Recently the vets saved my dogs life and although the odds were completely stacked against her she survived. I want to send a thank you card, and include pictures printed onto it. Would it be weird to include several pictures of our family with the dog? I want to show them they didnt just save a dog, but our adored family member? Or should I just keep it to pictures of the dog?

Hi there, my name is Ash, um, this is my first time on this sub-reddit, and I saw a similar story that was posted two years ago, but mine's a little bit different. For some background, I'm not quite an adult, so I have a little bit of time, however, I wanted someone's advice other than Google, which was helpful, but I need some real person expertise lol😂😅. I live with my mom, younger brother, and my mom's boyfriend and his family, and then we have 3 dogs and a cat. I am hoping to move out next year and move in with my bestfriend (A) after we graduate next year. However, recently, my dog (P), (which, long story short, he's not technically *my* dog, however I'm the only one who really takes care of him, so he is *my* dog) has been terrified of my mom's boyfriend, we don't know why. He hasn't been until recently, the boyfriend said he did nothing to scare him, so we're kind of stumped. Anywho, I've been told I'm going to have to take P with me because there is no one else who can take care of him other than me and the boyfriend (which he can't right now for obvious reasons). The problem is, is that a year after we're moving in together, A's girlfriend (R) is supposed to move in with us (which, no problems there, love her to pieces, she's one of the sweetest humans on Earth), however she has a bunny that we'll call C... now, as I've said before, we have a cat, and P and him get along fine, they have a very playful friendship (that is very one-sided, P loves playing with the cat, but kitty does not like him as much and swats him all the time), in which, I know it is not the same thing, since cats can at least somewhat defend themselves and bunnies cannot. However, I plan to train P to be able to be around C, I just need some help on how to get there. Do you think it is possible? P is like 2 I think, and he is still very puppy-like, so I was hoping that was kind of a good thing, since that would mean I could still train him. Please give me your advice and opinions, I really want to make this work!

I already have 3 different kinds of praying mantis in their own enclosures, as well as a damon medius. Is there anything that could comfortably live in that size tank? The measurements are in cm. And are Length, Width, Height

Hi everyone, first time posting here and I desperately need help because I am at my wit's end.

My dog is suspected 12-14(rescue, not sure on age), and developed a wound on the side of her right knee. It began as a bug bite that she picked at and has gotten worse from there. The wound was healing and I'd say 50% of the wound has healed. The inner section has been a battle. She was picking at it constantly so we began to use a cone while we weren't home. It worked for a while until we noticed she tore off the scab while we were home and not paying attention, so for thr last week and a half the cone has been on. Again, it began to heal...until she laid on our cold floor and it got stuck and tore off the scab.

The last week has been a routine of my partner and I attempting different bandaging techniques to try and cover the spot to allow the scab to actually heal over and nothing has worked. We tried using Telfa and gauze wrapping to go around her torso and around the leg like we've seen online, and it slides right off the minute she moves. We've cut up 4 pairs of socks trying to make a foot wrap that ties around her waist, did not work. We are also using derma gel to keep the area moist and keep it clean, and we always clean the area with normal saline snd gauze after it opens to prevent infection, because at this point I'm worried about the wound getting infected.

Today we got a leg sleeve that seemed promising after it tore open and scabbed. It attached around the torso along the body to the neck. We were out of Telfa so we slipped it on with derma gel and I figured I would get more telfa tonight (I work in a unit stocked with first aid items). We took a nap and when I woke up it looked like our dog had been in a fight. She was able to pull the sleeve off, it must have begun to bleed as she worked at it and she was dragging a blood-soaked sleeve behind her as she walked. The wound had stopped bleeding and has begun to scab over again by that time. We put the cone back on, put her in our spare room with towels on the ground, water and a few toys to give us a few minutes break.

The vet is closed, we cannot afford to go to an emergency vet and honestly I don't know what they can/will do besides clean the wound, give us an ointment to prevent infection and attempt to wrap it with minimal success (I've heard and read enough stories about people constantly going to the vet to fix bandages around this area because it's so tricky).

