Sick 4 pound dogQ: I have a dog that is 4 pounds we went to the vet because he started throwing up and did so 7 times they ran 2 test gave him fluids and metronidazoleand sent us home an arm and a leg later they dont know whats wroung with him and he is still throwing up i am making him drink 3cc an hour of pedilite what else can we do or what A: Should have x ray to rule out obstruction. take him back to vet. if x ray already done and no obstructions can try a liquid dose of cimitidine(generic tagamet) at 10 mg twice to three times daily. if continues have bloodwork and stool recheck as well
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
Hair lossQ: I have a 2 yr old shihtzu who looses patches of hair in warm months and the vet gives him a steroid shot for this about once a month.i do not like the idea of him getting these shots but it seems to help temporaly.he is on the advantage flea protection and goes to the groomer regular.there are no open places on his skin and it mostly falls out from his chest area.any solutions?? A: I hate these long acting steroid shots as they do in my opinion lead to long term health problems when used chronically. if your dog needs cortisone safest route is low dose oral therapy which can usually be tapered to every other day to every third day during allergy seasons. also could try antihistamines as well as fatty acids like derm caps from 1800petmeds. also new drug out called atopica which is alternative to cortisone
Shop for: antihistamine, 1800petmeds, advantage
Chews on coatQ: My dog is always chewing on herself until she chews down to the raw skin. she has 5 spots on her coat now. what can i do to help her stop this? A: Have her seen by your veterinarian. in order to treat this the veterinarian needs to determine the cause.
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.
Reverse sneezingQ: My three pound yorkie has reverse sneezing, i need to know more about it and what can i do for him, is he in pain when this happens. thank you rose A: No one knows why dogs do this which is like post nasal drip spasms. just rub throat during episodes and try some rescue remedy from health food store which i often finds shortens duration. sometimes allergies can be involved so you could try 1/4 childrens benadryl up to twice daily if persists daily
