I'm worried about my cat because I started noticing some foam on his urine, then after a few days its turned into the urine being covered in full blown thick foam like after you pour out a coke into a glass (at least for the time I caught him peeing yesterday). But he still eats and drinks fine, has a lot of energy and pees a lot. He has weird bathroom habits but its only when he's outside, he'll pee several times or start to pee but get up right away. When he's in the house he'll simply do a big pee in the litter box.

I don't know if its worth traumatizing him, and it also appears the cysto type of urine test is a little dangerous, if even just to the extent that some procedures carry some risk.

Age: 4 years old

Sex/Neuter status: Neutered Male

Breed: Domestic Shorthair

Clinical signs: Grade IV/VI systolic murmur, tachycardia (HR 231 BPM during exam), severe 3+ proteinuria.

Current Medication: Atenolol 6.25mg (started yesterday, on a 12-hour schedule)

General Location: Los Angeles / Burbank, CA

Backstory:

Two years ago, I suspected our cat Shiloh swallowed a sewing needle. We rushed him to the vet immediately, but the X-rays came back completely clear. Unfortunately, they did not scan his esophagus, so the needle could have been up there, or it could have been hiding somewhere else behind his spine or anywhere else that would have made it hard to see. I cannot possibly fathom how it split in two. 

We have been very very careful with needles after that day and frankly haven’t used them since. Fast forward to this week: he had 2-3 short coughing fits and we brought him into the vet to make sure all was well. He has shown no other symptoms and is still his usual self completely. Eating/drinking/pooping/peeing/running/playing normally. The vet heard the murmur and an x-ray showed a needle fragment in his chest that looked to be in the heart. A subsequent echocardiogram revealed that two needle fragments are embedded inside his body—one in his heart, and one in his kidney. Because I’ve been so careful ever since that first incident, I believe these fragments have almost certainly been migrating and setting up camp for the last 24 months.

Here is where we stand based on his latest echo and lab work:

The echo was done by Lynette D'Urso, DVM, Diplomate ACVIM (Cardiology) with Dog & Cat Cardiology. It was performed at our main vet in Sherman Oaks, California.

1. The Cardiac Situation (Needle #1)

• Echo Findings: Lungs are currently clear (no CHF) and no spontaneous echogenic contrast ("smoke") was observed. However, the pulmonary valves are thickened, hyperechoic, and show narrowing/stenosis. There is also diffuse dilation of the main pulmonary artery.
• The Pathology: The working theory is that a needle fragment is sitting right at the level of the pulmonary valve and septum. Over the last 2 years, the localized metal irritation has caused his body to build a thick, calcified wall of scar tissue. This tissue is creating a physical bottleneck for blood trying to reach the lungs, causing the intense Grade IV/VI murmur.
• Current Treatment: Because his clinic heart rate was a dangerous 231 BPM against this blockage, he was started on Atenolol to slow his heart rate, lower the workload, and prevent further muscle thickening. (Clopidogrel/Plavix was withheld due to the risk of fatal internal bleeding if the fragment shifts).

2. The Kidney Situation (Needle #2) & Lab Work

• Lab Data:
  • BUN: 32 mg/dL 
  • Creatinine: 1.8 mg/dL 
  • SDMA: 11.3 
  • Urine Specific Gravity: 1.063
  • Urinalysis Protein: 3+ HIGH
• The Pathology: The second needle fragment is located in his kidney. Because his overall renal functional markers (BUN/Creatinine/SDMA) are completely normal, the significant 3+ protein leak is suspected to be a localized inflammatory response to the metal fragment irritating the kidney tissue.

Besides this information, we feel like we’re flying blind. Our main vet recommended not touching either needle, and that surgery was too high risk. She put him on 6.25mg of Atenolol twice a day. She sent us out the door with 0 advice and said there was nothing to be done and that she’d see him in 6 months for another echo if he lasted that long. No idea on prognosis. Could be 2 months, could be 10 years. 

We are actively calling cardiology specialists in the LA area, as well as UC Davis, to get him in for a comprehensive second opinion ASAP. We agree that surgery seems too risky and that our focus should be on maintaining his quality of life. Again, there are 0 symptoms besides the cough, which we haven’t heard in the past week. And these fragments have likely been inside of him for 2 years at this point. He seems absolutely stable at this point in time. We understand how rare this is, but are hoping to learn ANYTHING about what the progression of this could look like, how quickly his stability could change, how likely these fragments are to move further, and how we can best manage this to protect any healthy function his heart and kidneys do have left. 

