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Shedding
Q: 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
Abscess
Q: My dog had a lump just below his eye. the lump broke and drained. it has been draining for 3 weeks. in that time i have used antibiotic pills and triple antibiotic ointment. i am currently using baytril. as soon as the wound heels shut it swells up and then breaks open and starts draining. i wash it off several times daily with a wash cloth. and have used three different antibiotics and there doesn't seem to be an end to this problem. my dog is under a veterinarians care. is there more first aid that i can do to end this. as will i consult the veterinarian too.
A: Make sure vet has ruled out underyling foreign body or tumor under eye which needs to be addressed. also might want to culture discharge to make sure right antibiotic has been used for long enough time
Incontinence
Q: 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
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.
Going to the bathroom too much.
Q: My cat is a couple of days away from taking his 2nd and last dose of his tapeworm pills that i got from the vet. he wasn't doing that until i came back from the vet, and while they were their at the vets office they got a virus and we treated it with clavamox, they are still on that doseage. he is constantly going to the litter boxes and tring to poop, but most of the time noting comes out. to the best of my knowledge there is no blood, diarreia, or anything like that. all i see is that he is just making too many trips. i am wondering, could that be a side affect of the worms or the pills, or maybe another problem.
A: I dobubt from meds. but it could be urinary problem so should return to vet as male cats can have bladder issues which can lead to blockages
Worms
Q: I just saved a dog domestic animal services, (the pound). she had hook worm, and they gave her something for it. when i had brought her home she had ticks really bad. we gave her advantix and many baths. i even bombed my house. i just took another stool sample in and now she has tapeworms. i have a presciption for droncit 34, which was 4 pills all at once. my questions are, will heartguard prevent these worms, and is this normal to have 2 different worms within a month. also do you carry any medicines for the hookworm and tapeworms, without a presciption?
A: Heartgard is for heartworm prevention only. heartgard plus will also protect against hookworm and roundworm. panacur-c is an over the counter, broad spectrum wormer, that will treat hookworm, roundworm, whipworm and tapeworm.
Shop for: heartgard, tick, heartgard plus, advantix
Is testing necessary?
Q: Our dog takes heartworm meds during the mosquito months. when calling for a blood test appointment, the non-vet person on the phone assured me i could begin treatment prior to testing. when i said everything i have read states a test must precede the meds, she said that was with old meds. with "today's" newer meds, it's no longer necessary. she would not give me an appointment before june, and i think i need a new office! please help.
A: Actually person you spoke with on phone is quite educated. there are virtually no risk to using once monthly heartworm pills even if dog has heartworms. risks were with old daily preventatives which are no longer available
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