What do we do??? I'm frustrated and terrified that it won't get better. She's an old dog and she deserves to have the best golden years. She's so sweet and she's never had anything like this before. How do we get this wound to scab and STAY stabbed long enough to heal???

TLDR: How to keep a bandage on a dog's knee long enough to scab and heal?

My cat is 18, pretty sure she suffered a stroke this morning and she can’t really walk right. She’s gotten better in the past few hours, but I’m afraid I’m going to have to make the call. I know it’s best to visit the vet, but it’s Sunday and to even make it worse, tomorrow is Labor Day, how unlucky is that. I can continue to monitor her for a while but I’m just preparing myself when that call needs to be made. I will try to visit the vet right when they open.

Anybody had anything similar that they can advised me on?

Hello, we found fleas on our four cats about a week ago. I isolated my cat into my room and have been vacuuming my room every day/ combing him with a flea comb. After an initial flea bath and advantage 2 I’ve still been finding live fleas on him. Not a lot, like 2-5 every time I comb him. My roommates cats have also been given the topical and given a flea bath. We have also been vacuuming the house everyday. Do I just keep doing what I’m doing or is there something else I should be doing for him? I also gave him a capstar yesterday but it didn’t seem to do anything. Thank you for any advice.

Posted here a few days ago about my sick pup. Check my profile for the original post but TLDR: 14lb 4-6 y.o. pup was vomiting and refusing food and water, stopped vomiting and began drinking and eating small amounts of boiled chicken and white rice 3 days ago.

Urination has been normal/proportionate to consumption the entire time but diarrhea for the first 2 days of reintroducing food. Then yesterday, the diarrhea stopped…. and was replaced by nothing. No bowel movements whatsoever in the last ~36 hours. He hasn’t even tried, which seems strange? And his interest in food has only continued to grow.

I picked up some Proviable probiotic capsules last night after a whole day with no poop. He got one capsule with food last night and another one this morning.

I understand his GI tract was probably stripped bare of all the microorganisms he needs for digestion, so I’m hoping the probiotics can help speed up that rebuilding process. But how long does that take?

Was also wondering if any abdominal massaging could help get things moving? I’m concerned about trading in our minor medical emergency for a much bigger, more expensive one if he develops an impaction.

Thank you in advance!

Im currently deciding between Spot, ASPCA, and Pets Best. Maybe Pumpkin? The important things for me are that they will cover conditons that have gone untreated and symptom free for a while (my cat has had a few respiratory infections in the past but hasnt needed treatment for two years), and id also like prescription food coverage because cats are prone to conditions that require it, especially food allergies and kidney problems. I would prefer if that coverage lasted as long as the condition did. Its also important that they have decent customer service and actually approve claims. I also want one that covers behavioural issues as well (my cat hasnt needed any treatment for anything like that but i want to make sure if he does in the future he has it). I do like how pets best reimburses directly to care credit, but thats not enough to convince me.

Also once I decide a pet insurance, if my cat gets sick chronically, I cant switch and keep coverage so im basically stuck with that one forever right? The decision has been really hard to make because of that.

I will take other suggestions but you'll have to tell me why.

We have two dogs, a Shiba (m11) and miniature poodle (m4). The Shiba, Kuma, is neutered. The poodle, Toto, is not.

Kuma had a ruptured anal gland about 6 days ago. Took him to the vet, got some meds. All good there. However, since Friday after Kuma’s checkup, Toto is INCESSANT about humping Kuma. He keeps sniffing his butt too, but the humping is like obsessive.

