Any heartworm medicine i can giveQ: I took my dog to the vet the other day and was told my dog had heartworms, and the treatment cost would be $1,000 i am not working and i am unable to pay that much. is there anything else i can do?is there any medicine i can administer and buy myself? help please, i love my dog, but my finances will not permit me to pay for this costly treatment. A: I would ask for retest of heartworm test and have it sent to outside lab. i have occasionally seen in office heartworm tests be false positives. that being said if true positive, then i woudl call around as this sounds very high to me for two injections of immiticide over 24 hours which is how we treat heartworms now. if still not affordable, then you could consider putting dog on monthly heartguard or interceptor which will prevent further reproduction of existing adult heartworms but will not kill adults
Shop for: interceptor
Puppies 3 weeks oldQ: My lab had puppies 3 weeks ago tomorrow and i was wondering what i should use on them for fleas and ticks, one of my dogs has fleas and i just want to see if there is something that i can use on them or the mother since she is still feeding them. A: I dont use typical chemical spot ons, etc until pups are at least 8 weeks old. for now you could use avon skin so soft 1.5 ounces diluted in 1/2 gallon of water and applied as leave on rinse. greasy but effective. also could try flea powder safe for puppies that you can get at pet store
Shop for: tick
CongestionQ: What type of antibiotics are used for congestion and how much do they cost? A: The choice of antibiotic is made by a vetertinarian who examines your cat. we will be happy to quote you a price and guarantee you a savings at that time.
Scratched by a ground hogQ: My dog got in a fight with a ground hog. the ground hog lost but my dog got scratches which bled on her snout and under her chin. other than cleaning the wounds, is there anything we should do considering this was a wild animal.? also, i'm concerned because she got the ground hogs blood in her mouth. A: You might want to take to vet for exam and updated rabies shot if not already current. also might need antibiotics
Which product?Q: I have a 15lb papillon 17 mos. old. which brand flea & tick product do you recommend for him. i am currently using advantage but notice you favor frontline. i noticed bio spot for dogs is inexpensive and according to your comparison chart does the same thing as the more expensive ones. thank you dolly sanders A: Biospot is another flea preventative but it is not waterproof and can be washed off. we really don't favor one product over another but the frontline plus gives added protection against the flea eggs & larvae. if you are using advantage and are satisfied with the results, "if it's not broke, don't fix it"!
Shop for: advantage, frontline, tick
Flea & tickQ: I have a terrier dog under 30lbs and would like to know the best flea and tick medicine to buy? he scratches a lot but i do not see any fleas or ticks on him. the vet said some flea medicine u can buy can harm your pet and get in their blood stream.the last time i applied tick medicine for him on 08/11/2003 and never applied any more. A: Frontline plus is an effective flea and tick preventative. when applied as directed on the manufacturers label, this product is safe to use.
Shop for: tick, frontline plus, frontline
CoccidiaQ: What can you do to prevent reinfestation of 3 month old puppies who are currently battling coccidiosis. they have bloody stools and are on rx from a vet. we didn't know they had it until we took them to our vet the day after we purchased them. they are on their second course of tx. i want to keep them well. i have quaranteened them and sanitzied everything i know to sanitize with bleach and ammonia (except the puppies themselves of course). i stopped letting them go outside and have them back on paper. help. A: Some pups are hard to treat for this but realize that they eventually usually outgrow these parasites. the coccidia are actually normal inhabitants of a dogs digestive tract but overgrow in puppies and cause signs often due to stress on their developing immune systems.
Are yearly vaccinations needed?Q: I have a lab?chow mix and he is due for his rabies vaccination which i have to get at the vets. he has had these vaccinations @ 9mos. old: distemper-hepatisitis,parainfluenza,bordetella,canine parvovirus,coronavirus and rabies. what ones are really needed, i know rabies but what else? i know the vet is going to charge me a fortune. if i can i would like to do this myself. he will be 2 in nov. i also live in florida if this makes a difference. A: I feel that most viral vaccines of dogs today give years of immunity with most viral agents of concern, in particular parvo or distemper which are only ones that i concern myself with in most cases. every 6 months and even every year would be too much in my opinion and even all vet schools now recommend at most once every 3 year vaccinations with core viral vaccines in most adult pets
