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Answers to Your Pet Healthcare Questions at VetAsk.com

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back end pain
Category: general | Submitted: 06-Jun-07 | viewed 13821 times
Q Al asks:
My 10 yr. old stonezu seemed very off one day. The next day he was yelping when you picked him up or put him down. I brought him to the vet and they checked him all over. An X-ray showed no constipation or arthritis. They squeezed his anal glands and thought there may be an infection there. They gave him a shot of steroids, pain reliever and some antibiotic pills. He seemed fine for a few days. Now today his back end is shaking while he stands or sits. He will not stand on his hind legs or jump up on anything (couch or even his bed) I am going to bring him in again but would love a 2nd opinion. Thx Alan
Q Samantha says: I am sorry to hear that he seems so uncomfortable. As I am sure you will understand it is impossible to offer a second opinion without being able to examine him. These signs could be caused by an anal gland infection and your vet will certainly want to help him further. One of the most important things to remember when things do not immediately seem to get better is that it is extremely important to keep communicating with your vet about the problem. Sometimes it just takes a phone call to put your mind at ease, but in some cases things may be more complicated and need longer ongoing investigations and/or treatment. Keep talking to your own vet about this but if at any stage you feel that you would like a second opinion talk to them about this too- vets are often happy to ask a colleague's advice regarding their cases- and all vets want to do what is best for your animals.
pining
Species: cat | Category: behaviour | Submitted: 05-Jun-07 | viewed 13121 times
Q Carole asks:
Following death of other cat (aged 20) George is refusing food, although his weight has not been affected. It has now been 2 months. Is this usual and what is recommended other than another cat!
Q Samantha says: A cat refusing food is always cause for concern. Sometimes, I know, cats can grieve for a lost companion, but if your cat is not eating then you must get him checked by a vet to make sure that there is nothing else going on. Some problems can cause a fluid build up in the abdomen so that a cat can appear quite fat even when they are not eating very much. Once you have had George checked by your local vet, if he is found to be perfectly healthy, you can start to assume that he could be distressed by the sad loss of your other cat. In this situation you could try giving him extra attention if this seems to make him happier and possibly try a product such as Feliway which might help him to feel more at ease. Hopefully in time he will feel better, but I personally would not really recommend a new cat at this time- it could cause many more problems than it solves.
Odd humping and aggressiveness
Species: cat | Category: behaviour | Submitted: 05-Jun-07 | viewed 13038 times
Q Sarah asks about Salem (cat - not known, M) :
Salem is usually very sweet but lately he is attacking one of our other cats Rainman and he has been aggressively humping another one of our cats. What is going on?
Q Samantha says: Perhaps Salem is trying to assertive himself as a more dominant individual in the household. Sometimes the "pecking order" within a group of animals can undergo change and it is best for all involved if the humans of the family support these changes or at least do not interfere. Try to ensure that all cats have an escape route to safety which they can use if necessary, but otherwise try not to get involved when Salem tries to assert himself in this way. Things should hopefully settle down once the cats have sorted it out amongst themselves.
cruciate ligament
Species: dog | Category: medical-surgical | Submitted: 02-Jun-07 | viewed 16006 times
Q Alex asks about rocky (dog - staffordshire bull terrier, M) (age 4 years, 0 months):
How do I know my dog's cruciate ligament is getting better after the op? Four months later he is still limping on and off and seems to be in pain.
Q Samantha says: It can take a long time for healing to take place following this type of surgery. I personally usually suggest to owners to allow at least three months and often longer until the dog is back to normal. The type of surgery performed and other individual factors will all affect what you should expect by now. As you are concerned it would be a good idea to contact your vet and let them know how things are at the moment. They will then be able to help your dog in the most appropriate way, but hopefully all will be progressing well.
pet insurance
Species: dog | Category: general | Submitted: 01-Jun-07 | viewed 11937 times
Q Shelley asks about Kane (dog - english Bulldog, M) (age 0 years, 9 months):
We have an english bulldog. He is going to need the cherry eye surgery. Is there any pet insurance for us that will cover it? I called around and can't seem to find any. Please help.
Q Samantha says: I think it is unlikely that you will find an insurance company to cover an existing condition. It is worth shopping around to find a policy which will help you if there are other problems in the future though.
coughing
Species: cat | Category: medical-surgical | Submitted: 01-Jun-07 | viewed 13559 times
Q Sarah asks about chutney (cat - not known, F) (age 0 years, 8 months):
My 8 month old kitten has this sneezy cough, she's lively enough but at night she has a wheezy cough and I have noticed that in the past 2 days its lasting longer. I want to take her to the vet, but thought I'd check with you first, in case I'm worrying over nothing.
