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
Cheaper rx food for 10 y/o male cat?
Q: Hi, i've had to pay for high rx food for my 10 y/o fixed lhd cat for many yrs. is there any way to get equivalent uti rx cat food, such as eukanuba low ph/s and hill's c/d? over the yrs, it has cost literally several thousand $, and i'm by no means rich. in fact, i'm quite poor. can i buy powder or pills? thanks muchly, paul m.
A: I am not a big believer in these urinary diets which create other problems. simply feed a good natural brand wet cat food (not dry) to your pet like pet guard or innova.
Itching
Q: 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
Shop for: prednisone
Flea, tick, & bheart worm
Q: Hi, i have two 6 year old male ( brothers) peekapoms. i've been using frontline for quite a while now, and also a heartworm, i hear that there is some combination drop i can give them instead. i can not give them pills, no way, no how. after this last treatment they are still scratching so, but i don't see any fleas! i bathe them about q2 weeks, sometimes more, sometimes less, dependson the heat and such. any suggestions to keep them healthy, yet less miserable would be appreciated! thanks lola
A: Revolution is a product the helps prevent heartworm, fleas, ticks and ear mites. it also treats sarcoptic mange.
Shop for: tick, ear mites, revolution
Medicine for liver reading off the charts
Q: Do you have a suggestion for liver reading off the charts? my vet prescribed zenotil which cannot be cut up or crushed and my cat won't take it. i live alone and don't have anyone to help me hold the cat while i try to open her mouth. she is also taking hyperthyroid pills but these are no problem as they can be crushed and put in her food. do you know of another pill whilch would help her liver? she has lost weight and is hiding under the bed, as she is afraid i will try to force her. her latest thyroid reading was normal. do you have a suggestion for another medication, one that can be cut up and will it interfere with her tapazol (methmazole 5 mg) ?
A: We carry a dosing device called a pet piller that is specifically designed for your needs.
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
Heartworm meds
Q: 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
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