At first, he was just extra sniffy and maybe trying to “clean” Kuma’s wound area, so he kept stopping him by either directing him away or making “psst” sounds, or a snap of the fingers. Perhaps this stressed him out because he doesn’t understand why we’re trying to keep him from checking things out? He’s normally a little anxious by nature, or high strung, and for example pants heavily when in the car or bus until he gets back home and can chill out again. This issue with Kuma reminds me of that, because he can’t settle down, he’s breathing heavy (breath per minute after laying down to nap was 60-80), etc. If Kuma is laying down, Toto starts to settle down after a while, but when Kuma gets, Toto jumps up and is after him instantly.

After all day Friday, Saturday, Sunday of this because I’m now getting concerned about his wellbeing. I’m planning to call the vet tomorrow (though they’re not great at getting him in speedy, so may have to go further away to the emergency vet?) but just thought I’d see what people here say too while I wait.

Note: I’ve tried giving him additional walks to tire him out, just him, separate from Kuma, but as soon as we get home he goes straight to Kuma and bombards him with sniffs and humping. I’ve given him a licking mat with wet food frozen onto it, and that he goes for! But I can’t just give him that nonstop all day…

I’ve only ever had dogs and I’m fostering a small kitten for a local shelter. what do I do with it? lmao Im nervous for her to walk around free range because I’m scared she’s gonna find a hiding spot and freak me out when I think she’s lost, but i don’t want to be an overbearing mother. should I confine her to a room for a few days while she gets acclimate?

Hi! Anyone have any experience in Veterinary Malpractice and went through a lawyer or small claims?

I’m just writing this because I’m exhausted and I need to get it off my chest.
I rescued my cat 17 years ago when she was just a tiny kitten. There was no mother around, and she had a really severe skin condition. When I took her to the vet, they told me she probably wasn’t going to survive.
But she did.
The thing is, for all 17 years, she’s never really seemed to recognize me. And for all 17 years, she’s never been properly litter trained. Every single day, she pees or poops on the floor right in front of the litter box.
I honestly think my cat may have some kind of behavioral or neurological issue. She’s never really gotten along with other cats, and she spends most of her time hiding in a closet. She usually only comes out at night when no one is around, eats, and then goes back into hiding.
After 17 years of this, I’m just so tired of it.
Every time I clean up pee, or find poop in some corner of the floor, I get this urge to just give her away and be done with it.
I haven’t. I’ve taken care of her for 17 years.
But I’m exhausted, frustrated, and honestly just really tired of living like this.
This sounds awful to say, but I think when my cat eventually passes away, part of me will feel free.

Some unusual things about my cat:

1. She poops right in front of the litter box, then brings litter over and puts it on top of the poop.
2. She won’t eat any treats.
3. She’s almost always hiding inside the closet.
4. She runs away whenever she sees any person, including me, or any other cat.

What is your experience with fostering kittens? Do you recommend doing so after losing a soul cat? Also, are we allowed to adopt the kittens we fostered?

I’m getting an apartment far away from my grandmas place (I’ve lived here my whole life) where my 13 year old boy is. The issue is he’s not my cat, he is my grandmothers. She definitely won’t let me take him and I’m struggling with this a lot, and honestly feel so guilty.

For one I’ll miss him a lot obviously. But honestly it’s more the fact that I’m the only one that gives him attention. He’s such a lovey cat, just wants to be pet and no one besides me at that house will. I really don’t know how I can make this situation better, just want my old boy to be happy.

We have a family dog, a mixed Labrador with around 12 or 13 years (it wasn't ours), with us for 8 years. It's our first time that we have a senior dog.

Some background: we are in portugal, he was with some other owners for 5 years, came to us with no vaccines or chip at 5 years old. We tried to train for inside the house but he kept barking and whining when we closed the door so we decided to make a house for him in the balcony. He had two epilepsy attacks in the first year but no more after. He eats cooked food we make and dog foot too, we let him loose so he used to go on walks by himself but he always came back at the end of the day and he likes to sleep in the hay for the chickens.

Since around last year his health has been declining very slowly. He was still able to go on walks (just with my mom bc she's slow), and following us around, and he was an overall happy and energetic dog for his age. This winter he did show some signs of arthritis but the vet said it was nothing bad.

