Dog fainting episodes
Actually I am the breeder of Saint Bernard dogs and have been for about 6 years. My question involves a puppy who I placed at 7 weeks of age; he was the largest of the litter and absolutely had no problems from birth until last month(about 5months of age) when he had a fainting spell. His name is Brutis; he apparently was in the back seat of the car, with his chest and paws hanging over the front seat and he passed out(he had no collar on at the time), once they layed him on the ground he woke back up, no convulsions or anything else noted other than his eyes rolled back. He was brought to the vet, EKG and heart examination was normal, they called it a syncopal episode, but did not go into explanation what caused it. Well last week, at 6 months of age it happened again, at the vets office and it was witnessed. Brutis was extremely excited and stressed, pulling at his collar and did not want to be put on the scale, he then passed out, falling to the floor. His heartrate was taken immediately and they said it was normal and they are taking bloodwork. This episode does not last long, about 10 seconds and no convulsions, or stiffening of muscles. I, as the breeder, am very concerned about this and would like to know several things
1)what could be the actual cause of this if it is not related to his heart
2)are there any other tests/specific bloodwork that you would recommend we have done
3)can over excitement/stress or pulling on the leash cause this problem by itself, and if every other ailment is ruled out and this is a ‘vagal response’ as they called it at the vet, is this heriditary or a genetic condition? when I asked my vet he said that if all physical problems are ruled out, this may be more an individual problem than a genetic one. Absolutely none of my breeding saints have had heart problems, epilepsy, eye disorders, etc, so I am totally baffled about this situation.
Note : Dog health question from Ask A Vet. Click here for answer (answer available FREE for 24 hours after posting afterwhich you will need to pay $3.95 to view the answer). See other pet health questions.
Cat eating a lot and still losing weight
My female neutered Domestic shorthaired cat is 5 years old and has lost quite a bit of weight fairly quickly but she is eating up to twice as much as she used to and is constantly begging for more. She eats 4 whiska’s pouches per day. I can’t give her dried food as it seems to give her diarrhea. She is having very loose bowel movements quite frequently and recently hasn’t made it in time to her litter tray on one or two occasions. I’ve tried to worm her but she refuses to eat her food if there is any powder or crushed tablets in it. I think she may have worms. Are there easier treatments out there and do you think this could be something other than worms?
Note : Cat health question from Ask A Vet. Click here for answer (answer available FREE for 24 hours after posting afterwhich you will need to pay $3.95 to view the answer). See other pet health questions.
Neutering male cat Vs using Feliway to stop urine spraying
Well, My Birman male kitty has “come of age” and started “spraying” (he’s about ten months old now) … He rarely goes outside, and never without supervision, so I really hoped I wouldn’t need to neuter him. But he’s wailing all the time and urinating on things, I know this is only natural. My question is, have you heard of this product called Feliway? It seems like something I might try out first before subjecting my beloved cat to neutering, but I am concerned about harmful fumes for my cat and myself. Is this product safe? Have you heard good things about it? Or do you think I should just bite the bullet and neuter him?
Note : Cat health question from Ask A Vet. Click here for answer (answer available FREE for 24 hours after posting afterwhich you will need to pay $3.95 to view the answer). See other pet health questions.
Dog limping after jumping on owner
About a week ago when I came home from work I let my dog (2yo female neutered German Shepherd) Sophie out of her kennel and she jumped up on me(as she always does)to greet me and her right foot was caught in my sweater for just a few seconds. Later on in the day I noticed she was favoring that foot or leg. She doesn’t whine or yelp like she has pain, but she has been limping for a week now. What could she have done to her leg? A sprain maybe? I touch up and down from shoulder to foot and it doesn’t seem to bother her. Please help me. She wants to play with my other German Shepherd and I don’t know what to do or what is wrong.Thanks for your time.
Note : Dog health question from Ask A Vet. Click here for answer (answer available FREE for 24 hours after posting afterwhich you will need to pay $3.95 to view the answer). See other pet health questions.
Dog eating Starburst candy
I know this sounds like a weird question but will Starburst candy hurt a bassett hound? She’s a 1yo female neutered Bassett.
Note : Dog health question from Ask A Vet. Click here for answer (answer available FREE for 24 hours after posting afterwhich you will need to pay $3.95 to view the answer). See other pet health questions.