Open Question: Female dog-lumps, cough, stiff legs?
For a long time, my little girl (dog) has had a cough kind of thing, accompanied by lumps on her nipples, we didn’t thing anything of it, but earlier this year, one day she woke up really poorly, wouldn’t eat, drink, couldn’t walk, her legs were stiff, constant cough bringing up mucus, needless to say, i was preparing for her death. We booked her an appointment at the vets, he told us the lumps on her nipples were nothing to worry about, but we should keep an eye on them, and he gave her a jab and some antibiotics, and told us she has a heart murmur, and some sort of lung infection. As soon as she had the injection, she was right as rain, it was like a miracle.
All went well for a week or so, then she relapsed, out of the blue she was unable to move, etc, so we took her to the vet that night, and he gave her another jab in the back. For a couple of weeks, she was fine, then once again, back to square one.
She was doing fine for a few months, apart from the cough, etc, she was active, eating well, playful, almost like a puppy again (she is nearly 9 years old now). Last week she had a mini relapse, we was going to take her to the vets, but it was 10pm at night and we would have to take her in the morning, however she was fine once she had had a drink.
Yesterday she was poorly again, shes better now though, so im wondering, why does the injections.tablets only give her a quick fix, has he got the diagnosis wrong? A quick reminder of her symptoms:
Coughing, sometimes with snot (sorry that sounds abit yuck but that’s how it is :/) this happens alot.
Limping/stiff legs (only when she has a relapse)
Lumps on her nipples abit 5 in total, quite large.
I’m wondering if the reason her legs are stiff is that the lumps are causing her some discomfort?
Sorry this is a long ish post, thanks for any replies!!

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 18:31:26 GMT
Open Question: How can I get my school to have better charity fundraisers?
The only ones my high school EVER has is for kids or cancer. Its been even worse since some girl that went there died. I want to see some for the elderly, because they’re by far the most deserving. They’ve already contributed a lot to society! But they get so little with social security in the toilet and so few benefits. Its like America thinks that when you stop being productive you’re no longer worthy of help. They’re forgetting that if it wasn’t for the older generation we wouldn’t even have the freedoms that we have now, never mind all the conveniences. Its disgusting. And heart disease affects WAY more people than cancer, but where’s the money for that? What about all the animals getting put down in shelters? Wheres the funds to help them? I’ve tried suggesting things like that, but nothing changes. We even have to contribute to a cancer society to chew gum in one class! It seems like the only thing I can do is boycott/protest their current fundraisers and get other people to too, but it’s not like that’s having a huge effect considering the size of the student body. What can I do?

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 20:07:45 GMT

Open Question: Heart murmer on puppy?
can a puppy still be real active and not get tired easy if it has a heart murmur ? a friend says her 8 week old puppy has one , but i watched it play sunday night and she out lasted another 8 week old puppy thats healthy

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 19:40:20 GMT

Open Question: Cat’s Failing health and putting her down?
My cat is 17 years old. She has many health issues. She is diabetic, has hyperthyroidism, a large heart murmur, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and Lymphoma. She sometimes has trouble laying down because it is uncomfortable, she pees everywhere and she gets weak. But she still loves eating, cuddling and her eyes are still ever so bright. I have had her since she was born and I am having a horrible time making the decision of when to put her down. How long do I wait and still make sure I don’t cause her to suffer?

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 01:06:02 GMT

Open Question: What effects does a heart murmur have on a dog?
I have a 6 1/2 year old pit bull and the Vet says he has a heart murmur. She says on a scale of 1-10 its about a 3-4 in severity, she says not to worry about it, just keep having them check on it when he goes to the vet. I was just wondering if there is any troubling behavior I should be looking for. Should I be careful not to over exercise him? I also noticed he may have gained a little bit of weight since we were last at the Vet about 4 weeks ago, is this something I should be worried about? Also are there any preventative measures I can take to avoid this heart murmur getting worse? Any helpful answers are appreciated.

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 19:53:16 GMT

Open Question: Explanation about my Heart murmur?
I was told recently at MEPS that I had a heart murmur. I didn’t know I had one. I exercise all the time and run just about every day but I have no problems breathing or working out at all. I was told you can only hear it on certain spots on my chest and its hard to hear.I don’t do drugs or anything that would cause this. Can someone explain to me the meaning of this or tell me if I will be ok.
I need to know about this so I can get into the Airforce.

