Ask the Veterinarian!

[Xana44]

AngryRobotsInc.

We have a mentally disabled cat (from almost drowning as a kitten before we owned him), recently turned 6 years old. He's always been very affectionate with my fiance, but not really with anyone else. Within the past week or so, he's suddenly gotten really affectionate with anyone and everyone, more so than he ever was with just my fiance. The minute you sit down, he's up in your face, pretty much. He's also been drooling more often than usual. He did before, as he often sits with his tongue hanging out, but this is much more than I can remember since he was a small kitten.

Anyway, he's otherwise sleeping and eating normally, and is still relatively playful for an older cat, with our other younger male (2 years old) cat. Could his behavior mean something's up? Our other cat has been acting weird too, but he's just trying to get outside all the time (the both of them are fixed, so I don't think it's that), so I'm wondering if it's just something in the air recently, so to speak.

Hmmm.....This is an interesting one. Actually one of my clinic cats recently suffered a near asphyxiation several months ago. It caused changes in her personality as well. She had always been very affectionate, but has made her more so and more outgoing. Weird. I cannot really explain the behavior changes in any meaningful manner. Personality changes can occur with intracranial disease. Usually we see increases in aggression, seizures, or lapses of consciousness, but that does not mean that it is the only thing that they could do. I would just keep an eye on him and his condition. If he starts showing any negative signs, take him to the vet, but otherwise just enjoy him!

On a somewhat related note, changes in atmospheric pressure seem to cause changes in cats' behavior, usually making them more active. Have you been having lots of storms?

I am concerned about the increase in salivation, however. It could be due to an increase in happiness (as some cats salivate when content), but I would want to rule out any oral disease before just attributing it to the personality change. So contrary to the above statement (I apparently can't even agree with myself) I would take your cat to the vet to get his mouth checked out. While he is there, have the vet check his reflexes and cranial nerves to see if he or she is noticing any changes.

Keep me updated on how things are going with your kitty. Thank you!

[AngryRobotsInc.]

We actually have been having a lot of storms here lately. And it's generally been overcast, even when it isn't raining.

I'll keep an eye on him until August. We can't afford a vet visit just yet, but we have money coming in on August 1st, so I'll take him in to be looked at then. Emergency vet clinic early, if need be.

[~Ichigo_Pie~]

n.n I can help with fish too (though honestly, I know more about tropics and have better experience with tropics than I do goldfish... I can't seem to keep any goldfish alive, but tropics thrive under my care)

Speaking of fish ;-;

my betta died this morning ;-; She was about a year old

after I bought her a new tank and betta fix too ;-; sucks...

So in a few weeks I'm going to get me a new betta

[Xana44]

~Ichigo_Pie~

n.n I can help with fish too (though honestly, I know more about tropics and have better experience with tropics than I do goldfish... I can't seem to keep any goldfish alive, but tropics thrive under my care)

Speaking of fish ;-;

my betta died this morning ;-; She was about a year old

after I bought her a new tank and betta fix too ;-; sucks...

So in a few weeks I'm going to get me a new betta

I am so sorry to hear about your fish. You can really become attached to them. We had a betta for a while. Her name was babyfish. A friend of mine bred them.

[Xana44]

AngryRobotsInc.

We actually have been having a lot of storms here lately. And it's generally been overcast, even when it isn't raining.

I'll keep an eye on him until August. We can't afford a vet visit just yet, but we have money coming in on August 1st, so I'll take him in to be looked at then. Emergency vet clinic early, if need be.

If he will let you look in his mouth, check for any bad teeth, swellings, redness, stuff like that. If everything looks ok, that is best. If anything looks off, that would be an indication to go sooner, but not an emergency.

[AngryRobotsInc.]

Xana44

AngryRobotsInc.

We actually have been having a lot of storms here lately. And it's generally been overcast, even when it isn't raining.

I'll keep an eye on him until August. We can't afford a vet visit just yet, but we have money coming in on August 1st, so I'll take him in to be looked at then. Emergency vet clinic early, if need be.

If he will let you look in his mouth, check for any bad teeth, swellings, redness, stuff like that. If everything looks ok, that is best. If anything looks off, that would be an indication to go sooner, but not an emergency.

I'll do that tonight, when he's starting to settle down a bit. Thanks for all the help.

[Xana44]

AngryRobotsInc.

Xana44

AngryRobotsInc.

We actually have been having a lot of storms here lately. And it's generally been overcast, even when it isn't raining.

