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.
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.
Ichy skin/hair lossQ: My dog has been scratching his skin so bad that he has like no hair in either sides of his stomach, his feet and his nose. his hair loss is driving us all up the wall and i'm sure he don't like it either. what do i do, he looks like he is so much pain. thanks A: I would take to vet for itchy skin workup to include skin scrape of skin, and exam for skin parasites, etc. if negative like allergies either to something in diet or inhalent allergies. in meantime you could try oral benadryl at 1 mg per pound twice daily
Ear infectionQ: My dog will not let me put drops in his ear . is there an oral med available for ear infections. A: Sometimes oral meds can help but best to treat topically to get ideal drug levels at site of infection. ask your vet about an ear flush which sometimes helps
Bark collarQ: I have a female dog, pom/small collie mix, weighs about 30#, 5 years old, habitual barker. what is your opinion about citranela collars? shock collars? and what about clipping vocal cords? thank you very much leslie koontz A: I don't believe ethically in clipping vocal cords. others are worth a try.
SeizuresQ: Why do dogs & what could cause them A: There are many disorders that can cause this. it might be epilepsy, an electrolyte or glucose imbalance, or some other disorder. i suggest you have him seen by your veterinarian and a full medical workup be done to find the cause of the problems.