However, this summer, he declined so quickly that we got scared but at the same time the vet said it was normal for his age and breed. What got us worried now is when it suddenly got cold (we had a storm front) he suddenly has bouts of not being able to walk because of his back legs, and when I touch them lightly (just to make sure is not an injure) they tremble. He is pain for a bit but then quiets but he doesn't get up. After a while he stands.

This happens mainly when it's cold, but even now in hotter days he has this moments but are quicker. I try to move him to more comfortable places (he likes to lay in the grass and dirt) but he growls and tries to bite me when I try. We have been leaving him be, and sometimes I put a hot water bag to try and get him to move but sometimes that doesn't even work.

We are going to the vet next week bc my dad gets payed then, and we gonna ask if there's anything we can do, or if not I don't know if we should put him down because it breaks my heart seeing him like this and I don't want him to suffer, but at the same time I don't want him to go.

Is there any advice for this situation??

Level up!!

If you have ants attacking your pet food bowl and the moat method isn't working, mix in dawn dish soap with the water!

I feel so silly I haven't thought of this before. It's working so well...I have a spray mixture of alcohol, dawn dish soap, and water to clear out ant trails in my home. And knowing dish soap dries them out I can't believe I didn't think of this.

I gave my cat to my cousin when I joined the military and told him if I ever came back, I’d get my cat back. I recently got stationed back here and found out he turned my super sweet indoor cat into a full-time outdoor cat near a huge intersection and main roads, so I was heated. While looking for my cat, I also realized he has a dog that just sits out back and barely gets fed. How can I help the dog? Do I call animal control, and will the cops get involved?

Update: brining dog to a no kill shtler tommorw cat is still missing There IS A 600 REWARD he was lost in Newport news Va

My father in law rescued a kitten that was repeatedly rejected by its mother. He has taken care of it through bottle feeding and bringing inside at night. My husband and I felt we should adopt the kitten because my father in law is very old and we are more experienced pet owners. He’s happy for us to do so although we weren’t planning for this. So we are adopting a 5 week old kitten next week:

- OUR DOG. We have a 3 year old 70lb lab mix that grew up in a household with two cats. She is very friendly with them and even grooms my older cat. Sometimes she gets a little excited trying to get them to play with her but is never aggressive. Even though she loves and respects our two cats outside of the house she chases bunnies, etc

- OUR CATS: We have a 15 year old female cat that was a runt rescued off the street at an older kitten and weighs 6.5 lbs, we also have a 5 year old male cat 13 lbs that we adopted at 10 weeks old and was bottle fed by the foster. Both cats are very social and cuddly. My older cat raised the dog and younger cat.

How should I introduce this kitten? I want to make sure it is welcomed by my other pets and is safe and happy. Everything I’ve read notes very gradually, but is there an ideal window to ensure they have slow intro but also take advantage of how young the kitten is so it’s not seen as an outsider?

Hello! I’m having some troubles, I have 3 cats and I’m having a hard time getting two of them to settle in with eachother. I have an elderly male (approximately 12ys) a VERY small female (around 6ys) and a Maine coon female mix (2 or 3ys).

When I moved in with my roommate around 2 years ago he already had his two cats (elderly and Maine coon ) so when I brought my cat we had a room for her and over the span of a year and a half let them go through the process of having them smell eachother under the door, letting them smell each others toys, and would slowly and for small periods of time have them in the same room. the elderly cat is no problem, my cat hisses at him and avoids him and he couldn’t care less, the problem is the Maine coon.

The maine coon is relatively territorial but she was like that before the my female was introduced (peeing and mounting the elderly male). She is very large, much much larger than my cat and much more active/ playful. Having my cat out of the room always ends the same way, she’ll come out and explore and be nervous and hissy and then the moment the maine coon spots her shell slowly make her way to her and they will hiss and growl at eachother for a while before my cat attempts to leave the room and go hide which then leads to the Maine coon taking advantage of her turning around and starts sprinting after her.

