| Poor Little pigeon with injury to foot |
| Category: general | Submitted: 29-Jan-12 | viewed 297 times |
Kate asks: |
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I found a pigeon in our car park that is unable to fly.
I left him for a day to see if he could get himself up to safety but unfortunately he couldn't and was wandering around cars. His wings look ok, He does have some blood under his wing but the wound looks superficial, I have been using antiseptic on that. His real problem is his left leg. The toes are all curled up and very floppy. The back toe is under the front three. I have balled up some gauze & put it between the toes & taped his leg to stabilise it & incourage his toes to heal correctly - as advised by pigeon rescue. He is unable to fly & I am unsure if it is because he cannot spread his weight evenly due to the foot or if something else is goin on. I have seearched online for rescue centres & avian vets but unfortunately the nearest one is two hours away. should I contact the RSPB or take him to a vet. He is drinking & eating (wild bird seed & water) and otherwise is very strong & in immaculate condition. I have had him for three days & really would like to give him the best chance of going back to the wild. I have hand reared pigeons before so I don not mind keeping him for longer if necessary, If he will never fly I can keep him but would obviously prefer him to be free once again. Any advice but be very much appreciated.
Kind regards
Kate in Norfolk
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Our vet says: It sounds like this pigeon has an injury which really would make him too vulnerable to predators in the wild. If he cannot fly and has a leg injury he will need to be kept in captivity while he recovers. He could have some nerve damage, so perhaps the wound, although it seems superficial, is the clue to deeper injury. Releasing pigeons back into the wild after they are rehabilitated is contraversial since they are sadly considered to be pests. Consider taking this bird to your local vets to be assessed or to the animal sanctuary you mention where they will usually have access to veterinary care.
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| Chronic renal failure and hyperthyroidism in cats |
| Category: general | Submitted: 24-Nov-11 | viewed 3859 times |
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Louise asks: |
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I recently contacted you with regards to my 14 year old cat Treacle who was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism in July. He had started to drink more water whilst being treated with felimazole. The vet did some bloodtests and it appears that he is in the early stages of crf, phosphate and creatinine normal but high urea. He advised that we feed him a renal diet and lowered his felimazole from 10mg a day to 7.5mg. Things were going great for about 10 days but now he won't eat the renal food. He is eating his old food but he seems lethargic in himself, retiring to bed after eating. The vet was concerned that his potassium levels could be high and that we should moniter him for a few days and bring him back if things don't improve. He said he thought lowering the thyroid tablet should have improved things. I am concerned about leaving him over the weekend in case things get worse. Any thoughts and advice would be appreciated.
Thankyou
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Our vet says: If you are concerned about Treacle you should contact your vet again and request an earlier appointment. I am sure they will be as keen as you are to keep Treacle as well as possible.
Renal failure can be a problem in cats with hyperthyroidism and it can be tricky to get the balance of treating the hyperthyroidism and supporting the kidneys right for each individual. Every cat is slightly different so you will need to work closely with your vet to achieve the best balance for Treacle. Do not hesitate to contact your vet sooner rather than later if you are at all worried about any change in condition or problems of any type.
The renal diet should help as will ensuring Treacle drinks plenty of water. Many cats appreciate a drinking fountain since they seem to like drinking from running water.
I hope all goes well.
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| Strange behaviour In dog |
| Species: dog | Category: behaviour | Submitted: 17-Nov-11 | viewed 3075 times |
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Alice asks about Stan (dog - French bulldog, M) : |
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My partner and myself left your dog for 2 weeks while on holiday with my partners mum. My dog had never been to her house as she moved to a new area and house that week. After being there for a week he started acting strange, scrunching his whole body and neck and shacking with his ears right back and every now and again a wimpy cry. We picking him up a week later and he was still doing this, he has been at home now for 4 days and he is still doing all of the above! We take him for his usual walk with a ball and my partner takes him to work everyday as usual. But no improvement. My partners mum took him to a vet near her who said it maybe pineing, is this correct and please advise us on how we can get him to overcome this as its not nice to watch.
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Our vet says: Your dog probably felt worried while you were away. He was in a strange house that he did not know and was perhaps frightened by the whole experience.
You did the right thing to take him to your vet. If nothing medical was found you can assume that it is a behavioural problem.
The main thing is to help your dog feel secure again. If you can keep things quiet and predictable in your household for now that will help. Give your dog an area of his own so that he can "retreat" if he feels the need.
Help him to feel safer with the use of DAP either on a collar, diffuser or spray.
