3 weeks after mating is the ideal time to diagnose pregnancy by palpation (feeling the tummy), before this the uterus may not be big enough to feel and much afterwards the fluid around the foetuses can make it difficult. If the bitch is fat then it can be difficult to say, but it depends on the skill of the vet. If a discharge is present then the bitch may not be pregnent, it depends on how muchby MarkRicher - Ask The Vet
The ultrasound will be by far the best option as it will tell you exactly what is wrong and the best treatment. The bloods and xrays will be of very limited use with the signs you describe, although they may provide some information which could be useful, but I would get the ultrasound done as it will tell you 95% of the answers and allow appropriate treatment.by MarkRicher - Ask The Vet
First just to say this is not irritable bowel but inflammatory bowel disease. I am not sure how this was diagnosed but this can only be confirmed by gut biopsy - usually with an endoscope. It is important to determine whether there are any infectious causes and then to determine whether it is the small or large bowel or both that are affected as treatment options are different. It is not really aby MarkRicher - Ask The Vet
Tablets should not be cut, but dosing every other day or changing to vidalta are options. You should discuss this with your vet - a blood test will determine whether the dose is too high.by MarkRicher - Ask The Vet
Although I cannot say for sure I suspect the heart murmur and the gum/skin disease are unrelated. As far as the heart murmur goes your cat needs a heart scan, preferably with a cardiology specialist to investigate the cause ( as long as the cat is not anaemic which might explain the murmur). The gum/foot pad disease is highly suggestive of pemphigus, a disease of the immune system - biopsy of theby MarkRicher - Ask The Vet
I expect this may be exactly what it is but if there is a persistent discharge especially if it is green, brown or has blood in then this may be an infection which needs treating.by MarkRicher - Ask The Vet
If your hamster is jumping about then this may not be a fit, usually with a fit the animal will be lying down and thrashing their legs, although partial seizures can manifest as behaviour changes only. You do not say how old your hamster is but if the hamster is old then he may have something wrong with his brain. You really need to see your vet and it would be helpful if you could video theby MarkRicher - Ask The Vet
This could be mites but in older hamsters it can be due to hormonal diseases. In the latter the fur loss is normally symmetrical on both sides and not usually itchy. Often only treating for mites can definitively make the diagnosis.by MarkRicher - Ask The Vet
The eating of faeces we call 'coprophagia', or dirt from outside we call 'pica'. Although sometimes coprophagia is just a disgusting habit some dogs tend towards both coprophagia and pica are suggestive of poor absorption of nutrients in the gut. If the last part of the small intestine, the ileum, has been shortened during the surgery then this is probably the cause, althoughby MarkRicher - Ask The Vet
Unfortunately at this age your hamster may be on her last legs. Because they are so small it is often difficult to find out what is wrong with them. If her breathing is rapid it may be a respiratory infection that is contributing to her illness (they are common in hamsters) so antibiotics from your vet may help. At the end of the day quality of life determines whether you should have her put to sby MarkRicher - Ask The Vet
This is a well recognised phenomenon in cold weather. If there is a very sudden cold snap after mild weather the change in temperature can cause proliferation of certain types of bacteria in the gut which produce a toxin that is rapidly fatal. Keep an eye on the weather and bring guinea pigs in if it is going to be a cold night.by MarkRicher - Ask The Vet
Dermatomyositis is a rare disease and is usually reported in collies where it is inherited. The disease classically waxes and wanes so it is difficult to assess treatment strategies. In many cases life-expectancy is not adversely affected but in some the disease can be very difficult to control and may warrant euthanasia. Because of the waxing and waning natural progression of the the disease isby MarkRicher - Ask The Vet
Really you need to see a vet. If the ear drum have ruptured then oral antibiotics as well as ear drops will be needed. Even if the ear drum has not ruptured then if not treated properly the infection may spread into the middle ear which can cause nerve paralysis to the face or a deep seated abscess or may cause long-term damage to the ear making recurrent problems more likely. It is also possibleby MarkRicher - Ask The Vet
Guinea pigs, unlike other small mammals do not usually attack their young. You can separate the babies from the mother at birth and feed them a dog/cat milk replacer soaked into bread but they are usually better with their mum. Make sure the other guinea pigs are not in with mum as this could explain her killing them. Guinea pigs are able to eat solids as soon as they are born but would do betterby MarkRicher - Ask The Vet
There is no proof aspirin works so I agree with the cardiologist. However Fortekor alone is probably not all the cat needs treatment wise. Most cat's with heart disease need a beta blocker (usually the problem is a disease of the muscle) unless the heart problem is related to a valvular problem or congenital problem. Unfortunately there are no trials on other drugs to prevent clots, so it isby MarkRicher - Ask The Vet
