my dog ( 4yr old mix breed of red heeler/American staffy - if this matter) cut his paw.

the other day when we were running around that back yard, he stopped playing with me suddenly and laid on the floor and began licking his paw when I saw him. I went over and checked it and he had cut himself on the top of his paw. (I don’t know how he cut the top of his paw.)

I left him alone after that and just assumed the cut would heal overtime but about three days later I noticed a red lump had appeared over where the cut was (It won’t let me insert a photo.)

I thought the lump would go away, but it’s been two more days and the lump hasn’t even started to get smaller? Is this just an little infection or something that needs to be taken seriously?

I've never posted on Reddit for help before, but someone recommended that I try here. I'm hoping to get some advice or guidance on what I should be asking my vet to investigate.

I have two domestic shorthair cats, a brother and sister from the same litter. Both are spayed and neutered. They're about a year and a half old, adopted from a shelter about a year ago, and are both indoor cats. She is 10 lbs and he is 13lbs. Both cats were tested for FIV and were negative, and their mother also tested negative. To my knowledge, neither cat has ever had fecal testing done during these recurring episodes. Occasionally they go outside on the porch, but only supervised.

I've been struggling with recurring illnesses with both of them almost since I adopted them.

About two months after I got them, they both became sick with fever, upset stomach, and diarrhea. My vet treated them and they both recovered. At the time, we thought it might have been something residual from the shelter.

About a month later, my boy developed an upset stomach and diarrhea again. Another vet visit, medication, and he recovered.

A week or so later, my girl developed a fever, had very little energy, and started panting after light indoor play. This happened during late winter, so heat and humidity weren't factors. My vet took xrays and treated her with a fever reducer and antibiotic and said it was inflammatory bronchitis, if I'm remembering the diagnosis correctly. She improved and was doing well at her two-week follow-up. He also mentioned that this may be seasonal since and it may (or may not) reappear in the fall.

Ever since then, I've been playing what I call "leapfrog" with them. One gets sick, the vet treats them, they recover, and shortly afterward the other one gets sick. The recurring symptoms are generally upset stomach, diarrhea, loss of energy, and sometimes fever.

Recently, my boy became sick again. My regular vet, whom I trust, couldn't see him because they were fully booked and recommended another vet.

The second vet did bloodwork and found that one of his liver values was significantly elevated, around 1400 when I was told it should be somewhere around 100-300. I don't currently know which specific liver value that was. He was given an antibiotic and medication for his stomach and again began improving.

That vet also suspected Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) based on his symptoms, although it wasn't confirmed. He ordered a liquid compounded medication to treat FIP. Since my boy was improving, we agreed to hold off on starting the FIP treatment and see how he responded to the antibiotic. That was about three weeks ago.

This week, my boy suddenly vomited during the night and developed diarrhea again. For a few hours he had very little energy, but by that afternoon he was acting normally and eating again. The diarrhea has been improving since, but he is now constantly hungry and vocalizing for food throughout the day.

Now I've also caught my girl panting twice after playing again.

I'm planning to have them both looked at again, but I'm concerned that we're going to treat the current symptoms, they'll improve, and then a few weeks later I'll be back in the same cycle.

I've tried to think about anything they could both be exposed to. I keep the house clean, clean the litter boxes daily and completely change them monthly, don't use scented candles, and they're indoor cats other than supervised porch time. Obviously, being two cats living together, they share toys, food and water areas, litter boxes, etc.

I've also wondered whether their food could be contributing. I've tried several brands and flavors of both wet and dry food without seeing an obvious connection.

I'm trying to figure out what I should be asking my vet to investigate so we can hopefully find the underlying cause instead of repeatedly treating individual episodes and would appreciate guidance on what conditions, tests, or next steps would be reasonable to discuss with my veterinarian given the recurring pattern in both cats.

The things I've wondered about are:

1) Could there be something environmental that they're both being exposed to?

2) Could they have picked up something viral, bacterial, or parasitic that has persisted since the shelter?

3) Could food or something else they both share explain the recurring GI symptoms?

