to you. She has a lot of experience with IVDD and has posted blogs about it as well. Don’t give up- especially since your pup is showing improvement. Best of luck to you guys!

  2. Krista Magnifico

    In my opinion it is 24/7 cage rest unless they are in your arms ( while you are awake) or outside going potty. No expeditions. Ever. Because one accidental anything can result in reinjury and loss of any healing you have gained. I hope this helps and I wish you the best of luck.

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Lea | 5 years ago
I Have A 4 Year Old Miniture Dachshund That Suddenly Couldn’t Walk Anymore We Took Him …

I have a 4 year old miniture dachshund that suddenly couldn’t walk anymore we took him to the emergency room and they took some x Ray’s and stated that there were a couple disks that looked concerning. We were told to keep him in the cage for 4 weeks and see how things go 2 days he seems worse so we took him to the vet and they said make sure that he continues to eat and drink and urinate. IVDD surgery seems like one of our only options however, I dont want it to fail and have him be in more pain any suggestion?

2 Responses

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I’m sorry to hear about your pup. I would say that in general veterinarians agree that surgery done as soon as possible is the best course of treatment for the next long term prognosis. I tell my clients that it is usually about a $7-10,000 endeavor. If this is not affordable (which is the majority of cases) to provide medical management and strict cage rest. And that they usually get worse over 3-5 days and not better. I also say to focus all your time and attention to basic husbandry. Keep them clean dry and pain free and monitor for urination. Also start PT in about day 4-6. Most pets don’t defecate for a few days so keep food watery and soup like. Time, safe housing (crate 24/7 except for bathroom supervised) and pain control are mandatory. After that patience. I hope this helps.

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Lisa | 5 years ago
I Just Had My 5 Month Old Kitten Spayed On Friday Dec 13, 2019. On Sunday There Was A …

I just had my 5 month old kitten spayed on Friday Dec 13, 2019. On Sunday there was a good amount of bruising. Today is Thursday and day 6 of recovery and there is a bump a little smaller than a ping pong ball that is under the stitch line. Does this look like it is just a fluid sac or do you think a hernia? She runs, jumps, is and has been very active, eats, pee, poop, everything else is normal. I push on it and no reaction from her, there is no fever to it either.
First picture is the bump on day 6. Second picture is her stitches on day 6 of healing. Third picture is what her belly looked like on Day 2 and 3 after spay.

3 Responses

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    Lots of kittens get some mild localized swelling at the incision site. But there is a little more bruising than I think is normal. I’m not particularly overly concerned if she is acting completely normal (eating, drinking peeing, pooping and active happy), but, I always always think it is best for the vet who did the surgery check any questions or concerns the pet parent might have. If you are a JVC client please let me know and I will have someone check tomorrow. Or i am happy to check on Sunday (open 1-3). We don’t charge for our own post op rechecks. Sincerely
    Dr magnifico.

    1. Lisa Post author

      That bruising is gone now, it was there on day 2 and 3 then started to fade away. I am calling my VET in the morning to check and see if they think she should come in or just wait and see if it goes away. I am in VA so I am not a client of JVC but I do have an outstanding VET who sees all my fur babies and did this surgery. She is just the first kitten who is this light in color so the bruising was shocking at first, and the energy she has is crazy. I have had one other female that I adopted before she was spayed but she was calm and the older cat we had did not mess with her during healing. This little spit fire I have now won’t slow down and our older cat and her love to chase, stalk, and rough house with each other so its been a rough time keeping them apart. My boys were easy as the incisions are smaller and healing was faster. I think she has a Seroma as its squishy and no pain when I push on it. I would guess a hernia would hurt and slow her down a lot due to pain.

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Terri S | 5 years ago
Hi Dr Magnifico. Our Once Feral Cat Daisy Has Been Going To Her Litter Box All …

Hi Dr Magnifico. Our once feral cat Daisy has been going to her litter box all day every 2-5 minutes trying to urinate. Only a small drop or two comes out. She looks like she is in pain. We brought her in a couple years ago for this. She is extremely hard to get in a carrier or trap to bring her in and she is untouchable, she is still very feral like.
Can you prescibe the same thing she was prescibed before? I am going to have a very hard time getting her in a carrier or trap to bring her in, and she needs medication ASAP.
Terri Stiffler

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I am away from the office and on vacation.. but even if I wasn’t I would be very afraid that she might be blocked (unable to pass urine) versus having an infection or inflammation. If she is blocked she will need immediate assistance from a veterinarian. She may even need sedation or anesthesia to place a catheter. Certainly blockage is more common in males but we can’t assume she isn’t in an immediate medical emergency and that’s why we all get so worried about assuming it’s not something dangerous or life threatening and just prescribing blindly. Anytime a cat is in the litter box frequently and not producing much or any urine we worry about blockage.
    As you are a client of the clinic I will have someone call you tomorrow to discuss options. But to be on the safe side I have to strongly recommend she be seen. And I cannot even assure you that tomorrow is safe to wait for.
    I wish you all well and I hope she is ok. Please pm us on Facebook for private assistance.
    Sincerely
    Krista.