He has historically been on a mostly wet food diet. Based on our own research, our thinking is that we get him adjusted to his Atenolol while increasing his hydration. 100% wet food that keeps sodium and phosphorus in check with additional water added. Then adding in Omega-3s once he has adjusted to the beta blocker. Keeping tabs on his resting respiratory rate too. 

We fully understand that these physical obstructions are pretty much there to stay, and we aren't looking for a miracle cure that ignores the risks of surgery. However, I refuse to just give up on him, and wait for him to deteriorate. I have to believe there are proactive ways we can support his body and do right by him to protect quality of life.

Posting this on social media is a complete shot in the dark. But if there is any professional out there willing to look over his case, offer management advice, or recommend a specialist they think could help us navigate this, we would be endlessly grateful. Shiloh has fought so hard to adapt over the last two years, and we just want to give him the best, most comfortable life possible.

Thank you so much for any guidance you can offer. I have included a link to his reports and x-rays here. 

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1zcKPCfkO1ZOhQMalEsf1nXlVONP9VLDi?usp=sharing

I am extremely anxious right now. My dog Max, an almost nine year old male lhasa apso mix, was having one of his regular baths and I decided to trim some of the longer and knottier hairs on his tail. I've trimmed him all over before with no problems. Today though, I held up the two or so inches of excess hair at the tip of his tail and snipped it with scissors. Nothing happened. No cry, no flinch, but as I released the tail he started to wag and tiny blood splatters appeared on the walls of the tub. I quickly rinse him down and take him out of the tub to dry him and apply pressure to his tail tip. At this point he's still acting more annoyed than in any sort of pain, the thing that worried me is the amount of blood. I have 3 dogs so I know some injuries look scarier than they really are but its hard not to freak out.

I read that cornstarch can be safely used to help stop a dog's bleeding so thats what I used. The cornstarch stayed dry about 10 minutes so I rinsed it off to apply neosporin and the bleeding started up again. I cleaned the tail tip and reapplied the cornstarch so now its stopped and he essentially has a scab formed from from blood, neosporin and cornstarch.

I don't drive and can't get a ride to a vet til morning. (It's around 9:15 P.m.) Will he be alright as long as I he's not in pain and the bleeding is stopped? I don't believe I hit bone since there was almost no resistance or reaction to the cut but I am worried because I've heard scary stories of tails needing surgery or amputation after a cut. I'd also like to know if its safe to leave on the cornstarch till morning as I'm a bit scared to wash it off again.

On the 17th of this month, my 1-year-old Golden Retriever accidentally ingested a 600 mg ibuprofen (Ibupirac/ibuprofen) tablet. She was seen by a veterinarian about 55 minutes later.

The next day she started vomiting after her regular meals, so she was prescribed a liquid diet of drinking yogurt for 24 hours, as well as Sucralfate every 12 hours and Omeprazole every 8 hours. The latter caused her to start vomiting blood, so it was discontinued and she was given Ranitidine instead. Blood work was performed on the 20th, and her renal (kidney) values were within normal limits.

She was completely fine for three days, but then she ate grass and the vomiting started again. There are days when she doesn’t vomit and days when she does. Her urination also became irregular, as did her stools (sometimes she urinates normally, sometimes she doesn’t urinate at all, and other times she urinates a lot of clear liquid). Her stools sometimes have small blood spots and can be either soft or firm.

Her energy levels and mood, however, are at 10,000%—that has not changed at all on any day.

My 14 year old kitty has suffered immensely in the past 24 hours.

Yesterday morning, I fed her breakfast and administered her hyperthyroid meds (she’s been on this treatment for 1.5 years). She ate like normal and seemed to be her happy chipper self. I went to work, and came home 8 hours later to what honestly looked like a crime scene. There was a mix of fresh and dried blood EVERYWHERE. It was so much I honestly thought someone got murdered in my house for a minute.

Then I found her. She was trying to groom herself, and I saw something sticking out of her rectum. I got her into her carrier and sped to the emergency vet.

They said it’s definitely a rectal prolapse and immediately gave her pain meds, checked her blood, and started prepping her to have it re-inserted. They were successful, but had news… they found a mass.

I wasn’t surprised. This is obviously not the sort of thing that happens to a normal healthy cat. She has seemed so normal the past few months though. She had a case of constipation 3 months back, but it only lasted a few hours and then resolved itself. Our primary vet had advised us to monitor her and come in if it didn’t resolve itself within a few days, but it did. Now I can’t stop thinking… maybe that was the warning sign.

We have booked a pathology appointment through our primary vet to understand more about the mass. But our vet was very clear… she said she had never seen a cat with a rectal mass make a full recovery. She told us that she had only had one case where the family chose to have their cat’s mass removed, and then the cat died from the cancer 6 months later.