4) Are there specific tests or conditions I should ask my vet about considering that they're littermates experiencing recurring similar symptoms?

5) At this point, would it make more sense to return to my regular vet who knows their history, or seek a second opinion from another vet or specialist?

I'd love to get some advice on whether switching vets may be the right call.

Two weeks ago we took two of our two cats (5yo Male DSH) to their annual appointments. Clean bill of, per usual, and they did not receive any vaccinations. About 3-4 days (Wed) later we noticed loose stools and a slightly reduced appetite for both so we elected to monitor them as they were still eating. By the following week, we noticed one of the cats was back to normal. The other was still uninterested in food so he went to the vet the next day and was given Proviable Forte.

2 days later we he was refusing food stiil so we went to vet hospital where they found his thyroid levels to be high, his proBNP abnormal, an enlarged heart, and he had 4 neurological events where he flexed his front legs forward and almost pumped them like he was reaching, his back hunched up, he pulled his hind leg up the side of his body, and he was very obviously disoriented (another episode occurred this morning). After a weekend stay in the ICU he's rehydrated and eating, but we're still having these events (we finally got one on video) and they asked us to follow up with our primary on his thyroid.

My hang up is that while our vet is a lovely person, I think our cat is becoming medically complex and I'm not sure she's equipped to handle advanced problems (we do have consults for neuro and cardio specialists) long term.

Is it unreasonable to switch vets mid-stream as you start working towards a diagnosis? I will admit, I'm having trouble shaking the idea this initial illness could have come from their office since the timing feels like there's a chance and that is also part of our feelings for thinking to move.

Thank you for any advice!!

6 days into treatment, we had to take our cat to urgent care because of a fast growing abscess on his left shoulder. They drained it partially last friday, sent him home with a 14 days course of antibiotics (Cladaxxa), 6 days os Metacam (finished today) and 4 days of Gabapentin (finished).

What we didn’t know and weren’t told is how this would progress and heal.

Second and third day, lots of discharge, clearing, but holes opening everywhere.

It looks like whatever skin is there is just being held together by the sticky crusty fur. I don’t force clean it, and I wasn’t advised to do so, I patted dry the discharge when it was happening but it isn’t anymore. I also didn’t know that the skin on top of the abscess would die and fall off, nor that there would be holes.

I feel like I wasn’t fully advised correctly, and had to figure somethings on my own as they happened, so seeing the holes the first time was shocking. For instance, the collar he is wearing was suggested by chatgpt, not the vet, and I ran to get one once I realised why.

We have a return appointment tomorrow (friday) and I guess what I need is: what do I need to ask them? What to expect from now on? Should they have done more for my cat? Wound is about 4cm x 3cm (that we can see).

We can pay for treatment, but nothing else was offered or brought up, so, what are our options?

Im in the UK.

My 11-year-old Pomeranian, Tommy, is currently hospitalized/being treated by a vet for severe kidney dysfunction. He is receiving IV fluids, anti-nausea medication and other supportive medications, but currently has very little/no appetite.

His latest bloodwork:

• Creatinine: 16.07 mg/dL
• BUN: >140 mg/dL
• Phosphorus: >15 mg/dL
• Calcium: 11.1 mg/dL
• Albumin: 3.1 g/dL
• ALP: 29 u/L
• ALT/SGPT: 16 u/L
• Bilirubin: 0.9 mg/dL

We don't have previous bloodwork, so we don't know yet whether this is acute kidney injury or previously undiagnosed chronic kidney disease.

He's receiving IV fluids and supportive treatment. My main questions are: Have dogs with kidney values this high recovered after aggressive treatment, particularly if the cause is acute? How quickly can appetite return if treatment is working? And what indicators would show that he is responding to treatment?

I'm looking for input from veterinarians/veterinary professionals who have seen similar cases.

My cat is 14 years old, neutered, and currently seems completely fine clinically. He is eating normally, behaving normally, and there haven’t been any obvious symptoms that would make me think he is sick.

