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I found this kitten about 3 days ago lying in the middle of the road. I brought her home and bathed her and fed her. she has no problem eating. she is a cuddle bug. from my research I would say shes around 4-6 weeks. she has been sneezing and has had this gooey eye problem since I brought her home, although it has gotten a little better since then. unfortunately I cant afford to take her to the vet at the moment so I’m just looking for home remedies or a medication I could possibly buy at the store.
She is 8 years old and does not go outside except to use the bathroom. She is now at the point where she has just little squirts when she goes. The problem is she is sqirting all over my house and on my bed last night. She can’t seem to be able to control it. What could be the matter, and what should I do to help her?
hello,
I want to get information about health issues of hybrid kitten from persian and a tabby cat?How often is it possible to see health problems( like kidney failure) at a persian-tabby cat hybrid? thanks in advance
Just for future reference: this isn’t a hybrid. The word “hybrid” indicates a mix of a wild species and a domesticated species. What you’re talking about is simply a mix, and the risks are about equal to those of a purebred. In short, you’re taking a risk no matter what…chances are the owner(s) of the parents have not done any sort of health testing and do not know the overall health of either cat’s pedigrees.
thank you so much..
Breeding 2 different breeds together gives you hybrid vigor. This term basically says that mix breeds tend to have less health problems and live longer than their purebred parents. Although there is always a risk hybrids of 2 purebreds are usually healthier.
thanks for your interest…
Dr. Ferara, have you read newer evidence questioning the theory of hybrid vigor? http://animalbiology.ucdavis.edu/Accomplishments/PDF/Inherited%20disorders%20with%20dogs.pdf
The kitten was born ca. 4 weeks ago. it had two litter mates, one was born dead: The second one was totally normal, but found dead 3 days later in the morning. It had a wet/sticky mouth, but otherwise everything seemed normal.
The last one had also a wet/sticky mouth a few days later (ca. 1 week age) with little blisters on its tongue. Otherwise it was normal, it still got enough milk from its mother.
With ca. 2 weeks the kitten and its mother showed symptoms of cat flu, and it was also seen that the kitten was staying rather small, but otherwise normally developed.
The vet prescribed amoxcillin for both mother and baby. And an ointment for the eyes, as they were also affected. After 2 days the kitten had to be force-fed because it couldn’t suckle anymore. But it could be fed with the syringe without problem and ate with huge appetite. This was going for one week, with it’s general state of health being okay despite the cat flu. It had some discharge on eyes and nose, but it was otherwise still active and aware. He really is a little fighter, despite staying rather small.
During last week it finally seemed to get better, until friday morning we found it with heavier breathing. One eye was fine, the other closed with discharge. It still had appetite though. On Sunday the breathing was bad, but it could still swallow.
Today the breathing is really bad, it has to use its stomach to breath and also opens its mouth to help breathing (but no real gasping). It has difficulty swallowing and seems to have mucus in its throat. The nose is mostly dry, only few discharge. The infected eye has now a cloudy cornea, despite the eye antibitoics. It is also very restless, walks a few steps, then lays flat down. It’s easily seen that it doesn’t get enougn oxygen.
The vet said it most likely has developed pneumonia. It got something that should help its lung with breathing, and I should continue to give fluids and feeding as long as it will/could swallow. Of course it still gets antibiotics.
What can I do to help the little one with breathing? Should I let it inhale?
Depending on how it looks tomorrow I may have to euthanize it, as I don’t want it to suffocate :(.
Hello, Thanks for your answer. The kitten was of course sent to the vet. That is were the antibiotics and everything else come from. She also gave something for its lungs and the kitten also got fluids. The vet seid that the cat flu most likely went down to its lungs, so that they now are infected, too.
Everything I stated above from what we do to help with this kitten is supervised through a vet of course.
Of course I also don’t euthanize myself as I’m not a vet, but the vet said it doesn’t look good, as it got worse despite being supervised and treated.
Maybe I don’t use the right words, as english is not my first language, sorry for that.
I have two dogs, who are use to living in a home with a fenced in back yard. I just started a new job, which requires me to travel sometimes and I had to move into an apartment. I’m afraid of them not adjusting very well to living in an apartment where I just can’t let them outside to roam the backyard freely. Also, I had roommates who would let them out when I was gone to work.
