New rx needed q year/Q: Do you require a new rx from our vet. for ea. 1 year supply of heartgard? or could i get a refill prn from you? A: It's up to your veterinarian, how often he wants to test for heartworms. some vets will authorize 2 year prescriptions if they know that the pet has taken preventatives every month.
Shop for: heartgard
Yellow labQ: I own a 5yr old yellow lab, who has black stuff in both ears and black stuff outside his ears, i've been treating him for earmites and it has'nt cleared up. he shakes his head and whines when i clean them. please help! he is an outside dog. this problem just started in all the time i've had him. is there something i can get him in he pet supply store for this? A: You could try broad acting antbacterial/antifungal anti inflammatory drops like tresaderm twice daily to ears. however best to have vet exam so he/she could get cytology of ear discharge to see if is bacterial or yeast overgrowth in ears and culture ears if necessary. also often need to address underyling allergies or thyroid issues in this breed which vet can do or problems will relapse
Viokase powder & tabletsQ: I have a female akita that will need to take this for the rest of her life and was wondering if the powder & pills are the same or if one is better than the other. the vet said that the pills may not work as well as the powder. do you know? there is quite a price difference between the two items. A: Chemically the powder and the pills are the same. however, the concentration is different. you would need more tablets for an equivalent dose of the powder. also, i understand there are manufacturing and/or supply issues with viokase. you may have to use a product called pancrezyme instead. this is generically equivalent to viokase-v.
Shop for: pancrezyme
Skin conditionQ: I have a white toy poodle - he has developed bumps on one side of his body that had green puss coming out...as soon as i realized this i cleaned the area and poured perioxide to "boil" the area....this seemed to help and dry the area...all but in the bed of his hind-leg where he licks alot. this area is still red and looks irritated....what can i do? the other bumps are still there but still appear to be all dried up and no longer oozing with green puss...thanks A: Try antibacterial shampoos every few days with one such as chlorihexiderm shampoo from 1800petmeds. if persists, see vet for likely diagnosis and prescription antibiotics, etc
Shop for: 1800petmeds
GluecomaQ: My son has a 1year old black lab that went blind at about 8 months old. one eye has a detached retina the other gluecoma. my son has to put drops in the dogs eyes and has a prescription for xalatan drops - which are very expensive on his limited income. is there anywhere you know of online he can order this medication that would be cheaper than his pharmacy ($57.00 for a month and 1/2 supply). A: We do not stock xalatan. you can check on-line pharmacies to get their prices.
Hot spotsQ: About 3 months ago my dog, max, started getting bald spots on his hind legs. then they started right at the top of his front legs by the joints. i brought him to the vet and they said it may be a mite problem. they did a couple skin scrapes but were not able to find any. they still decided to treat him for them anyway and said they are hard to find on the dog. they said to give him fish oil pills once a day and they prescribed ivermectin to him. i give him .9 ml once a day. it seemed to clear up but then it came back even worst and now he is biting those spots as well. i've been giving him ivermectin again for the last 2 weeks and it is not making any progress this time. it cost about 85$$$ for a 2 week supply. any ideas on what else i can do?? A: I would see different vet. you need definitive diagnosis here as might not be mite problem at all. i would recommend vet dermatologist consult or some vet who will do skin biopsy to get to cause so right treatment is done
How to re-introduce older cat to use litter boxQ: My 9 year-old cat is both inside and outside. as a kitten he would use the litter box but he much prefers the great outdoors. in his older years i feel he will live longer if we can keep him inside more, but he refuses the litter box and will wait patiently at the door until we let him out. is it fair to him to try to keep him inside now? is there a particular litter now that would entice him to use the litter box? thank you! A: You could try another litter box and a litter known as everclean which you can get at most pet supply outlet stores. if that not help then i dont see problem in letting him go outside
Head tremors and clawing earsQ: My black tabby cat was treated last spring for an ear problem which the vet prescribed tresaderm cause she was shaking her head and clawing her ears and now it has returned. the treatment was very long in duration but she finally responded. i would like to purchase more tresaderm. could you answer me as soon as possible. she gets so upset when a vet has to see her. i have to use a mobile vet as i am disabled and can't transport her to an office. A: We do have tresaderm and can supply it with the approval of a veterinarian. we can call for the approval with your permission.