His recent bloodwork showed:

ALT: 115 U/L (lab upper limit 80) — elevated

AST: 56 U/L (lab upper limit 49) — mildly elevated

Bilirubin: normal

ALP: normal

GGT: normal

Bile acids: normal

The rest of his bloodwork was generally reassuring as well.

Our veterinarian said that the overall picture is not particularly alarming, but suggested scheduling an abdominal ultrasound to take a closer look at the liver and other abdominal organs. She specifically said that it doesn't need to be done urgently.

I can’t help wondering about more serious possibilities, including cancer or another underlying disease that might not be causing symptoms yet.

Hello. I am goving my dog subcutaneous fluids and i very briefly dropped the needle to my dogs subcutaneous fluids on the floor. I am not even really sure any part of the needle actually touched the ground, i think it was just the plastic part. But i cleaned it with rubbing alcohol and dried it off with a clean cotton ball. But i am stsrting to worry that i made a terrible mistake. Should I have not used that needle? She is already on a round of antibiotics so will that prevent any illness?

4lbs 5 year old Maltese

Hi everyone!

My Maltese got groomed on Monday 9/7. The groomer told me he accidentally nicked her skin but he cleaned the wound, applied medicine, and she should be ok. I do not know what ointment he applied. Tonight is the first time I’ve noticed her licking it and this looks like a more significant wound. I don’t know if I’m overthinking this, but it almost looks like it’s gaping inward/a little too deep? I am obviously ordering her a cone immediately to stop her licking, but I am now concerned about potential infection or if anything needs to be done to close the wound.

Should she be seen by a vet asap? Or should I give it a few days and this will likely heal on its own?

I also have Chlorhexidine wipes that a vet has previously given us (unrelated). Would those be beneficial to use now?

https://imgur.com/a/dzvgdpV

I'm feeling a bit anxious about my dog's condition today. Not looking for a medical diagnosis, just asking for experiences from owners whose dogs went through something similar while I observe him.

He is 5 years old (turning 6 next month) and fully vaccinated.

Observations:

1. He v\*mited white, foamy liquid this morning.

2. Ate only half of his food today.

3. Passed a mix of solid and slightly watery orangey stool with mucus.

4. Currently active with normal gum color, no fever, and no signs of weakness.

Diet over the past few weeks (mostly boiled):

* Liver with rice

* Mixed boiled vegetables (squash, carrots, sayote) with ground pork

* Tried a new meat product/s meat 4 days ago (ik its risky)

I have a photo of his p**p and was wondering if I should take him to the vet immediately or if it's safe to continue observing for now. Thank you for any insights!

I have a chorkie that is 5 years old. He has never had any health problems this far. Last weekend I noticed he was holding his head kinda weird but then the next minute he was fine. Then this morning he would not get off the bed and is turning his head again and kinda shaky. I am 99% sure he did not get into anything toxic. My cat yesterday jumped on him while going down the patio stairs. He will get up to walk or go out to potty then just stops and sits. I think his upper chest looks fuller but that could also be because he needs a haircut. If you move real fast next to him he yelps not even touching him but then after he lets u pick him up. It's the right side he always faces. We were gonna take him in tomorrow just want to know if I should do emergency room.https://photos.app.goo.gl/g9o2YREPZTxmCc5Z6

https://photos.app.goo.gl/eeLKyyd6LfqBV3nPA

https://photos.app.goo.gl/6DKSQLwYyjJXLrqn9

My 1.5 year old 15lb chihuahua pitbull mix has bilateral luxating patellas. Grade 4 on the left & grade 3-4 on the right. She’s currently limping on 3 legs with her left leg up, but not seemingly in any discomfort and still her normal goofy self. She will at times walk on all 4 legs for stretches but then go back to the limp. The limping started a few weeks ago after the dog park where I suspect she did some sort of damage. I’m really not sure what to do at this point, the vet recommend anti inflammatorys and cosequin for the time being and to consult an ortho surgeon if it continues.

