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Ed Burman | 5 years ago
Our 4 Year Old Chow/Australian Shepard Mix Male Dog Has Been Scooting To The Point He …

Our 4 year old Chow/Australian Shepard mix male dog has been scooting to the point he has lost hair on his hind legs /bottom – resembling a baboon. The skin is normal and not inflamed. We had his anal glands expressed, added pumpkin to his diet and had him checked a few weeks ago and his glands were ok. He has started scooting again. We were told he may have allergies and have put him on 1 diphenhydramine 25 mg daily. He stopped scooting for a few weeks, but is back at it again. Advice and suggestions are appreciated. Thank you.

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,

    Well it sounds like you are addressing many of the usual suspects. I would say at this point that you call your vet back and tell them what’s going on. If you were my client I would recommend a recheck to include a rectal exam for anal sacs (some refill in a matter of weeks) a rectal exam of the colon (for masses or abnormalities causing discomfort), a thorough check for fleas (and to make sure Parasiticides are being given appropriately), and a talk about allergies with better medication options given to help eradicate the itch. This is where I would start. Yo it dog is either uncomfortable or itchy. Check again and try to rule out one versus the other. Also if they are scoring to the point of trauma to the skin you may need an antibiotic or topical treatment for the skin in the urogenital/rectal area. Let me know what happens. Good luck.

    1. Ed Burman Post author

      Thanks Krista … we are your clients 🙂 …. we’ll get Kimber back to see you guys. I appreciate the quick response.

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Monika | 5 years ago
Hi There, I Guess It Will Be Long. Anamnesis My Cat Is An Adopted Cat From …

Hi there,

I guess it will be long.

Anamnesis
My cat is an adopted cat from shelter. He was 1.5 yrs old when I adopted him and 9 months old when he got into the shelter. He is 7.5 yrs old now.
He suffered from catflu. He lost his left eye because of it. He had polyp in his left nasal cavity having spread to his left earcanal also, so he had to undergo a surgery at the age of 1.5.

The problem
Every season changes– fall, spring — makes him sneeze so I always administer him Vetri-DMG and Flumax to strenght his immune system.
This fall he was sneezing a lot sounded some discharge up, but didn’t see anything then he started snoring didn’t matter if he was sleeping or awaken. He vomited brownish, greenish, and yellowish fluid. Later on he tried to vomit, but nothing came up. On the top of these he seemed to be gasping for breath or being out of breath.
Since having administered Vetri-DMG and Flumax for 3 or 4 weeks I took him to a vet. He administered him eyedrops (3×2 for 7-10 days) Tobradex — corticosteroid and antibiotics — as he found nothing, but his teary eye and conjunctivitis, which is of course tearing all the time as he has epiphora thanks to catflu. He also administered Moxiclear spot on when the next deworming time comes (he is given dewormer each month, Fenbendazole and Praziquantel — guess you know it as Panacur) to make sure that he has no heartworm or lungworm…

Eardrops have been used for 8 days and he has started snoring again. He snores sometimes even he is awaken when breathing in or out.

QUESTION
His RIGHT side nostril seems to be swollen inside, so as far as I can see ti and narrower on this side. And that’s what makes me be so worried. I am afraid of… nasal cancer. He is a ginger cat and has lentigo on his nose, in on his lips, on his pows… How can I find out what the problem is? Unfortunately, in my country vets doesn’t know anything except giving injections… If an illness is not well-seen yet they do nothing.

Help us please!

Thank you so much in advance!

1 Response

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    When I see oronasal or facial cancer it usually causes displacement of the eye outward. It can also cause swelling or enlargement of the facial area (bridge of nose and cheek area). I haven’t seen one to cause widening or narrowing of the nose. My suspicion would be more inflammatory than cancer. Unfortunately the only way to diagnose is with either tissue samples (usually from traumatic sampling which only a specialist should do), or a CT scan (which is expensive and not available everywhere). The things I have tried in my clinic have been anti inflammatory nasal drops, nebulizer treatments, courses of antibiotics and blood work testing to include a cbc, chem panel and FeLV/FIV status. Also warm humid air like in a hot shower room can help. Also it is super important to assess the living environment for any allergens (no powers, sprays, potpourri, and good ventilation (no mold or dark areas where dust or mold could settle). I hope this helps. Good luck!