As far as boarding for when I travel, I have decided to just bite the bullet and travel the 2 hours back home and let them stay at theVet office. They are use to the people there and I’ve let them stay there for a few hours sometimes during check ups. I trust them more than having to search for a new vet nearby the new city.
I’ve been away from them for 2 months now because this promotion and everything happened so fast. I know my roommates have not kept up with the routines that I do when caring for them. So I have that worry as well. My dachshundlab mix was difficult to train on leash and I still have a few problems with her pulling and slipping out of harnesses and collars (advice on that is more than welcomed). I’ve been lucky a few times with her coming back to me, after a few hours of trying.
I am horrified that this could all go wrong. They are my family and I do not want to lose them nor have to rehome them.
i wish you luck.
my suggestions are fairly basic: crate train. start working on leaving them in the crates longer and longer each day. work on mental stuff (training for new things) prior to leaving, so they’re tired, and leave them with a stuffed Kong.
i would also go back to square one with the mix you mentioned, and i would invest in a corrective collar and the training to learn how to use it properly. (corrective collars, in this case, would be Martingales and pinch collars – no full chokers.)
In a dog’s world, it is more important to be with the person they love and trust to care for them than it is to have a back yard to roam. You need to get your dogs into your apartment with you and establish a daily routine for them. Up super early and take a long (1 hour) walk so they are ready to nap the day away.
If you can afford to leave your dogs with a vet for extended periods, you can afford doggie daycare, or a dog walker. Look for a day care close to where you work, or for a walker that will come to your apartment and take the dogs out in the afternoon. Your dogs should have 2 things each day they can chew, especially if they are crated all day. Things like a stuffed and frozen Kong, a treat puzzel/maze toy, or Nylabones. This helps keep them calm and happy.
Get back to basics with crate training and on-leash walking. Try a Martingale collar so that your dog can’t slip out of it.
These dogs are not your roommates’ responsibility. They are your responsibility – and if you no longer want to make the efforts it takes to have them live happily with you, then you should be finding them responsible new homes.
I think you misunderstood me. I never said they were my roommates responsibility. I had set routines that I followed like a bible. But I do know that while I was absent, my roommates did not follow the routines, which I have to get the dogs use to doing again. I left them in their care so that I can find a home for the three of us to live and because of the circumstances of the position, get adjusted to my new work environment.
I never said I didn’t want to make the effort. Thats why I ask for advice on getting them adjusted to apartment living in the first place. If I didn’t want the responsibility, I would have never have rescued them. We are use to living in a house, which they were able to go out when they wanted inbetween walks. They have been with me for 3 years, I have taken very good care of them. They are what keep me going and give me purpose. I took the promotion at my job, so that I could continue taking care of them. And have them with me with no worries on how I’m going to afford to give them what they need.
With that being said, I tried hiring a dog walker, and let’s just said that did not end well. I am looking into daycare here, but the only place I trust is my vet office back home. They have taken really good care of us from the beginning. If I have to drive the two hours till I find people I trust with my babies, so be it.
Thank you, I had crate trained them in the beginning. But they seemed to be more comfortable after our early morning walks, to just curl up together in my bed and stay in my room. I started putting up a baby gate in the door and they seem to be just fine with that. They will still go into the crates, but only when it’s time for bed. I will try that Martingales collar. I’ve just been taking them on walks one at a time because the lab, Sylvia, at first required me to pay careful attention to her. While the other, Shy, loved to take her time on walks. Sylvia got better, but she still every now and then would pull or slip out of her harness or collar when I wouldn’t go the way she wanted to go.
I think the routine I had back our old home with the walks 3 times a day and potty pads in areas in case of accidents will be our best bet. I think I’m mostly worried about Sylvia barking at every noise she doesn’t recognize and the stress this move will have on them with all the changes.
If you get back to a normal routine, the dogs will settle in easier. There WILL be an adjustment period, and I think, in your shoes, I’d send every neighbor immediately adjacent to your apartment a note letting them know what’s going on and apologizing in advance. I’d also consider making/giving apology gifts. Even if it’s a token thing, it can make people more amenable to tolerance.