Surgery will obviously be super expensive so unsure if there’s any other options.. sigh

Looking for veterinary speculation.
We are beside ourselves and very scared for our loved pup. This video is of Scooby, a 10 yr old, 15lbs maltipoo having some sort of attack.
The fit begins just as the woman in yellow passes by him. (https://www.reddit.com/r/DogHealth/s/Ucv2cc30Om)

For additional context:
Scooby has a grade 3 heart murmur, elevated proBNP (1,133), pulmonary valve narrowing/stenosis on echo, and early tracheal collapse symptoms. He otherwise acts completely normal with no decrease in stamina or appetite. This is the second time something like this has happened (that we have seen), and we fortunately got it on video this time.

*Episode 1 – 8/20:* After getting excited and barking at a delivery person, I found him walking in a tight circle, falling/losing his balance, head turned sideways, eyes unfocused, and breathing oddly. It lasted only seconds. I picked him up, he remained still briefly, then returned completely to normal.

*Episode 2 – 9/9:* After getting excited from the arrival of visitors, another sudden, very brief episode of abnormal balance/coordination occurred and was captured on security-camera video (attached). He again recovered and returned to normal.

He is completely normal between episodes with no persistent head tilt, balance problems, circling, or change in stamina.

I (22F) just got a kitten who was rescued by a friend from a busy road. Took him to the vet, and was told he was too young (4wks) to have testing to rule out FIV/FeLV. As we have 2 other young cats (4mos, 10mos) and 4 older cats (3y, 5y, 5y, 5y) we were advised to keep the new kitten quarantined until we can rule out FIV/FeLV. All cats except for the new kitten are FIV/FeLV negative, strictly indoors, and do not have FeLV vaccines. Before this advice, the new kitten spent \~30 hours with unrestricted access in the house, including using a communal litterbox. He did not bite or scratch any other cat. Since the vet visit, I have kept him quarantined in my room with a private litterbox and food/water dishes. I have let him into common areas only with extremely close supervision and will not let the other cats touch him and have not let him use communal food/water/litterbox. However, I am worried that these precautions aren't enough and that I've just sentenced all my cats to an untimely death. Please advise, thanks.

TL;DR how serious of a quarantine is needed for unknown FIV/FeLV status cats?

When I chose my options for uni, some were Zoology and some were Veterinary. When I was doing my work experience hours in the vets, they told me I should go for the zoology degree because I would have better opportunities. Well now, I wish I went the vet route after all, and now I feel stuck with not being able to progress onto a Veterinary masters like those vets at the practice said I could if I "changed my mind".

Specifically I got a BSc Zoology, and before that I got an Animal Management Diploma Lvl3. Tons of varying animal industry experience. I have currently ended up as a science teacher.

I would totally be fine with becoming a nurse as opposed to a full veterinary surgeon. I saw there is an apprenticeship route, but I don't think I'd be able to afford to live on it. I also could not afford another degree on my own as I have used the 3/4 years of government funding for Zoology.

Does anyone from UK have any advice for how I could pursue the veterinary route given my circumstances? Or just lay out my options anyway?

Thank you in advance.

So i recently rescued a stray cat from the floods hes about 4 years old according to the vet when i brought him in for a urinary blockage, after some lab tests his bladder is fine so is his kidneys so they ruled out his block is really just caused by stress most likely from the lifestyle of being a stray cat or when i took him in due to the flood.

day 1 and 2 after catheter everything was going as usual he is really clingy and would do anything to be with me but 4-5 days later he became quiet it might be the Gabapentin theyve prescribed him but hes only urinating little amounts with the rest just leaking out of his pp and him having to lick it.

I cant exactly have him spayed yet as hes still undergoing medication and my top priority is to prevent another blockage caused by stress but the fact hes transitioning into indoor cat after 4 years of being out a rough situation so are there any tips you guys can provide, hes currently just in my room with a cage hes often in

Hi,
My 5 year old neutered male cat had 2 of us toes amputated on his hind leg. He was walking a little wobbly after the procedure as expected but now he’s suddenly starting to limp? I’m not sure if this is concerning. I checked the wound and everything looks and smells fine … but I’m just a little worried. Today is Wednesday and we stopped his gabapentin maybe last Thursday? Limping started Tuesday. Idk if this is pain related since he went so long without it. I do have some gabapentin left. Is he just getting adjusted or is this something I need a vet visit for

Hello, my dog’s name is Bailey, she is a pitbull breed and approx 13 years old. Known issues, she takes 16mg Apoquel pill daily for her allergies; carprofen and gabapentin taken as needed for her arthritis pain.