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 17:33:45 GMT

Open Question: I need a favor and/or some help?
If there is a Doctor or someone out there reading this that can refer me to a medical professional that is ready and willing to answer my questions, please contact me at my email: stephbulluss@yahoo.com
It’s not concerning my health, but my Dad’s. He’s not getting the answers or help from his physicians (and there are many) and I obviously can’t waltz into a Doctor’s office and ask for a few minutes of their time. In a nutshell, my Dad does have Vasculitis, COPD and has 11 stents in his heart, and has had 53 catherizations, and an unkown amount of heartattacks, he also has Emphysema and has a number of hip and shoulder replacements. He has quite a few “known” diseases. He’s recently been getting mystery bruises all over and has had body pains. He’s been told a number of things and has been prescribed twice that and nothing has worked thus far. I’m afraid that the bruising could be Cirrhosis of the liver from all the different medications he’s been on, but I don’t have a Ph.D. And that’s just the tip of the iceburg.
I realize that there are many people out there with medical conditions that aren’t able to get adequate healthcare, and that there are hundreds of possibilities that are causing his problems. But if anyone reading this is a Doctor and could talk to me via email, phone, or what ever is most convenient for you or that person. If someone out there knows of someone that could refer me to a Doctor or medical professional, i’d be more grateful than I can express in words.
I just want to help him improve his quality of life. He’s only 53.

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 07:07:20 GMT

Open Question: do you know anyone who has had worst luck with pets? do tell…?
i have had 6 pets in my adult life…30 years old, got started at 19.
cat 1: Poops~n~Bites : died of cancer at age 6 (after surgeries, cryogenics, chemo). She crapped on the carpet every day of her life UNTIL one month before she died. And although a lover she would bite you when she felt she was done being petted. We euthanized her, but probably waited too long because it was really hard to do.
cat 2: Trixie (followed 6 months later) died at age 6 also, from a heart attack from the vacuum-no joke!!
cat 3: Ninja (four years later) died AGAIN at age 6 from kidney failure (after lots of visits, home IV fluids, change if diet). it came on strong and from the time the symptoms were present we only had about 2 weeks with her. we had gotten her levels back to a good level from a few days stay at the vet ($$$) but she was in a LOT of pain a few days later and we put her down.
Cat 4 : Guadalupe “Lupe” 4 years old ALIVE!! However, Lupe was diagnosed with a heart murmur at age one: 1 or 2 on a scale 1-6, 6 being worst. a cardiogram showed half her heart was solid hard from heart disease at age 2, and also was rated 4-5 on scale. without meds she was given 6mos to live at age 2. we give her 2 pills a day and seems like she is great although we know her time is limited. we know a day will come that she will exhibit signs of suffocation (cardiac arrest) and we will immediately bring her in to be put down. they said it’s very painful (CA). also, they want us to give her cardiograms every 6 mos but they are $400+ and WE ARE BROKE. the only one in the house with health insurance is the DOG.
DOG 1: willis!!! the million dollar dog (insured!) status: ALIVE AND EXPENSIVE!!! (and i love him with allllllll of my heart, soul and credit cards)
YEAR ONE:
*multiple bladder infections
*lots of diarehea (changed diet)
*multiple eye infections
*massive loss of hair (related to allergies)
*severe allergies (food and insects)
*puppy strangles disease
*benign hystiocytoma #1
*extreme infection from absess from removal of 1st hystiocytoma. the vet wasn’t able to test it. he thought it may be a tumor & i tried to be pro-active, since it looked like Poops~N~Bites’ mass cell growths and i was told boxers are tumor factories. the result was a few days after surgery we ended up taking him to the vet 4x in 24hrs (was seen at reg. vet 2x & er vet 2x, both places by multiple vets). the last time we brought him in (to ER less than 2hrs after reg. vet visit) they told us he probably wouldn’t make it (infection had spread all over his body-he was FILLED w/ fluid and pus). they did an aggressive surgery and put lots of drainage tubes in and removed tons of gangreen skin. they weren’t able to tell me if he was going to make it for 2 days!! he wasn’t able to exercise or play for one month after that, but recovered.
YEAR TWO
*pneumonia
*got “the flu” or ate poison outside again (we live in the city)
*hystiocytoma #2 (left untouched since first was benign and it went away eventually)
*flu (or ate poison outside)
*ate a half of a CD, as well as dvd cases, hair brushes and mutliple ink pens….
*LOTS AND LOTS of yeast infections in ears and between toes resulting in many, many expensive shampoos, medicated pads, ear cleaners, epsom salt baths (5m 2x a day). did i mention my husband and i both work 1-2 FT jobs each and were in school FT??? (we had doggie day care and opposite schedules so he wasn’t neglected and we also walked him at the minimum 2hrs a day)
*funky stinky penis infection (mild, but disgusting)
YEAR THREE
*benign hystiocytoma (2 of them… one got gruesome, both went away)
*ate chocolate, raisins & a btl. of neosporin.
*Bloat
*Tumor (grade 2-1) we had removed.
DOG 2 : Shakey Jake
a one year old boxer we rescued 4 months ago. i found him on craigslist and adopted him because he was in a really tiny crate and he was 7months old. the owner told me he was in there 12-13 hrs a DAY!!! because of work and commute. it broke my heart, esp knowing how much exercise and socialization these dogs need. she promised me he was up to date on shots, totally healthy and mostly house broken. turns out, she lied. i brought him to the vet 12 hrs later…he had ear mites, worms, skin infections, broken tail in 2 parts and was malnourished. he didn’t respond to our voices (i thought he was deaf-no just ignored). he bit us (not maliciously just playing, but OUCH) and was totally crazy. it took 2 months to house train him. he’s still hyper but all of his health stuff got cleared up with shots, meds, bandages and love!!!
he had one $300 flu-like experience but besides that is seemingly healthy. he was fine after he got rehydrated.
about my boxer eating choc/raisins/neosporin/cds/pens/etc PLEASE DO NOT JUDGE ME!!!!!! all times were extreme accidents (or in part from them climbing on the counters that we thought they couldn’t reach). my husband cut off part of his thumb at work and left the neosporin on the table

