Changing medicationQ: My dog, a 30 lb mixed breed, who lives in the house has been on revolution since early 2000. i recently bought another six months supply of revolution at the beginning of february and started the applications. i have given him 3 doses since the first of february and he still has fleas. i know i have fleas in my yard as i have another dog, a rotty, living outside and he has fleas. because he weighs 160 lb i cannot afford to buy flea protection for him so i just use topical. my question is, do dogs get immune to the effects of meds after a period of time as humans do? if so, i need to switch but am concerned about overdoing the little guy. is it safe to switch and apply right away? A: Some products do stop working in some pets andit may have to do with resistance on flea end which is only inevitable as these are used over time. you could try another product like frontline plus or advantage.
Shop for: revolution, advantage, frontline plus, frontline
Tear staining with our bichonQ: Do you yet have a smaller dosage of the tetracycline? we have drops that we use - i believe it is 100 mg daily but we use it every other day. do you yet have smaller dosages other than 250 mg? our bichon is 24 lbs. what would be a safe dosage? could we do the 250 mg say a couple times a week or once a week? thankyou. s. bourne A: We can supply the tetracycline in a flavored drop with a dosage strength prescribed your veterinarian. ask for a prescription and call us.
OrbaxQ: My vet prescribe a week's supply of orbax for my cat. i just found out on your website that orbax should not be given with food. when adminstering antibiotics for my cats, i always dissolve the pill in a teaspoon of water and mix with about a tablespoon of wet food. this always works on all of my cats and is less tramatic. i do not like shoving pills down my cats mouth for a week or so. why can i not mix orbax with a little bit of food? or is it ok as long as it's very little? A: The way you are administering the dose seems fine, just give it to the cat before you feed it.
Flea & tick control for puppiesQ: What should i purchase for a growing puppy? he is 15 pounds and about 10 weeks old. i hate to purchase a 3 month supply of something he will outgrow before it is all used. A: You don't say how big he will be. if he's going to be under 50 pounds you could get the medium size of lets say frontline plus and when you put on the first one you don't apply the complete tube.
Shop for: frontline plus, frontline
AsthmaQ: Hello my dog has been diagnosed with asthma but has not been given any treatment plan. yhe only treatment consists of a rush visit to the vet's office where he gets a cortisone shot and short- term dose of temeril. he is a 6 lb. yorkie. is there a maintenance medication? also, it is quite frightening when his wheezing worsens. are there rescue treatments we could administer ourselves? i myself am a severe asthmatic and physician as well. i am familiar with albuterol, theophylline, etc. but i have no experience with canines. i would appreciate any information. A: Sounds like he needs chronic meds like aminophylline or theophylline at dose of 5 mg per pound twice daily. also some of these dogs need low dose cortisone therapy during flareups so good to have supply of that around
Tear ductsQ: Dr. doctor, my vet said that my shih-tzu (6 years old) has inactive tear ducts. she prescribed cyclosporin op dp2% 3xs daily for 2 weeks. this has been an on going problem for 3 years. i took my pet to an eye specialist approx. 1 1/2 years ago after my vet, at that time, recommenended it. the specialtist prescribed neopolydex and artificial tears ointment. i have spent a mini fortune for these presciptions and visits, which a friend told me i could get tear drops from a pet store and it will work just as good. i want to do what is best for my pet, but as i mentioned, i am spending alot on prescriptions and office visits. thanks for your help. pat A: We can supply the neo poly dex oint and the lubricant eye ointment for you with savings guaranteed at the time of the order. in most probability, the lubricant may be all you need.
Signs and symptoms of thyroid diseaseQ: Our 2 year old german wirehaired pointer, sadie, has had a few bouts of ear infections, sodium burns between her toes and recently has had what i thought to be a "contact dermatitis", along with a thining of her fur on her flanks. our vet was not sure that it was contact dermatitis and prescribed sadie with a 10 day supply of cephalexin and a steroidal spray (that we used for the sodium burns) to spray on the affected area. we were told that there may be a problem with her thyroid. my question is what are the signs and symptoms of a thyroid problem both hypo- and hyper-? A: Hyperthyroid is rare to non existant in dogs. underactive thyroid is more common and signs are very diverse and can include recurrent infections of skin/ears, weight gain, lethargy, intolerance to cool(i.e. heat seeking), dull dry hair coat, as well as many others.
