Alaskan malamuteQ: We have a malamute that has trouble getting up. he is 10 yrs old (125 lbs.) and we got a perscription of rymidl and he wouldnot take it, we also got glyco-flex and he will not take them either. right now he is on eucanuba veteranry diet dog food. we also have a 10 yr old sheltie that is over weight that is why they are on diet dog food. what do you recomend that we try for him. he does eat treats, but he will not eat a pill and i can't force him too, he is too strong, he will not open his mouth. if i do get it in there he just spits it out. i tried stuffing some in a hot dog (they normally don't get people food) but he ate the hot dog and spit out the pills. if you have any ideas please let me know. thanks A: You may want to try cosequin ds. these are capsules that you can open and sprinkle the contents on the dogs food.
Chronic cough and bronchitisQ: Hi, we have an 18 year old old english sheep dog mix. his health is relatively good but he has a constant cough. he also has a horrible skin itch condition. we have been getting him a cortizone shot periodically to help with the itch. that seems to wear off after about a month. the doctor also gives him 400mg amoxicillin (which i don't think does much). what does help tremendously is pills he gets called tussigon. the problem is it's only a few days after the pills are gone and he's coughing again. x-rays show a lot of bronchial scarring on his right lung. he hacks until he sounds like he will vomit. i found the temaril-p on this site and wonder if it might be a good try. i would like to do more for him than has been done so he can get permanent relief. thank you. A: Temaril p can sometimes be helpful with these kind of coughs. make sure complete workup has been done. may want to ask for a transtracheal wash for a definitive diagnosis of cough. likely is allergic or inflammatory in nature. also may want to consider aminophylline which is carried by many vets and can help dilate airways and does not have many side effects
Rockys vaccinesQ: I have a yorkie that is going to be 2 years old in october, he has been to the vet twice since he was a baby. what type of vaccines is he in need of right now in order for him to be up to date, and does he require heartworm pills or any other type of worm pills? thank you A: The latest theory is that dogs that have been properly immunized as puppies and have received their shots for parvo/distemper are likely to have adequate immunity and years of protection. as for heartworm preventative, your dog should be taking medication once a month to prevent this potentially fatal disease.
Muscle spasms and lamenessQ: 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
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Stool eatingQ: I also have a beagle that eats other dog and rabbits stool. how soon will i see the difference after i start giving my pet the deter pills? thanks A: This product is usually effective within 2 weeks. however, if the product is not working, the manufacturer recommends using double the dose for an additional 2 weeks.
Blood in urineQ: During the winter i notice my dog was peeing blood. i took him to the vet and she said dont give him any people food. she gave me some pills to give him, and put him on hills prescription diet s/d. he finished the pills and she said said his urine was clear. but hes still on the hills. is there any thing else that will keep him clear? im retired and am not able to make extra money to help pay for this food. thanks dale A: I am not a big fan of these diets and feel athat they are not necessary in most cases long term. in fact the s/d diet is really only useful if a dog has been shown to have active bladder stones, and then used only temporarily in an attempt to dissolve them. it is not meant to be long term diet. try good natural diet like pet guard or innova or canidae. diets are way overplayed even for preventing urinary infections which has no scientific basis. most vets receive very little nutrition in vet school and tell clients what pet food manufacterers tell us!!!!
Pills&catsQ: How do u give a cat a pill? A: We have a gadget called pet piller.
