Geriatric cat with allergies and arthritis contemplating euthanasia
My cat, Miss Kittie, is about 15 years old (female neutered Calico cat). We’ve had her since she was born. She’s mainly an inside cat. About 6 years ago she started having problems with itchy ears. At about the same time she also started limping on her back right leg. Long story short, she has an allergy to something, don’t know what exactly. She also has arthritis in both back legs (worse in the right leg) and on her back next to her tail. Her vet gave her prednisone for the allergy and nothing for the arthritis. We’ve been working to get releif for Miss Kittie. The Prednisone worked, but her vet won’t let her stay on it, they have taken it away from her. She is now so miserable, she doesn’t sleep that much and is always trying to scratch at her ears or licking the air. She is also limping worse every day. I am not sure what I should do at this point. The problem is that we are getting ready to have some major construction done on our house, the room where Miss Kittie has her box is going to be torn down. I am trying to get her to use a kitty door to go out to the garage to use her box, but she has a hard time getting through the door because of her stiffness. Everytime she moves she makes a little noise like she’s hurting and she Meows at me every time I walk by her, even if she’s sleeping, she wakes up and mow’s at me. I am wondering if it is time to think about putting her to sleep?? It kills me to even think about it, but she’s miserable. Each time I talk to her vet about this, they just want to put her on some more drugs. She is taking an anti-histamine, a pill for Hyperthyroid, and was taking Prednisone. She is not a good traveler and hates going in the car to go to the vet. Her vet wants me to take her to an allergy specialist and I don’t think she’ll handle that too well. What do I do???? At this point I am putting pills in her food and them forcing 2 pills a day down her throat. Is it time to let her go?? Please help me make a decision. I feel terrible just thinking about it, but everybody says I’m letting her live for me, not for her!!! I hope I didn’t ramble too much and you can make sense of this! Thank you!
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Itchy dog with possible demodex mite infestation
I took my dog (2yo male neutered Rhodesian Ridgeback) to vet because he was very itchy. First they said allergic reaction. Second time,1 week later, did skin scrape & said Demodex parasite. Told to apply “Revolution” now, in 2 weeks, then in 4 more weeks. Question- all my research never mentions “Revolution” as treatment and says that I should be concerned with the underlying cause because he is an older dog. (not a puppy) The vet said that some older dogs can get infestation if immuno compromised. He had a bout of diarrhea in beginning on Jan supposedly due to stress of being in kennel. When I asked the vet how being sick in Jan can cause this in March/April I really didn’t get an answer. Should I have him tested for a more serious illness? Should I be giving some sort of dip that was talked about on the internet? He has no fur loss and seems to be a little less itchy. Will this “Revolution” completely eradicate the parasite and should I be concerned in my dog has to go back to the kennel? Thank you for all your answers.
Note : Dog 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 questions.
Dog ruptured anterior cruciate ligament on knee
2 years ago Abby (9yo female neutered Jack Russell dog) had surgery on her right ACL. her knee is tight and holding well. 10 days ago, she ruptured her left hind ACL. We knew this was a high possibility. Because she is under 35pounds our vet says to wait to see if it stabalizes by itself. She now walks fine, with a slight limp but when standing is on tip toe, as she was with the other knee before surgery. After 10 days of leash walks and crating, should she be putting more weight on it by now? Our vet says that if the meniscus tore it will require surgery, (it was torn in the other knee) Will it do any good to wait any longer, or if she is still tip toeing after 10 days should I ask my vet to proceed with surgery? If surgery is the only fix then I would rather get on with it instead of having her in continued pain. At a recent teeth cleaning and blood test we discovered She had high liver enzymes 2 months ago, but they came back to normal after removing 2 absess teeth and daily doses of SAM-e. So as far as pain in concerned we are hesitant to give her any meds. We do not want the liver to react. Should We continue to wait on the knee to heal or go ahead and do surgery? thank you for your time.
Note : Dog 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 questions.
Dog with lump on cheek
At her initial veterinary visit yesterday (4/1) she (9mo female neutered Border Collie) was given a clean bill of health except tapeworms (received Droncit injection) and upper respiratory infection (Rx - cephalexin 500mg BID x 10days). A couple hours following the vet visit a pea-sized nodule appeared under the skin on her cheek. It’s round, feels encapsulated and does not seem to be painful. It just popped up. She had been outside for a little while (insect bite?) and also had a voracious bone-chewing session that afternoon (hematoma?). Would appreciate your advice… thanks for the convenient service!
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Cat losing hair
Missy (13mo American Shorthair, neutered female) has always been a playful cat, with a personality all her own. For the past 5-7 days, I’ve noticed she’s losing a lot of hair. I’ve gone from brushing her 2-3 times a week to twice a day. The amount of hair is probably double than what I usually comb out. Along with the shedding/loss of hair, she has also developed white flakes, like some sort of dry skin problem or dandruff. Her appitite is still the same, although she sleeps more and isn’t as playful. Just the other day, I also noticed a sore on the top of her head, just behind the ear. The area is reddened and the hair around the sore is completely gone. I think she’s getting another one across from this sore. I’m also finding an abnormal amount of loose hair all over my house. If she passes by a fan or a breeze comes through, the hair just falls off of her. She never goes outside with the exception of the screened-in area at the front door and occasionally in the garage. Any assistance you can offer Missy and myself would greatly be appreciated.
Note : Cat 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 questions.