Treatment for mesquitosQ: I am currently using frontline for my blue heeler and miniature dachshund puppy. they are outside during the day and some in the evening. is there a spray which can repel mesquitos? the k-9 advantix kills & repels mesquitos, but doesn't seem to be as good in the different flea categories. my puppy is scratching his ears and the vet says they are fine. i think it may be mesquito bites. A: I think advantix works just as well for flea prevention as front line and if your concern is mosquitoes then switch to it. keep in mind that scratching ears, etc can be due to other allergies like inhalent allergies or food allergies in dogs
Shop for: advantix, frontline
VomitingQ: Our 8 year old dog, gretchen, has been vomiting on and off for over 24 hrs now. she is a mixed breed (dachshund and terrier). she usually eats on schedule, daily about 5 pm. she's never had any digestive problems before. i have not changed her dog food. during the last 24+ hours she has been vomiting on and off every hour or so. her stool seemed normal enough earlier today. she has drank a little water but will not eat. she doesn't seem herself. she head is down, ears and tail down. she seems very tired and listless. she didn't even bark at the squirrels today. definitely not her usual perky self. is it possible that she has contracted a bad stomach virus from my 11-year old daughter who was sick earlier this week? i know it sounds crazy, but gretchen is never sick. if this is so, is there anything i can do for her at home until i can get her to the vet. her only visits to the vet have been for annual shots and checkups because she has never been sick. our family vet is out of town for the weekend. he doesn't have an answering service. A: Remotely possible that viruses can be transmitted between people and pets but hard to prove/disprove. until you get her to vet best to take off all food, only offer small amounts of fluids or electrolytes like pediolyte and can try natural remedy slippery elm which can sometimes help soothe stomach.
HeatQ: I have a 14 mth old female siamese cat..she still has not gone into heat. is this normal and how long could it take before she does..could there be something wrong.. A: Tough to say. some cats have mild silent heats which you might not detect. cats do not bleed or swell up like dogs. their heats are more behavioral and can in some cases go undetectec by owner
TicksQ: I have been using advantage and do not have a flea problem, thank god, but i have been finding ticks on my dog. i am at a loss as to the best product to use to kill ticks. i thought advantage did this, but i guess not. also, what is the best way to remove a tick? thanks A: The k9 advantix kills fleas, ticks and mosquitoes.|when is tick is found embedded in the skin, use a fine pointed tweezers at the point of attachment, and grasp firmly. remember to wear latex gloves when doing this. |using slow, steady, and firm traction, pull the tick straight out from the skin. |cleanse the skin with mild soap and water. |if part of the tick breaks off, you can try to remove it as you would a splinter, but it is probably best to leave it alone. the body will 'eject' it in time. |place the tick in a jar of alcohol, noting the date, in case of future illness. tick identification and location of tick infestation will be important. ||tips: |do not use a match or caustic materials to try to smother the tick or get the tick to 'back out'. this doesn't work, and may be causing the tick to regurgitate more saliva (and potential pathogens) into the skin. |
Shop for: tick, advantage, advantix
SugarQ: My wife's dog bj just found out that he got (sugar 400) he needs shots morning and night but is there a better way to give him this? thank you, mr. campbell A: Not really. most dogs who are diabetics need lifelong insulin either once or twice daily
New puppie and flea protectionQ: We have a yellow lab puppie 3 months old 19 lbs, can we use program flea protection? please advise which program weight range we should select since i don't see anything available for under 20 lbs. A: Program flavor tabs are available in 4 strengths for oral administration to dogs and puppies 6 weeks of age and older according to their weight. if your puppy is at 19 pounds now i would recommend your getting the 21 - 45 pound dose because he'll be at that weight for a while.
Six monthly heartgard shotQ: I wonder if i could get some advice. i have three dogs and they have been on heartgard all their lives. however, last time i went to the vet they suggested the six montly shot, which i went with. however a colleague told me that the shot was not safe and that they are trying to ban its use. do you know anything about this. many thanks in advance for any advice. A: We can only tell you that there have been some negative reports on the internet. in addition, if you use heartgard plus, you also gain protection against intestinal worms.
Shop for: heartgard, heartgard plus
Tear stainQ: I have a english bulldog and i have tried numerous products to alleviate the tear stains. he has had the surgery for his eyelids, but, his tears still run into his wrinkles. every am i use baby wipes and a special anibiotic shampoo, but , it doesn't get rid of the tear stains very well. just a little. please advise of a product that is effective. A: You should try tear clear (sku 1022).
