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Muscle spasms and lameness
Q: My mini dachshund is 5 years old. she recently had severe muscle spasms in her back left leg. after several spasms she began having problems walking. she is very stiff in the morning & after napping. she doesn't seem to be in constant pain, but if my other dog bumps into her she howls & cries. she is normally very active & happy, but now is lethargic. she can't even step down a 2 inch ledge, i have to pick her up. vet diagnosed pulled muscle & gave pain pills/muscle relaxers, which helped a little but she is still not acting normal. what else could be causing her problems? i know dachshunds have issues with their backs-could she have a disc problem? thank you.
A: Sounds like a disc problem to me which actually is not always seen on routine x rays but you should have complete spinal x rays done. if continues may need mri for accurate diagnosis. some need low dose prednisone to help. you also may want to check out altvetmed.com for alternative ways of treatment including chiropractic and acupuncture
Shop for: prednisone
Skin problems
Q: I have 2 cats. one has problems with her skin like scabs and pulling her hair out. when you try to touch her she goes nuts and starts moving her head all around while her tounge goes in and out of her mouth and eventually she will bite you. my other cat has started to develope scabs now too and she sneezes alot too. what can i do except take them to the vet for a cortazone shot. sorry about my spelling.
A: You can try oral antihistamine like chlorphenirimine at dose of 2 mg twice daily. also supplement her with derm caps and prozyme to each meal which can help skin when used long term. can get these from 1800petmeds
Shop for: antihistamine, prozyme, 1800petmeds
Shedding
Q: My 5yr old lab has always shed. i've become acustomed to using a lint brush daily before leaving the house. but this year, it is out of control. is it possible that this year the seasons is worse than others? and why? what weather factors create these conditions? could she be sick, and need vitamins? also, there is no simple product to elivate this symptom, dr's. recommend pills, shampoos, diet, food, ect. what is best product for yellow labs, and please explain, why do they lose so much hair? is it constantly growing back? does the summer months create more shedding, because they are hot dogs?(ha, ha) my lab loves to swim, and i keep her cool in her pool, but the fur is never ending. please help my fur monster. with fur & love, miss macey dog
A: I will answer most of your many questions below. shedding is due to many factors many of which you review above, including dietary factors, seasonal factors, allergies, etc all which differ in each dog. when i have an excessively shedding dog i usually make sure they are on superior diet such as all natural ones like pet guard or innova brand or wellness brands being my favorite. i also like to supplement with extra nutrients and enzymes like brite coat xs as well as prozyme from 1800petmeds. also consider getting some kelp and lecithin granules from health food store to add to food which also helps some dogs
Shop for: vitamin, prozyme, 1800petmeds
Going to the bathroom too much.
Q: My cat is a couple of days away from taking his 2nd and last dose of his tapeworm pills that i got from the vet. he wasn't doing that until i came back from the vet, and while they were their at the vets office they got a virus and we treated it with clavamox, they are still on that doseage. he is constantly going to the litter boxes and tring to poop, but most of the time noting comes out. to the best of my knowledge there is no blood, diarreia, or anything like that. all i see is that he is just making too many trips. i am wondering, could that be a side affect of the worms or the pills, or maybe another problem.
A: I dobubt from meds. but it could be urinary problem so should return to vet as male cats can have bladder issues which can lead to blockages
Excessive shedding
Q: I have a 4 yr. old yellow lab and a 2 yr. old golden. both shed terribly, which i guess comes with the breed. i have been told, however, there are supplements they can take to reduce shedding. is this so? my lab sheds way more than the golden and it's really out of control. would the fact that they're both on adult lite science diet or in the past adult lite eukanuba affect their coats as far as shedding? is there something missing from their diet? i see that brewer's yeast tablets indicate they help with shedding but the dosage is 1 pill per every 10 lbs. that would be 6 pills per day per dog. that seems a bit much. what do you suggest?
A: I dont like these lite foods as i feel they do supplement nutrients as well as calories and therefore i find alot of dogs who eat these foods have poor quality coats. i would use supplements like prozyme from 1800petmeds as well as flax seed oil at 1 tea per 20 pounds of body weight daily, as well as lecithin and kelp from health food store. check out dr. pitcairns guide to natural health for dogs and cats by richard pitcairn for more suggestions and dosages
Shop for: prozyme, 1800petmeds
Rockys vaccines
Q: I have a yorkie that is going to be 2 years old in october, he has been to the vet twice since he was a baby. what type of vaccines is he in need of right now in order for him to be up to date, and does he require heartworm pills or any other type of worm pills? thank you
A: The latest theory is that dogs that have been properly immunized as puppies and have received their shots for parvo/distemper are likely to have adequate immunity and years of protection. as for heartworm preventative, your dog should be taking medication once a month to prevent this potentially fatal disease.
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