Marcy McKeithen, DVM

Biography

I am a product of Detroit, Michigan.I got my Bachelor’s Degree from Florida A&M University and my doctorate from the University of Florida.To this day I am an avid marching band geek and my whole family loves music.I have one husband, one son, and one cat whom I adore.However, veterinary medicine is my first love.

Articles Written by Marcy McKeithen, DVM

How to Treat Cat (and Dog!) Scratches at Home

If you're a dog or cat owner, you will most likely get scratches from your pet every now and then. Read on to learn how to deal with them at home.

My sons dog had puppies. They are now 7 weeks old. We came home from work and one of them is not moving but alive. He is laying with his neck back as if it's broken. My don picked him up and he's not making noise but keep closing its eyes. Is he dying?

I am so sorry this has happened! Puppies are very fragile, so if you suspect a head or neck injury, its best to have him seen immediately. Even if it isnt an injury, a sudden change in behavior can indicate something serious, as well. I certainly hope this helps.

My has been sneezing with blood recently what can that be?

Im so sorry Luna isnt feeling well. Given her age and breed, the most likely culprit is allergies or an upper respiratory infection. The nose can be so inflamed from the aforementioned problems, it can start to bleed. Other unlikely causes are a foreign material stuck in the nose, high blood pressure, or (least likely) a mass in the nose. You should have her seem for the appropriate treatment. Hope this helps!

My 18 week old puppy had two vaccines this morning, one was Lepto, and 6 hours later, has had alot of diarrhea and vomiting, she can't even keep water down. Her energy level is low and she's acting sick and mushy and doesn't wanna play. No other symtoms - no rash or swelling or breathing problems. I argued with my dad about taking her to the animal hospital because I was worried about dehydration - he says wait and see. I don't want her to die from dehydration though. Am I overreacting?

Poor Roxie! You are not overreacting, you have very good reason to be concerned. Sometimes signs of vaccine reactions can be vomiting and diarrhea, so I would definitely take her to be evaluated and treated. Just as you said, puppies are prone to dehydration, so it would be best if you took her in sooner rather than later. Even if its not the vaccine, she needs to be seen with these symptoms! Hope she feels better!

How often should I bring my adult (5 y/o) kitty and senior (9 y/o) kitty to the vet for a check-up?

A 5 year old kitty with no medical issues should see the veterinarian once a year. A 9 year old kitty with no medical issues should see a veterinarian every 6 months. As pets age, symptoms of some age-related diseases can be extremely subtle, so we recommend monitoring them more closely.

My cat keeps sneezing, but he continues to play, eat, and drink normally. His nose is still cold and wet, too. Should I be worried?

There's no need to worry. Boomer may have an upper respiratory infection or allergies. The best recommendation would be to have her evaluated by your veterinarian to ensure that she does not need medications to prevent it from getting worse. I hope Boomer feels better.