Because this is a new home for them, you have an opportunity to set the rules upon their first day in the new space. Crates back up and used daily will give them a sense of comfort.
For the collar/harness slipping, that’s why I mentioned a corrective collar. If it’s fitted correctly, to sit directly behind the ears, it cannot be slipped. We use a pinch collar for my Doberman, and a friend swears by a martingale for her sighthound – both breeds have skinny heads with necks that are very similar in diameter. Trust me on this, they work. 😀 Besides, one should not walk the dog on the collar where the tags live for safety reasons.
Good luck, Tracey!
I know you didn’t say that. However, this delay of 2 months in finding a way to get your dogs into a routine of living with you smacks of expecting someone else to be responsible for their well being. You know a 2 hour drive back and forth is getting old, wasting time you could be spending with your dogs in their new home. As for boarding dogs at a vet – you are exposing them to all sorts of diseases. Yes, I am sure the people at your vet do the best they can, but in all likelihood a vet’s office is not the idea place for dogs to be unless they have medical conditions that need the attention of a vet tech. It is just a different focus and skill set. A good doggie day care is a better environment for your dogs – they would be out of cages and interacting with dogs and humans most of the day at a day care. And if you spent time, energy and effort on an animal behaviorist, and working with your dogs that you now spend on traveling back and forth you would have the 2 most perfectly behaved apartment dwellers in the nation.
I didn’t think it would be a good idea to have them in and out of hotels while my bosses figured out whether or not they wanted to give me the position permenantly. I thought keeping them in an environment they were use to and with people, my roommates, they felt safe with was the better idea. I spent the latter part of that time finding a home for the three of us to live. I did travel back and forth home to spend as much time as I could with them. But I did what I thought was right in not having them involved in the chaos that was going on with work at that time.
That’s why I asked for advice. Theres tips and secrets that other pet owners know and have experienced that are extremely helpful. For example, the Martingale collar, no one, not trainers nor vets have recommended that collar. Most of them have all mentioned Harnesses (which is what I had done in the beginning to get her to stop pulling when she was a puppy.) I was afraid with the new environment and getting back into the routines I did with them, she would start slipping again. Yes I have a new job but that does not mean I could before or can now afford an animal behaviorist. I know we have to get back into the routines. And I know this is going to be work, I just thought I would ask for some advice on how to make the transition from house to apartment easier on them. Because I know the change can and is stressful.
But nevermind, I know what I have to do now. They have been with me for two days and they seem to be adjusting better than I thought. Thank you for your advice.
The gifts are a idea! Yeah I’ve spoken to the neighbors above and across from me apologizing. Though they all looked at me weird at first, they were pretty nice about it. They have been back with me for 2 days now and they seem to be adjusting better than I thought. especially since most of the furniture and things around them are from our house. So they are surrounded by scents they recognize and I think thats helping them. The only issue we are having is that one of my dogs is on high alert with every noise that happens outside. but when I say “Sylvy no barking” She stops immediately. Today while I was at work I set up a webcam in the room they were in, and they mostly slept all day and chewed bones. I was so proud, I bought them new squeaky toys and let them chase me at the dog park.
Thank you! You have been so nice and helpful.
The gifts are a great idea! Yeah I’ve spoken to the neighbors above and across from me apologizing. Though they all looked at me weird at first, they were pretty nice about it. They have been back with me for 2 days now and they seem to be adjusting better than I thought. especially since most of the furniture and things around them are from our house. So they are surrounded by scents they recognize and I think thats helping them. The only issue we are having is that one of my dogs is on high alert with every noise that happens outside. but when I say “Sylvy no barking” She stops immediately. Today while I was at work I set up a webcam in the room they were in, and they mostly slept all day and chewed bones. I was so proud, I bought them new squeaky toys and let them chase me at the dog park. Thank you! You have been so nice and helpful.
i’m glad ti seems to be working out. i’m sure they’re much happier with you!
