Heartworm in a golden retrieverQ: My 12 year old golden retriever, "sunshine," has been diagnosed with heartworm disease. the recommended treatment (injections, rest for one month each time, etc) seems very harsh as my dog is outwardly extremely healthy. i realize that she is quite old for a golden retriever and most likely only has about two more years with a good quality of life. thus, my inclination is to not give her the more drastic treatments that may impair the quality of what life she has left. we keep her at a healthy weight, she runs a great deal, has little or no arthritis and is a happy, (seemingly) healthy member of the family. what is your opinion? is it possible that preventatvie medicines such as heartworm pills would keep the disease at the same level it is now? our veterinarian seemed to only recommend the most involved of treatment. it is not the cost that is stopping me from nor treatment. also, as a physician's daughter, i do use and believe in modern medicine. however, i just believe that dogs (and humans) are often treated late in life with prodecures and medications to cure diseases and they would be better off just living their last days or years on their own. any information would be helpful. thank you in advance. A: A tough decision to make as you are right about wondering about side effects of treatment in older dogs. some vet cardiologists have no problem putting such pets on monthly heartworm pills if decide not to treat to cut down on heartworm larvae and baby heartworms, but of course does nothing for existatn adults but at least stops reproduction
Lab earQ: Doc, i have fought with numerous vets about the yeast infections my lab gets from swimming all the time. i have a vet that gives me an atiboitic in pill form, but insists that i come in for an exam before he prescribes them to me. they charge me an arm and a leg for all of this....can you tell me what these pills usually are. i want to start ordering them online. they clear up my labs ears in less than a week and he's usually good for the rest of the summer. thanks, your old pal in arizona, shorty A: If you will call our order department and speak with one of our representative, they will be able to aid you.
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.
Medicine for liver reading off the chartsQ: Do you have a suggestion for liver reading off the charts? my vet prescribed zenotil which cannot be cut up or crushed and my cat won't take it. i live alone and don't have anyone to help me hold the cat while i try to open her mouth. she is also taking hyperthyroid pills but these are no problem as they can be crushed and put in her food. do you know of another pill whilch would help her liver? she has lost weight and is hiding under the bed, as she is afraid i will try to force her. her latest thyroid reading was normal. do you have a suggestion for another medication, one that can be cut up and will it interfere with her tapazol (methmazole 5 mg) ? A: We carry a dosing device called a pet piller that is specifically designed for your needs.
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
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
Diarrhea in puppyQ: I have a 5 month old shih-tzu male puppy. he is eating everything and keeps getting loose stools and sometimes diarrhea. i have given immodium pills to my other dog before. is it alright to give this to my puppy? it seemed to work for the other dog in the past. thanks, helen hernandez A: It is ok for a day or two but can cause constipation and cramping if used longer than that. if continues take to vet
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!!!!
