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.
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SymptomsQ: What are symptoms of heartworm? should all dogs be taking heartworm? A: Symptoms include exercise intolorance or shortness of breath; dry gagging or wet cough; swollen abdomen or difficult breathing and other vague signs of illness such as lethargy, loss of appetite, etc. some dogs have no signs. others display only one or a few of above. all dogs should be on once monthly heartworm preventative meds
TapewormsQ: I have owned a 16 month old male sheltie for 6 months. when we first got him he had tapeworms. he has been treated and they come back after 2 months. i have given him fronline on a monthly basis (even though we are in the winter months when fleas have not been a problem). we just noticed that they are back and we must treat him again). this will be the fourth time and i would like to know if you have any suggestions. i spoke with my vets office today and they said some dogs are more into self-grooming than others and once the flea is swallowed the worms come back. i have owned shelties and collies for the past 25 years and have never encountered this problem before. i ordered my last worm treatment from you because i got two doses for the price of one from the vet. i would hate to think that this dog would have to be treated for tapeworms every 2 months for the rest of his life (i'd do it but would want to know about any health complications. please send me your advice.......in no great hurry but would like a response. thanks so much. A: Are we sure that they are tapeworms and not other type of worms. if so, treating him periodically with droncit is fairly safe and can be repeated as needed. is highly unusual unless he is constantly being exposed to fleas. make sure you have treated house for fleas to make sure no eggs around
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OrbaxQ: My vet perscribed orbax along with otc pepcid for my dog. i just read that orbax should not be used in conjunction with antacids. should i be concerned? A: The plain pepcid(not the pepcid complete) will not interact with the orbax. the second pepcid product contains an antacid to neutralize any acid in the stomach. the pepcid portion stops the production of acid. it is the alkaline nature of the antacid that reacts with the orbax.
Dog eating own stoolQ: My puppy is 7 months old and i have been catching him eat own stools when he messes in the house. he does not do it outside or to his brothers stool. how do i get him to stop? A: Try using deter which should make the stool impalatable to him.
Dry skinQ: Thank you for your assistance. my husband and i just purchased a female cocker spaniel before thanksgiving and she is now 5 months old and is scratching quite a bit. she is not bothered by fleas and we have already started her on frontline for puppies with our vet last month and she has received all her shots. q1. what could be causing her dry skin irritations and scratching? q2. what other nuturtional support or products can we use for dry skin? thank you. A: I suggest you have her checked by your veterinarian. there are many causes of itching in dogs. your veterinarian can determine the cause and recommend appropriate treatment.
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