Perscriptions for fleasQ: I have 3 dogs and two cats. this year the fleas are more numerous on my pets. i tried dips, powders and collars. is there any perscriptions that i can get to get rid of the fleas? A: The over the counter flea products such as advantage, frontline or program are very effective. however, when there is a flea infestation, you need to treat the pets, the house and the outsidfe environment as well. sentinel and revolution are two prescription heartworm preventatives that are also used to protect against fleas.
Shop for: advantage, sentinel, revolution
Loss of appetite, weight lossQ: Our precious 10 year old yellow lab received a steroid injection and an antibiotic injection one month ago for a nasty ear infection. her ear has cleared up just fine, but she became excessively thirsty right after that vet visit. since then she continues to drink a moderate amount of water each day, has lost all interest in food(even "bad" things to feed your dog like cheeseburgers and peanut butter cookies), and has lost at least 10 lbs.what test or tests would you recommend? could this be an organ failure? she is such an angel!! A: Should have cbc/chem blood work and urine analysis to check liver/kidneys as well as possiblity of diabetes based on your description. have done asap
Two dogs not getting alongQ: We have a 10 yr. old toy poodle and 9 mos. ago got a mini schnauzer. the two dogs do not get along at all. we have to keep them apart (in seperate houses) is there an answer to make them friends? A: You need to work with a vet specialist in behavior problems or an excellent trainer who can work on behavior modification techniques in your home one on one with you
CatQ: My cat is old and he is getting very skinny. do you think he can have a tape worm. A: I doubt tapeworms causing the problem as most of time tapeworms dont cause much significant disease in dogs and cats in most cases. i would suspect some other geriatric disease and would have complete exam, an dblood workup at your vet to start
Dog shakes ears repeatedlyQ: Our 80lb+ lab has runny eyes and sneezes often. the biggest problem is she shakes her ears -doesn't really scratch them much but they definately bother her. attitude is typical lab..always smiling and ready to play. i'll try benedryl 1mg 2 or 3 tpd like other answers offer, but what about those ears? does it help that too? A: If ear issue has underyling allergic component then benadryl can help in some cases. a 75 pound lab would get roughly 50 mg benadryl twice daily. but should really have ears examined with otoscope by vet to make sure no infections which are often secondary to underyling allergies.
Cushings diseaseQ: My setter is 9 years old and has cushings disease. i'm sure she has been ill for about 9 months to a year now. she has been leaving wet spots when she sits every now and again and yesterday on her way down the steps she wet all the waydown. she never had an accident in the house before. now when she eats she has to go out side right away because it goes right through her. she doesn't want to be bothered. she has been sitting in my car for the last 3 months for hours at a time. at first i thought she just wanted to ride (i take her everywhere with me), but now she just sits in the car and when i try to get her out she'll growl at me. does she feel that poorly? i can't afford the meds that the vet suggested. the exam was $550 by the time it was over. i love the dog but don't want her to suffer, it's not easy watching her go through this. has the time come to let her go and if so is there something i can give her at home? the vet wants $125 to put her down. i'd just like her to slip away during the night. it would be much easier on all of us this way. she weighs about 60 lbs. thanks for your help john A: There is nothing i can tell you which will let her slip away at home. if you decide putting her to sleep is best for all, then best done at vets office. you may want second opinion as the symptoms you describe are not those of cushings disease which many vets overdiagnose based on blood tests which can have false positive results
Frequent dribblingQ: My dog has a problem when she sits or lays for a period of time. she urinates well when she needs to. however she will leave a small puddle when she gets up from a sitting or laying position. she is aware of the problem, she frequently licks herself when she feels the dribbling.she is approximately 11 years. she was a puond puppy, no real way to fix her age. she has been fixed. A: There is a remedy called homeopet leaks no more that may be of benefit in this situation.
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Licking urine and licking other house dogQ: I have two male chihuahuas one is 8 yrs. and the other is 10 months. the eight year old dog keep licking the 10 month dog urine and constant licking his private A: Not much i can say here as this is just behavioral quirk. not medical issue
DeramaxxQ: My dog is taking deramaxx, does this medicine have any effect on her appetite? she seems very hungry lately. A: Not really. if anything could cause a lower appetite
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Taking care of a spayed dogQ: I have a dog that has been spayed. the stitches look like they have puss coming form them and it is red and swollen around them. my dog doesn't seem like she is in pain. should i be concerned or just wait and see if it gets better? and how do you take care of a spayed dog? A: You take care of spayed dog in same way as others; regular yearly vet visits, good diet, etc. i would have vet examine spay incision to make sure not infected and no antibiotics needed