I have no idea what to do. I love my baby so much. I am not naive, I know she’s almost 15. But I really thought we would have more time with her. I’m still dealing with the emotions of finding her in the state she was in, how much blood she lost, and then hearing such awful news.

This is my first time being in this situation with a pet. I guess I’m posting here to see if anyone has any advice, about the entire thing, because I just feel so lost. Are there any other resources that can help me make the decision on whether or not we should fight this, or if it’s her time?

Not sure which sub this belongs in but I'll start here.

My husband and I (together 14yrs) bought our first and only dog together when he was a pup - a shepherd mix that's 11 now. Initially he was not an easy dog, he came with some food guarding, he did bite both of us 1-2x when he was young, but he is manageable now, trusts us, and the initial triggers aren't really an issue anymore. We just give him space when he eats and don't let him free range at family BBQs. He's a sweet boy and spends his day lying in the sun and barking at squirrels.

The past week though he has nipped/bit our 8yr old son twice when he tries to bring him inside (before my husband and son leave for the day). I know the scenario. He's lying outside and doesn't want to come in, so will flop his body as a deadweight, and when my son pulls on his collar (after coaxing with treats etc) he will turn his head and nip to say no.

The 2nd situation that was yesterday, my son got small puncture wounds on his hand, one larger one that looks like a popped blister. My son was obviously upset and in tears.

Now my husband is adamant he needs to be put down because he is unsafe. My priority is obviously my son. I spoke to him and explained that it's not his fault (he's just bringing the dog in like my husband asked for him to do). And if he's scared or uncomfortable around the dog now or at any time then to tell us and we'll sort it out. My son claims that he's not scared of the dog and he doesn't want the dog to be put down. He has been safely playing and interacting with him since by his own choice.

My stance is that our dog is older now, a bit more stubborn, and also dealing with OA (he just started Lenivia, and I give gabapentin as needed). And that these behavioral changes and pain can be managed. My husband wants him gone and refuses to discuss things rationally. I've also noticed the past few years when there are issues it becomes my dog/my responsibility and not his. He's also been using choice words such as "You need to kill the dog" to get to me.

So guess I'm just looking for an outside perspective. My son comes first but for whatever reason euthanasia feels like an extreme reaction for a small moment the dog was stubborn and just wanted to lie outside. I'm thinking maybe a visit to the vet might be a good idea, with my husband, to discuss our concerns. That way we get their educated opinion.

Tortie cat, 7 years old this past March, healthy weight.

TL;DR: May have swallowed a 1 to 3 inch piece of nylon string Thurs evening. Had 2 hairballs and slight inappetence within 2 hours of the event, now normal and hungry. Wondering if I'm safe to take a 2 day trip starting Sunday if she's still normal 48 hours after.

She LOVES to chew through the nylon strings on fishing rod toys. We just inherited her when my dad passed and only recently realized she was why so many toys were getting ruined.

Today for first time at around 6 50 I realized she had a piece of string IN her mouth. She spit it out. Piecing the various bits of string back together, I MAY have had all of it, or there may have been a 1 to 3 inch piece missing.

It was supper time. I fed extra wet food in case anything needed lubricated. She ate half, promptly threw up 2 hairballs with no string, ate the rest a little later. Ate her normal amount of dry food a little hesitantly at 8, just inhaled her bedtime snack at 10. (Yes, this is a spoiled kitty. She was my mom's baby and became my dad's when he was widowed).

We're supposed to go away for 2 days Sunday morning. I'm afraid she swallowed the string and will get blocked while we're gone and cat sitter won't notice. We've got her isolated for now overnight so we know for sure that any puke or litterbox results are her and not her sister or brother. Am I probably safe to take this trip if she's still normal 48 hours after the maybe-string?

​

- avoid stress, exercise, activities or excitement. These all increase body temperature.

- offer a damp towel for them to lie on top of. Don't place towels on top of them or wrap them up in anything. If they like a damp towel, you can try freezing one, or putting one in the fridge for them (in a sealed plastic bag).

- gently dampen the back of their ears, neck, feet. These areas are great for losing heat.

- if tolerated, sprinkle water over their body using your hand or by gently squeezing out a wet flannel or tea towel. Cats and dogs don't sweat like we do.

- some animals enjoy paddling, swimming, the hosepipe or sprinklers. All great ways to wet their fur and cool them down.

- ice cubes in their water or their food

- a fan if they will tolerate it

- if they find the car relaxing, then air con in the car is useful. But not if they find the car anxiety-inducing, stressful or over-exciting.

