SmokinDVM

[Drake]

How old?
Any signs of neurological deficits?

I've got to leave for work, I'll get back here and answer more later, but it's probably not a huge concern especially if it's young and has no other signs of problems. Very common problem in chihuahuas. Most of them I see have some degree of open fontanels.

he's only a year old and probably the smartest dog i've owned.

[bigpoppapuff]

barry...thanks for all the info......my 12 year old cocker spaniel (the one we spoke about last summer) has cherry eye.......can anything be done (short of surgery) to clear this??....

[Monk]

No problems with my two cats... I love 'em. But I thought I would post to say "thanks" on behalf of all the pets mentioned in this thread . Awesome SmokinDVM.

-W.

[SmokinDVM]

barry...thanks for all the info......my 12 year old cocker spaniel (the one we spoke about last summer) has cherry eye.......can anything be done (short of surgery) to clear this??....

If it's not too severe a condition, medication like NeoDex eye ointment can be used to help reduce some of the swelling. You may need to medicate every day to keep it under control.
Keeping it from drying out is the key. If too severe, surgery may be the only route to go.

[cinda]

My cat ate Iams dry cat food. I have never fed him wet cat food. He weighs about 15-16 pounds. His bread is Maine Coon. About 4 months ago we had to put my other kitty to sleep because of a behavioral issue. This is when I noticed that the Iams cat food was not being eaten by the Maine coon. He will eat the treats but not the Iams. I tried changing the dry food 3 different times and I even resorted to wet food and tender vittles he will not eat anything but temptations treats. I even stop giving him the treats when he got hungry enough he eat the Iams and then threw it up. He is not losing any weight and he looks and acts the way he always has acted. I am not sure in the long run how just eating treats will effect him. Anyhow I should of taking him to the vet when all this began but I was thinking he was sad missing his Friend and just not eating the good food. But when I saw he threw it up it worrying me a bit. Thanks

[SmokinDVM]

Cinda,

You should really try to find a good cat food that your kitty will eat, and can tolerate. I don't know much about those specific treats, but treats in general aren't made to be a balanced diet. Try something other than Iams. I like to feed Science Diet, you could try their sensitive stomach formula.

Most of the time, it's a matter of who has the most will-power.

[mauied1101]

One my cats has Irritable Bowel Syndrome so she (used to) throw up a lot. We wound up trying everything from Science Diet to Wellness (human quality ingredients) to organic. Took us about a month a lots of food (donated to the shelter) but we now use a combination of Science Diet Nature's Harvest & Fancy Feast (dry). She doesn't throw up anymore.

[SmokinDVM]

One my cats has Irritable Bowel Syndrome so she (used to) throw up a lot. We wound up trying everything from Science Diet to Wellness (human quality ingredients) to organic. Took us about a month a lots of food (donated to the shelter) but we now use a combination of Science Diet Nature's Harvest & Fancy Feast (dry). She doesn't throw up anymore.

IBD can be a pain in the ass.

Seriously, sometimes IBD can't be controlled with diet alone. Sometimes it takes a combo of prescription diets and medication. For cats with severe IBD, I use a pharmacy that compounds meds for us into a suspension that can be flavored. Most cats prefer the seafood or chicken flavors, but they have many others.

[basil]

he's only a year old and probably the smartest dog i've owned.

You sure he meant the dog Drake?

[Drake]

You sure he meant the dog Drake?

i hope so

[SmokinDVM]

he's only a year old and probably the smartest dog i've owned.

Hydrocephalus is the condition in chihuahuas that prevents the fontanel from closing. If not severe, no problemo. If it's severe it can cause neuro problems and even death.
Sounds like your pup is just fine