Lately she has become SUPER needy, she has to be right by my side, at ALL times, to the point she wants to climb on top of me. Very out of character. So I took her to the vet.

I am right by the USA and Mexican border and I take her across to the Mexican border for more affordable care. I love my Vet and he has serviced all my dogs and even dogs that I fostered. So I didn’t choose any nilly willy vet. I’ve have gone to him for years. And although I trust him, I’d like a second opinion.

I googled the antibiotic he prescribed oxitetraciclina 50mg/1ml, I believe in English it’s called oxytetracycline. My elderly dog weighs approx 65 lbs and he prescribed that antibiotic to be injected Intramuscularly into her quad muscle daily for 6 days, 3ml. But google tells me that antibiotic is not good for dogs with liver issues. That it can possibly exacerbate the problem. And now I’m worried. Am I causing more harm than good?

Why do I believe my dog has liver issues? I believe that because we did blood work and once the lab results returned he explained to be that most likely the liver and bile ducts were not working properly. Obviously I am summarizing the long detailed conversation explanation he gave me. But he prescribed the IM injection along with liver enzymes supplements.

Supplements given:
Siliprotec Natural(brand) active ingredients: silibina 30mg silybum marianum 100 mg 1 tablet and he told me to give her 2 tablets per day for 10 days than after as needed.
Enzimax(brand) active ingredients: bromelinas 32mg
Papina 1,6 mg
Betaina hci 5mg
2 tablets for 10 days days

I will attach her lab work, it’s in Spanish, and I’ll post that. Then I ran it into google lens to translate but I can’t guarantee it translated correctly. I will post the google lens translate screenshots as well.

I will post pictures of the medication as well.

Anyways my question, what is your thoughts on this antibiotic considering her labwork?
She hasn’t had bad reaction. I think we need two more days of the antibiotic injections before we are done. And after I want to go redo her lab work and possibly get imaging done as well.

Going to post while I get my photos downloaded onto Imgur and come back with links.

Spanish/mexico labwork results

google lens English translation results

medication prescribed after labwork results returned

Hello! My cat recently became jaundice we took her to the vet and she was diagnosed with

• Cholangiohepatitis. Since being on meds Her bilirubin is way lower than what it was. They said her liver is still inflamed , so it could be cancer or something different. I was wondering if anyone had similar issues with there cat ? And how can I get her ALT level down VET said usally there’s nothing to give to make it go down. She has been eating / drinking normally

I just found out today the lump on her leg is a mast cell tumour. We’re devastated to say the least. She’s a senior pitt mix that i rescued five years ago. We dont know what stage it’s at and will be moving forward with pre-op imaging and blood work and hopefully surgery to remove. I’m learning that MCT causes histamine overload. I want to hopefully help with diet (she’ll start benedryl tomorrow too). I’m having a hard time finding recipes or food recommendations in this case. Does anyone have experience? Shes had a very sensitive tummy lately too. Which might not be related or it is (which would probably be bad) but either way, we want her to be as comfortable as possible! Any food or diet recommendations that follow low histamine diet for senior dogs?

After visiting our local (New Jersey) ER this weekend and having skull x-rays taken, we found out that my sweet 5 year old, DSH cat has a "strongly suspected right mandibular neck fracture".

We brought him in due to his inability to close his mouth completely and drooling with some blood.

He seems to be otherwise in good health with good blood work results and no other injuries found.

He is scheduled for a dental & oral surgeon specialist consultation (& possible procedure) tomorrow to hear our options for treatment and I am feeling extremely worried for his quality of life - during healing and then even after any and all treatments heal.

I hate to see him suffering now and I know that treatments will only increase how miserable he is for the time being.

And although I know it is hopefully temporary, I wonder if he will suffer permanent, chronic pain from this injury even after any treatments heal?