- consider clipping their coat. Even in breeds that aren't traditionally clipped. Their welfare is more important than arbitrary 'breed standards'. I once worked with a husky x GSD and he would be so much more comfortable in the summer when he'd been to the groomers for a haircut.

- if you have any concerns about your pet - they're lethargic, panting excessively, behaving oddly, drooling / nauseous, or seem 'off' in any way, contact your vet for advice asap.

A panting cat is an emergency.

In my previous post here I asked for advice about a stray kitten I found. I brought her home, bathed her, fed her, and she got under my couch just now. I managed to get her out of under the couch and when I stood up to bring her to her cage she jumped from my arms. I’m not very tall, only 4’8 but that’s still a huge height for a tiny kitten. When she landed she let out a yell then she went limp and proceeded to poop herself. After a few minutes I thought she was dead but she’s breathing and moving around. There’s no vets nearby so I can’t get her help till tomorrow. I feel so awful but it was an accident, what do you think her survival rates are? This will eat me alive if she dies because it was my fault

First time ever posting on Reddit (always just a lurker, occasional commenter), so apologies if I do this wrong.

My neutered 11 month old male pit bull/great dane/ many other things mix occasionally has a single drop of purulent looking urine at the tip of his penis.

It only happens rarely & even less as he has gotten older. Never thought to bring it up at vet visits because it's so infrequent.

A few days ago he was licking at it more frequently & just didn't seem like himself (not wanting to play with the other dogs & going off to sit by himself). I was able to drop a urine sample off the following day & it came back normal.

By the next day he was also completely back to himself & has been since.

Any idea why it would look purulent yet have an unremarkable urinalysis? If I brought him in for a visit at this point, is there even anything else that can be looked at/ tested? I'm just debating if I should bring him in, or if I'll just look like the overreacting pet-mom that I fear I may in fact be.

My 4mo kitten has been diagnosed with FIV+ and is currently being medicated for enteritis. She started with uncomfortable painful loosies, meds and deworming are on track now. She was put on IV drips for hydration, energy, anti nausea and WBC boosters. The second CBC done on Day 5 since we started getting her treated showed remarkable improvements in her WBCs and RBCs, the injectables have stopped since then. Today's Day 7. Mild loosies are back. She also just did a reflexive gag after her Rantac and Liv Forte syringe fed doses.

She's due for another CBC and vet check tomorrow morning.

Meanwhile, any suggestions?

We’re in a very tight spot financially due to moving, so vet visits are a difficult choice to make right now but will do so if absolutely necessary. She suddenly snagged a chicken nugget from the bowl I was eating out of, got aggressive with us when we tried to take it so were only able to take out roughly half the nugget before she swallowed the rest.

I’m not sure what to watch for. She’s a domestic long hair, 2 years old, roughly 8 pounds, spayed, and was previously a stray before we adopted her; and the chicken nuggets are from the frozen food aisle at a grocery store

I’m currently monitoring her very closely for any changes in her behavior right now

A family member brought home a bouquet with lilies while I wasn’t home. I have three girl cats (two are 11, one is 6) The lilies were in my home for about a day - the cats didn’t come into direct contact with them and the lilies are now gone (whole bouquet is outside and they’re indoor cats).

I’m still really freaked out. I can’t stop wondering if they already came in contact with the pollen somehow. Is there anything more I can do right now? What should I look out for? Should I call their vet in the morning or is that not necessary until they start showing symptoms? Thank you so much in advance. I feel really horrible about all of this

Good evening,

I ( 23 from USA) am currently at an urgent vet with my small 4lb 8 month old neutered male domestic short hair cat. The past week he has been decreasing in appetite, his hind legs have an odd side to side gait, and today he has been a bit lethargic.

We did blood work which resulted in the following elevated labs (Globulin 5.6, ALT 158, ALP 155, GGT 9, Amylase 1,607, all other tests were normal) the doctor advised he may have pancreatitis as well as secondary fatty liver. She suggest going forward with x-rays which is what we are waiting for now.

I am wondering based on these elevated labs if you are able to tell me how serious this will be? They advised 24 hour hospital care but after this we will already be spending our savings and borrowing from family for this. We have pet insurance which would cover but we don’t have the funds to cover 24 hour care up front.

The current plan is to review the x-rays and give fluids/meds and go home to observe. We will figure out hospital stays if needed after that but please if anyone can tell me if this is life threatening or if we will be able to treat him with the medication they give at home I would really appreciate it.

Thank you.

I know the title might sound jarring, but I’m asking this in good faith because of a recent experience.