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Shiria | 5 years ago
Kitten With Completely Atonic Colon, Possible Causes? (Long Text Ahead) So Nov. 3th In The Evening …

Kitten with completely atonic colon, possible causes? (Long text ahead)
So Nov. 3th in the evening we got 2 kittens, estimated 6 weeks old, thin. However due to being cold outside they already had very thick fur, so it wasn’t visible how thin they were. Weight was 550 & 650gr.
The finder said they have been more active before and only now they were able to get those two. They borrowed to live traps to get the mother and another kitten.
Both were seen eating. They were treated against worms (Milbemycinoxim/Praziquantel) and fleas (Lotilaner)
Nov 4th: Overnight everything was eaten, poo was solid. Kittens were responsive and alert. To the evening only half was eaten. Poo was still solid.
Nov 5th: Nothing was eaten over night, the little one seemed a bit weaker. I started to feed them with a syringe. They started with diarrhea, but that sometimes happens when feeding with a syringe.
Nov. 6th: They still don’t eat by themselves. The smaller one still seemed weaker, but otherwise it seemed fine. A bit diarrhea. In the evening I found it the litter box, not being able to stand, barely reacting. It hat vomited (at least it looked like it), and still had poo stuck on it. It was immediately brought to a vet. It received glucose solution s.c., something against vomiting, pain and an antibiotics. Lung sounded free, heart (ultrasound) was fine, too. A test of parvovirosis came back negative. I took both of them home that night, so I could feed it smaller portions more often and to give more fluids. 2 hours later to was able to stand again. I fed them every 3-4 hours, fluids every 6 (only small amounts obviously). It was lying on a warmth mat. The bigger one was fine, but avoided it’s litter mate.
Nov. 7th: No further improvement. None of them was eating on their own. The smaller one was still lying down most of the time, sleeping, but would react when I came to feed them. It would stand up and walk to the litterbox between the feedings, but the poo had a weird consistency. Not really diarrhea, but veeeery sticky, so it always carried it back to it’s sleeping place. So I had to clean it before every feeding. A test on giardia was positive, treatment started with Carnidazol. Continue to feed them with a Syringe and fluids for the smaller one. Fluids were always absorbed to the next feeding, but it still was a bit dehydrated (skin fold test). The bigger one would play in between and seemed fine otherwise.
Nov. 8th: No changes in the smaller one during the day, still weaker, able to walk, sit and stand, but sleeping most of the time. Today there was rarely poo in the toilet. I assumed that the treatment started working and it was a good sign (although I already had the feeling that something was wrong… wish I would have trusted that feeling). In the evening it seemed weaker, but would still accept being fed with a syringe. It felt different, less body tension, but would still walk away/go to the t. 10pm feeding. More calm, didn’t want to eat that much, peed on me. Meowed louder during giving the fluids than usual and tried to get away. 2am clock, the fluids weren’t absorbed completely, it’s abdomen felt like a sponge. I only fed a tiny amount. 6am weaker, would lie down immediately, breathing was shallow and faster, meowing, I didn’t feed it, fluids still not absorbed. Rushed to the vet.
-> Heart had a low frequency, breathing fast and shallow
-> X-Ray lungs were free, only a tiny amount of fluids in the abdomen, however the complete colon and stomach were filled with food. There was no visible blockage or air.
-> Ultrasound: Absolutely no movement in the colon/stomach, no blockage or air seen either. Kidneys and liver seemed fine
-> Punctation of the abdomen: ca. 3-4ml of fluids, lots of proteins, a bit of blood. Didn’t look like FIP. Possible that the fluids came out of the colon.
It was given something against vomiting, pain, antibiotics, something to help the cardiovascular system and something to get the colon moving again. To help with its breathing got a mask with additional oxygen. However in the next hour it got worse, so we decided to let it go. After it was gone food came back out of it’s mouth. And it didn’t even smell like it had started to digest.
It’s littermate is still with me and fine. It started to eat on its own yesterday.
Now I obviously ask myself what i could have done better/different. By now I think I should have started with additional syringe feeding earlier – at least with the smaller one. And I should have reacted when my feeling told me that something was wrong, even when there were no obvious changes yet. I somehow have the feeling that I sis something wrong and killed it. Did I give too much fluids (but lungs were free and only a bit fluid in the abdomen)? Did I feed too much? Other kittens eat even more without problems – and the other one is fine.
And what can be the causes for the complete stop of movement in the colon/stomach?
I know that FIP can cause this and an ileus (but there were no visible blockage, everything was filled with food), are there other causes? Can giardia do this?

