Week 1 - Dec 08, Weekly Ask a Vet Q&A

Q: I have a question about ticks; both deer ticks and other dog ticks. We buy Frontline Plus from you as well as Revolution; our vet suggested using both, alternating every two weeks (each once a month) but we still have tick problems. The ticks attach to the dogs, and then brought into the house. What do you suggest to REPEL them from the dogs? We live in a wooded area, and enjoy the outdoors. We also have two cats, so were told that many of the repelling agents such as Advantage would not be safe since the dogs do come in contact with the cats. I would appreciate any advice you have to offer.
D. R. Kasal,  US (Quesion of the Week)

Q: Can a cat and dog take the same predisone?.
Beverly N, Portage

A: Prednisone is used in both dogs and cats depending on the medical condition. There is no difference between ‘dog’ or ‘cat’ Prednisone. You will just need to make sure that you are giving the appropriate dosage, depending on the strength of the tablet – that is how many milligrams of Prednisone is in each tablet, and the weight of the dog or cat.
Prednisone used to be used a lot in cats but research has now shown that Prednisolone may now be the drug of choice between these two medications.
 

Q:Is it ok to give my dogs their interceptor if I missed a month.
Amy, NC

A: It is safe to give your dog the Interceptor if you have missed a monthly dose, however there is a small chance that a dog may have picked up a heartworm infection in that time. I would recommend that you start your dog back on the Interceptor, ensure that you give the doses every month, and then have your dogs tested for heartworm after 7 months. Testing before this time will not be that accurate as most tests need the heartworm to be adults before they can be detected.
 

Q: I want to know the difference between the heartworm medicines. My dogs are currently taking Intercepter and I am considering switching to Heartguard. Does Heartguard provide the same coverage? Barbra, Smithtown NY

A: The Interceptor and the Heartgard Plus have a similar spectrum of worms that they cover. Here is a quick guide for easy comparison. They both cover heartworm, roundworms and hookworms, but the Interceptor also treats whipworms which the Heartgard Plus does not. Both medications do not cover tapeworm, so with both I tend to recommend giving a separate allwormer such as Drontal or Popantel every three months to ensure complete coverage of all of the common internal parasites.

Q: I just noticed what I think are tapeworm segments (white, rice grain size sqirming worms) in my Bernese Mountain Dogs feces. I live on a farm and the dogs are constantly eating horse, pig, donkey, chicken and cat feces. Should I treat with a multi-spectrum wormer or should I treat only for tapeworms? I treat all of my animals with a monthly dewormer, however I am surrounded by other farms where deworming is not practiced at all. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Mildred W, Hixson, TN

A: The most common tapeworm in dogs are Dipylidium caninum or the flea tapeworm. Dogs will pick up tapeworm from ingesting fleas, so you should try to ensure that you have good flea control on your dogs.

The other tapeworms are usually acquired when a dog eats raw offal or meat from an infected animal. These worms can have serious human health consequences so it is not recommend to feed raw meat or offal from potentially infected animals.

As the segments you described sound like the flea tapeworm, I would recommend good flea control, and then worming with a tapewormer such as Virbac Tapewormer, repeat after 10-14 days, and then regularly as a prevention. Maybe every 3 months however more often if necessary.

Q: The question is in behalf of my mom, who has a dog, with heartworms and she was told that the treatment would be $300.00. She doesnt have the money, she gets a check from SSI every month. Is there anything she can do for her pet? Or is there where she can go to to help her out? She already spent lot her cat last year! Thank you.
Mary, San Antonio

A: Heartworm treatment is very involved and the costs do add up. Recent studies have shown that monthly doses of Ivermectin will kill off adult heartworm over a long period of time. The trouble with this is that the worms that are there are continually causing disease, and your dog may get ill before the medication has had time to work. Ivermectin is the active ingredient in Heartgard Plus and the generic Heartgard – Nuheart. To kill the heartworms you will need to give this medication every month for at least 18 months.