Keep in touch with your vet, just in case a medical problem is developing. You may also get some help from a local animal behaviourist if things do not improve.
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| Gallbladder stone |
| Species: cat | Category: medical-surgical | Submitted: 13-Nov-11 | viewed 4097 times |
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Carmina asks about Fluffy (cat - Birman, F) : |
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Our 13 yo birman cat has the following symptoms: loss of weight (from 3.2kg to 2.7kg), lethargy, vomiting (not severe), lack of appetite. We took her to the vet who ordered blood tests and an ultrasound. The tests showed an increase in ALT and bilirubine. The ultrasound revealed a small gallbladder stone which is not obstructing the duct and a few small urinary bladder stones. The vet is unable to diagnose precisely the disease and has put the cat on steroids and antibiotics (metronidazole). Since getting the medicine two days ago she has not improved. Could you help us pinpoint what to do next? Thanks!
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Our vet says: I am sorry to hear that Fluffy has not been well. The signs of weight loss,vomiting and reduced appetite are not specific for any particular disease but are a sign that your cat is generally feeling "unwell".
The blood sample and ultrasound was a logical step for your vet to take in trying to diagnose the condition, however in Fluffy's case they did not lead to a specific diagnosis. This can sometimes be the case, but it still has given a clearer indication of Fluffy's state of health since it will probably have allowed your vet to rule out some diseases. (This is often very important for vets- but can seem frustrating to owners because you still do not have a specific "answer")
I do think that your vet's treatment is a good first step under the circumstances. But it can take a little while for medicines to have an effect and two days may not be enough to make a judgement regarding success.
If your vet has given a longer course of treatment, do continue with it (unless there are untoward side effects- in which case stop and let your vet know, so that an alternative can be provided).
It can be tempting to expect immediate improvement when medication is being given but usually this will not be the case- so do continue until the course is finished.
The most important thing to do is keep your vet informed and communicate with them. You and your vet are a healthcare team for Fluffy and it is important to work together.
I hope Fluffy feels better soon and makes an excellent recovery.
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| Excessive drinking whilst on felimazole |
| Species: cat | Category: medical-surgical | Submitted: 07-Nov-11 | viewed 4463 times |
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Louise asks: |
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Cat drinking a lot of water
My 14 year old cat was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism in July. Currently he is being treated with felimazole, 2 5mg tablets a day. Recently I have noticed he seems to be drinking more water than he used to. I wondered if this was related to the thyroid tablets or if something else is going on. He has gained some weight on the treatment, he was 3.8kg before now he is about 4.7kg and he still loves his food. There is no vomiting or diahrreah. He is quieter than he used to be but I put this down to the tablets and his age. He is booked in at the vets for his thyroid check soon. Should I be worried about his drinking and could it be due to the felimazole?
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Our vet says: When cats are drinking more than usual it should always be viewed a a cause for concern. Cats with hyperthyroidism can often develop other problems such as renal failure as time goes on. When you see your vet do speak to them about your cat's drinking, they will be able to assess him and perhaps will need to carry out blood tests to check how the thyroxine levels are doing and also to find out if there are any other problems which have developed since treatment started.
Do keep going with the Felimazole until you have spoken to your vet. It is most likely that treatment is going well but something else has developed or is now showing up as the hyperthyroidism is coming under control.
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| rabbit with GI Stasis |
| Category: general | Submitted: 09-Oct-11 | viewed 6691 times |
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Natasha asks: |
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My beloved pet rabbit passed away 3 days ago and i feel completely responsible. She had stopped eating and i took her to the vets where she was treated for G I Stasis, she showed all the symptoms except having a soaking wet bum from urinating. She had had Gi stasis a number of times in the past so i knew what i was looking for and rushed her immediately to the vets. she was treated and sent home with critical care food, the next morning she was no better so i took her back to the vets, and they admitted her to give her food every two hours . although she wouldnt eat or drink herself, she took enough food and water all day and was told she was improving. An hour later we had a phone call saying she had passed away. They were very shocked she was up one minute and gone the next. The only explanation we have been given is that it could be heart failure or a blood clot. Im sure it wasnt the eating as she was really hungry and wanted to eat when we gave her the critical care food, and also ate kale by herself
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Our vet says: I am so sorry to hear about your rabbit. It must have been a real shock to you.
Sadly rabbits can decline in health quite quickly. They can appear to be healthy until things get to a stage where they cannot cope any longer and signs of illness start to appear. This is probably because in the wild any sign of weakness would be attractive to hunters- therefore they "hide" their illnesses from even the most dedicated owners (and vets).
