Gas & moreQ: My dog, a 3 yr. old jack russel terrier, has a more than usual problem with gas, my god is it a problem. he eats grass a lot to make himself throw up, recently. today my wife said he had blood in his stool as well. what could cause these symtoms and what can we do to treat it? his gas was bad enough, smelled something terrible!! now, with the blood in his stool, we are more concerned.we've changed his food severial times in the last month, it dosen't seem to help.this has been going on now for a few months now, please help. thank you, sincerely, tatum A: Needsd complete workup at vet including stool check for intestinal parasites includign whipworms, hookworms and giardia which i like to check at outside lab. if all negative sometimes we will still worm with broad acting wormer like panacure just to make sure. might want to try low allery prescription diet like purina ha as well as adding prozyme from 1800petmeds o help with digestion. consider slippery elm from health food store for symptomatic relief of upset stomachs
Shop for: prozyme, 1800petmeds, panacur
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
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.
Frontlineplus for dogQ: The choices for above product list for white dog, yellow dog, etc. my sheltie is black, brown and white and weighs 40lbs. which 6pk color pack should i chose? thanks A: The colors refer to the different strengths of medication. you need the frontline plus medium, 23 - 44 pounds
Shop for: frontline plus, frontline
Missed doseQ: I ran out of heartgard about 2 onths ago and forgot to renew the prescritpion. is it safe to just re-start heartgard in my dog? or does she need to be tested first? thanks. A: You could start the pill without a problem. at your next scheduled vet visit or yearly get his normal once yearly test. there are actually very old patients who i have diagnosed actual heartworm infection, and we put them on the preventative to cut down on reproduction of the existing adult worms in those cases we decide not to treat due to age, risk etc. it was only the old daily heartworm pills that you had to make sure your pet was negative before giving them.
Shop for: heartgard