Rat terrier - reoccuring skin issuesQ: My dog's skin is so bad. then she scratches until it becomes a staff infection. my vet will not suggest anything to help this stop happening. they always want to see her, charge an enormous amount of $ & then in like 2 months it comes back. i changed her food to lamb & rice formula. i bathe her 3 x a week with the sulfodex shampoo i bought, but still it returns. what can i do to prevent this from happening? A: Add brite coat xs capsules to her diet. if that doesn't help after a reasonable period of time, have the dog allergy tested.
Expired filaribitsQ: A behavior client of mine on a very limited income gave her dog filaribits (diethylcarbamazine citrate) last year at half the recommended dosage. she asked me if the remaining bottle (she'd started out w/two) with an exp. date of 02/04 would still be okay to give this year - the bottle is sealed and she told me she'd kept it away from heat and light. i told her i'd ask around for her. i feel it likely that she'll give it no matter what i say, but i'm concerned esp. that it might actually "go bad" and become hazardous, rather than merely losing potency. the dog is 13 years old. thank you. A: I cannot recommend using any prescription medication past the manufacturer's expiration date. that is the date after which the medicine begins to lose potency. the concern is if the medicine loses potency and the dog develops heartworm then this particular medication can be deadly if given to a dog with heartworm disease.
Vaginal yeast infectionQ: My dog has an odor which i believe is a vaginal yeast infection. in humans, there is normally a suppository that has to be inserted in the vaginal area to get rid of the infection. what course of action is taken in dogs? A: You should have the pet examined by your veterinarian. if there is a vaginal yeast infection he can prescribe an oral antifuungal medication.
Multiple catsQ: I would like to know if since i have three cats, if i use frontline flea drops on the back of their necks and they lick eachother, is this toxic? i have had a problem with fleas for a few weeks and have used powder, carpet powder and spray, but nothing is working. these cats do not go outside, however, we have two dogs that have brought the fleas into our home. we have treated the dogs with frontline, but i am leary of using it on the cats. any suggestions? A: Applying the frontline between their shoulder blades and controlling them during the rapid drying process should prevent any problems. i use it on my three cats and have yet to notice any untoward reaction.
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Afraid of strangersQ: I have a 1 year old female bichon. she is a wonderful dog except around people she doesn't know. she is extremely afraid and barks at them. when i took her to our vet last month for her shots, we had to put a muzzle on her. i took her to obedience school and she learned very quickly and loved all the dogs but would not let the people pet her. any suggestions to get her to be more sociable? A: Some bichons are like this. try working with a trainer to solve the problem.
Running awayQ: We have property & when we go to the property he tends to run off chasing other wild animals. what can we get to keep him within our 5 acre area. what can we do without leashing him all of the time. we like him to have freedom but not to run off. any suggestions? A: Have you considered constructing a dog run area that is fenced off?
Teeth/won't eatQ: I got a 6yr old huskey that is afraid of everything & won't eat most days. she is a retired sled dog that was an outside dog all her life. she was fed dog food, raw turkey & water one a day every day. i don't know if she has ever had a dental so i don't know what her teeth are like( i can't afford to take her to the vet right now). i started off by feeding her dry dog food. she didn't like it. i switch brands then she started eating it. that was ok for a while then she wouldn't eat again. i started mixing it with wet dog food. again she took it for awhile & stoped again. i was told by a dog trainer that dogs will not starve themselves, do not spoil her. & after taking her to the vet i was told that she has a chipped k-9 & mix with wet dog food again. after talking to a differant vet they said dry dog food, wet dog food & chicken broth. there again she ate it for a while & is not eating again. the second vet said that the worst thing i ever did was take her off the dog food, raw turkey & water. this is getting to be an expencive diet. what do i do? i am so confused. she won't eat hard dog food but she will eat hard dog biskits. what should i do? & she loves you i follows you one day & is scard of you one day. how do i get her out of her shell? A: Sled dogs do best on raw meat diets in my opinion. check out book dr. pitcairn's guide to natural health for dogs and cats by richard pitcairn as well as do barf search on internet. also try flower essences for fear like rescue remedy and aspen from health food store which can be used daily and is safe.
My dogQ: Hi my dog has some kind of black stuff in here ears. it seems to bother her and seems to be taking her hearing away somewhat. she is an old dog about 14. i'm not sure what to do with it or what to buy. her ears make some type of swishing sound alot like its a liquid form. i'm not sure if its wax or mites. any ideas. i'm puzzled a friend of mine owns a pet store in shippensburg pa. its called chris's critters. he gave me ear mite stuff to use and it seemed to work for a lil while. if you have any info please let me know. thank you, john craig A: I suggest you have her seen by your veterinarian so the cause of the problem can be diagnosed and appropriate treatment started.
On line pet medicine explanationTerms used in this page:
on - in operation or operational; "left the oven on"; "the switch is in the on position"
line - a formation of people or things one beside another; "the line of soldiers advanced with their bayonets fixed"; "they were arrayed in line of battle"; "the cast stood in line for the curtain call"
pet - a domesticated animal kept for companionship or amusement
medicine, medical specialty - the branches of medical science that deal with nonsurgical techniques
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