RingwormQ: We adopted two rescue dogs recently. one was obtained dec. 26 and the other jan. 10. my youngest child showed up with ringworm about a week after getting the second dog. after a doctor's visit and fungal cream, a patch showed up in his hair. i had the dogs checked but the vet saw no evidence of ringworm. the second dog developed patches on his two front feet that looked like my child cut them with sissors. i had the vet do a culture from these spots and only two small colonies grew. she wasn't concerned. ringworm has now spread to my other two children and myself. we are all using a cream prescribed by a doctor and my son with the patch in his hair is now on grifulvin for 4 weeks. in desperation, i asked the vet to medicate the dogs. she reluctantly gave me fulvicin (6 per day/dog). told me to mix with food and corn oil. why the corn oil? i put the pills down their throats to make sure they get them. is that ok or should they be chewed? i do have one house cat who is strictly indoors and has never been out, but the ring worm showed up after we got the dogs. how long does it take for a person to show up with symptoms? which dog would you suspect? how is this being spread? what do i need to do to end it? i have spent about $800 so far in meds, vet bills, doctor appointments. i appreciate all the advice you can offer. thanks A: Corn oil is meant to help increase absorption of griseofulvin which is not well absorbed on empty stomach and is best absorbed with fatty meal. i would treat all pets in house including cat(but must check for fiv first in cat before starting a drug like griseofulvin), and some pets need to have hair clipped and additional topical therapy as well. you may want to see a vet dermatologist to end problem once and for all as there are other drugs besides griseofulvin which are more effective in some cases. as for person showing up with symptoms you have to ask your human doctors for that answer.
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Frontline plusQ: I recently spent a lot of money and bought frontline plus for my dog and cat. my dog weighs 30 pounds and my cat weighs 5 pounds. so far after three days, frontline plus is not working! both animals are scratching just as much as ever except more on their heads! what should i do now. i hate seeing my animals suffering, but i don't have a lot of m oney to spend and i am disappointed on the product i recently used. is there some pills i can give them that will work better? please let me know. thanks A: You can order capstar tablets which will kill the existing fleas within a short time and allow the frontline plus to function as it was intended.
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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.
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!
TapewormQ: If my cat has tapeworms, and i order the bottle with 3 pills in it will that be enough to get rid of them, or will i need more then 3 pills? A: That depends on the weight of the cat and the medication you will be using. the veterinarian evidently ordered the 3 pills based on those factors.
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.
