SheddingQ: 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
One a day pillsQ: I have been giving my dogs one a day pills (nemacide) since 1980. i am having a hard time finding them. do you know where i can purchase them? if not, what is the best possible monthly to give them? i have irish setters over 50 lbs. i do frontline for fleas and ticks and have never had a problem with any types of worms. i would perfer the one a day if they are still around. any help would be appreciated. thank you, dorothy kumpula A: Nemacide has been discontinued. you need to begin using a monthly heartworm preventative such as interceptor. however, interceptor needs to be started within 30 days of the last nemacide dose, otherwise a new heartworm test needs to be done.
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Liquid pain reliefQ: Our dog suzie is a poodle mix. she is diebetic and partially blind. suzie has some problems with her back hips. her hips were injured several years ago and never healed properly. she has now developed a large tumor like lump that my hand can fit around on her right shoulder. suzie fights me so if i try to give her pills and will walk away from food if she senses any kind of medication. is there any kind of liquid pain medication i can inject as i do her insulin. our vet will not give her steriods because of the insulin. A: I am not aware of any injections i would reocmmend for home use. you could try metacam which dogs usually readily take in their food
TapewormQ: Hi, my dog has signs of tapeworm, that is the small white segments near the anus. i just purchased the "tapeworm tabs". she is approx. 80lbs and according to your instructions should take all 5 pills. my questions is, do i give her all 5 at the same time? i wasn't sure if that was safe to do, or should i stagger the medication throughout a specific time period. thank you for answer. A: You give all 5 tablets as a single dose
Yeast and bacteria infectionQ: Does pet pharmacy stock a non-prescription that has the same ingredants or works as well as otomax/ointment ? my sharpei has seen her veterinarian over 4 or 5 months ago. he prescribed some kind of cordisone pills and otomax / ointment (15g bottle). A: Otomax is a prescription product. there are over the counter products that are used to cleanse the ears that could prevent the problem
IncontinenceQ: My dog belle is a 9 yr. old german shephard weighing 125lbs. i have had her to 2 vets and she has been on the pills for incontinence. nothing is working. she urinates all the time and doesn't even know. she smells terible and so does our house. is there help for her. thank you. A: Could be secondary infection as well so make sure to have vet check urine for infection. also some pets need low dose estrogen if phenylproponolamine not helping. may help to have pet examined by second vet for different opinion
Loose bowels a lotQ: Dear vet, my dog buddy a black lab gets a upset stomach and loose bowels very often. i can hear his stomach making growling noises. his vet has given him some pills that stop the condition almost immediately but after a few days it seems to come back. i don't know what to do about this it worries me he is 7 years old. thanks, dodie A: I recommend further diagnostics to determine the cause of the problem. lab tests and x-rays along with a parasite check may be helpful. you might need to ask for a referral to a specialist in veterinary internal medicine.
ItchingQ: My dog, a male shepherd/sheltie mix has suffered for approx. 2 years with itchy feet. in the last year, it has become an itch problem all over his body. initially, it was so bad, he would bite himself bald on his feet and legs!now his scratching is less severe, however, it seems more widespread and has extended to his eyes which are starting to drain. he is also constantly scratching his ears. he has been to the vet every month for the last year. he was getting prednisone shots and pills for a long time, but started developing cysts on his body and we feared long term organ damage. we have stopped the shots and pills. this is when the scratching became milder but more consistant. any ideas what could be the root cause? we have tried allergy diet foods recommended by the vet to no avail. if no cure is known, what about treating the symptoms? we have tried benedryl, no help. anything you can suggest would be appreciated. A: I would recommend blood allergy testing to see if inhalent allergies involved like allergies to ragweed, grasses molds danders pollens, etc allergy vaccines can be made up. you could also ask vet about new drug for allergies known as atopica which is less toxic than chronic cortisone
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