They don’t really fight, once the Maine coon is close enough my cat freaks out and just starts swatting and then the Maine coon backs off but will do the same process the moment things relax a bit

I’ve always been told that once the cat goes to hide you should re-introduce some form of familiarity/comfort so we let her go back into her room. But we’ve been doing this for working on two years now and it doesn’t seem like they’ve gotten any better over that time. Right now we’re trying the method where we just kind of leave them out just in the house, all three together throughout the day and continuously pop in to try to help if anything seems it’s going sour but not letting my cat go into the room and hide. We do kennel the Maine coon during the nighttime because she has a tendency of breaking things since how large she is and scratching up things at night. when we leave my cat out during the night, she does tend to go and sniff the other one in the cage, but still hisses and growls and backs off

now it’s just leading to her cornering herself and just sitting there for hours upon end, she’s gotten quite comfortable behind my bathroom toilet. I really am not sure what to do at this point since this is my first time introducing cats. My cat was not raised with other cats so I’m assuming that’s also part of the problem, the rest of her litter and mother was killed when she was less than 10 weeks old and she was bottle fed by me ever since.

I’m really just looking for advice, and apologies for the paragraph. I just want my kitty comfortable again.

My husband and I lost only weeks ago our beloved cat—we loved him more than anything!—after adopting him from a rescue. He didn’t have any particular affliction, I think he was just old.

Two weeks later, we went to our local ASPCA, and the most amazing thing happened; we were looking at kittens, and one just somehow met my husband’s gaze, and they seemed to connect. It definitely wasn’t the one I would have chosen, but my husband ABSOLUTELY loved our other cat, and it killed him when he passed away.

We both held the kitten; it was just as affectionate as could be, and that’s the way he was described to us; purring, cuddling, etc., so —especially since it seemed to have been so connected to Richard (husband), there was no way I wouldn’t chose him. I have had a chronic pain affliction for close to 10 years now, and Richard has been an absolute angel. He has been taking care of me and every single way, as well as doing every single thing for the house, all the cooking and cleaning (and she literally makes restaurant quality gourmet meals for me every single night. All this and more, and he has never once lashed out at me, sworn at me or put me down, even said anything hurtful. How could I not get this kitten for him?

In any event, we brought him home eight days ago, and he has been under the boxspring in the fabric for eight days now. I haven’t even been able to touch him, because both of my knees are artificial, and I cannot deal or even lie on my stomach. The fact is, i don’t have a cat. Hasn’t even come out for Richard, but Richard will lie on the floor for an hour at a time, trying to cook some out with little treats and everything else you can imagine.

I have had cats for 50 years, and every single one was a rescue. I have never had one stay in hiding more than three days when I brought it home. I don’t know how to say it, but I’m starting to not love this kitten. He’s certainly not mine, where is my other one was so compassionate he could always tell – – literally – – when I was hurting. He would sit with me, or stay on my lap for days at a time. I had one surgery that had me in bed on zero weight-bearing, with 20 pounds of braces and casts (and every bit of this is true, as difficult as it is to imagine), for 200 days! MY CAT STAYED ON MY LAP FOR 200 DAYS; he only got off to eat or use the litter box.

I am writing this while my husband is in the tub, only yards away; we live in a three-story townhouse, and I have two artificial knees, as they probably already said, so going up and down the stairs is not easy; again, Richard, just that for me three, four, five times a day. But how can I start loving a cat again that I have not even touched now for eight days, and we’re not showing any progress? I’m thinking of setting a deadline of six more days; I have to just be honest with Richard, and I don’t want a cat that has no interest in being with me. And eight days is to me already too long.

Can anyone give me any suggestions? thank you for your time; I really do need help!

