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Maham | 4 years ago
Hi, My Cat Is 4 Years Old And She’s Approximately 17 Pounds. I Want To Bring Her …

Hi,

My cat is 4 years old and she’s approximately 17 pounds. i want to bring her to around 10 pounds so she can live a healthy life. I want to change her diet from Dry food, what do you suggest? currently she eats Friskies 3 times a day (a hand full each time).

3 Responses

Comments

  1. Krista Magnifico

    I like science diet, royal canin and wellness. As a general rule. I also think that based on age a visit to the vet and some blood work to check thyroid and kidney function.

    1. Maham Post author

      Hi i’ve checked out these brands and they’re on the pricier side. Do you recommend boiled chicken instead of their store bought food?

      1. Laura

        Maham, plain boiled chicken isn’t nutritionally complete. Cats have more strict requirements than other carnivores.

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Pawbly | 8 years ago
So Ten Weeks Ago My Cat Escaped While She Was In Heat. And Now She…

So ten weeks ago my cat escaped while she was in heat. And now she gained weight and her nipples are swollen. She’s been eating alot lately.She’s a young cat and i read that a pregnant cat vomits during the beginning of her pregnancy but my cat hasn’t. Now I don’t know if she’s just bloated or pregnant. Can you help me please ?

1 Response

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  1. Dawn Ferara, DVM

    The best way to tell if your cat is pregnant is to take her to a vet for an exam.  However, if you are correct about the ten weeks then she should have had the kittens by now.  I recommend taking her to a vet for an exam and to get her spayed.

    Good Luck

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Pawbly | 9 years ago
HI THERE, MY DOG HAS EPILEPSY. HE IS ON POTASSIUM BROMIDE AND PHENOBARBITAL. GERMAN SHEPHERD…

HI THERE, MY DOG HAS EPILEPSY. HE IS ON POTASSIUM BROMIDE AND PHENOBARBITAL. GERMAN SHEPHERD. SINCE STARTING MEDS HE HAS GAINED 45 POUNDS. HE HAS ATAXIA, WHICH IS GETTING PRETTY BAD. WE DECIDED TO SWITCH HIM TO A DIET DOG FOOD TO HELP HIM LOSE WEIGHT, SO THAT WE COULD ULTIMATELY LOWER HIS MEDICATION DOSAGE. OUR VET CONCURRED. SHE DID NOT MENTION THAT CHANGING HIS DIET WOULD INTERFERE WITH THE SALT LEVELS BECAUSE OF THE BROMIDE HE WAS TAKING. AS SOON AS WE SWITCHED HIS FOOD HE STARTED SEIZING. HE HAS HAD ABOUT 7 OVER THE LAST 2 DAYS (HE WAS SEIZURE FREE FOR ALMOST 3 MONTHS). WE LIKE THE NEW FOOD WE PICKED BECAUSE IT IS BETTER QUALITY (FROMM) AND DOES NOT HAVE ROSEMARY EXTRACT, WHICH HAS BEEN LINKED TO SEIZURES. BUT WE DON’T KNOW IF WE SHOULD STOP IT AND GO BACK TO HIS OLD FOOD, OR HOW TO TRANSITION BACK/FORWARD. HE WAS PREVIOUSLY ON NUTRO LARGE BREED ADULT FOOD. I CANNOT FIND THE CHLORINE CONTENT FOR NUTRO, BUT THE CHOLINE CHLORIDE CONTENT FOR FROMM IS 2887.63 IU/KG (71.47 IU/100 CAL). I DON’T TRUST MY VET ANYMORE TO ASK HER, AS THEY HAVE NOT TOLD US ANYTHING ABOUT BROMIDE AND SALT LEVELS. I HAVE HAD TO RESEARCH ALL OF THIS ON MY OWN, EVEN THOUGH I HAVE NO VETERINARY TRAINING. APPARENTLY, GOOGLE IS MORE KNOWLEDGEABLE THAN MY DOG’S VET. IF SOMEONE COULD ADVISE US ON NEXT STEPS WE WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE IT. WE WANT A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE FOR OUR DOG, ONE WHERE HE DOESN’T SLIDE HIS BACK LEGS DOWN THE STAIRS AND FALL DOWN BECAUSE HIS BACK LEGS ARE TOO WEAK. SO WE KNOW THAT A DIET AND LIFESTYLE CHANGE IS IMPORTANT. BUT WE NEED SOME ADVICE ON HOW TO MAKE THE CHANGES, AND HOW FAST/ HOW TO TRANSITION, BECAUSE EVERY TIME WE CHANGE HIS DIET IT APPEARS TO TRIGGER SEIZURES (WE SWITCHED HIM TO LIQUID BROMIDE BACK IN MARCH AND RIGHT AWAY HE GOT CLUSTERS AND ENDED UP IN EMERGE AND SEVERELY MEDICATED FOR A FEW DAYS). WE DON’T WANT TO GO THROUGH THAT AGAIN, SO WOULD PREFER TO FIX THIS ON OUR OWN. BASICALLY, I’M ASKING, SHOULD I GO OUT TOMORROW MORNING AND PICK UP HIS OLD DOG FOOD AND SWITCH HIM BACK COLD TURKEY? OR SHOULD WE STICK WITH THE NEW BETTER FOOD AND SEE IF HE GETS USED TO IT AND THE SEIZURES STOP? OR SHOULD I BUY HIS OLD FOOD AND MIX IT WITH THE NEW FOOD FOR A WHILE, AND WILL THIS EVEN HELP? IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE WE CAN DO? THANK YOU KINDLY FOR YOUR TIME. “