Q: My cat will only use her litter box to urinate. For bowel movements, she uses the floor in the utility room! We have tried two litter boxes, frequent scooping, etc. If we can catch her getting ready to defecate and tell to use her box, she will do it. Also, she only wants to eat whatever we are cooking! Is she just spoiled and has us trained or what?? She's 15 years old and still very healthy.
Ralph B, Central Louisiana

A : It is a problem when cats stop using the litter tray! Often something is upsetting the cat which causes them to change where they go to the toilet. Some cats are very fussy and will not use a litter tray that has been used before. There are a few things that you can try. Adding even more litter trays, especially in the utility room. Make sure that all the trays are clean. Don’t use strong smelling disinfectants or deodorants in the tray. You may like to try a different type of litter. There are many different types available and your cat may prefer one type over the other. You can also try a covered litter tray. As far as only eating what you are cooking... she is a bit spoiled there. Some cats love human food, however it is best to try to get her to eat a balanced cat food that contains all the nutrients that cats require. You can try mixing human food with a gradually increasing amount of cat food. Try warming the cat food. Don’t feed her by hand or from the table but only in her bowl..

Q: Hello I have an urgent need for advice. My dog has been regularly seeing a vet in Morgan Hill, Ca. for Dermatitis (or what we think is dermatitis). His Vet has been telling me he has allergies and put him on allergy medicine but we have had no results from that or the antibiotic. I KNOW that he has a severe yeast infection and he has lost a lot of hair and has very sore pinkish feet with yeast in between his toes (white cottage cheese like substance). I have put a collar on him so he cant lick and have been using a Maleseb Medicated shampoo on him, but things are not getting any better. I have him on a no grain diet with a wild salmon based food. What else can I do I am desperate to see my dog doing well again and growing his hair back! I seem to have no luck with traditional western med. Vets! Thank you sooooo much.
Steven, PA

A: An allergic dermatitis is very common in dogs, however there are other diseases that can look very similar and it does worry me that you have tried a number of different treatments for an allergy and there has been no response. At this stage I would recommend further investigation. I’d suggest a skin biopsy, multiple skin scrapings and possible a second opinion with a specialist dermatologist. Mite infections can look very much like some allergies. I’ve attached other information below on allergies if it does turn out to be an allergy.

Treatment of allergic dermatitis involves reducing the allergen (the cause of the itch), moderating the response that the pet has to the allergen and treating any secondary complications such as bacterial or fungal skin infections.

To reduce the amount of the allergen, depending on what the allergen is, involves doing different things such as keeping dogs away from plants, grasses etc. that they are allergic to, eliminating fleas, changing diets etc. Washing with an appropriate shampoo reduces the amount of allergen on the coat.
Reducing the response to the allergen may involve supplementing the diet with a fatty acid supplement rich in omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids and possibly medications such as anti-histamines, cortico-steroids, cyclo-sporins. Veterinary dermatologists can formulate vaccines against many allergens which are given to desensitize the pet against the allergen.
Treating secondary complications may involve washing with medicated shampoos such as Malaseb to treat fungal and bacterial infections or a course of antibiotics.

I stress that it is important to have cases of allergies thoroughly investigated by a veterinarian experienced in such diseases to determine the exact cause. Otherwise pet owners tend to try many different things over a long period of time, with the exact cause being determined. A suitable treatment plan can then be instigated.

A few things that you can try are:
 

1. Make sure he has absolutely no fleas. Try using an effective treatment such as Revolution, Advantix or Frontline Plus.
2. Start on a fatty acid supplement such as Mega-Coat.
3. Try a shampoo and conditioner shown to reduce the irritation such as the Aloveen shampoo and conditioner.
4. Try changing to a low allergy diet such as fish and potato or a commercial hypoallergenic diet.
   Consult a specialist veterinary dermatologist.

Q: Can dogs get lice? Thank you?
Linda Y, NY

A: Yes dogs do get lice. There are two main types of lice that dogs get, chewing lice such as Trichodectes canis and Heterodoxus spiniger, and blood sucking lice such as Linognathus setosus. None of these lice present a problem to humans. Treatment is with an insecticidal wash such as Permoxin or with Frontline Plus.

Q: I burried my dog that had parvo about 4 months ago in my yard now i have a new dog and im wondering if it will catch the virus it does have its shots though?
Billys, Evansvile

A: Parvovirus does survive in the ground for a very long time. The virus is spread in the infected dogs faeces so anywhere that may have been spread can have the virus. The best way to protect your new dog is to make sure that he is up to date with his vaccinations for parvovirus. There is still a very small chance that a vaccinated dog can contract the disease though this is rare.