Gut stasis (known as ileus) is common in rabbits and is often fatal. It can also develop as a result of underlying disease or through other events such as surgery. It sounds as if both you and your vet did everything you could have done in the circumstances to save her.
Heart failure or a blood clot can both cause death rapidly and there is often nothing which can be done once these events have happened.
Please do not feel bad about what happened to your rabbit. You sound like a lovely caring owner who took your pet to good vets as soon as you knew there was a problem. It seems to me that you and your vets did everything that was possible.
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| Cat keeps shaking his head & tongue around |
| Species: cat | Category: medical-surgical | Submitted: 22-Jul-11 | viewed 11078 times |
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Tina asks: |
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My cat keeps shaking his head and thrashing his tongue around in the same manner as he does when he has a big lump of fur that he is attempting to swallow. When he tries to eat his dry food he constantly shakes his head and tongue around
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Our vet says: Dear Tina
This kind of behaviour may indicate that your cat is in discomfort or pain. When cats are eating and shake their head it can often mean that they have pain from their teeth. Cats may have periodontal disease (gum disease) which is painful. They also may suffer from resorptive lesions at the base of their teeth which can be very painful. Your cat may have a foreign body stuck in his mouth or a loose tooth causing a problem. Other issues to consider might be oral tumours, inflammation, jaw problems or neurological issues. I recommend that you get your cat checked by your local vet.
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| STROKE. |
| Species: dog | Category: other | Submitted: 28-Feb-11 | viewed 15048 times |
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Della asks: |
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Hi my poor old 13yr old border collie had a stroke on friday.The vet came and said she would recover and prescribed steroids.We treated her for 24hrs but seeing her not moving ,eyes flickering from side to side,not eating or going for her wets,even tho we carried her out was heartbreaking!So we had her put to sleep.I am wracked with pain and guilt cos i had her put down cos i could'nt stand the pain of seeing her like that and was depressed cos even if she got better i would constantly worry!I just want to know honestly how would her life have been had she recovered?Did i rob her of the last few yrs?I can take the truth as its done now but i have another dog and dont want to make same mistake!Was it cruel and unnessecery to put her to sleep?
Please help!
Kind regards,
della.
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Our vet says: I am sorry to hear your dog had a stroke. Just like in people these events can vary in severity from one dog to another. Often when this occurs the dog can go on to make a full recovery, but I would be very concerned if a dog was unable to move around for 24 hours or longer.
Personally, I think you did exactly the right thing. Firstly you gave the treatment a chance to work, but when your dog did not respond as we would normally hope, you then made the very brave decision not to let her suffer.
Do not feel guilty; you must have given her years of a good life and then after trying everything possible to save her, you allowed her a peaceful and dignified end.
Remember all the good times you had with her and try not to dwell too much on the difficult decision you had to make at the end. In my opinion you did exactly the right thing and at the right time.
Best wishes
Sam
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| my cat wont eat |
| Species: cat | Category: nutrition | Submitted: 22-Jan-11 | viewed 14824 times |
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Kirsty asks about lulu (cat - not known, F) : |
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i took my cat to the vets 2 weeks ago because she was being sick. They said she probably had a stomach bug and gave her 2 injections and gave me worming treatment to give her at home which I did. They also put her on a special diet for a few days. She has stopped being sick now but she is very skinny and is having trouble eating, I have tried giving her her favorite treat (tuna) but she wont eat it, and if she does she only eats a tiny bit. She is interested in food as she always comes and sniffs whatever I'm eating or I put down for her, but she is not eating it. I dont know what to do?
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Our vet says: Sorry to hear about your cat. You should certainly take her back to see your vet again. If cats do not eat it is often a sign of an underlying problem. While you are waiting for an appointment with your vet you can try to tempt your cat with a variety of foods and you can also try warming the food up slightly (it should not be hot though!). Warming food brings the smell and flavour out which your cat may appreciate. You can also try hand feeding which can encourage many reluctant cats to eat. The most important thing is to get in contact with your vet as soon as possible and arrange to take your cat along for another consultation. I hope she gets better soon.
