ChiggersQ: We do a lot of camping and a few people we camp with got the chiggers. can my dogs get them? if so what can i do to prevent them and get rid of them? we use a preventic collar and frontline plus. thanks, ellen A: What you are using should be fine
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Severe scratchingQ: My little doggie, a jack russell/daschund mix, is scratching himself non-stop. his vet recommended benadryl, however it does not seem to be helping. he has really dry skin, flaking, and very red spots. his hair is also thinning, and he has always had a beautiful coat. he does not have any fleas on him, nor have i seen any around. the itching is bothering him so much he can't sleep. i have been washing him in oatmeal shampoo, and even tried a spray the vet gave. what can i do to help my baby feel better??? A: Sounds like need stronger shampoo such as oxydex shampoo or chlorihexiderm shampoo used a few times weekly which you can get from 1800petmeds. also should have vet check skin for overgrowth of yeast of bacteria that might need oral antibiotics or antifungals. also might need to address underyling allergies with stronger prescription antihistamines, etc
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5 month pupp with roundwormsQ: Okay, i believe my puppy has roundworms in his stool. what treatment & care do you suggest? A: After a positive diagnosis for roundworms, you can use a product such as nemex-2 (pyrantel pamoate) for dogs and puppies
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What damage could tape worms have done to my dog?Q: I have a mixed breed dog that is almost two. there is a park right behind our house, and it is full of rabbits, squirrels, ground squirrels, and birds. she keeps getting tape worms and i think it is from finding and playing with the bodies of these other animals. we treat her with tablets and it goes away, but they keep coming back. we've been trying to keep her out of the park and away from the animals, but i'm worried about the long term effects the reocurring tapeworms will have on her. what should i look for and what can i do? A: Most of time tapeworms do not cause any significant clinical illness in dogs or cats. most common sign are anal itching or irritation in that area. rarely any other reactions.
PrednisoloneQ: My 17 yr old cat was diagnosed with a type of inflamatory bowel disease after i got her at age 1.shes been on prednisone for years, and the last 3 yrs on prednisolone 2.5mg gel caps,1 cap per week. she's easily stressed,last vet visit she didnt eat for 4 days,lost 3 of her 9 lb.! had to force feed. now my vet wants to work her up before giving any more pills for her! i dont agree at her age to put her thru that, and to find out only that she aging,with signs of kidney disease again. can i stop this medication, or try something else thru petmeds? i am at my wits end about this. thank you A: I cannot recommend you just blanketly stop medicine unless cat has no signs of inflammatory bowel disease i.e. vomit diarrhea or weight loss. explain to vet your concern about visits and ask him for prescriptions to address ibd, and other alternatives like flagyl as well. you could also try slippery elm from health food store for bowel flareups(see book dr. pitcairns guide to natural health for dogs and cats by richard pitcairn, or book the new natural cat by anitra frazier for dosings of this and diet suggestions) also add prozyme from 1800petmeds to his diet as well. if vet not willing you could look up holistic vet on www.theavh.org many who work by phone with clients
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RimadylQ: I am aware that rimadyl can affect dogs liver and kidneys. is rimadyl used for occasional pain or should it be used or a continual basis? my 9 yr old shepherd is on the super joint enhance and the vet has her on l00 mg of rimadyl..daily..and she has been on it for quite some time. i am concerned about the long term effects of the rimadyl. A: With regular testing it should be o.k. to continue with the rimadyl. your veterinarian may at some point reduce the dosage.
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Heart murmur/mitral valve diseaseQ: I lost my cavalier king charles spaniel toby 3 weeks ago today. we don't know what exactly he died from, but we suspect he'd had a stroke. he was 8 years/8 months old. his half-brother skyler, also a cav., was diagnosed a week ago with mytral valve disease and a heart murmer between 3 and 4. he had an echocardiogram. our vet put him on 5 mg. enalapril and science diet h/r dry food. he will be 9 in november. my fondest wish is that skyler will be around a long time, but i am almost afraid to leave him. he is in mourning for toby, sleeps most of the day, is very reluctant to go outside to relieve himself, and i have to encourage him to eat. our vet said before the echocardiogram that he wasn't to have any exercise, so i won't even take him for a walk, and she's delaying any dental work because that requires sedation. we are planning a short vacation and we will need to board him for a few days. i guess i just want to know if we are doing everything we can. is there anything else we can do? my vets are wonderful, but a second opinion might help relieve some of my fears. cavs have a strong history of mitral valve prolapse or disease. what else can you tell me so i might relax and live a reasonably normal life and let skyler live his!? A: I would try making him as healthy as possible with all natural diets such as pet guard or california natural by natura or more ideally a home made diet as described in book dr. pitcairns guide to natural health for dogs and cats by richard pitcairn. also consider supplements for heart such as coenzyme q-10 at dose of 50 mg daily as well as vitamin e at same time at dose of 400iu daily. also consider supplement known as formula cv from company known as rx vitamins for pets centered in scarsdale, new york. this excellent supplement has supportive nutrients for heart such as hawthorne berry and trace minerals for heart
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