1 Response

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  1. Jana

    My question would be whether it’s the change in itself or something else present in the food triggering the seizures. I do agree that rosemary extract seems to be suspect in contributing to seizures. I also agree that putting on weight isn’t good for anything. My best recommendation would be to work with an integrative vet at this point. I know a number of people who used this modality for managing seizures with great success. An integrative veterinarian can also be of great assistance with diet and actually food therapy, as well as acupuncture and herbal therapy, all of which can be quite helpful. If it was my dog this is the direction I’d go in from here.

    http://www.tcvm.com/

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Pawbly | 9 years ago
I Took In A Newborn Orphan Kitten Going On 6 Days Ago.. Assuming He’s Only…

I took in a newborn orphan kitten going on 6 days ago.. assuming he’s only about 6 days old, 7 tops. He has been doing amazing! His ears were fully opened yesterday, he lost his umbilical cord on day 3, and his colors started coming in today. (He was an off white.. but now his nose and ears have added black coloring to his mix) he has been gaining weight normally. He eats every two hours, three tops. Hes been finishing 5cc since day one.. now he’s finishinh anywhere between 5cc and 10. I burp him after every bottle as well as stimulate him to use the bathroom. (He pees every time and has been pooping between once and twice a day) I even keep him clean and dry in the event of an accident. He sleeps in a box with half heat pad on low and a blanket covering it, as well as a stuffed teddy for snuggling and comfort. Its my first time doing anything even close to this but his mom dropped him off on my porch only hours old and never returned, when it got dark cold and rainy I had to bring him in. Hes eating KRM I bought from the vet. I also bought a bottle and syringe. Not having much luck with the bottle but doing amazing with the syringe. Noticed his belly being kinda hard and that he hadn’t had his usual poop about 4 hours ago. His bottom is red and raw so im trying to be easy but still try and stimulate him every feeding. I know hand raising newborn kittens is a 50/50 shot especially his mom being a stray but he’s doing perfect other than that. Hes purring and eating and peeing and even wondering around a bit.. just a little fussy over the last two feedings. Im also burping him. Is there anything I can do to help his bottom or get him to poop to relieve the belly bulge? I will take him to the vet if needed. Im just seeing what I can do in the mean time. How long is too long for a kitten to be constipated or not poop if everything else seems normal? *I’ve also been adding a little extra water over his last two feedings hoping that may loosen him up. HELP 🙁

11 Responses

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  1. Monica Santos

    try with a warm wet towel rub your kittens anal. softly. mothers lick their kittens to be able to go pee or poop. hope it helps(:

  2. Cherish Yuppa

    That’s been how I get him to pee after every feeding. But he usually has at least one poop by now.. his little bottom is so red and sore and his belly is so bloated. All I can think is he’s constipated bc its like he tries just can’t. :/

  3. Anonymous

    i’d call the vet first thing, to be honest.

  4. Cherish Yuppa

    I called and they said not to be worried that his belly is just adjusting and if he isn’t better in a day or so then to bring him in

  5. Anonymous

    i hope he starts doing alright tomorrow. you’ve certainly got your hands full with such a teeny baby! may he grow up healthy and strong. 🙂

  6. Cherish Yuppa

    Update: called several vets over the last 24 hours… so far I’ve got a lot of contradictions. To limit feedings to not limit feedings. To water down, to not. To use suppository and/or water enema, to not use. To soak bottom, to not soak bottom. To do an early dewormer, to not. To only stimulate bottom every third feeding, to do it every feeding. To use oil, to not. To use tube/Vaseline, to not. Never the less I’m doing what I can and trying a little off everything. Was able to get a poop today just not the consistency I would like or the amount but it’s something. He’s still eating, peeing, and sleeping normally. Just has a hard belly, hard poop, and a raw bottom. Guess I’ll just try and see if anything works or doesn’t and if he gets worse or doesn’t improve in a few days ill take him somewhere hopefully that specializes in this kinda thing or has personal experience bc this crap is confusing. “Do it… don’t… do it..” OMG!! *DAY SIX. -Signed one exhausted mommy!