Q Samantha says: I agree that she should be taken to the vet as soon as you can. You are not worrying over nothing, but you are being a caring and conscientious owner.
Breeding
Species: dog | Category: other | Submitted: 31-May-07 | viewed 11756 times
Q Reva asks about Daisy (dog - Pug, F) (age 2 years, 6 months):
We are considering breeding our fawn Pug for the second time. She had a great litter of 4 last year, but that daddy is no longer available. If we breed her with a black pug, what are our chances of having black pug pups?
Q Samantha says: I would imagine that there is quite a high chance of having some of the pups, or even all of them, being black. However this will depend upon the particular genetic factors which determine coat colour, (for example whether the black coat colour is carried by a dominant gene or not). Unfortunately I am unsure of this since I am not a genetics expert (this is quite a specialist interest). You will probably find that experienced breeders will be happy to talk to you about the chances of getting black pups since they will have the practical experience and will have built up some knowledge about what you can expect from this particular type of pairing. Good luck!
colitis
Species: dog | Category: medical-surgical | Submitted: 31-May-07 | viewed 15899 times
Q Ruth asks:
Is it acceptable to give milk products like yogurt and cheese for dog with occasional colitis or would it cause a bout of colitis ? I would discontinue when colitis appeared. Thanks so much.
Q Samantha says: Difficult to say really since this will depend upon the individual; however dairy products are probably not the best food products for dogs as milk does not tend to be well digested in adult animals- (they lose the enzymes necessary after puppy-hood) I personally would probably not recommend dairy products for a dog with a sensitive tummy.
The exception to this would be a small amount of live yogurt, but even this is probably not as good as the probiotics now available specially for dogs.
hair loss
Species: dog | Category: other | Submitted: 31-May-07 | viewed 13054 times
Q Edward asks:
My 20 month old staffordshire bull terrier has over a number of months lost just about all the hair on his stomach, chest, tops of inside of all legs and behind both ears, recently had him to vet who says there is nothing to worry about as he is extremely healthy and active. Now I have noticed bald patches emerging on both sides of his body just below his back, any suggestions. As far as I am aware there is no history of this with problem his parents.
Q Samantha says: I would take him back to the vet for them to take another look. You are obviously worried and you need to make your concerns known. Skin problems can sometimes be very difficult to diagnose and even more frustrating to treat. Often skin conditions can appear quite minor initially and then progress to a stage where it is possible to see that there really is a problem. These conditions often require several visits to make a diagnosis and then possibly ongoing treatment. It is really important to build up a good relationship with the treating vet- so try to keep the lines of communication open and let them know how concerned you are- they are sure to want to help.
bald spots
Species: dog | Category: other | Submitted: 31-May-07 | viewed 12533 times
Q Janie asks about Nubby (dog - Pug, F) (age 0 years, 7 months):
I have an all black pug who is almost 2 years old. She was spayed on 5-17-07 and everything went great and she is back to her normal naughty self. But 3 days ago I gave her a bath and noticed that when I rubbed my hand down her back my hand was covered in her fur and she also has 3 small bald spots on her back the size of dimes. She hasn't been itching or anything and the spots aren't flaky or red. My husband thinks its just her loosing her puppy coat, shedding for summer or maybe even stress from being at the vet getting fixed. What is your opinion on this?
Q Samantha says: Your husband could be right and it could be any one of those things. It could also be due to hormonal changes following the spay. Hormones can affect the hair growth cycle- (this is often seen in humans where some pregnant women have wonderful thick hair and then it falls out alarmingly once the baby is born!) if this is the case it will probably be temporary. If it does not seem to get any better soon (you should start to see new hair growth beginning in the bald spots) or appears to get worse take her along to your vet. I hope this helps but please remember that there are many possible causes for baldness and obviously it is impossible to diagnose over the internet, if in any doubt always contact your local vet.
bleeding pink lumps
Species: gerbil | Category: medical-surgical | Submitted: 31-May-07 | viewed 11403 times
Q Ali asks about minky (gerbil - not known, F) :
I found a tiny pink lump on my gerbil's neck a week ago. It came off when I picked her up and had a the consistency of pus, but was pink. Last night I noticed she had one on her lower eyelid. I put her in her ball and when she came out the lump had burst and was bleeding. In general, she doesn't appear to be well. She's much less active and when I take her out to play with her, she just sits on my hand, gently nibbling my finger. I'm not sure how old she is as I got her a year ago, from a friend who had found her in the street, although at the time she seemed very young. Thanks Ali
Q Samantha says: Gerbils and other small pets can very quickly become very sick indeed. Once they are showing signs of being unwell they need to be taken to the vet promptly- otherwise things can quickly become much worse! I'm not sure what the lumps are but from your description it sounds as if they are possibly infected and are probably painful. Please take your gerbil to the local vet as soon as you can.