2 Responses

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    First it is important to give yourself a very firm and big pet on the back. You have gone above and beyond and saved these kittens from a slow awful death. Next this isn’t a question about the colon this is a question about what is causing all of the clinical signs you are seeing. Ileus (slow or absent moving gi tract) has many many causes but something caused it. Probably has everything to do with the same something causing everything else you are seeing. There is a huge list of possible causes. Infection, congenital disease, malnutrition before they got to you. Infectious disease like rabies, etc etc. my recommendation is to stick with the basics of keeping them warm, fed, and treated for parasites (internal and external). After that (or before your preference often dictated by amount owner can spend) is to keep asking for second opinions and keep running. Diagnostics. I really applaud your dedication and I have to say as much as sometimes we try we just aren’t able to save them all. This is especially true with kittens. Which have been some of the most rewarding and most heart breaking of all the cases I have seen.

    1. Shiria Post author

      Hello,
      thanks so much for your answer and the nice words. Malnutrition would be definitly possible, it’s nearly winter here and they were thin when we got them. Maybe it was too much for the gi tract after not getting much for some time.
      What additional diagnostics would you have recommended to do? I think bloodworks could have been an option, but what parameters? Just the large profile or other tests (besides FIV/FelV)?
      I added the xRay. I was only present at the ultrasound, where I couldn’t see air. The xRay shows air in the stomach and colon. But otherwise everything is just… filled – theres not really something visible. Kidney and Liver could be seen in the ultrasound and looked normal. The “swelling” on it’s belly is the fluid that wasn’t absorbed – altough it felt a bit harder that a fluid bubble under the skin usually does.

      The other one is still fine, active and playing, starting to eat on it’s own. Purring and cuddly. Yesterday we got the 3rd littermate, the mother is nowhere to be found until now. I haven’t seen the new one eat yet, but it was hungry when i fed it with a syringe – and it liked it. So I’ll just feed it a bit too, just not as much. That’s also nice for bonding. But it ate what was in the trap – so it knows cat food. It’s still very afraid, so I guess it will mostly come outside when I’m not in the same room.
      We also got another one, a little male that the fidners named Nero – same area but not same place – but same age (a bit younger possibly) and also black furred. But this one is in bad shape, too. Very calm and tired. Lying most of the time. It’s just skin and bones, dehydrated. I haven’t seen it eating or using the litter box yet – and since the other two use it and the towel it lays on is wet sometimes I think it doesn’t really go. But it is able to stand and walk – I think it’s just to tired/weak to do so without need. This one is also fed every 3-4 hours and gets fluids. I heard him sneezing, so maybe it’s getting cat flu.
      All were treated against internal and external parasites and no diarrhea until now from the new ones.

      Thanks again for taking your time to read my wall of text(s) and answering so detailed.

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Madison | 5 years ago
Hi So My Pug Seems Like He Is In Pain On His Back Leg He Walks …

Hi so my pug seems like he is in pain on his back leg he walks on it but usually liftes it up and he keeps chewing on his paw what can I do

1 Response

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I would be worried that the licking is an indication of pain. Limping can be indicative of many things to. like injury, illness or Orthopedic issues. Please see a vet about this. There is no other credible advice I can give from here.

