Generic med vs. name brandQ: I have a 3 month old german shepherd and i am getting ready to start her on heart worm meds. i wanted to know which would be the best way to go? the cost is important in some ways, but if its better for my dog, i'll spend a little extra. also what's the best in flea and tick meds? thanks and best regards. A: You can save money by using iverhart plus which is the generic equivalent for heartgard plus.
Shop for: tick, heartgard, heartgard plus
Chewing and diggingQ: My rot is constantly scratching and digging. her fur is falling out and i don't know what to do. i was told that it was her dogfood because of corn being the main ingrediant. is that a correct assumption? if so what would be a good and affordable brand of dogfood? A: Corn mayor may not be involved. can have allergies to any ingredients. io would try low allergy natural diet such as wellness fish and potato or california natural lamb and rice diet by natura. if no help after 6 weeks, then you might want to have inhalent allergy workup via skin or blood allergy testing at vet dermatologist
Kennel coughQ: I have a 13 year old dog that went to a kennel for 3 days. they gave him a shot for kennel cough. he come home about a week he stared to cough. went back to vet. they gave me a 2 week of clavamox he has taken them. now he is stell coughing just like he was. are there something i can give him that home to help him and his cough? james gaddis A: Can try a a teaspoon or two of robitussin a few times daily but need to see why still coughing. could be other problem here and not kennel cough. make sure chest xrays done and no heart or other lung issues going on
Leg weaknessQ: My 12 yr old mixed breed has been having weakness in his back legs. he has been on glyco.flex i for about 2 yrs. as he gets older, he is having more difficulty getting up & down stairs. should we stay with the glyco i or is it time to go to glyco.flex 2 or 3 ? also he is on zubrin. thanks ! A: I would indeed graduate to likely glycoflex iii from your description. also add flax seed oil to food at dose of 1 tea per 20 pounds of body weight daily and give antioxidant vitamins like vitamin e at dose of 400iu daily and vitamin c in form of ester c at dose of 1000 mg twice daily
Shop for: vitamin, zubrin Sudden bad breathQ: My dog's breath has gotten really bad just recently...it's normally not great but recently has gotten really putrid, almost fishy. this has been consistent for almost a week so i don't think it's something he ate. i'm planning to take him to the vet soon for a check-up but is there anything that you know may be causing this in the mean time? A: Could be build up of tartar on teeth or gingivitis or oral infection. might need teeth cleaning and antibiotic therapy. take to vet when possible
Which is best for a tiny dog?Q: I just aquired a 3 yr. old yorkie/llhasa mix. (girl). her owner passed away and she was left in my care. she has been very well taken care of as far as vet care and immunizations. i do think she has worms and also needs flea and tick meds. what would you reccommend for my new dog.? she only weighs about 3 lbs. very tiny. thank you, kathie kiter A: I would use monthly interceptor or heartgard which will prevent most intestinal worms and of course heartworms. as for flea/tick meds be very careful with topical products on such a little dog as they can react, you may want to try oral program.
Shop for: tick, heartgard, interceptor
SheddingQ: Hi, i have a mixed breed housedog, part german shepherd, not sure of the rest who weighs 80 lbs and sheds excessively. she checks out fine. is there anything i can give her to help? thank you A: You can try addind lecithin granules to her food daily. this sometimes help with shedding. i like a product called lecizyme which also contains other nutrients and enzymes to make sure she is adequately processing her foods. |shedding occurs at different times of year, and is usually harmless, as long as there is no other signs of illness. if you cant find the above product, one called prozyme can help with this as well.|i also like to add essential fatty acids like flaxseed oil to the food daily, which can be dosed at 1 teaspoon per 20 pounds of body weight daily. then see ifit helps over a few month period.
Shop for: prozyme
Anal leakageQ: My cat is 2 and fixed, but lately when he sits down, he leaves, there is a clear wet spot from his butt. and it really smells! he doesn't act sick and eats well. is this normal A: He might have impacted or infected anal glands. i would have vet evaluate and possibly express the glands if needed.