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 17:10:47 GMT
Open Question: Do fish from the Arctic contain all of the Essential Omega 3 oils?
I am looking for a good fish oil supplement and want to be sure I choose the best one for lowering my risk of heart disease. Thanks!

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 17:32:07 GMT

Open Question: Can trace Mitral Valve Regurgitation cause shortness of breath and palpitations?
I’ve had a murmur since I was young and was a bit more recently told I have trace Mitral Valve Regurgitation. Today I’ve been having shortness of breath and some palpitations. These are symptoms of severe regurgitation and heart failure. Is it possible that one can still experience some of these without having a severe condition? Should I see a Dr.?

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 03:09:16 GMT
Open Question: PLEASE HELP! Health deteriorating! ?
For almost two years my stomach has been bothering me. At first, every few days my I would have bad stomach aches all day long (my upper, middle, and lower abdomen). For about the past 8, 9, 10 months I have had SEVERE pain. Sometimes it’s so bad, I fall down or pass out. I was rushed to the ER because it was so bad I couldn’t even move! When I poop, there’s blood in it or it’s tarry black and has mucus in it. I often have diarrhea and constipation and every time I eat I throw it up. I also throw up even when I haven’t eaten anything! My pain never goes away, never!! I’m always nauseous as well. I have terrible headaches, and fevers that come and go. They usually are 99 to 102 degrees F. My lymph nodes around my neck have been swelling since the beginning of summer, the ones on your neck and chin area. Also near my spleen has been swelling too. I have night sweats and a few times I’ve waken up and thrown up. Sometimes, I throw up all day long! Or I have to use the bathroom all day long. I have a healthy diet, after I went to the ER they suggested a nutritionist to plan my diet. So, it’s perfectly good. I do not have Crohn’s disease or ulcers or kidney stones. I’m not diabetic, anemic, nor do I have any STDs or HIV/AIDS. I have had all my Gardisil vaccines, and had my last one near Labor Day. I am not pregnant. Everyday it gets worse and worse! The only things that run in my family are heart problems and cancer. I’m scared! I’m 16 yrs old, I had an appointment with a gastrointestinal doctor and I’m scheduled for a procedure to find out what’s wrong but it’s not until like two weeks. But I just need help from someone to shed light on what might be going on!!!
I don’t know howw I forgot this BUT!! I’ve also lost aboutt 40 pounds. I’m 5′4” and I used to weigh 132 pounds, and I had a very athletic body. Now I weight about 90 pounds! I don’t even know why I’ve lost the weight! So.. someone help?
I’ve also been bruising.. for no reason. I get bruises on my back and lower abs, likes near my hips. At first there will just be one small bruise and then it will turn into a lot of small bruises and then just be one huge bruise! Lately, I’ve just been getting them everywhere. On my ankles, knees, thighs, arms, shoulders. I don’t play sports and I work at a bookstore and don’t lift anything heavy and it’s not physically demanding. I already graduated high school. There’s no reason for my bruising!!