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| Possible wet tail? |
| Category: general | Submitted: 23-Dec-10 | viewed 22594 times |
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Lisa asks: |
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My hamster who is normally really active (still is in a way) over the past 2 nights has been sleeping more which I put down to the cold weather we have been having, so I put a blanket over his cage to keep him warm plus extra bedding for his wee house, however last night I noticed the wet tail & urine smell, is this wet tail? He still runs about the cage, comes to see me extra & appears to be eating! Not sure what's wrong with him? He is a 15 month old Syrian hamster called Walter
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Our vet says: This does sound as if it could possiby be wet tail. I would advise that you take your hamster to your local vet today. Hamsters do tend to become very ill quite quickly, so do not delay in getting help for him. While you are in the process of organising an appointment with your vet try to keep him warm and comfortable with plenty of bedding.
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| Lethargy bad posture and panting |
| Species: dog | Category: medical-surgical | Submitted: 01-Dec-10 | viewed 23100 times |
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Will asks about Ben (dog - Collie Lab X , M) : |
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In February ‘10 Ben (11 year old Collie Labrador X), had a check up. I was concerned about him not correcting himself when his legs slid to the side, the vet said it was old age. Bloods were run, and it came back normal, except for slightly high potassium levels.
In June, the problem had worsened (lethargy, not holding posture correctly when standing), and he was diagnosed with CDRM, after failing the flip test with his paws. He had a slow heart rate (50 bmp). The vet gave Acktivait as he said that it could be helpful with CDRM. More bloods were done, and his potassium was still slightly high. The vet said to ignore the high potassium levels, and said that Ben probably had hypothyroidism, which would cause the slow heart rate. I took Ben in to test his thyroid levels, and after reading around myself, asked for an Addison’s test to be run. The Addison’s test came back negative. The thyroid levels in the blood came back slightly low. I asked if a free T4 test had been run. It hadn’t, so I asked for one - it came back slightly low. The pituitary gland was not tested. The heart rate continued to be about 50 bpm.
Before I put him on Soloxine, I changed his food from a supermarket brand (dried) to home cooked food (boiled sausages, white rice and peas). This was an emergency measure to see if the high potassium, which worried me, was diet related. Within two days, the lethargy had gone, he was passing the flip test, and his heart rate was 67 bpm. We had more bloods run and his potassium levels came back normal. I didn’t want to give him sausages forever, so I switched him to Burns dried food (brown rice and chicken). This was in early July.
Since then, he has slowly deteriorated once more. The heart rate is quiet, and a little slow, although steady. He dislikes doing much exercise, and has weight loss in the neck. He was constantly foraging. I put him back on home cooked food again, and there was an instant improvement for 2-3 days, then he worsened again (except that he stopped foraging). The thyroid continues to deteriorate and medication is being upped gradually. Recently he has developed a plantigrade stance. The potassium levels remain normal, and he has passed the flip test ever since they normalised. He also pants heavily whenever needing to urinate, and whenever the room is even a bit warm. His weight is stable and easy to maintain, despite his low thyroid. Please help.
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Our vet says: I am sorry to hear about Ben's problems- you must be really concerned.
I expect your vet will monitor Ben's hypothyroidism and will adjust the dose of Soloxine accordingly. Soloxine dosages need to be adjusted on an individual basis according to clinical response and blood test results for the patient. Over time they may need to be adjusted as the condition progresses.
The improvement which you noticed on the home cooked diet is interesting and it is fine to continue on a home prepared diet provided it is balanced. A balanced diet for a dog means using a variety of protein sources (many people feed their dogs chicken pieces and carbohydrate such as rice for months or years at a time which will not provide all the nutrients they need.) You could consider buying the books about raw foods for dogs and home prepared meals which are available.
If you feel concerned about providing a balanced diet for your dog- or like many of us, just do not have the time to prepare meals, then I personally like Arden Grange and Natures Menu foods. As an holistic vet I have found that many of my patients do well on these diets.
Regarding the slightly raised potassium levels found in your dog's blood sample it is difficult to know if this may have been an erroneous result or not. Sometimes a blood sample may have a falsely raised potassium level due to red blood cells breaking down and "leaking" potassium into the plasma- this is a result of the blood being in an artificial environment and not necessarily an indication of what is going on in the body. It happens in a proportion of all blood samples and in the absence of other signs your vet was correct to tell you not to be overly concerned about the potassium levels.
You may like to try massage or physiotherapy for Ben to help him with his mobility. Many dogs enjoy massage and it can be rewarding for their people too.
I hope this helps.