I'll keep an eye on him until August. We can't afford a vet visit just yet, but we have money coming in on August 1st, so I'll take him in to be looked at then. Emergency vet clinic early, if need be.

If he will let you look in his mouth, check for any bad teeth, swellings, redness, stuff like that. If everything looks ok, that is best. If anything looks off, that would be an indication to go sooner, but not an emergency.

I'll do that tonight, when he's starting to settle down a bit. Thanks for all the help.

You are very welcome. I hope your kitty is ok. Keep me informed if anything changes! biggrin

[~Ichigo_Pie~]

Xana44

~Ichigo_Pie~

n.n I can help with fish too (though honestly, I know more about tropics and have better experience with tropics than I do goldfish... I can't seem to keep any goldfish alive, but tropics thrive under my care)

Speaking of fish ;-;

my betta died this morning ;-; She was about a year old

after I bought her a new tank and betta fix too ;-; sucks...

So in a few weeks I'm going to get me a new betta

I am so sorry to hear about your fish. You can really become attached to them. We had a betta for a while. Her name was babyfish. A friend of mine bred them.

yeah... she was the first Betta I ever owned. Her name was Kisa... she was so tiny when I picked her out, but she grew so big (well her fins stayed small but her body grew)

I'll miss her but its a brand new tank so I figured soon I'll get another betta and utilize the tank so as not to let my 15 bucks go to waste

I'm thinking a male crowntail betta and naming him Taiga

[~Ichigo_Pie~]

tulin13

It's about time I stop lurking and post something sweatdrop
Hi! ^^'
I'm still here to lend a hand if anyone has a fishy question >w<!

Right now, I've been down to one fish. I had originally four fish, but three died 6 years old, which is quite good for goldfish. It was strange when my fish were getting old. I don't think the general human population know how attached and emotional fish can be.

My fish 'Pat' was very close to 'Fat'. When he was becoming ill, they would always sleep together. When Fat died, and she was on her own, she wouldn't eat for days. I thought she was going to die too.

Luckily she started eating again.

But it's amazing in a way, that fish have emotions too.

----- <>< ------

I am very weary of this becoming a spam/bump post,but erm... sorry;; sweatdrop I thought I should let you know I'm here.

I have a question since your up with the goldfish - and I am more of a tropic fish person... I just got two new goldfish today (really really CUTE fantails - one is calico with a blue eye, the other eye is solid black the other fantail is solid white)

they are really little still and their tank in the store was WAY over crowded which tells me they recently arrived in the store...

they look healthy, fins in good shape, no awkward spots, fast/active swimming... but their stomachs are plumped out more than they should be I think... it looks awkward... I was wondering if maybe since they were fresh from the breeders, would they possibly be over fed?

the tank they were in at the store had like 3 of those 3-day feeders in it and the fish were all swarming around them munching and yumming... I was wondering if I should be worried or just let them be for a day and keep an eye on them? they are acclimating in my quarantine tank right now <3

[AngryRobotsInc.]

We raise goldfish in our pond out back, so I'll answer the best I can. If the scales don't look weird (sort of..pine cone-ish), it's probably not dropsy. They may have a fungus from overcrowding at the store, but if they're otherwise eating fine and swimming fine, I wouldn't jump to that conclusion. If it continues, maybe try an anti-fungal remedy in the water.

Most likely, if it's just a distended stomach, I would think overfeeding. Goldfish generally will eat and eat and eat, whatever is available. I don't know how big they are, or if you can even see if they're passing waste, but if you can see, and they aren't, overfeeding is almost certainly the problem. Try cutting back on their fish food a little, and possibly adding some romaine lettuce to their diet (just one leaf in the tank is usually enough to last for a while). It's mostly fiber and water, and will help clear them out if they're constipated.

Edit: Forgot to ask, are they common goldfish (common, comet, shubunkin) or a fancy variety? Some fancies have fat bellies, where the common tend to have the more carp like shape. If they're fancy, do you know the specific variety?

[Mike Oxlittle]

Would really like an Emo Bag!

What are your opinions on neutering animals?

I've heard it being compared to a female starting menstration before reaching puberty, so I was wondering what sort of effects it would bring on the overall wellbeing of an animal~
I think it's even illegal in Norway. o.o

[Xana44]

Mike Oxlittle

Would really like an Emo Bag!

What are your opinions on neutering animals?

I've heard it being compared to a female starting menstration before reaching puberty, so I was wondering what sort of effects it would bring on the overall wellbeing of an animal~
I think it's even illegal in Norway. o.o

I am an advocate of neutering animals.

