We need helpQ: We have an aprox. 11 yr old jack russel male dog who is constantly itching his belly on the floor. he is extremely red and irratated almost constantly, unless he is laying in the sun. he is given benadryl but it doesn't seem to help at all. he is washed with an oatmeal and aloe shampoo and has used advantage for flea control but w/o checking with companion pet clinic we cannot be sure of the last administration date or whether it is still active or not. however, even after having been given the flea control he still was constantly itching w/in a short amount of time. he has very short hair (obviously due to his breed) so you can see fleas and their eggs but he doesn't really appear to be infested at this time. he had been prescribed gentocin spray 2x p/day for 7 days at a time for no more than 14 days. he has long since been out of this but it really did not seem to make a difference either. he also takes phenylpropanolamine 50 mg. 1/4 tab 2x p/day for bladder issues. we seriously need some advice. we are a group home with 4 clients who love their dog but the itching is driving everyone crazy, please help. thank you. A: Cheapest solution is low dose alternative day prednisone therapy if dont want more extensive workup at vet for allergies. need to totally get rid of fleas in allergic dogs as even a few fleas can cause problems. also consider low allergy diet like california natural lamb and rice diet by natura brand. also consider brite coat xs as well as prozyme from 1800petmeds added to food long term.
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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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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
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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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MedicationQ: My dog is 15 and taking temiral-p for his skin problems. the vet wants to do blood work. do you feel this is common practice and necessary? thank you A: Yes it is since this drug has small amount of prednisone in it and so liver/kidneys shoudl be monitored
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Runy sore eyesQ: I have been treating my 17 yrs old poodle (otherwise excellent health) for a chronic open sores under his eye. as long as he is on 1 cephalexin 500mg caps a day for a month the sores go away. and after a month he off they come back. it on and off the cephalexin. i would like to know if i can gave him one 250mg of the cephalexin everyday of him life. any suggestions? A: Some dogs can be kept on chronic antibiotic therapy due to tendency to recurrent infection because of lowered immune function, and at this age i don't see a problem with this if it keeps him comfortable.
Hip pain for older german shepardQ: I have a 12 year old german shepard who over the last year has started to really slow down and is appearing to have problems with hip pain and difficulty getting up and laying down and has a limp in its gait when it walks...a couple of things - i am noticing the signs of hip displacia with him but i also noticed that he started having an immediate problem after roughhousing with my other large dog....could the two be related? - my dog is overweight....i have been giving him leaner dog food to try to fix the situation but he doesnt want to run around like he did...he has a lot of backyard room to do so..... - he appears to have problems more in cold weather then warm - i have bought the glousetomine (spelling?) for joints from the pet store...but it doesn't seem to work nearly as well as putting aspirin in his dog food? why would that be? A: Aspirin is a direct anti-inflammatory while the glucosamine works more slowly in building up joints over weeks to months. you may want to try one of antiinflammatories at 1800petmeds like dermaxx or rimadyl. i also like their cosequin supplement as well. also add extra vitamin e to her diet at 400iu daily and vitamin c in form of ester c at dose of 1000 mg twice daily
Shop for: vitamin, aspirin, rimadyl