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Darcy | 5 years ago
Having Difficulty With Our New Pup And Cat. About Two Months Ago I Introduced A New …

Having difficulty with our new pup and cat.
About two months ago I introduced a new puppy to our family. We have an 8 month old kitten, and a 2 year old German Shepherd, and the new guy, 6 month old Chance, an American Bully.
We rescued Chance from an abusive situation, and he is just a sweet and snuggly boy with us and our German Shepherd. The problem we face now is that we’re worried about our cat. They have been separated by a baby gate. He doesn’t bark or growl at her, but rather whines and stares at her. He does chase her, but we’ve always nabbed him. When she is on the other side of a regular door, she’ll put her paw under as any cat would to play. He hasn’t attacked it at this point. He just gets very still and quiet and just stares at her paw and begins to tremble/shake. He has broken a bar on the baby gate to be near her.
She is unenthused to meet him, after he’s chased her, which makes her run, which makes him chase. We aren’t really sure what to make of all of this behavior or what to do. I feel over saturated in information.
Our german Shepherd was happy to be with her within a week or two. He chases her once in awhile, but all in all they co-exist and like each other. I don’t know if I need to find a new home for bully puppy.
Please help

2 Responses

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  1. Sarah

    Good morning???? Don’t give up. Dogs thrive on schedule and repetition. Continue to praise the positive behavior towards your cat that you puppy displays. If he is treat driven, even better. If he sits quietly near her for a short time, treat reward. Gradually increase the time. When you are not busy- perhaps in the evening watching the news or a show, have kitty on your lap or in your sight and puppy in the same room. Quiet may only last a minute or so at first, but that is ok. It will gradually increase. We have a house with three GSD and 1 cat. We make sure that the dogs know kitty is above them in the pack order. She gets fed first, she is allowed on furniture (dogs are not) she is allowed certain places the dogs are not… all of these “other” rules help establish pack order. It takes time and patience, but can definitely be done. Thanks so much for rescuing!!! Don’t give up- it will work out. Best of luck!! ????????

  2. Laura

    Keep the pup on leash when he and the cat might interact. IMMEDIATE “Leave It” correction any time he so much as looks at the cat to chase. Reward appropriate behavior to ensure there’s direction in what you want.

    Not kidding on leaving a leash on him, by the way. It’s the best way to enforce an immediate correction.

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Dakota | 5 years ago
Pit Bull Mix With Suspected Ivdd. Losing The Mobility In His Hind Legs. Urinating And Defecating …

Pit bull mix with suspected ivdd. Losing the mobility in his hind legs. Urinating and defecating on himself and the only option I was give was a 10,000$ surgery. I just need advice on how to care for my poor dog so that he can have a quality life. I got him when he was 8 weeks old and I was only 16 so we have grown up together I love him to pieces. Please help me!

3 Responses

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I have a lot of Information on my blog and YouTube channel. Go there. Also a few questions below is the book I recommend. It’s available on Amazon. I also think it is imperative to call the vet who diagnosed you and remind them it is unethical to not provide options to you even if the preferred treatment option is cost prohibitive. We owe our patients options and when I hear they aren’t being provided I shudder at the number of let’s falling through the cracks because we have forgotten to be compassionate and flexible. It’s also a reportable offense to not provide care in the manner clients request. Please also look into physical therapy, acupuncture and adjusting your home to be more handicapped friendly. I would also ask for a referral to a vet who is versed in this and willing to help a client with financial constraints. Go back and talk to your vet. Demand help that is meaningful or find one who will. These pets can recover with conservativecare But you need to be hyper diligent and you need assistance. Reach out on social media to find a mentor locally who had been through this or ask your vet to give you a patient in the past who had this and build your own support network. Please keep in touch. And please let us know what happens. Good luck

  2. Dakota Post author

    Hello,
    I just wanted to respond with an update on my little pit bull who was diagnosed with ivdd. It’s day 6 of his symptoms and it has been really really hard. Especially the first couple days but we’ve got him on some pain management and I’m following you’re advice on resting the dog as much as possible. He’s been eating and drinking regularly the past couple days which is great and he seems to be more alert and happy. All great signs. But I do have a few specific follow up questions about his symptoms. The first is he’s not been defecating the past 3 days and I’m curious how I can help him with his bowel movements. And my second question is how
    Much movement is too much? My little guy is very determined to get up and walk regardless of the pain or lack of mobility in his hind legs. Is this something that I should allow or should I limit his movement significantly?