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 04:42:20 GMT

Open Question: what does the expression “shoe is on the other foot” mean?
Ye distant spires, ye antique towers
That crown the watery glade,
Where grateful Science still adores
Her Henry’s holy shade;
And ye, that from the stately brow
Of Windsor’s heights th’ expanse below
Of grove, of lawn, of mead survey,
Whose turf, whose shade, whose flowers among
Wanders the hoary Thames along
His silver-winding way:
Ah, happy hills! ah, pleasing shade!
Ah, fields belov’d in vain!
Where once my careless childhood stray’d,
A stranger yet to pain!
I feel the gales that from ye blow
A momentary bliss bestow,
My weary soul they seem to soothe,
And, redolent of joy and youth,
To breathe a second spring.
Say, Father Thames, for thou hast seen
Full many a sprightly race
Disporting on thy margin green
The paths of pleasure trace?
Who foremost now delight to cleave
With pliant arm, thy glassy wave?
The captive linnet which enthral?
What idle progeny succeed
To chase the rolling circle’s speed
Or urge the flying ball?
While some on earnest business bent
Their murmuring labours ply
‘Gainst graver hours that bring constraint
To sweet liberty:
Some bold adventurers disdain
The limits of their little reign
And unknown regions dare descry:
Still as they run they look behind,
They hear a voice in every wind,
And snatch a fearful joy.
Gay hope is theirs by fancy fed,
Less pleasing when possest;
The tear forgot as soon as shed,
The sunshine of the breast:
Theirs buxom health, of rosy hue,
Wild wit, invention ever new,
And lively cheer, of vigour born;
The thoughtless day, the easy night,
The spirits pure, the slumbers light
That fly th’ approach of morn.
Alas! regardless of their doom,
The little victims play;
No sense have they of ills to come,
Nor care beyond to-day:
Yet see how all around ‘em wait
The ministers of human fate
And black Misfortune’s baleful train!
Ah, show them where in ambush stand,
To seize their prey, the murderous band!
Ah, tell them they are men!
These shall the fury Passions tear,
The vultures of the mind,
Disdainful Anger, pallid Fear,
And Shame that skulks behind;
Or pining Love shall waste their youth,
Or Jealousy with rankling tooth
That inly gnaws the secret heart,
And Envy wan, and faded Care,
Grim-visaged comfortless Despair,
And Sorrow’s piercing dart.
Ambition this shall tempt to rise,
Then whirl the wretch from high
To bitter Scorn a sacrifice
And grinning Infamy.
The stings of Falsehood those shall try,
And hard Unkindness’ alter’d eye,
That mocks the tear it forced to flow;
And keen Remorse with blood defil’d,
And moody Madness laughing wild
Amid severest woe.
Lo, in the vale of years beneath
A griesly troop are seen,
The painful family of Death,
More hideous than their queen:
This racks the joints, this fires the veins,
That every labouring sinew strains,
Those in the deeper vitals rage;
Lo! Poverty, to fill the band
That numbs the soul with icy hand,
And slow-consuming Age.
To each his sufferings: all are men,
Condemn’d alike to groan?
The tender for another’s pain,
Th’ unfeeling for his own.
Yet, ah! why should they know their fate,
Since sorrow never comes too late,
And happiness too swiftly flies?
Thought would destroy their Paradise.
No more;?where ignorance is bliss,
‘Tis folly to be wise.
I am me. woe to thee.

Sun, 21 Sep 2008 13:32:14 GMT
Open Question: Severely obese and only 21 =0(?
I am 21 years old, and 200 pounds. I am only 5′2. I have been overweight since a kid, and have always loved food. I know questions about diets have been asked alot, but I really need help. My boyfriend and I just got our first apartment together in Maryland, because he got a great job offer. He is the only one that works right now, so we pretty much live paycheck to paycheck, so I cant afford Nutrisystem or anything like that. Doctors say that I will develop diabetes if I dont lose weight, and heart disease runs in my family. My father had a heart attack 2 years ago (he survived it) and his father died of one, so did my grandmother on my mothers side. I already have high cholesterol. Anyways Ive tried Atkins, South Beach, etc and nothing seems to work. Ive tried regular diet and excercise, but I cant stick to it. I crave Chinese food and carryout everyday. It makes me sooo happy to eat out or get delivery. I hate cooking and home cooked meals. I feel completely helpless at this point, and I really dont know what to do. I have also been checked for thyroid disease, but my thyroid is fine, so its not that. If anyone has been in my position or can help please let me know what to do!!
Thanks!

Sun, 21 Sep 2008 20:13:18 GMT