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Chiggers
Q: 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
Shop for: preventic collar, frontline plus, frontline
Calcified disk in neck of shihtzu
Q: I have a 8 year old shih tzu who has calcium build up in his right side of neck. he was on (early june) methocarbinol and prednisone initially. now he is down to 1/4 tab of (5mg) prednisone twice a day. the nuero also gave us a prescription for oxicodone liquid form which which i have given him twice in the last week. they have told us the surgery with mri will be around 4k , we already have about 1200 in to maxx this year and don't feel we can take on any additional expenses however also dont want a dog on steriods long term. what are my options? is there a pain killer that would help him so we can take him off prednisone all together? i have also seen these harnesses that are supposed to help on alternative websites what are your thoughts on them? thanks in advance! leah
A: I think harnesses are an excellent idea as well as considering holistic vet med options such as acupuncture or chiropractic from qualified vet www.altvetmed.com or vet homeopath www.theavh.org as not many other types of drugs other than limited ones you mention above. we dont do a good job with these dogs medically and surgery is no guarantee either
Shop for: prednisone, homeo
Kitten sneeze and cough
Q: Our kitten has been prescribed clavamox and 4 cough pills on monday. since tuesday, i noticed that there is something coming out when he sneezes and he licked all those stuff. is his condition's getting worse? thanks!
A: Possibly getting worse. if persists return to vet for reevaluation and possibly different meds
Heart murmur/mitral valve disease
Q: 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
Shop for: vitamin
Severe scratching
Q: 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
Shop for: antihistamine, 1800petmeds
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