Pregnant dogQ: Is it ok to give heartworm meds if it's possible that my dog is pregnant A: Heartgard and iverhart(the generic equivalent) are safe to use on pregnant dogs.
Shop for: heartgard
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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My daughters dogQ: About 6 months ago my daughter brought home a mixed breed puppy that her friend gave her. about 3 months ago we noticed that the puppy had started scrathing all the time so we thought the puppy may have fleas so we gave her a bath with flea shampoo and put a flea collar on her. about a week or so after we noticed she started loosing her fur on either side of her stomach and there are little black dots on her skin and she still hasn't stopped scratching since. my daughter is convienced the puppy has cancer. what should we do for the poor thing, that wouldnt be to exspensive, money is an issue being a single mother of 4 but still wanting to give my kids the joy of having a puppy in our home. A: Have puppy checked for mange at your vet via skin scrape. if no mites then could be simply an allergy which would need allergy medicine to control
LobelleQ: I was wondering if you had ever heard of a drug called lobelle? a freind of mind told me that someone they new had a dog that tested positive for heartworms and she gave her dog lobelle , which is an herbal drug i believe and it got rid of the heart worms and now she gives this to her dog as a preventitive. have you ever heard of this. it is sold at health stores i think. A: I am not familiar with this preparation.
SafetyQ: We have a 5 year old chocolate lab and are considering giving her frontline plus for her fleas however, we also have a 21 month old son who is constantly crawling all over her. what side effects, if any can occur to my son should he come in contact with the medication that has been applied topically? A: Keep your dog apart from your child for about 24 hours after application. once it is dry there is no problem. it would only be a problem if your child came in contact with a lot of the product while wet on the lab.
Shop for: frontline plus, frontline
Ear mitesQ: I have a 5 year old 75 ld male dog, his right ear has a lot of dark brown build up and it has a very pungent odor, in the past my other dog had the same symptom. the vet diagnosed as ear mites. what can i use and can i order it thru petmed. A: I would not be so quick to call 5 year old dog with dark brown wax in ear as ear mites as more common in this age to have overgrowth of yeast or bacteria. if you want, you coudl try mitaclear from 1800petmeds but i would certainly recommend vet exam of ear for best treatment. also see article i wrote on ear care on education part of this website
Shop for: ear mites, 1800petmeds
CoughingQ: My 105# rottie had all shots/ kennel cough vacs. on july 10th. july 20th in the early am he started a dry, deep cough as if something was cought in his throat. he doesn't cough much. could you tell me if this sounds like kennel cough. is kennel cough airborn. he has been staying in a crate that was used by a puppy approx. 6 weeks ago A: Kennel cough is stress induced disease caused by various viruses and bacteria some of which are normal inhabitants of dogs airways but overgrow under periods of stress. can be worsened or spread by airborne issues. also a good case example as why i am not big fan of kennel cough vaccine as i dont feel it has been shown to be effective in my opinion and in fact i think i see more kennel cough in vaccinated dogs in my experience and opinion
Ear infectionsQ: My black lab chief has chronic ear infections my husband about every two weeks when it gets real bad cleans them and puts medicine in them. my question is could he take a pill that would actually clear up the infection. i believe he never gets rid of the actual infection. help (he's 4 years old and 115 lbs.) big dog. A: Have him seen by your veterinarian.