Oscillating Thin 3 Week Old Kitten
Species: cat | Category: medical-surgical | Submitted: 30-May-07 | viewed 12065 times
Q Doug asks:
We have a 3 week old kitten, the smallest of the litter, that is thin, seems to oscillate and seems to be breathing in a rapid and shallow manner. What I mean by oscillate is when the kitten is sitting, his little head and body moves from left to right and back again about once a second or so. He also seems to be breathing in quick shallow breaths. No discernible drainage from nose or eyes, no apparent wheezing or coughing. This kitten can and does mew aggressively when examined but not in a pained way. Other than him being the scrawniest of the litter and the head bobbing from side to side he is apparently in good condition. His eyes are bright and clear and he is quite alert and interested in getting out of the box. We have purchased a small bottle and supplemental formula and my wife is going to start supplementing him today. If he eats well for a while we may bring him on with meat baby food in a few days. Could this kitten have some kind of congenital heart or mental defect that could cause his behavior? Can a vet do anything about this? Ever seen anything like this before?
Q Samantha says: It sounds as if this kitten definitely needs attention. Possibly there is some kind of neurological (nervous) condition going on here, but the rapid shallow breathing is a concern too. Your kitten may even have more than one abnormality. I would say that it is essential that this kitten is seen by a vet since it may be possible to treat whatever condition is causing this. There are many different types of congenital abnormalities and without an accurate diagnosis it is impossible to say what treatment may help or what the long term prognosis would be. If you take your kitten along to your vet they will be able to examine it properly and perhaps perform further tests to help to determine what the problem is and the likely prognosis.
Basset lipomas
Category: general | Submitted: 29-May-07 | viewed 10912 times
Q Ruth asks:
My two 8 yr old bassets have so many lumps that I'm afraid I might miss a serious one. I know to watch for irregular shapes but some lipomas seem to start out irregular and then turn perfectly round. Does the lump always have to be moveable? Thank-you, I get nervous, they must have at least 8 a-piece under their skin but not in neck or groin.
Q Samantha says: Usually benign lumps as you know are moveable, smooth and fairly rounded. I would suggest that you check them monthly and keep a record of their size as well so that you know if they are growing or not. If you feel anxious or unsure about any of the lumps check with your local vet and in any case ask your vet to examine them all when your dog has its annual health check.
colitis
Species: dog | Category: medical-surgical | Submitted: 29-May-07 | viewed 14547 times
Q Ruth asks:
8 year old Basset, very healthy except for occasional stomach upsets and 2 bouts with colitis. I wondered if giving her yogurt was helpful to add bacteria to her intestinal track. She tolerates it well but then will have diarrhoea a week later. I can't really blame the yogurt but I did read not to give milk products to colitis patients. Thank you for your invaluable help.
Q Samantha says: Live yoghurt may help but there are now better pro-biotic formulas available from vets. They are specially formulated for dogs and do often help animals which seem to get gastrointestinal problems on a regular basis. Special diets available from vets may also help (they tend to be very bland). Some vets also think that a raw food diet can help (the reasoning being that this would be a dog's most natural diet)- you can investigate this further if you would be comfortable preparing your dog's food from raw ingredients.
wobbly hind legs
Species: dog | Category: medical-surgical | Submitted: 29-May-07 | viewed 14845 times
Q Ruth asks:
7 lb. Shi Tzu, 5 years old, otherwise healthy, is refusing to walk (but will go outside for short periods). I can see her wrist and elbow joints wobbling when she walks. What can help her? Is she in pain? Thanks so much.
Q Samantha says: It certainly sounds as if it could be painful. Dogs refusing to walk usually do so because they are uncomfortable in some way. I would advise you to take your dog along to your local vet and get her examined- she might have arthritis or a similar condition. Often medication can relieve the pain and allow dogs to enjoy walks and exercise again.
Blood in poo
Species: dog | Category: general | Submitted: 28-May-07 | viewed 11384 times
Q David asks about Angel (dog - Lurcher x GSD, F) (age 8 years, 3 months):
Angel has shown blood in all three poos today. They have got progressively slimier and looser. Her last was just blood, approx. a 2 diameter spot on the ground. What are the potential causes and how do we treat? She appears a little off her food but she still has the same level of energy.
Q Samantha says: Diarrhoea in dogs has many different causes and sometimes it is impossible to determine exactly what has caused the problem. (Often it may be due to the dog eating something it should not have done). Slimy, loose, watery and bloody faeces are common. Initially you can attempt to treat the problem at home by giving your dog only water to drink and no food for 24 hours, following this put your dog on a bland diet for a few days (such as chicken and rice) then gradually introduce the normal food back over a period of several days once your dog is better. If your dog seems to get worse or becomes lethargic and generally unwell then take her along to your vet promptly. If after 24 hours without food your dog is still passing blood and slime than it would also be wise to consult your local vet. If large quantities of blood are being passed, you notice blood in the urine, blood-shot eyes or bloody patches on the gums or skin then take her to your vet immediately.