  7. Anonymous

    sounds like the parent of a newborn anything. you’re doing well! you’re staying on top of things.

    you. can. do. it. 🙂

  8. Cherish Yuppa

    Thank you! He’s a handful for sure. I have no idea how mommy kitty’s do this with more than one lol. He is much more of a handful than my 3 & 1 year old human boys ever were.. even put together lol

  9. Anonymous

    well, it’s not like they have to worry about going to work or cleaning or anything like that. 😉

  10. Kelly Furgason

    Cherish–I have fostered hundreds of kittens. Usually thinnning out the KMR works well. DO not get the stage 2 KMR, stick with the stage one KMR for all feedings,even as the kitten gets older. Warm up a cotton ball and gently hold it to the anus, barely move the soaked cotton ball around . Try for several minutes. Sometimes it takes awhile to get a bowel movement. Usually thinning the food will get a BM…make sure that you are keeping the kitten warm also with a warm water bottle or heat pad (just don’t put the heat pad directly on the kitten) .GOOD LUCK!!!

  11. Cherish Yuppa

    UPDATE: we are on day 8.. problem seems to have resolved. Thank you so much for everyone’s help!

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Pawbly | 9 years ago
My Beagle Puppy, 8 Weeks Of Age, Is Rather Underweight And Isn’t Gaining Weight As…

My beagle puppy, 8 weeks of age, is rather underweight and isn’t gaining weight as she should. She has already been to vet and been cleared but now refuses to eat. Have tried puppy milk formula, wet and dry puppy/dog food, etc. and nothing. The only thing she would eat after countless efforts was small pieces of prepared chicken. Any advice as to what to feed her that she may like and that will help her to gain weight?

1 Response

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  1. Hamster Beagles

    neither do i kirsta beagles are the least picky eaters xD

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Pawbly | 9 years ago
My Beagle Puppy, 8 Weeks Of Age, Is Rather Underweight And Isn’t Gaining Weight As…

My beagle puppy, 8 weeks of age, is rather underweight and isn’t gaining weight as she should. She has already been to vet and been cleared but now refuses to eat. Have tried puppy milk formula, wet and dry puppy/dog food, etc. and nothing. The only thing she would eat after countless efforts was small pieces of prepared chicken. Any advice as to what to feed her that she may like and that will help her to gain weight?

1 Response

Comments

  1. Dawn Ferara, DVM

    I would try chicken flavored puppy food.  Otherwise, I would contact your local vet to be sure there is no underlying medical conditions.

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Pawbly | 9 years ago
Hello, My Name Is Zachary And I Am Looking For Help On An Adult Cat…

Hello, my name is Zachary and I am looking for help on an adult cat rectal prolase, anything you can help me with would be greatly appreciated.A few months ago my cat got very sick. He couldn’t drink water or eat. He urinated on himself where he laid. I believe he had perhaps got into a neighbor houses rat poison or maybe antifreeze. After a few days of him being near death, it seemed as though he had came back to himself. He still wouldn’t eat hard food but he drank liquids so I gave him kitten formula because that’s what was available at my local stores. He gained his weight back but there was one persistent problem. He used the litter box constantly. Mostly urinating and he would go back to back several times. And now the rectal prolapse. I understand the treatment for the prolapse but how do I solve the cause of the problem? Is there a certain price the treatment will cost that I should expect? And is there any financial assistance that I can look in to? I know you are in a different state “Im in KY” but maybe something national? Thank you for reading all of this, I really need to know what to expect before I move forward with the issue. Also I found out about you through your youtube channel, keep up the excellent work, Krista.

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Pawbly | 9 years ago
My 3 Year Old German Shepherd Has Always Had These Issues: Excessive Water Intake, Scarfs…

My 3 year old German Shepherd has always had these issues: Excessive water intake, Scarfs down his food in seconds, Will not gain weight, Urinates and Defecates in the house and seems un-trainable, He constantly paces and just wont set still unless he is kenneled and he will still do circles and pace in his cage if he does set still out of it its for a minute at most, He recently though lost some hair on his stomach in a larch patch close to his chest.