I am not a horse vet so can only give you general advice here. Whether you claim on your insurance or not it may still be void in the future for this sort of problem (depends on your policy) because the insurers will ask not whether it has been treated but whether it has happened in the past, and that is the important point. You should clarify this with the insurers but in doing so they will noteby MarkRicher - Ask The Vet
A dislocated hip and a fractured hip (femoral neck) are not necessarily treated the same way. In my opinion if there is just a dislocation then replacement of the hip in the joint or removal of the femoral head are needed to prevent the cat being in long term pain. If the femoral neck is fractured, particularly in a young cat like this then it may heal if the cat is kept confined in a cage for abby MarkRicher - Ask The Vet
The protrusion from the anal area could be a prolapse of the rectum from straining to pass a stool and could be due to a hernia which might explain the swelling at the rear end (assuming it is not his scrotum). It would be worth seeing the vet to confirm this is what is going on as dietary manipulation may help the problem. If your brother is worried about the infection being catching then fiby MarkRicher - Ask The Vet
This must be very frustrating. First get her looked at by a vet to make sure there is no medical reason eg arthritis. If no reason is found then you are best to consult a behavioural therapist who will work one to one with you to determine what type of behavioural problem the dog has and then help you sort it out. These problems don't often have a quick fix so seeing a behavioural therapistby MarkRicher - Ask The Vet
I am not sure why his dung is so popular but once thought might be he is passings worms which the birds are feeding on or that he does not digest his food that well so there is plenty of grain in the dungby MarkRicher - Ask The Vet
Fibre supplements like metamucil or sterculium (peridale) or Isogel can be used in dogs and human preparations are suitable - usually about a teaspoon on each meal of Isogel. I suspect the problem is that the continued emptying of the anal glands has led to scarring of the anal sac and so it blocks easily. I try to advise people not to empty the anal glands unless absolutely necessary because oncby MarkRicher - Ask The Vet
Some cats are just not happy being confined indoors and it can be a real problem keeping them happy indoors. Enriching their environment with toys and things can help as well as having a companion, although some cats are happier alone - you dont know until you try. Pheromone treatments like Feliway can be helpful but take time to give results. A harness can give you good control walking the cat bby MarkRicher - Ask The Vet
I do not know what strength the clindamycin was so it is difficult to know whether the dose is incorrect, however it would not really be my choice of antibiotic in this case because it is narrow spectrum (does not kill many types of bacteria) so a broader spectrum penicillin or sulphonamide would be better. It does really sound like the kitten should be on a drip if it is dehydrated as kittens caby MarkRicher - Ask The Vet
If the dog is very clingy then it is probably his way of letting you know something is wrong, but not really what that is. The shaking could reflect a fever but some sort of neurological disease might explain it. Without being examined however what it might be in this case would be mere speculation.by MarkRicher - Ask The Vet
The short answer is do not get the kitten - it will probably be a life-long sufferer of cat flu needing recurrent treatment and although your other cats are vaccinated the kitten may still infect them (not necessarily), although if they get the flu the symptoms will be mildby MarkRicher - Ask The Vet
This sounds like chronic bronchitis and the recent worsening is mostly likely due to infection on top of it. In small dogs collapse of the trachea can exacerbate signs. The first job would be to clear up the infection with antibiotics then assess the need for long term therapy, usually with a bronchodilator and a steroid inhaler. Chest xrays and a bronchoscopy may be done to confirm the diagnosisby MarkRicher - Ask The Vet
Do not expect the antibiotics to stop the diarrhoea too quickly, be patient. Avoid dairy products as these will promote diarrhoea - boiled chicken/rice/white fish are all good choices. The diarrhoea and the sneezing may have unrelated causes but the sneezing is most likely to be a respiratory virus, however cats sometimes eat grass when they have intestinal problems and if the cat has vomited upby MarkRicher - Ask The Vet
I am sorry you have had unsatisfactory service from a vet, at the least they could have made you an appointment. As to the cause well there could be numerous causes but I think your real question is when is it time to say goodbye. This is a hard question to answer and it is always easier if a specific diagnosis has been made because then you will know whether this is going to get better with treaby MarkRicher - Ask The Vet
Glad to hear things are better. Let the dog out in the garden and she will probably regulate her own exercise but I would not let her do too much on a walk until things are completely better then take it easy for the first week or 2by MarkRicher - Ask The Vet
This is an abscess and really needs lancing to let the pus out or the cat will get sick. Hot compresses on the area may help it burst but ideally you need to get the vet to lance it.by MarkRicher - Ask The Vet
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