Nursing her kitten
Species: cat | Category: other | Submitted: 28-May-07 | viewed 10858 times
Q Dean asks about etoille (cat - not known, F) (age 1 years, 3 months):
My cat has a 3 week old kitten and has been very good at nursing so far. But we let her out over 12 hours ago and she hasn't returned. We are a bit worried about how long the kitten can go without her mother's milk and what we can do with regards to nursing the kitten.
Q Samantha says: Hopefully by now your cat has returned, but if not then you should contact your local vet and get some milk replacer if you need to start feeding the kitten yourself. At three weeks of age it is possible to start the introduction of solid food but the kitten will still need mostly milk. I hope that the mother returns safe and well.
Diabetes
Species: dog | Category: other | Submitted: 28-May-07 | viewed 11422 times
Q Stephanie asks about hamish (dog - Westie, M) (age 11 years, 3 months):
Hamish is 12 years old and has had diabetes for a year. In resent months he has not been able to control his bladder and bowels at night time sometimes. I have always said he must go when this happens; do you think I'm right as it's such a hard decision to make?
Q Samantha says: It is never easy to decide when is the right time to say goodbye to a loved pet. It sounds as if you are a responsible owner and are trying hard to get the balance right. As a vet (especially one who has never met either you or Hamish) it is always difficult to advise on when is the right time to let go. However I find that when the owners of a pet think that the time has come they are almost always right. If you feel that the time to say goodbye is now then rely on your own judgment and go and speak to your local vet about it, they will almost certainly be sympathetic and helpful at this difficult and sad time.
Ocular ulcer in my Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Species: dog | Category: medical-surgical | Submitted: 24-May-07 | viewed 12827 times
Q Tara-michele asks about Mollie (dog - Staffordshire Bull Terrier, F) (age 4 years, 7 months):
My Staffordshire Bull Terrier has been getting recurring ocular ulcers for the past two years. She has had numerous operations when eye drops have failed to work. Please could you give me any suggestions as to what may be causing her to get these ulcers and any treatment which may be more effective. As you can see from her picture her eye continuously weeps leaving her with stains around the affected eye Thank-you
Q Samantha says: Sorry to hear about this problem- it can be frustrating when problems do not seem to resolve. I am sure your vet will have looked for things such as in-growing eyelashes etc but they can sometimes be difficult to spot and may not be present all the time (due to the growth cycle of the lash), so it is worth asking for this to be checked again. Could your dog be damaging her eyes in undergrowth etc as she plays? Sometimes Staffies can get very excited and carried away- so if she often runs through prickly undergrowth this could be the cause of the problem. If you are very concerned you could ask for your vet to refer you to an ophthalmologist (a vet who specializes in eye problems).
skin reaction to Synulox injection in dog
Species: dog | Category: medical-surgical | Submitted: 23-May-07 | viewed 13961 times
Q Marcia asks:
My dog needed an injection about a year ago called Synulox. A few days later a terrible lump showed up on the back of his neck at the injection site. It looked like the injection had burnt a massive hole in his skin. After about 6 weeks the lump scabbed over and the scab fell off. We had showed the vet after it had happened and she confirmed that it was indeed a reaction to the Injection and was put on his notes of this allergic reaction and him not to have it again. However, today I took my dog to the vets for kennel cough vaccine and I mentioned in passing that he had been sick over the last few days, even though pooh and wee were fine. This vets was a locum and didn't read the notes and gave him this injection again. It's now hours later and a huge lump has shown up yet again as expected. Apart from the fact that the vet didn't tell me what he was giving him etc. I am now expecting another bald patch on my otherwise beautiful dog. Is there anything that I can do to prevent it happening again, or is there anything I can do now so that it won't scar so much. I don't think that it is normal to have a reaction against this. Can you advise please?
Q Samantha says: Oh dear, I am sorry to hear about your dog. Some dogs do have very bad reactions to injections of antibiotics. Unfortunately it would seem that your dog is one of those that does not tolerate Synulox very well. (Other antibiotics can also cause reactions so it is worth finding out what your dog was given this time) I would take your dog back to the vet and let them examine the lump; often these lumps do go down without too much trouble- but as you have experienced before they can also be quite bad. There is probably little that can be done this time to change the outcome, but I hope it is not too bad. I would suggest that you mention the bad reaction your dog has to these injections to any new vet you meet- before any medication is given.
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