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.
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
Permethrin/mosquito protectionQ: Is the product safe to use as is for my dogs. i see that there are shampoos out in the market that contain permethrin. what would be any possible side effects and does it really protect the animals from outdoor insects? A: Permethrins are generally safe in most pets but like any insecticides there can be occasional allergic or hypersensitivity reactions that could range from digestive upset to neurological signs but these are not that common does work nicely against outdoor insects like mosquitoes such as advantix product contains
Shop for: advantix
Should i use once a monthQ: I have 3 indoor cats and 1 dog that only goes outside to potty. i have never had a problem with fleas or ticks and i use frontline plus on all my animals. i am hearing that i only have to use frontline every three months. my question is do you think i could get away with every three months or maybe every 45 days? if so are there any health risk? thank you. A: Depends on where you live and how bad your flea problem is. i live in south florida and use the frontline plus monthly.
Shop for: frontline, frontline plus, tick
Clavamox/generticQ: When you look up clavamox on the website it shows amoxicillin as the generic. if my dog is being treated with clavamox for the rest of her life can i change to amoxicillin? who can afford clavamox! help me with alternatives please. i have already cut her 375mg dose in half because i can't afford the cost. A: Clavamox is amoxicillin and clavulanic acid. this is an augmented amoxicillin. changing to amoxicillin is changing to a different medication.
Weight and medicineQ: My dog is 120 lbs, it the flea and tick med for 89+ enough for my dog? and which one is best? A: The frontline plus for dogs over 89 lbs is for dogs weighing up to 136 lbs. you can use this product on your pet.
Shop for: tick, frontline plus, frontline
Dog died when administered anesthesiaQ: We took our 18 mo old lab mix in to be spayed. i got a phone call later that day informing me that her heart had stopped when she was given the anesthesia. the doctor said he tried to save her but couldn't. how common is this? A: Very rare but always a possiblity with any anesthesia in any species