    Any help appreciated thank you

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Amanda | 5 years ago
I Have The Sweetest Siamese Mix, Goldie, Adopted From Our Local Humane Society. Unfortunately, She Has …

I have the sweetest Siamese mix, Goldie, adopted from our local humane society. Unfortunately, she has been a sick kitty and she’s had 4 URIs in her two years of life. She did take the full course of antibiotics for all of them and healed successfully.

Recently, she’s been making low snoring noises periodically when awake and sleeping and it seems to be only when inhaling. She’s a talkative girl and sometimes her voice changes when meowing. She has no other symptoms and is eating, drinking and playing normally and there has been no mouth breathing while making the noises. Her breathing rate has been normal. Sometimes it seems like she is making the noises and then stretches out real long in the first picture to get comfortable.

Below is a link to her video around 24 seconds you can hear it, you might have to put it at full volume:

If this is difficult to hear it sounds very similar to this:

I have a vet appointment next week and am concerned she has stertor from an oropharyngeal polyp from my online research and her symptoms. Is this something that a vet would be able to see without putting them under sedation? Are there any other suggestions you have as to what I could have them test for if it’s not a polyp? I wasn’t sure if she could have asthma or another breathing related issue.

Finally, do you by chance have any recommendations for vets in Phoenix, Arizona? I am just getting myself prepared if needed for a second opinion or if surgery is necessary.

Appreciate it and all your tips and videos online! You are doing incredible work!

3 Responses

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    hello Amanda!
    If you think your kitty has stertor, or what I call upper nasal snoring sounds, I think it is best to start at your vets office. A couple of things are important to discuss early on. One, lots of stertor sounds alike. For the many cases of polyps that I have seen it is important to look at the whole cat, take a very detailed history and do the basics, like ruling out URI (upper respiratory infection) first. Lots of cats get this, as mist have come through rescue/shelter scenarios. So, I always talk to clients about covering the basics first.
    URI should look like infection. Lethargy, fever, ocular and nasal discharge are usually present. Antibiotics are our first stop for these cats. I usually use clavamox, doxycycline, or azithromycin (I’ll even try all three before I move out of the infection suspicion scenario).
    BUT, some cats are instead chronic rhinitis. These are usually a little older, and a little distanced from the rescuing phase of their lives. They are usually the somewhat older cats (like 2-6 years old) and they were probably exposed to a herpes virus early on. They sort of never get over the snoring and sniffles. These guys are life long snifflers. Usually with some degree of nasal and ocular discharge.
    There are also the polyp cats, These are the ones I see often, because, their primary vet doesnt want to go take a look because if they find a polyp they are afraid to remove it. So most of the cats I see are the suspected polyps who cannot afford the $2500 plus estimate the specialists are giving for retroflex endoscopy, and removal with a surgeon.

    I know lots of general practitioners who will sedate (yes this is required to get an adequate look) who will look and will remove but the risks are important to discuss before hand. The risks are; regrowth. I have seen it happen in two cases. Both resolved permanently after the second removal. I have also seen significant bleeding after removal. The cat ultimately did fine, but, I was worried for a few days.

    If you find yourself with a vet who is reluctant to look ask for a referral. If the referral is to a specialisit and this is not affordable call the local cat specialty clinics, rescues and shelters for a referral you can afford.

    I hope this helps. Please let me know what happens.. If you cannot find help let me know and I can reach out to some of the rescue people I know in AZ.

    good luck!

    krista

  2. Amanda Post author

    If it is in fact a polyp and it goes without removal, does this lead to any suffering for the cat throughout their life? Do these polyps continue to grow to the point of full obstruction?