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Jasmine | 5 years ago
My Dog Was Originally Prescribed Gabapentin (50mg) Every 12 Hours But When I Went Back To The …

My dog was Originally prescribed Gabapentin (50mg) every 12 hours but when I went back to the vet they allowed Me to do every 6 hours instead because pain seemed to be coming back faster. Now it seems the pain meds are not helping at all even with putting him to sleep. Can I give it even sooner than every 6 hours? My dog is 8.10 lbs.

2 Responses

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  1. Sarah

    Good morning-
    You really need to discuss this with your vet as they know your pet best. Everyone/thing is unique and reacts in their own way. I would talk with the vet and also ask about other methods of pain relief. Best of luck.

  2. Krista Magnifico

    I agree with Sarah. There is the book instruction for a drug and then there is the real life patient specific advice. If gabapentin isn’t working ask for other options. There are always options.

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Nicole | 5 years ago
I Have A 12 Year Old Female Cat. She Was Obese For Several Years. I Managed To …

I have a 12 year old female cat. She was obese for several years. I managed to get weight off of her a few months before these issues. There has been a lot of urination outside of the box. The urination has been going on a long time and initially I thought it was behavior because I adopted a rescue dog in October 2018 she hasn’t been thrilled about the dog. Right around the time my cat turned 12 she started with the urination… February or March.

In the last couple of weeks her thirst increased significantly. Also just laying on her side on the floor, not wanting to be in her bed or on the furniture. She’s losing weight /muscle mass and she is hoarse. She is still eating, I had to coax her a bit one day so I made chicken broth from drumsticks she’s been drinking a good amount of the broth and ate chicken and her canned food. She’s actually been gulping the food down.

I can’t tell if this is kidney related or diabetes. I have not noticed bad breath. I am in a real bind and need to figure out what else to do for her till I can get money for a vet.

1 Response

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  1. Laura

    Inappropriate urination is often the first noticeable sign something is wrong. Increased thirst means this has been going on long enough to be a total body problem. I would put a lot of effort into getting her seen sooner than later…going too long can and will cause further damage to her already very sick body.

    (Dr. M told me bad breath is kidneys. Expect a full urinalysis and bloodwork, plus the possibility of subcutaneous fluids and prescription diet.)

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Stan | 5 years ago
Does Congestive Heart Failure Lead To Seizures In Dogs?

Does congestive heart failure lead to seizures in dogs?

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  1. Laura

    I don’t believe so. As I understand it, syncope and fainting can be symptoms but are not the same as seizures.

  2. Krista Magnifico

    Please call your vet. I would be worried about calcium, electrolytes and a whole host of other things that cause seizures .

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Andrew | 5 years ago
We Believe Our 3 Year Old French Bulldog Has IVDD Related Issue Based On The Exam At …

We believe our 3 year old French bulldog has IVDD related issue based on the exam at the emergency vet tonight.

We want to do everything we can as soon as we can. I spoke to a neurologist who said they won’t see him until he is referred by his primary vet. Just within the last 8 hours of this happening it appears he has loss all use of his hind legs. I’m not quite sure if this sign of paralysis or what I should be looking for. He is panting quite a bit from the pain so I’m assuming the paralysis hasn’t kicked in. We were given two prescriptions to follow through with until we can get him into a doctor on Monday. Is this going to be soon enough? We have pet insurance but also want to be sure it will cover the cost of the surgery if needed.

1 Response

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    In almost all cases you can be referred by any vet you see. So call the ER vat back and ask them to refer you. If they cannot ask for your money back as they are not much help and then find an ER with a specialty referral associated with it. This can be found in almost all large cities and every veterinary teaching hospital. For these cases seeking surgery time is critical. If you are not prepared to have surgery (usually due to cost which in my area is about $7-10,000) talk about starting conservative medical therapy. Good luck. Let me know what happens.