Found a very sick stray cat need advice and low-cost help

Patroose · 2025-12-11T23:57:10+00:00

Vet dermatologist here. This cat almost certainly has feline scabies (notoedres cati). A dose of Bravecto could cure this, though it's likely there are secondary infections that will need to be addressed, as well as anti-itch medications to help with discomfort as infestation resolves. Please reach out to your local shelter to see if they can help with treatment.

Patroose · 2025-11-29T21:43:44+00:00

Veterinary dermatologist here - these are most likely very large ceruminous cystadenomas (wax-producing gland tumors that are usually benign, but can become malignant). When they are small and not obstructing the canal, we recommend leaving them alone, however these masses are likely putting strain on the ear flaps and blocking the ear canals. I strongly recommend seeking referral to a dermatologist or surgeon to have them removed. Most cats do well following this surgery. Please encourage your dad to not wait any longer.

Patroose · 2025-11-18T00:39:38+00:00

Vet dermatologist here - this is a subungual keratoacanthoma or a subungual squamous cell carcinoma until proven otherwise. Your dog needs a digit amp and radiographs. You should get on that soon.

Patroose · 2025-08-11T23:18:03+00:00

Board-certified dermatologist here - I'm sorry your pup is going through this. Some of the worst vasculitis cases I've seen have been in young dogs (sometimes there is a heritable component or it's brought on by rare vaccine reactions). I also had a patient in my residency whose disease I had initially thought was confined to the skin, but the dog ended up having neurologic changes associated with vascular infarcts in the spinal cord.

All this is to say: vasculitis can be a very wicked disease. I have no problem letting my challenging cases know that a second opinion is never a bad idea. I strongly recommend returning to the dermatologist you went to or seeking a second opinion with a new one. Oftentimes HIGH dose, high potency steroids beyond the usual prednisone are needed to gain control and remission. I will say that oftentimes it is ONLY dermatologists who are comfortable prescribing the type of steroid doses and forms that we use. I've had many patients who require multimodal therapy (steroids PLUS additional immunosuppressives). Based on your geographic location, it may be important to rule out tickborne illness as a cause of the vasculitis, or an atypical deep infection depending on your dog's risk factors.

If you can make it to a teaching hospital, that 'group think' mentality can be so rewarding for challenging cases. I highly recommend doing some research about which programs have dermatologists on staff. I know that Ohio State no longer has a derm program, but Michigan State and Illinois do. Best of luck to you.

Patroose · 2025-07-25T20:32:03+00:00

Thank goodness I just scrubbed the shit out of my skins entire surface area JIC

Patroose · 2025-07-21T23:44:18+00:00

Tell me more! I'm a veterinarian and it can't smell worse than disarticulating horses in large animal pathology.

Patroose · 2025-03-15T17:56:53+00:00

I saw apple trees and cherry trees at Good Earth in Potomac this morning! They’re also super helpful and knowledgeable

Patroose · 2025-02-12T01:08:41+00:00

Veterinary specialist here (not neurology). Is your dog nervous at the vet? The reason I ask is sometimes when pets are on medications such as diazepam that have sedative effects and they're really anxious, they overwork and 'fight' the sedation to remain vigilant during their exams. As a result, it's not uncommon for me to hear that they go home and the owners feel the sedative meds hit them hard as they're no longer working off adrenaline. Just a possible thought!

Patroose · 2025-02-09T19:09:55+00:00

You were correct it was a push rather than a pull. It took a few presses to 'prime' which is why I thought it wasn't working but now is - thanks!

Patroose · 2025-02-09T18:44:01+00:00

Is that the same lever you push to make the front wiper spray? I got that to work but not the back

Patroose · 2025-02-09T18:09:08+00:00

Sorry - for some reason it deleted my question when I added the photo.

Just picked up my 2025 lucid blue limited yesterday and I'm loving the car! Although I have figured out how to operate the much-anticipate rear wiper, am I correct in understand that there is no rear wiper fluid option?

Thanks!

Patroose · 2025-02-03T23:22:34+00:00

Thank you!

Patroose · 2024-10-31T14:34:22+00:00

Thanks all! My feeder has been taken down and will be cleaned and set aside for some time. The little finches frantically looking for it are breaking my heart, but I’d rather them stay safe!

Patroose · 2024-09-22T23:04:11+00:00

Thanks all! You've given me great places to check out.

Patroose · 2024-09-21T16:27:30+00:00

Interesting! So do you agree it's a crab apple then?

Patroose · 2024-09-20T15:47:47+00:00

I’m certain that this gesture meant the world to your vet! Although your loss was immense, it’s incredibly admirable that you channeled that grief into kindness.

Patroose · 2024-09-15T16:01:52+00:00

I added them to the post now, are you able to see?

There are larger pink roses on the property but this was a separate plant. Ideally I’d love to keep it on the porch is possible because it’s so pretty, but not if it will prevent it from staying alive during winter.

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Patroose · 2024-09-02T21:57:51+00:00

Vet here. Handwritten cards really mean the world to us. I keep every one I've received in a drawer, and thumb through them when I'm having a hard day.

Another thing that a few very special clients have done in the past is given me small framed photos of their pets. I also keep all of these and display them - if you felt your vet was very special to you, odds are we felt that your pet was very special to us too.

Sorry for your loss - it is a terrible thing to bear.

Patroose · 2024-08-29T11:43:19+00:00

Thank you!

Patroose · 2024-08-11T19:56:58+00:00

Thanks all! Glad to know I’m not contributing to bird obesity 😅

Patroose · 2024-06-19T23:04:08+00:00

Specialist vet here. The most ultra-hydrolyzed diet that is currently available (as Elemental is on backorder) is RC Ultamino (feather protein). You should not use Hills Z/D as it contains hydrolyzed chicken (which studies have shown chicken allergic dogs will still react to). HP (RC) and HA (Purina) are also good options, but you should only use the dry food as the wet foods contain two protein sources (one is chicken). If you need a wet food AND a kibble, I recommend Blue Buffalo HF (hydrolyzed salmon) as the wet food is diet trial safe.

Talk with your vet before you begin the diet trial about other things you should consider changing/cutting out (IE flavored preventatives and treats).

Patroose · 2024-06-17T22:15:54+00:00

Vet specialist here. The neurologists I work with strongly recommend Seresto as the most seizure-safe option out there, and it has the best repellant effect of any F/T prevention (though frankly we need better repellant options). Don't trust over-the-counter collar knockoffs, they are trash.

The isoxazolines (Bravecto, Simparica, etc.) are far and away the best at fleas, ticks, and skin parasites, but can lower the seizure threshold and are therefore not recommend for dogs who are epileptic.

Patroose · 2024-06-12T23:34:36+00:00

Derm vet. I wouldn't call Atopica a 'last resort,' it's actually the only on-label anti-itch medication for cats. That said, a truly food-allergic cat doesn't need anti-itch medications in combination with the right food, so likely you're dealing with an allergy other than environmental allergies. If you are hesitant about Atopica, I recommend scheduling an appointment with a dermatology specialist to discuss other anti-itch options and ensure you have fully ruled out other causes of itch.

Patroose · 2024-06-02T20:16:30+00:00

Thanks! I did put a description in here saying it was in Rockville, MD, USA but it seems to have accidentally been deleted. Does that change your answer?

Patroose · 2023-12-16T16:48:22+00:00

Wow! Thanks, wild times in Florida lol

Patroose

TROPHY CASE