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Scratched by a ground hog
Q: 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
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
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
Dog sneezing and gagging
Q: My 3 year old male chichua is gagging and sneezing as though hes stuffed up with runny nose, what medication can i give him? also can i give the same to my 2 mo old chichua who is sneezing and green mucus comes out his nose
A: Only thing can suggest is antihistamine such as benadryl at dose of 1/2 mg per pound orally twice daily as well as extra vitamin c at dose of 250 mg twice dailyh in form of ester c. i would take to vet to evaluate for viral or bacterial infection
Shop for: vitamin, antihistamine
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.
Yearly vaccinations
Q: My vet sends a yearly reminder for an annual physical examination and vaccinations for distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parainfluenza, parvovirus, rabies, heartworm check, and stool check. i think the physical exam is very important for preventive health care. i have been reading about changing guidelines for vaccinations. are all the shots needed for my 5 yr old felmale dachshund? she has been taking soloxine .3 one half twice a day. your customer service does not have this prescription. do they have same medication with a different generic name? also should this be on going and how often should she have a blood test?
A: Ask pharmacist about soloxine alternative. thyroid medication is usually lifelong with periodic blood checks at your vet to make sure dose is ok. i would not keep on vaccinating her every year for these viruses especiallly given her breed which are prone to vaccine reactions and fact she has an autoimmune thyroid disorder. most vet schools now recommend every 3 year vaccinations at a minimum for things you ask about in adult dogs
Mastif aggression
Q: My 1 year old bulmastiff has all of a sudden became aggressive against strangers he bites i can't even take him to vet (also he is in pain his paws are hurting him hard to get up sometimes) i took him to the vet they did a culture on his nails ,fungus etc, came back negative, i love my dog and i don't want him to be able never to go anywhere what can i do?
A: Sounds like could benefit from pain meds so you could ask vet about dermaxx which can help
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