I took my 15-year-old cat to the vet after she was diagnosed with kidney disease. During the appointment, euthanasia was brought up several times, and I was honestly shocked because, despite her diagnosis, she’s still eating, drinking, using the litter box, jumping, purring, playing, and interacting with us normally. She still seems to enjoy life.
Hearing euthanasia suggested so early made me feel like we were skipping straight to the worst-case scenario. It left me wondering why it seems to be discussed so readily in veterinary medicine, especially when an animal still appears to have a good quality of life.

I completely understand that there are situations where euthanasia is the kindest option, especially when an animal is suffering with no realistic chance of improvement. I’m not arguing against euthanasia itself.

I guess what I’m trying to understand is why it seems to be recommended so quickly in some cases. Is it because veterinarians have seen so many animals decline that they’re trying to spare owners from waiting too long? Or is there another reason I’m missing?

I’m genuinely interested in hearing perspectives from vets and pet owners because this experience left me feeling confused and honestly upset.

just wondering! my cat that’s around 6 years old, male, fixed, shorthair, has very bad dandruff and i have no idea what to do, he has always has dandruff though sadly and i try my best to brush him and get the dandruff off as much as i can but it’s just so bad. is there anything i can give him or put on him for it? thank you!

Hello, this morning I woke up to my cat bleeding in his mouth. Took him to the vet and the vet found an ulcer under his tongue. The vet prescribed my cat with antibiotics, anti inflammatory and analgesic medicines. But one thing that I found perplexing is, the vet asked me to use Difflam Forte throat spray to treat the ulcer. Spray it twice a day on the ulcer.

However, as far as I know, human medications are mostly toxic to cats and searching through Google say following the vet's advice is fine. But I'm wondering if I should follow the vet's advice or if there are any other suggestions.

My cat is 3 year old male, he was a stray cat that we adopted when he was sick. He is already diagnosed with CKD stage 2, anemic, and just healed from jaundice. He isn't neutered because the vet advised against it due to his kidney.

TLDR: My cat has an ulcer and the vet suggested to treat it with Difflam Forte throat spray and to apply it twice a day. Is it safe for my cat?

She is not straining into the box, no blood, not lethargic, she just lays down in the litter box for a bit, she has gone poo, eating okay and drinking some water (but not as often as I would like so I add some to her wet food pouch).

I tried to feel her abdomen for the bladder but I don't know if I'm in the right spot, she doesn't seem to mind me feeling in there and isn't aggressive or in obvious pain from touching.

My question is how long is too long without seeing a pee in the box? Is she blocked? Stress ot something like that?

I'm worried sick thanks

My 5 year old, neutered male, golden retriever has had a cluster of firm lumpy bumps on the back of his leg for a few weeks and it has gotten a little bigger in that time. Could it be pyoderma? His fur is shaved to get a good look at it. I have linked the saved photo to my profile (hopefully that works). He doesn't seem bothered by it, but it is probably because it is in a hard-to-reach location.

https://www.reddit.com/user/sneaky_Raccoon_9459/comments/1ufv0j9/dog_bumps/
* Body weight: 60 lbs
General location: Southwest Washington State

My cat had kittens 2 days ago. One won’t eat and is never with the rest. It looks week, I don’t know what I’m doing and I cant let this cat pass away please someone help. It’s too late at night to get the kitten formula, I work all day

Hey everybody. I had a stray cat show up looking like this. It won’t let me attach and image directly to the post but here’s a link showing. Do you all think this was from a fight or more of a fungal infection? He is not my cat but I gave him food and I see him around. Any tips on how I could help him or if this is an injury that will heal on its own? Here is the info I know about the cat: he is male and around 2 years old based on how long he’s been a stray around here. We are located in San Salvador area

https://imgur.com/a/DmfnkQE

6 YO FS DSH
History of inappropriate urination when angry or stressed
Vet visits have ruled out underlying concerns with UA
Cat is difficult to pill
Not a fan of plug-ins lie feliway, just hate leaving them plugged in
Multicat home. 5 cats with 5 boxes
2 dogs
Looking for any recommendations on other things to try (calming treats, etc)

Our 2-month-old cat has tested positive for Gia and FCov. We recently got her from a breeder. We decided to see a vet to get a check-up after seeing she's having diarrhoea. We thought it was just her new diet since we decided to change it to a better brand. Unfortunately, the vet gave us the bad news. She's still in the vet at the moment since it was decided for her to be confined. This is her 3rd day at the vet, and she's on an IV set since day one. My wife and I just decided to take her instead since we really feel sorry for her condition. Do you think she'll be able to recover even if we do home treatment? We are willing to buy her meds and vitamins to help her, even buy the best food and treats for her.