My ~1 year old cat is having two problems:
1. While we play, she is moving her head in a weird way when (I think) she needs to focus on the “prey” with her ears.
This can be seen below in this short clip:
https://youtu.be/69bADiXzqKU?t=9
2. She sometimes plainly shakes head, during play time or walking. This behavior is clearly seen on the clip below:
https://youtu.be/p3CKfJFZlV8?t=5
Does this look like an inner ear infection (since I can’t observe any ear mites/parasites/fleas on the outside of the ears)? Is it possible to treat at home or she needs to see a vet?
first: THANK YOU for linking to videos in your post. i really appreciate that, and it makes it a LOT easier to diagnose.
for 1 – i agree with you. i think she’s focusing on the “prey” with her odd head movement. i’ve seen this before in a healthy cat.
for 2 – maybe? i’d wait and see on it, honestly. if this is only during walks and play it may be behavior-related rather than health.
She is quidding when she eats (even mushy food) and even when she’s not eating, so looks like she has something wrong with her mouth. We thought it was un chewed food that made her sick, but even feeding other food like pate cat food that’s mush (similar to mince fish-no chunks) still makes her sick. she’s painfully thin and really not her self. its like she’s got a stomach problem and a mouth/teeth/throat problem.
I would definitely seek a second opinion or a veterinary internist.
Do you know if there is anything specific I shoukd ask them to do? blood work? X ray? urine test?
Not knowing whats wrong it’s impossible to tell.
if she has excessive eye discharge, she may have a scratch on the eye or a foreign body in her eye. please get her to the vet for an eye exam.
Any medicine she needs can only come from a veterinarian anyway, so she definitely needs to be seen sooner than later.
Hope Dr. Magnifico is reading this message soon as I do not know what to do. I noticed one of my cats, Dexter, attempting to pee on a cardboard box outside of the litter box. When I approached him he moved only to go to another area and attempt to pee. Having male cats blocked before or with UTI, I knew to keep watch on him. He was laying down and let me brush him for a while and acting okay. I then took a moist tissue and just patted his pee/butt area and a dried piece of poo came off. I thought yeah… that may be the problem because he immediately went to the litter box. After about 5 minutes he left the box without going to the bathroom. Should I take him to the emergency room or could it wait until you open in the morning. If you think I need to take him, which one do you recommend the most. Thanks Sandy Brown
This morning I got up, and as normal my 2.5 y/o Lab mix (95lbs) jumped up from where he was sleeping on the floor beside me, and followed me into the bathroom.
As we were leaving the bathroom, I noticed he was having trouble walking. His front legs were straight, but his back end was in a squat position (almost like he was going to take a poop) and shaking very hard.
He was trying to walk back towards the bed, but was having a lot of trouble. I panicked thinking he was about to poop, and tryed to drag him back onto the tiled bathroom floor. Just as quickly as it started, it stopped, and he seems normal again. I assumed it was maybe a muscle cramp or hip spasm.
My husband had told me a few months ago that he’d seen the dog have “seizure-like” shaking and today said it looked exactly the same. Could this actually be a seizure? Duke seems fine now, he ate his breakfast no problem, and is acting like his normal self.
Should I be taking him to the vet this week? Would they be able to do much with only knowing of two episodes?
i would absolutely notify them of the incidents, with dates, times, and durations if you’re able to give that information. they may want to see video of future episodes, as well as immediately bringing him in the next time this occurs.
If I’d had my phone on me I would definitely have videoed it. But I’m not even sure I would have had time. The whole thing lasted maybe 10-15 seconds. I can’t remember when my husband noticed the first one – he told me about it at the time but I brushed it off thinking he was over-reacting
understood – just trying to help you think of things the vet will probably want to know, especially going forward. they may also want to know about potential triggers…so, what the dog was doing just before the incident, whether they were calm or excited, etc. context clues can be a huge help with things like this.
At this point I am concerned she is dehydrated and think she needs to see a vet immediately! There are many reasons for diarrhea and the cause could be anything from ingesting something she shouldn’t to something infectious and really everything in between.
She really needs to see a vet, please get her into see one ASAP!
Good Luck
Dr D
There is a chance that is Addison’s disease look it up your dog has many symptoms I would think your dog needs a vet to diagnose
My dog has Addison’s and he had the same starting symptoms. Is she a white coat? If so white dog shaker syndrome is also a possibility at this point.