YeastQ: We have a 7 yr old sheltywhom we adopted when she was five. she has been itching and pulling her hair out chewing her nails etc. we attributed this to grass/flea allergy. we have been giving her benedryl. i was only giving her 2 pills a day and then read in your web site that she could have 4 a day. the vet said she could go as high as six per day. she developed a strong oder about her and i wondered as to whether her anal glands needed to be cleaned after reading articals on your web site. i took her to the vet and the vet said she had yeast really bad. we are now using a medicated antifungal shampoo three times per week, and ear wash every 12 hours and we are switching to a natural dog food of lamb and rice. i really can't afford the ketoconazole from the vet at $65. my question is can i give her fluconazole (150 mg) i also want to know if there is an antofungal spray i can use on her to give her more comfort. i know there are otc antifungal creams for yeast which could be messy with what little hair she has left. could a liquid spray such as tinactin be used on her under belly and hind legs? A: Tinactin would be fine to try. also consider ketachlor shampoo from 1800petmeds every few days. in case like this you need to address underlying causes of yeast overgrowth such as allergies or low thyroid or problem will recur and never resolve
Shop for: 1800petmeds
Blood in stoolsQ: Several months ago after my border collie was in heat she started with loose stools and ended up with blood in her stools. the vet said she had ulcers and gave her charcoal and some other pills. she seem to start to straighten up then we wormed her and she started in with the watery stools this time brown not dark like before. the vet put her on charcoal pills and cimetidine 800 mg twice a day is there a vitamin or something else we can give her to help her get straighten up. she is one year old. i am so thankful i found this web site to be able to ask this question. A: I would concentrate on providing her with good natural diet like pet guard or innova or wellness or lifes abundance. i also would supplement her with digestive enzymes like prozyme from 1800petmeds as well as adding flax oil to her food at 1 tea per 20 pounds of body weight daily. if diarrhea is recurrent she should be worked up for chronic diarrhea by your vet
Shop for: vitamin, prozyme, 1800petmeds
Heartworm medsQ: My almost 3 yrs old part lab and part austrillian shepperd has heartworms. my problem is that i can not afford the $400 treatment. i understand that there is a shot that he can be given each month. my question is, can i give him the shot that he needs in order to keep down my cost, or do i have to find time each month to take him to the vet? thank you A: No treatment exists other than what your vet offers. only other option would be to put your pet on once monthly heartworm pills to prevent further reproduction of the adult heartworms he has
Alaskan malamuteQ: We have a malamute that has trouble getting up. he is 10 yrs old (125 lbs.) and we got a perscription of rymidl and he wouldnot take it, we also got glyco-flex and he will not take them either. right now he is on eucanuba veteranry diet dog food. we also have a 10 yr old sheltie that is over weight that is why they are on diet dog food. what do you recomend that we try for him. he does eat treats, but he will not eat a pill and i can't force him too, he is too strong, he will not open his mouth. if i do get it in there he just spits it out. i tried stuffing some in a hot dog (they normally don't get people food) but he ate the hot dog and spit out the pills. if you have any ideas please let me know. thanks A: You may want to try cosequin ds. these are capsules that you can open and sprinkle the contents on the dogs food.
Why are puppies born with worms?Q: Why are puppies born with worms? A: Larvae, the immature form of worms such as hookworm and roundworm can migrate through the mother’s uterus and into the developing fetus. therefore puppies can become infected with these worms while they are still in the mother’s uterus.
Heartworm in a golden retrieverQ: My 12 year old golden retriever, "sunshine," has been diagnosed with heartworm disease. the recommended treatment (injections, rest for one month each time, etc) seems very harsh as my dog is outwardly extremely healthy. i realize that she is quite old for a golden retriever and most likely only has about two more years with a good quality of life. thus, my inclination is to not give her the more drastic treatments that may impair the quality of what life she has left. we keep her at a healthy weight, she runs a great deal, has little or no arthritis and is a happy, (seemingly) healthy member of the family. what is your opinion? is it possible that preventatvie medicines such as heartworm pills would keep the disease at the same level it is now? our veterinarian seemed to only recommend the most involved of treatment. it is not the cost that is stopping me from nor treatment. also, as a physician's daughter, i do use and believe in modern medicine. however, i just believe that dogs (and humans) are often treated late in life with prodecures and medications to cure diseases and they would be better off just living their last days or years on their own. any information would be helpful. thank you in advance. A: A tough decision to make as you are right about wondering about side effects of treatment in older dogs. some vet cardiologists have no problem putting such pets on monthly heartworm pills if decide not to treat to cut down on heartworm larvae and baby heartworms, but of course does nothing for existatn adults but at least stops reproduction
Getting cat to take pillsQ: How do you do this? A: It's difficult. i know because i have had to do it. we currently have on order a gadget that will aid in the administration of pills to cats. until that time, i have found the best procedure is to hold the pill between thumb and forefinger, and then opening the cat's mouth with the other available fingers, try to pop in towards the back of the mouth using the side of the face as an entry point. good luck!
HelpQ: I can't get my cat to take pills or medicene and he needs worming. is there anything else you can recommend? A: We sell an inexpensive gadget called a pet piller. works great for cats.
