Ear infectionsQ: My lab has a problem with her ears again. she has had several ear infections and always seems to get them back every few months. she has had drops, drops with prednisone, and prednisone pills at times. she usually starts with a very dark brown wax in her ears and then she starts shaking her head and her ears get all red under the flap. she had kennel cough several months ago and i have some doxycycline left from that. would it help to give her some of that to clear up the infection? A: I wouldn't without checking with your own veterinarian. antibiotics are prescribed based on the type of infection. what's going on in your pet's ear may require a different antibiotic. only an examination can tell.
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Ear infectionQ: Hi, i have a king cavalier spaniel mix maltese. she is almost 9 years old. it's been almost a year and she has an ear infection i believe. only on her right ear. she keeps scratching and the ear sometime bleed and when i clean it she feels hurt. i've seen the doctor and the doctor gave the medicine, but it didn't work. the doctor been giving clavamox, periodosne, baytril ear drops and baytril pills, also opirinse for rinsing. but none seems works. please advise. thanks! A: Have ear cultured to see what is growing so medicine can be correct one. also have to look at underlying causes of ear infections like low thyroid and allergies which your vet can assess
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
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Female dogQ: My female dog thatwas fixed wehn she was young and is now 12 years old all of a sudden started leaking while laying down and leaving wet spots and sometimes a big big wet spot not even knowing it. i saw her lay down and in minutes there was a big wet spot. i took her to the vet and she said sometimes it happens early in there life or later. she gave me phenylpropanolamine and said to give it to her every 12 hours. she said if this worked she wouldn't have to come back for blood work ect. seems to be doing the trick so far and she said if it does she would have to take it the rest of her life. is this true that she has to stay on it or can i take her off of it after the pills are finished? thank you so much for you time. a concerned pet owner A: In most cases, pets that are placed on phenylpropanolamine therapy for urinary leakage will need to be on this medication for life.
Use of vetalogQ: My dog has seasonal allergies. it only happens late summer and into fall. our vet gives us vetalog 1.5mg to use, and starts her off with an injection of the same, stating the pills will not be as affective without it. is this true, and after what i have read of the recommendations give to others in the same situation, is this treatment safe? i was not made aware of the risks or longterm affests of vetalog. this is used only during the summertime when the symptoms occur (which seem to be early this year). A: I am not fan of long acting steroids like vetalog and much prefer with similar results tapering dose of short acting prednisone over a few weeks to alternate day therapy as best way of using cortisone in practice. no need for injections. oral way is less toxic and stressful on immune system and adrenal glands and way most vet dermatologists use cortisone
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