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| Blood in urine |
| Species: dog | Category: medical-surgical | Submitted: 27-Nov-10 | viewed 23335 times |
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Barbara asks: |
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Our 13-week old Czech Wolf-dog has been ill for four weeks with blood in his urine. To date he has been treated with Synulox, current dose half 250g twice daily but is getting no better. Every three or four days he is really miserable, doesn't eat and paces around the room continuously. What to do next? Not happy with no improvement nor diagnosis.
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Our vet says: Sorry to hear about your puppy - it can be very frustrating when things do not improve as we would like. Have you spoken to your vet about your concerns and asked for further testing? This would certainly be the first step.
Could you catch a urine sample from your puppy? If you speak to your vet they may give you a suitable container. If bacterial culture will be performed on the urine sample (as may prove necessary) you will need a sterile container or your vet may wish to collect the urine themselves perhaps via a catheter or from the bladder directly via a small needle.
Testing the urine may possibly be followed by further tests such as x-rays or ultrasonography and perhaps a blood sample.
Do speak to your vet about all your concerns and I am sure they will be happy to help you or if necessary refer your puppy to a specialist in this area.
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| Not settling at night |
| Species: dog | Category: behaviour | Submitted: 25-Nov-10 | viewed 18038 times |
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Amanda asks about meg (dog - Shithzu, F) : |
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Meg is 2 years old and has suddenly started not to settle at night. She barks, whines and scratches violently to get out of her crate. She has slept here since we had her in Dec 08. She has always been extremely good - going into her crate and settling down - never been a problem till last weekend. She was due to start her season a couple of weeks ago but this has not happened - could this have something to do with her behaviour? My husband and I work full time and we have a teenage daughter - we are all really desperate for a good nights sleep now.
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Our vet says: Has anything changed at all or could Meg have been frightened during the night at some point- perhaps fireworks or something similar? Is her crate in the same place or have other things around it been moved?
It sounds like Meg is very anxious for some reason and it would help to know what has caused her distress. Hormonal changes can cause behavioural issues but this sounds like quite an extreme example if this is the reason. It is also likely that her behaviour is being rewarded by your attention and this will serve to reinforce it.
When Meg barks and cries does somebody go down and comfort her? Although it sounds harsh it is probably best to ignore this behaviour since any comfort or attention is reinforcing it. Remember that you should not shout at Meg in your frustration either since this is also a form of attention and hence a reward.
When you put Meg in her crate at night you will need to be very firm and ignore all her attempts to escape and vocalise. To help her to settle you could try DAP either as a spray on her bed or a diffuser- this can be very effective as a soothing and calming remedy for dogs. Scullcap and valerian tablets can also help at bedtime to calm her down. Both are available form this site.
It might help to use the crate during the day as a pleasant place for Meg to have a treat or a bone and a short rest for you both. During the daytime your stamina is likely to be better and you will be stronger when ignoring Meg's attempts to get your attention. Remember not to let Meg out of the crate unless her behaviour is calm since this will reward the correct type of behaviour.
Behaviour modification can be a hard and slow process; you may need to enlist the help of a local behaviourist to help out with this problem. Alternatively you may find another solution by allowing Meg to sleep in a different location which is suitable for all of the family if this is possible.
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| Cat with middle ear infection |
| Category: general | Submitted: 20-Nov-10 | viewed 24207 times |
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Laura asks: |
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My 4 year old Maine Coon has had recurring outer ear infections. She had her first 2 years ago, was treated and seemed fine. She had another in March this year. This again was treated but erupted again in September. My vet was concerned at the recurring bouts so wanted to investigate.
She had a general anaesthetic and xrays and swabs taken. The excess wax was flushed out, and a week later her ears remain clean. She has no polyps, but the vet says the xrays show a chronic middle ear infection which may have been rumbling on since the very first infection. The swabs and cultures (taken from the outer ear and throat) all came back negative - she was tested for fungal infection as well as calicirhinovirus (she has noisy breathing sometimes but the vet thinks it’s genetic) and chlamydia.
I'm taking her in next Tuesday to be anaesthetised again. They want to incise the eardrum so the cultures can be tested - obviously they have to to know what they're dealing with. But the most recent vet I've seen (never the same one, sadly) wants to actually treat the middle ear infection by flushing the area with antibiotics rather than giving them orally, saying that this may need to be done repeatedly. I'm alarmed as it’s going to involve a general anaesthetic every time not to mention resulting scar tissue and damage to her hearing. She has also mentioned to me an operation I may wish to consider, involving drilling through the bone so the fluid can drain away? Is this where they basically build a new ear and close off the old one? I’d be loathed to put my cat through that. Isn’t it using a sledgehammer to crack a nut? Since her ears have been flushed, she’s stopped the headshaking and scratching. There is no head tilt no balance problems. She has a good appetite, plays and buzzes as normal – absolutely no external signs she’s in pain or unhappy. Of course, if she has been suffering these problems for some time, it may be that she is used to the pain (horrible thought) but the only time I’ve seen her in any discomfort is when the outer infection has flared up and the wax is irritating her.