    I really appreciate all your advice and time! Thank you so much and I’ll report out after the appointment either way.

  3. Amanda Post author

    Hello, I just wanted to follow-up on my vet visit. The vet gave Goldie a Kenalog shot and to be honest, the noises she was making went away, but it’s strange as it seems now I’m not hearing her purr as often. Is a steroid shot ok to use on a limited basis? I know that it’s short term use and would not want to continue giving her shots every few months as I know it can suppress her immunity and for a cat that has had several URI’s I’m now second guessing the vet giving it to her.

    Thanks!

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Jessica | 5 years ago
I Have A Cat Named Izzy And She Is About 10 Months Old. She Has Pectus Excavatum. …

I have a cat named Izzy and she is about 10 months old. She has Pectus Excavatum. She has started to have some wheezing after she plays for about 20 – 30 minutes. I don’t have the thousands it would cost to fix her chest and the risk of air getting into her chest cavity scares me. I keep her on a steady diet so she doesn’t gain too much weight and cause more issues breathing. She’s never has an upper respiratory infection, no fluid coming out of her nose, fever, nothing. She gets tired very easily.

Her heart has been pushed to one side of her rib cage due to this condition. Is there any way I can help her without spending an arm and a leg?

As you can see in the photo, she sits very scrunched up due to the way her ribs are shaped.

Thanks in advance.

1 Response

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I know if lots of vets who will do this surgery at a more affordable price. I would call around. Call everyone locally and call the cat specialty clinics. Keep calling and keep asking. Call the rescues and shelters and keep calling. Also put up requests on social media sites like Facebook and Nextdoor.com. There are people out there who can do this surgery and who will do it affordably. When you find them PLEASE!! share their name and info and PLEASE add the story to our storylines. Pawbly is all about trying to Connect people like you with the people who can help. If you tell me where you are I can try to help too.
    Surgery is your best option. Let’s try to find someone who can help.
    Krista

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GARY | 5 years ago
Took Are One Year Old Cat In To See The Vet Because He Could Not Urinate. …

took are one year old cat in to see the vet because he could not urinate. On exame the vet drew fluid and did a ultrasound. There was blood in the urine and the ultrasound showed some indications of foreign bodies but not crystals. She gave us Clavamox a antibiotic, prazosin for inflammation and Buprenorphine for pain all was ok for two weeks then are cat Leo was back in trouble again with not urinating . Same m.o. , and she told us about the PU surgery, or leaving him there for a few days while they but a catheter in him to reestablish his bladder function. My question is this, we feed are cat raw food that we make from chicken livers and hearts with bone ground up for fiber . Leo drinks lots of water so we are wondering why this is recurring in such a young male cat that is a outdoor cat . Is there something we are missing in Leos care or prevention of this problem . love your videos on youtube and saw the cat being unblocked with a catheter, wish we could do that at home.

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I think that this is an excellent question to ask your vet. I don’t know enough about Your car to answer this. I c an say that in some cases we never know why some cats have issues while others do not. In my personal experience I have found that I see this most commonly in indoor only, overweight, sedentary cats who are being fed a poor quality dry food. It doesn’t sound like a lot of this criteria is consistent with your cat but please talk to your vet. If possible I would love to have you add your experience and cost of care to our storylines page. It will help others. And that’s what we are all about.
    Please keep us updated.
    Best of luck. Krista

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Henry | 5 years ago
Hi, I Need All The Advice And Help You Guys Can Give Me. I Have A …

Hi, i need all the advice and help you guys can give me. I have a two-year-old French bulldog and yesterday morning we realized she was a little paralyzed from her hip down she ate and pooped fine. Took her to the emergency room they diagnosed her with IVDD. They told me they need to do surgery on her spine and I can’t afford the surgery process. Is there other options? She’s on steroids and pain medication

Prednisone
Gabapentin
Prazonsin
Please help us she means the world to our family!

1 Response

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I have tons (and tons) of information on my blog and YouTube channel. If you just google my name and ivdd at either of these places you will find loads of advice. Start there. I also think the book below helps many newly diagnosed pup parents.