It prevents negative behaviors associated with sexual activity (i.e. howling, escaping, roaming, marking, etc).

It is also the best way we have to help control the unwanted pet population as well as that of feral animals that are potentially dangerous. Millions of unwanted pets are euthanized every year and millions more die on the streets of hunger, cold, abuse, and car accidents. If everyone would neuter their animals, male and female, much of this could be prevented.

There are no negative effects associated with neutering. The weight gain that many people associate with neutering can be controlled with proper food management. It is not really like having menopause before puberty. That is associating the feeling humans have about biological events with animals which is not accurate.

There are also medical benefits to spaying and neutering. Prevention of certain types of cancers (prostate, mammary, perianal adenoma, etc). Prevention of life threatening uterine infections which are common. Prevention of injuries which occur in fights for mates, territory. and dominance.

Neutering animals is not illegal anywhere. Many European countries are banning cosmetic procedures on animals such as ear cropping and tail docking, but none are preventing the best way we have to control pet overpopulation. There are also non-surgical ways of neutering animals being developed.

I know PETA discourages the neutering of animals, but if after reading this you still agree with that opinion, you are not really advocating the ethical treatment of animals. I don't disagree with everything PETA says, but this one I definitely do.

[Xana44]

AngryRobotsInc.

We raise goldfish in our pond out back, so I'll answer the best I can. If the scales don't look weird (sort of..pine cone-ish), it's probably not dropsy. They may have a fungus from overcrowding at the store, but if they're otherwise eating fine and swimming fine, I wouldn't jump to that conclusion. If it continues, maybe try an anti-fungal remedy in the water.

Most likely, if it's just a distended stomach, I would think overfeeding. Goldfish generally will eat and eat and eat, whatever is available. I don't know how big they are, or if you can even see if they're passing waste, but if you can see, and they aren't, overfeeding is almost certainly the problem. Try cutting back on their fish food a little, and possibly adding some romaine lettuce to their diet (just one leaf in the tank is usually enough to last for a while). It's mostly fiber and water, and will help clear them out if they're constipated.

Edit: Forgot to ask, are they common goldfish (common, comet, shubunkin) or a fancy variety? Some fancies have fat bellies, where the common tend to have the more carp like shape. If they're fancy, do you know the specific variety?

As I understand many captive fish are overfed. It was recommended to me that we only feed our goldfish every other day. I am not sure how the fish felt about this, but he lived for nine years, so it must not have been too bad for him. He begged for food whether he had been fed two days or two minutes ago.

Thanks for helping out with this question!

[AngryRobotsInc.]

Xana44

As I understand many captive fish are overfed. It was recommended to me that we only feed our goldfish every other day. I am not sure how the fish felt about this, but he lived for nine years, so it must not have been too bad for him. He begged for food whether he had been fed two days or two minutes ago.

Thanks for helping out with this question!

No problem. Goldfish are one of the major ones that are overfed, because they simply will not stop eating. Ours get fed twice a day, two handfuls each time. But then, they're huge.


The one center is probably about as big as my hand, the gold one and other speckled one off to the left are slightly bigger. and a smaller red one around in there as well.

Bigger the fish, the more they need to eat. They use automatic feeders in pet stores usually, that just dispense food all day. Which is terrible, because then you have absolutely no way of monitoring how much the fish are eating, and leads to the fish doing nothing but gulping down food all day.

Oh, and I forgot to come back and say, I checked our cat's teeth, and they look fine, so I'm going to be keeping an eye on him, but based on what you said, I think he's probably okay.

[Xana44]

AngryRobotsInc.

Xana44

As I understand many captive fish are overfed. It was recommended to me that we only feed our goldfish every other day. I am not sure how the fish felt about this, but he lived for nine years, so it must not have been too bad for him. He begged for food whether he had been fed two days or two minutes ago.

Thanks for helping out with this question!

No problem. Goldfish are one of the major ones that are overfed, because they simply will not stop eating. Ours get fed twice a day, two handfuls each time. But then, they're huge.
[snip]

Oh, and I forgot to come back and say, I checked our cat's teeth, and they look fine, so I'm going to be keeping an eye on him, but based on what you said, I think he's probably okay.

Glad to hear that the teeth are ok.

Our goldfish was about four inches long in a two gallon tank in the kitchen, so a different situation.

I used to call a colleague of mine the goldfish, because her stuff and mess grew to the size of its environment!