I’ve had many middle and outer ear infections and know how horrible they are, so obviously I want to get this sorted. I have, however, only received oral medication for this myself – is there absolutely no way this can work on a cat? I just don’t want to put her through anything so drastic unless it absolutely can not be avoided.
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Our vet says: I am sorry to hear about your cat's ear infections.
You mention that you always see a different vet, so the first thing I would suggest is that you try to see the same vet at each visit. Simply ask the receptionist if this can be arranged when you book the appointments. In this way you will be able to build trust and a good rapport with your chosen veterinary surgeon.
It is impossible to tell you what is the correct choice of treatment for your cat as I am unable to examine her. However it should be possible to discuss all the issues you have written to me about with your vet and ask them to allay your concerns.
If left untreated the chronic middle ear infection might continue to be present, but perhaps without clear outward signs of a problem.
Chronic but "quiet" infections inevitably put stress on the immune system which cannot be good for your cat long term.
I personally believe that the risks of general anaesthesia (even if necessary frequently) are less than the potential problems and probably pain caused by a chronic infection anywhere in the body.
If there are chronic changes to the tissues associated with the infection it may be a concern that the antibiotics may not penetrate to where they are needed if given orally, so this could be the reason for the treatment plan you have described.
It can be extremely difficult to detect signs of pain in cats- they hide it very well. I explain this to my own clients by asking them to consider if their boss would know they had a headache at work if you did not tell them? Pain can be intermittent or low level and "hidden"so often behaviour can seem quite normal most of the time.
I would ask your chosen vet for a few minutes of their time to go through all your concerns- the care of your cat is a partnership between you and them and a good partnership needs communication on both sides. I am sure your vet will discuss these concerns with you if they are told how worried you are.
I hope it all goes well for you and your cat.
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| My hen keeps her tail down |
| Species: bird | Category: behaviour | Submitted: 15-Nov-10 | viewed 16646 times |
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Marie-Alice asks about Omlet (bird - Ex-battery hen, F) : |
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13 months ago we rescued ex-battery hens but Omlet is now behaving strangely. She spends most of the day just standing there, not moving with her head in her shoulders and her tail down. But this behaviour is not permanent, some days she's fine and others she's not. She also has plucked some feathers from her neck and almost all of them from her tail. What can be wrong with her?
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Our vet says: Hens can suffer ffrom many different problems and it can be difficult to tell exactly what is going on with Omlet. Since the behaviour is not permanent it is possible that it could be a behavioural issue rather than a medical one. Could she be getting bullied by the other hens? Could the other hens be plucking the feathers rather than her?
If she is eating and drinking, laying eggs and moving around normally these are good signs. You should ensure all your hens are wormed and treated for mites appropriately. If you feel that she is showing signs of respiratory distress or diarrhoea or is lethargic and off her food you should take her to your vet promptly.
Sadly hens do succumb to disease quickly when they get sick and it would be a good idea to get her checked over by your local vet if you are concerned. If bullying by other hens could be part of the problem then you might consider moving her to a smaller run, either on her own or with a placcid friend.
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| Hic cups? |
| Category: general | Submitted: 29-Oct-10 | viewed 24973 times |
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David asks about Sirius (hamster) : |
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Hello, I bought a Syrian hamster almost a week ago, he is about 10 weeks old. When he woke up this afternoon he began hiccuping quite a lot. He seemed okay in himself, he went down and began nibbling on a treat from his food bowl but still continued to hiccup. He went into his ball but still continued to hiccup whilst running around. I out him back in the cage and he went back to bed, he has been sleeping for about twenty minutes now and no signs of any hiccups since he has been asleep. He is drinking normally I believe, although I think he gas diarrhea as there is a liquid substance in one of the tubes that is too discolored to be urine. He has eaten his normal food this week along with some broccoli, carrot and celery. His bedding is made of shredded paper with a few wood shavings on the floor. There is nothing physically wrong from what I can see. Thanks .
