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
Shop for: vitamin, prozyme, 1800petmeds
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
Heart wormsQ: Our dog tested positive for a moderate case of heartworms. we took him to a teaching hospital for treatment, where he received 2 injections and stayed 3 nights. they said he did very well, and he could have his last injection in a month at a regular vet. when i called to find a vet, they didn't give a third injection. we can't afford to have him return to the vet school again. should we just begin heart worm pills or is there an injection i can buy and give? A: The two injections might be enough. but i would ask for letter from teaching hospital stating what injection isneeded likely immiticide, which most vets carry. but might be able to get away with just starting monthly heartworm pills as usually the two injections is enough in most cases if you cant find vet who will give 3rd injection
Excessive sheddingQ: I have a 4 yr. old yellow lab and a 2 yr. old golden. both shed terribly, which i guess comes with the breed. i have been told, however, there are supplements they can take to reduce shedding. is this so? my lab sheds way more than the golden and it's really out of control. would the fact that they're both on adult lite science diet or in the past adult lite eukanuba affect their coats as far as shedding? is there something missing from their diet? i see that brewer's yeast tablets indicate they help with shedding but the dosage is 1 pill per every 10 lbs. that would be 6 pills per day per dog. that seems a bit much. what do you suggest? A: I dont like these lite foods as i feel they do supplement nutrients as well as calories and therefore i find alot of dogs who eat these foods have poor quality coats. i would use supplements like prozyme from 1800petmeds as well as flax seed oil at 1 tea per 20 pounds of body weight daily, as well as lecithin and kelp from health food store. check out dr. pitcairns guide to natural health for dogs and cats by richard pitcairn for more suggestions and dosages
Shop for: prozyme, 1800petmeds
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
pet meds prednisone explanationTerms used in this page:
pet - a domesticated animal kept for companionship or amusement
Master of Education, MEd - a master's degree in education
prednisone, Orasone, Deltasone, Liquid Pred, Meticorten - a dehydrogenated analogue of cortisol (trade names Orasone or Deltasone or Liquid Pred or Meticorten); used as an anti-inflammatory drug in the treatment of arthritis and as an immunosuppressant
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