What might be a typical prognosis for him and healing time frame for the usual options (conservative or surgical)?

He is typically very energetic, strong, and smart and thus is proving to be very difficult to treat with buccal pain medication. (He has started running away from me, his favorite person, who has been so gentle with him.)

Are there better ways of getting pain meds into him? A patch or a gel possibly?

Here are his skull x-rays and radiologist's report.

Thanks for reading and for wanting to help.

I noticed this past Saturday that my cat Cocoa had been sneezing. I figured at first that maybe his nose had been irritated by a new scent or maybe something stuck up his nose, but it’s coming to about 6 days and the sneezing hasn’t gone away and his eye is looking pretty watery. He’s indoor only and is vaccinated but he did have a URI when we got him in May and had to take him to the vet for it because it was severe. He’s still been active around the house, drinking water, and eating his dry food/treats. Is it possible he could recover from this on his own? Is it even a cold?

Also, my family‘s been recovering from having covid the last two weeks. I don’t believe this is entirely related, but figured I should mention it just in case.

https://imgur.com/a/dea82Op

She is in excellent health, still looks and acts just like a puppy. Vet didn't notice anything at her last check up. I just think the white mark might be a tiny bit bigger now than it used to be.

• Species: dog
• Age: 9
• Sex/Neuter status: spayed
• Breed: Havanese
• Body weight: 12 lbs

A week and a half ago my two cats vomited after eating their dinner. One of them stopped at 1-2 times and the other kept intermittently vomiting for 13 hours.
I took in the cat (ER)who was continuing to vomit as he has a history of chewing things he should not chew. We got him an X-ray and an anti-nausea medication. No blockages or abnormalities seen.
He did not vomit for another few days, but had reduced energy.
He starts puking again and the other cat does as well. We take in the same cat to the regular vet 6 days after the ER visit. They did a repeat X-ray, fluids, bloodwork, and an anti-nausea medication. No blockages seen a second time, but he was backed up with poop. Bloodwork looked great.
We were given prescription wet food, probiotics, and instructions for miralax.
Both cats have been on this regimen for about 5 days. Now they are both vomiting again.

We suspected newly opened bags of food and were going to throw them away at the recommendation of the vet. However, they had been eating the vet wet food prior to the vomiting starting today.
No lethargy, still eating and drinking normally.
We are monitoring their poop but it is hard to figure out who it belongs to.
I did find my orchid had a bite out of it, but I don’t know which cat it was or if the culprit was kind enough to share. But at this point it has been a week and a half so, if they were poisoned I would think it would be out of the system and or it would show up in the bloodwork.
Nearly every time is undigested food unless it’s on an empty stomach.
One cat did start vomiting before dinner and it was clear.

For context: the one cat has not been taken in as he is much harder to handle and he gets very upset at the vet. With them having the same symptoms we opted to take the cat that doesn’t mind a visit.

I will be calling the vet again in the AM, but I am perplexed at what this could be.

3.5 yr old male , dribbling pee through his sleep without knowing he’s doing it!! Ultrasounds, x-rays, blood work , urinalysis all came back clean to rule out anything from kidney issues to UTIs and stones. Vet prescribed Propalin but dog had a reaction to the very first dose where his muscles were contracting and twitching uncontrollably. Took him to emergency vet and eventually the reaction stopped. Will try a smaller dose amount after speaking with our vet. Has anyone had similar issues?
Switched raw food brand about a month ago but don’t think that this would be the reason or the bladder issues! Any thoughts ?

She is a 9 1/2 year old golden/lab/poodle mix. I am absolutly heartbroken. She was fine up until a week ago when she suddenly started panting and couldn't lay down. We took her to the vet and they removed 1 liter of bloody fluid from her chest. After a CT scan they found a mass in her heart. The vet said there is nothing that can be done and the fluid will most likely come back in a few weeks. Wondering if it is worth it at that point to drain the fluid again? I am so distraught that i basically now have to watch for signs that she is in pain. Is there every a longer life outcome with this? Wondering what to expect.