6 Responses

Comments

  1. Anonymous

    get his kidneys checked with an ultrasound.  get a full urinalysis done as well as bloodwork.  we had these symptoms in our first dobe, and it turned out he had something called renal displaysia – his kidneys were underdeveloped.  eventually he went into renal failure after a bout of dehydration. 

  2. Shelby Allen

    How long could a dog live with Renal Displaysia? And those tests are under way waiting until next paycheck and I am taking him in just wanting to be prepared for something exactly like what your saying.

  3. Hamster Beagles

    do what Laura says i think thats a good idea

  4. Anonymous

    your dog has already outlived mine, so i can’t really give an accurate estimate.

  5. Shelby Allen

    I was only asking since he is 3 I am just looking for some hope that thats not it although its really the only thing that has made any sense. He goes in Friday for tests this is more just a form of support in a sense I am preparing myself for what the answers could be at first I thought the worst thing would be diabetes so hearing this is pretty concerning. Another thing about him that would lead me to believe that correct me please if I am wrong though, he was the runt….Would that be more likely to give a dog that diesese?

  6. Anonymous

    though, according to the folks at UPenn, it CAN be the reason a dog doesn’t develop properly. that’s what happened to our boy. he didn’t develop properly, was the smallest at birth, etc.

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Pawbly | 9 years ago
Friends, My Beagle, Abby Is On Bed Rest And Will Be For 6-8 Weeks. It’s…

Friends, my beagle, Abby is on bed rest and will be for 6-8 weeks. It’s been a little bit over than a week and I think she is getting fussy/lonely. She would always howl and bark during the day & night. As much as we want to keep her company and be with her 24/7, it’s hard because we all have school, work and other obligations.

When she first started doing this, the family thought there was something wrong and rushed to her side but she just wants to be petted and see people. It’s getting very annoying to having to wake up at 1am because she won’t stop howling or barking, especially when we have to wake up the next day, and sometimes (this is what’s told by my vet) we would ignore her because she has to learn that this might be her life now for a long time and she needs to learn how to self sooth and accept the fact that no one is there to clean her poop or pee right a way…

I understand where my pet is coming from, we cannot communicate with them and they cannot communicate with us. My dog is probably terrified out of her mind as to why she cannot move and has to stay, and truths to be told, I would be bored too if I had to stay in bed for 6-8 weeks. We’ve tried our best to keep her company when we can, but if any owners out there can provide us with some advice as to entertainment wise for pets (maybe a bone she can snack on without gaining so much weight), or some kind of a toy that can keep her entertained, it would be much appreciated.

2 Responses

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  1. dakoda peterson

    Try diapers for one. For two give that dog as much attention you can when your home. Do not give up.

  2. debra yuhasz

    I didn’t read back so I don’t have all the details, but I’ll bet your dog is terrified and looking to you to fix it. Is she in pain? Dogs absolutely do communicate with us. If I told you some of what my dogs do you’d be convinced. All animals communicate with people but you have to “listen”. Her barking and howling and having to soil her crate have her totally stressed and frightened, Her whole life has changed. Your vet should be giving her something for anxiety. Same as with people…stress is a killer. Her howling is a cry for help. How can you ignore that?

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Pawbly | 9 years ago
She Took 3 Days To Pass The First Stool. We Aren’t Over Feeding But Not…

She took 3 days to pass the first stool. We aren’t over feeding but not under feeding. About once every 5-6 hours. She’s gaining weight very slowly. No worms in stool from what I can see. Anything other suggestions are helpful because we can’t afford a vet but don’t want to give her up because we intend to keep her and nurture her back to health.

2 Responses

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  1. julie brader

    Hello Brandon…well done for giving this dog a home. 

    Firstly you really do need to take her to a Vet. Not only to see if she’s microchipped (she may actually belong to a worried owner) but she is obviously not in good health and needs checking over. All new pets should be checked by a Vet within the first 3 days of getting them.

    That said she needs worming and a flea treatment, also heart worm meds if they are prevalent in your area. She needs a top quality food, small meals and often. Split her daily allowance between 4 or 5 meals to start with, as she gains fitness and body weight you can gradually knock them down to a meal morning and evening.

    Glucosamine is a good bone/joint supplement as is Wild Salmon Oil which will also improve her skin and coat.

    I do hope you and take her to the Vet as that is honestly what she needs. If she hasn’t been spayed it would be a good idea to have her done

    Good

  2. julie brader

    Sorry wrong button!! Oh dear its nearly bed time I think….

    Spaying when she is fit and well will protect her from Pyometra, mammary tumours and also stop unplanned puppies of course.

    I wish you the very best of luck!