Barf dietQ: Is the biologically available raw diet able to give my dog all the nutients that he/she needs? A: No. i suggest you consult your veterinarian for a diet that would be best for your dog.
Heartworm prescriptionsQ: My vet refuses to give me a prescription for heartworm medicine, unless i put my dog through blood tests for heart worms. she has been on heart worm medicine all of her life, and is very healthy. my personal feeling is that he wants me to only buy the heart worm medicine from him, so he makes it difficult for me. A: If your veterinarian has never asked you to give your dog a heartworm test ih the past and has sold you the product, your feelings are probably very genuine.
Bumps on my dogs stomach and back legs?Q: My dog just recently got what looks like a rash on his stomach. he's been licking and scratching at it. i can't afford to take him to a vet. he's is 6 months old german shepherd/ lab mix. what do you recommend i do for treatment? A: I would use antibacterial shampoo every few days such as oxydex or chlorihexiderm shampoo from 1800petmeds. you could try topical gentacin topical spray as well in addition to oral benadryl at dose of 1/2 to 1 mg per pound orally twice daily. if persists, you will have to see vet for stronger meds and antibiotics, etc
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AllergiesQ: My 4 year old maltese has had allergies since birth. i have tried several medications to no avail. steroids seem to help the most, but due to side affects, i would rather not use them. should i now seek a dog dermatolagist? A: That would be great idea as he could address problem through allergy testing or restricted protein diets like purina ha. also you could consider new allergy drug known as atopica which is highly effective alternative to steroids
Uncontrollable at groomersQ: I have a five year old cocker spaniel who has never been very social with anyone but the family and sometmies not even with us. the only way i could get him groomed was to stay at the groomers and physically hold him so he could be cut - he growls at the groomer (and me), has snipped at the groomer (but never bitten her) and is in general what i can only call a coudgedty old man. he had seizures when he was much younger but has not had any for several years. his hair now looks like he belongs to scatchswatch what with all the mats. he also has skin problems which i have treated with oatmeal baths that seem to sooth the itch. am at the point of trying to shave his hair off myself - what would you suggest? he is a beautiful dog and i love him to pieces but he is certainly more than i can handle at the groomers anymore. A: Perhaps see vet who has grooming services so they can give him mild sedative so can be clipped correctly. unfortunately have to avoid such common sedatives prescribed orally by vets such as acepromazine which can actually pricipitate seizures in susceptible pets. so best for injectable sedation