Still has fleasQ: I have a cat that is 2 years old and he doesn't go outside at all. i also have 2 dogs. all of the animals are on frontline plus. the dogs do not have any fleas but my cat still gets them even though i have him on frontline plus. he is a large cat, about 15 lbs. please let me know if i should give my cat a different flea medicine because frontline plus doesn't seem to be working and these fleas are driving me crazy!! A: For the immediate problem i would recommend your using capstar tablets for your cat for about 3 days or so. that will kill all the adult fleas on him. the problem is probably that there are fleas in his area in the house. you have to vacuum the area every day for a few days and perhaps use a spray to clean the area. you can get information on flea control on our website but this should work.
Shop for: frontline, frontline plus, capstar
Ear infection and fur lossQ: My 13 year old dog always has ear infections, hair loss and flakes where there is the hair. the hair comes away easily. the ears produce a dark and smelly discharge that is slimey. he gets it in both ears, but the right one is the worst. i clean his ears and put antibiotic drops, but he keeps getting infections. the vet removed one of his testicles, because he had a tumor and that was causing the ear infections. the joint to his front paw is swollen, lost hair and is purplish with some discharge. the vet states that it could be flebitis and i was giving him antibiotics, it still is a little swollen with hair loss. he also had vestibular disease a couple months back. could the ear infections be caused by a skin allergy or are the ear infections causing him to be unstable (vestibular disease)(i know it has something to do with the brain) or is it a thyroid problem causing ear infections a the skin disorder? thank you. A: Ear problems are most commonly due to inhalent and/or food allergies but also possibly low thyroid which you should check. unless address underyling causes, then recurs. also in such a long standing case might want to culture ears to see what is growing in them and consider x rays of inner/middle ear which has tob e done under sedation as sometimes surgical drainage and flushing is needed. might need surgical specialist here
Unusual furQ: My dog has recently grown a odd white fur on his left side and it has a black ring around it. i was wondering what it was because my friend said it might be scabies. A: I doubt it is scabies which causes intense itching in dogs. likely some sort of innocent hair follicle change, but you should take to vet to examine
BiospotQ: I've recently heard of severe spasmodic reactions and even deaths in cats who had been given biospot topical treatments. both my vet's office and the head of a local rescue told me of these problems. they think that using biospot on large dogs seems to be safe, but highly recommended that i avoid using it on my cats altogether. have you heard of more such problems with biospot? where can i find this kind of information? i appreciate whatever help you can provide. A: Unfortunately, these types of reactions can occur with the use of any topical flea and tick product. i usually rfecommend frontline plus because of my experience and the lack of adverse reactions.
Shop for: biospot, tick, frontline
Sudden deathQ: I had a 10 month old white boxer puppy. she was fine earlier in the afternoon. happy, healthy, playful. she was eating and drinking normally and exibited no signs of sickness. several hours later my husband found her dead. there were no signs of struggle, no blood, vomit, or foaming around the mouth. she seemed to have just fallen over dead while walking. we also have an adult dog in the same pen. she seems fine. no signs of illness. could it have been parvovirus or poison? A: Could have been viral or poisening or many possibilities. however in this breed i would place genetic heart defect at top of my list as cause of sudden death
14 year old malteseQ: My dog cody has recently been having sezures. he falls on the floor and begains crying and convulsing . when i pick him up it stops. he seems confused. then he is fine. he has been short of breath for the last 2 weeks. because of his age i hesatate to take him to the vet and put him through any trauma. i would like him to pass at home with me, but i don't want him to suffer. does this sound like heart failure. he is a inside dog A: Cant tell what it is without seeing him. the fast breathing could be pain from a problem in his brain and not necessarily related to heart. usually with heart disease there is increased coughing in many cases. sorry to say but really should go to vet
Heartworm medoicationQ: I have no doubt my dogs don't have heartworm, they were in the house throughtout the winter. how come my vet won't give my the heartworm tablets without testing and do i absolutely need my dogs to be tested. it's a monetary issue for me, since i can't really affoird both the tablets and testing. A: If you question your vet i am sure it all boils down to being assured of compliance in administration of the heartworm medication over the last year. there may be additional reasons, but only your veterinarian can disclose those to you.
Licks front dog paws.Q: I have a blind overweight bassett hound and she licks her front paws all the time. she has licked them so much that she has a growth or callus on them. why and what is this? A: Could be nervous problem or more likely allergies which is very common in this breed either to inhalent allergens like mold, dust, grasses, etc and/or food allergies
