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.
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
PancreatitisQ: Dear dr., my 8 yr old vizsla suffered an attack of "pancreatitis" on mem day weekend. she was hospitalized and fasted, given iv, antibiotics and carafate. we gradually weaned her from hamburger/rice to dry dog food and she started to suffer again. her lab chemistry reports were all normal including lipase. amylase was 1538 and our vet suggested hamburger/rice and gradually wean to hills id this time. we are doing that but she seems so "depressed". could she be this way due to pain? how long does it take for the pancreas to heal so there is no more pain? should she be taking any other med or supplement to help the pancreas heal? A: Tough to say as each case of pancreatitis is different. despite sometimes even diet therapy some dogs can have relapses. usually most recover in a matter of days to a week. however i would make sure diagnosis is correct by having abdominal ultrasound done as many vets over diagnose this condition based on blood tests. also consider prozyme supplementation from 1800petmeds which can help long term as well as making home made diet as described in book dr. pitcairns guide to natural health for dogs and cats by richard pitcairn, dvm
Shop for: prozyme, 1800petmeds
Hypo-thyroidQ: Hi - i have a 13 year old red dobe - she has been on solixine .06 for quite some time now, for a thyroid condition, which if memory serves me correctly, is for a condition called "hypo-thryoid". she was recently tested again and the dosage is appropriate (60lbs). my question is, i am looking for an alternative place to purchase her medicine. the local vet seems to be making a fortune off us! (monthly dosage = $30). it seems high to me, any suggestions? -jamie A: We have both soloxine and the generic equivalent levothyroxine in our pharmacy. please call for our price. also be aware that if you choose to go with the generic, it will probably be necessary to re-titrate your dog after a short adjustment period to be assured of proper blood levels.
Enlarged nippleQ: My beagle/terrier mix, is almost 9 years old she has had an enlarged nipple once before, we didn't think anything of it, one day it broke and bled, then it was fine. well gradually within the last 3 months its gotten way bigger than last time, what do you suggest we do, or know what it could be, other than that, she is always scratching herself, and has real puffy dry swelled skin above her tail on her back side, we give her baths and treat the puffy area with peroxide. are we leaving something out? thanks A: Could be benign cyst of teat or less likely a more malignant tumor. take and have evaluated at vet. if persists, might want to have surgical biopsy
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