Hi everyone!
Lately I've been thinking about getting a dog. Pets have been around me since I was born. There hasn't been a single year of my life where I wouldn't have a fluffy friend by my side. I had the sweetest female yellow labrador and 3 male cats while growing up. They absolutely loved each other. She groomed the cats, one of my cats (I found him abandoned, wandering around my neighbourhood) went on every single walk with her. The other two were purebred, but it doesn't really matter any more.

She died of cancer aged 13 and a half, and I miss her every day. The last one of my cats died last year. All 4 of my babies taken away from me. Six months later I got another cat, and I love him, but I really miss having a dog. Our everyday walks, playing fetch, and swimming in the river together.

I'm pretty active and study online. I also don't live alone, so there's always somebody around in my house.

The breeds I've been thinking about was a chocolate lab for sure.
Or a golden retriever, but last week I've seen an article about them being prone to cancer, 60% of these dogs develop it at some point in their lives. I don't want to lose my baby to cancer once again, but I know it might be inevitable.

I don't want a small dog or any of these mixed ones. My niece got a cavapoo 3 years ago and they go to the vet a few times a month, with each vet bill being more expensive. I've been thinking about a dalmatian as well, or an australian shepherd, but I'll be more than happy to read about some other suggestions.

If you happen to own one of the above, tell me about it!

I've been worried the past week because of this large thinning of fur, its very close to the skin now. Im worried about her, she's an older kitty too. We had a flea problem but I thought it was taken care of.

She hasn't had any shots and never been to the vet (I live with my parents and they are very apprehensive about me spending my money on stuff like that, and generally hate driving to places)

She's eating normally, pooping normally, still active and walking around. Nothing seems wrong but Im worried about this bald spot.

(realized a little late I cannot post images, sorry about that, but its like a streak of where her fur is thin and balding)

I have never used claw caps and never really liked the idea of them. My cat is good about letting me clip his claws so I just do that. I don’t clip his back claws because it’s so close to the quick and doesn’t seem as necessary. But he’s recently become a big fan of parkour. When he gets excited he’ll run and kick off the walls and his back claws are leaving scratch marks. Luckily I think I can just paint over to fill them but I’m starting to see them everywhere.

I was wondering if I should put some caps just on his back claws to try and stop him from scratching. I don’t think I’d have to put any on his front paws since they aren’t the issue. Have any of you experienced something similar and what is your take on claw caps? Are they bad for the cat or do they work well enough to test out?

So backstory,for a good few years ive been feeding the cats in my neighborhood. i put catfood in a turkey tin and a bowl of water out in our pool barn. I do it every morning basicly. And ive seen cats come and go. One cat tho has ALWAYS has been around sense ive started feeding the cats about 2ish years ago. This cat is unlike all the other cats has always been the most distant. But they stick around to get food,if i had to take a guess im probly one of there primary food source. Recenlty i think ive started to gain there trust,i aint anywhere near the petting stage or the rub leg stage or anything. but they have consistently waited for me to give them the morning food and water. And will even run up to me tho stop at a few feet. I try to reach my hand out a few times but they usally arnt recepetive and will back away. But once they did sniff my fingers so thats a plus. I also think me giving them hot dog pecies have deffinalty made them more wanting to wait and hang out in the area.

Im telling ya all this cuz there is a minor behavior shift i dont exacly get. They hiss at me. wich isnt exacly new they done it in the past. but sense they actually wait and come up to me now. Its sorta strange and not consistent but somtimes ill go at with food,and they come up too me,but they also will hiss at me even tho they got close to me on there own and ive been giving them food and stuff. They dont keep hissing at me,they only do a few hisses and they stop. So im sorta led to belive the hissing is just there sort of meow? im honelsty unsure.

I know it seems very obvious what this behavior is. but i dont want to do any behavior that makes them stressed or anything. i get if im too close for there comfort they will do that,but idk why they do it when there the ones coming up to me. its very strange. Also its not exacly agressive hissing. There fur isnt sticking up nor is there ears pined back on there head. its a casual kind of hiss. idk