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Our vet says: Hiccups in animals are usually harmless. However, the diarrhoea is a more worrying sign. Since hamsters can suffer from wet tail which can be serious you should consult your local vet. One of the main problems for such small creatures with diarrhoea is fluid loss and this can quickly become quite serious. It is a good sign that your hamster is still active and eating but a veterinary check up would be wise.
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| Kidney problem |
| Species: dog | Category: medical-surgical | Submitted: 28-Oct-10 | viewed 24606 times |
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Joanna asks: |
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Hi. I moved to Holland recently with my 11 year old dog (she's a mongrel rescue dog). She recently stopped eating and has lost about 1.5kg weight (now weighs 11kg). The vet took blood tests last Monday which showed that the levels of toxin in her blood were very high. Last week she was on a drip for 4 days and antibiotic injections and the levels began to drop. The vet also took x-rays but there were no stones or blockages. They thought at first it was chronic kidney disease but part of the blood test made them unsure. She also had blood in her urine. After consulting with a specialist they thought it may be an infection and continued antibiotics. We just went back for a check up after 5 days at home (also on antibiotic injections) and there is still blood in her urine and the levels of toxins in blood are very high (CREA 484 umoll and UREA 50.0 mmoll). The vet is surprised the dog is not sicker (she is lethargic and still not eating well but no vomiting). He has said that the prognosis is not good and that I should consider having her put down. We could do an ECHO test but he thinks that will be academic rather than providing a solution to the problem. I would really like some advice. I have had dogs before and I realise that she is getting old and at some point this is inevitable. However, I would like to be sure that there is nothing else worth trying - particularly as there is a slight language barrier for me here. I also feel I can't put her down whilst she is OK in herself - but I dont want her to be uncomfortable. Really grateful for any advice
Jo
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Our vet says: Sorry to hear about your dog's illness. Sadly, kidney disease is something which is fairly common in older pets and once the kidney cells have been damaged they do not regenerate.
The cause of the problem is not clear- but if infection is part of the problem then the antibiotics may help. The levels of urea and creatinine you mention are high, but if the cause is a treatable infection then they may come down as the infection comes under control. If this occurs and your dog's condition improves then supportive care will be necessary with a diet suitable for renal problems and adequate hydration.
It is obviously impossible for me to comment on your pet's prognosis, however from what you have told me I believe that your vet is correct that the prognosis is poor.
It is important to remember that dogs can be very good at hiding how unwell they are- although there is no vomiting the lethargy and lack of appetite you mention could indicate that your dog is feeling sick and chronic nausea is very unpleasant.
If the condition cannot be controlled in the very near future then euthanasia may sadly be the kindest option. It is an awful decision to make but it is also the greatest gift we can give our pets under some circumstances.
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| skin problem |
| Category: general | Submitted: 10-Sep-10 | viewed 26113 times |
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Joanna asks about harry (dog - labrador, M) : |
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Harry has had a skin problem for some time that looks like excema. It drives him barmy and he gets depressed to the point of hiding in a wardrobe. He has had creams, mange wash, and even steroids (whilst with a different owner, so no details I'm afraid) the steroids apparently made him very breathless and bloated. The excema is under his legs and between his toes. Please can you offer any suggestions as to what this might be and how to treat it? He is so unhappy!!!
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Our vet says: Poor Harry. I am sorry to hear that this problem is causing both of you such distress.
Sadly, there are numerous causes for skin problems and it might be necessary for Harry to have some tests before the underlying problem can be found.
Has Harry had skin scrapes, cultures, blood tests? In an overweight dog it would definitely be worth asking your vet to test for hypothyroidism since endocrine problems such as this can affect the skin.
Skin scrapes can give information about possible mites and hair plucks and culture of any pustules can detect fungal and bacterial infections respectively.
Many skin conditions need to be controlled rather than cured and vets can get as frustrated by this as owners. Several tests and trials of treatment may be required before Harry is better.
My advice would be to find a vet you really communicate well with and stick with them rather than trying lots of different vets- or ask for a referral to a dermatologist. Harry's condition is sadly likely to be an ongoing one.
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| soft stools in one kitten yet other kitten fine |
| Species: cat | Category: parasites | Submitted: 24-Aug-10 | viewed 19255 times |
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KT asks about Bluebell (cat - not known, F) : |
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Bluebell's brother, Marcel, seems to be healthy and eats dry kitten food provided, Bluebell on the other hand prefers softer food - we've given her tuna in spring water and yet still her stools are slightly soft and she seems physically smaller weaker than her brother. She's still full of life, quite vocal and seems clean, i.e. not noticed any tapeworm/ roundworm in the stools/ bedding. They both had fleas and when we first got them (at 8 weeks) we took them to the vets who gave them Frontline and said they were not badly infested - we've not noticed them scratching recently but given they have the same diet could it be tapeworm? They seem to young to treat with over-the-counter products as were born 14th June (are they as effective anyway?) - obviously worried about her and wondering would it not have affected him also as they play-fight a lot!
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Our vet says: Female kittens are often smaller than their male counterparts and this often causes concern. If a female kitten is smaller than her brother it is not in itself something to worry about.
However, soft stools and needing to be tempted with food is suggestive of possible problems.
In general, it is a good idea to find a diet which is balanced and wholesome and then stick to it as far as possible. Often when kittens experience changes in their diet their stools can become loose so a consistent diet can help a great deal.
You should practice regular worming for both your kittens too. Roundworms are much more of a problem than tapeworms at this age and you will not often see any evidence of worms even if they have lots of them! Many products are effective for roundworms but it is important to get the dose correct for your kitten's weight.
It is worth getting your female kitten checked at your local vet and it may be useful if you take a fresh stool sample along with you when you go. The fact that your kitten is active and playful will hopefully mean there is nothing serious going on but at this young age they can rapidly deteriorate so do go along and get her checked.
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| roger the cat refuses to eat |
| Category: general | Submitted: 20-Aug-10 | viewed 26343 times |
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Mary asks about ROGER (cat - domestic short haired, M) : |
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Please help. Roger, our 12 year old and much-loved cat, has simply stopped eating. We have tried everything. He walks up to his food bowl as if he wants his food, then turns away.
Brief history: 2 yrs ago he was diagnosed as diabetic. He coped very well with the insulin injections twice a day. Then he had an infection in his paw which resulted in an op. to remove a toe. After that he went downhill. But the upside is that he seems to have shaken off the diabetes, and hasn't had an insulin injection for 3 weeks. But then he stopped eating. Tests were done on mouth, throat etc., and an xray showed a fractured sternum. The vet was unsure as to how long he has had this, so prescribed a painkiller. Two weeks later Roger is refusing all food (though drinks a little from our pond and brings in a mouse a night, which he eats - apart from the liver).
We are frantic with worry. Our vet admits he is totally baffled. He suggests that Roger is getting food from neighbours, but we are pretty confident that he isn't. He is losing weight rapidly, and anyway most of our neighbours know him, and most have dogs! I just can't bear the thought of him starving himself to death. Do you have any ideas what might be wrong?
Thank you.
Mary x
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Our vet says: I can understand how concerned you must be. It can be frustrating and worrying when cats stop eating for any reason.
Common reasons for cats to stop eating include pain or discomfort, illness, stress and sometimes dislike of food or being fed elsewhere. Sometimes behavioural factors can play a part too. Perhaps food is associated with previous nausea or oral pain etc. Many cats enjoy variety in their diet or at the other extreme they may only like one flavour of one brand of food.
I would assume that Roger is still reasonably well since you say he catches and eats a mouse every day. This requires a lot of skill and energy, so Roger is doing well in this and he will get a lot of nutrition from that mouse too!
I wonder, if like many cats when they are successfully hunting, Roger has decided he prefers the taste of fresh mouse to prepared cat diets or even human type food. He could also be getting food elsewhere.
If Roger is losing weight it would be sensible to get him weighed regularly to keep an eye on this. If your vet is concerned that Roger's weight is unhealthy then he may wish to do some further tests.
You could try to tempt Roger into eating again. Have you tried warming his food up to body temperature? This will bring out the flavour and smells. Also try offering a variety of different foods in terms of flavour and texture to see if there is anything Roger likes. Make sure that water bowls and food bowls are well away from each other since most cats would prefer not to eat close to where they drink. Also litter trays should be well away from feeding and drinking areas.
Is there another cat which Roger can see or smell when eating from his bowls at present? This could put him off eating even if it is only by looking through a window. Also check for dogs gazing in or other factors which could make him feel vulnerable while eating.
Try moving his feeding equipment up high on to a ledge or surface (off the floor) to help him feel safe while eating.
If all else fails but Roger seems well in himself and is maintaining a reasonable weight then he is probably getting enough food from hunting. If Roger seems lethargic or otherwise unwell or his weight continues to fall then further investigation is necessary to find out why.
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KT asks:
Bluebell's brother, Marcel, seems to be healthy and eats dry kitten food provided, Bluebell on the other hand ... view