week 1 - Feb 09
Q: : We have a nine month old yellow lab. We have been going to the vet regularly so we are caught up with shots, etc. We would like to start ordering our own vet supplies. What would you recommend for flea and tick, deworming, etc? Also, how often.
John Z, Bath, SD
Dr Mark: Hi John,
Revolution and Advocate (Advantage Multi) are both very effective and easy to use products. It will cover heartworm as well as fleas. These product are used monthly and are a ‘spot on’ type product applied to the skin at the back of the neck. They both do not cover the gastro-intestinal worms though so you should give an ‘all wormer’ tablet such as Drontal, Canex or Popantel once every 3 months to cover these worms also.
Regards
Dr Mark, Bvsc
Q: I have some 5 month old kittens that have the sneezes and are thirsty alot. Not other symtoms. What is my problem?
Lorrie M, KS
Dr Mark: Dear Lorrie,
It is possible that your cats have an upper respiratory tract infection. These are very common in cats, and spread easily from one cat to another, and cause respiratory signs such as sneezing. Two common causes are Feline Herpes Virus also known as Feline Rhinotracheitis Virus and Feline Calici Virus. Treatment usually involves good nursing, ensuring they continue to eat and drink. Sometimes antibiotics are administered to treat secondary bacterial infections that can occur at the same time. Vaccination helps prevent these two diseases.
Regards
Dr Mark, Bvsc
Q: I have a female bunny that is about 7 months old. As I was playing with her yesterday I noticed she has a red blot in her back. A small amount of hair in this area is very short and looks as if it's shaved and the 
skin looks like she has scurf. I visited a vet today after work and showed him some photos I took of the area since I couldn't take her with me at the time. He told me it's a mycosis and gave me an ointment to apply twice a day . However, since I live in a village here in Greece and the vet I visited is the only one to be found here (who by the way I don't think knows that much about bunnies) I am worried maybe it's something more serious. I examined her fur thoroughly for fleas but found nothing. I don't see her scratching more than usually and her ears are clean. Do you think it can be something more serious?
Karolina GK, Greece
Dr Mark: Dear Karolina,
The lesion that you have described does sound very much like a fungal infection or mycosis. This condition is also known as ringworm however the condition is not caused by a worm at all, but a fungus. I would continue with the treatment that the vet has given you. If it is effective you should notice that the hair grows back over the next 2 to 3 weeks.
Regards
Dr Mark
Q:: I have a 4lb yorkie full grown. She is on advantage green, after applying she is uncomfortable, I have seen a skin peeling spot days after using It seems to burn her. What can I use safely on her?.
Paula L, TX
Dr Mark: Dear Paula,
Advantage is usually a very safe product, however it is possible for a dog to have a reaction to any medication or product. I would suggest trying a different product, maybe the Revolution. It has a completely different composition to the Advantage. It is safe and effective and also covers heartworm. It comes in a convenient small dog size also. I would not recommend Advantix or Advocate (Advantage Multi) as these products contain the same active ingredient as is found in Advantage
Regards
Dr Mark, Bvsc
Q: We have a 9 year old double dapple mini dacshund, female. She seems have itching of the anal area, scooting around then back feet scratching at her sides. Have tried worming medications at times does not do anything. Another problem has come with age I believe arthuritis is in her left front shoulder. Later in the day hard time walking, getting up steps. She also has had very bad breath for along time. Have changed different dry dog foods does not make any difference in itching or breathe. Please advise on medication, changes to specific kind of dry food, etc. Thanks
Keith, Fresno, CA
Dr Mark: Hi Keith,
Hi Keith, Itching around the anal area can be caused by a number of different conditions however certain diseases such as impacted anal glands, tapeworm infestation or a skin allergy are common causes. If she is scratching at her hind legs and her flanks I would suspect a skin allergy to be more likely. Dogs can become allergic to fleas, other biting insects, pollens, grass seeds, household dust, different foods etc. The exact cause should be determined so that the appropriate treatment can be initiated. Arthritis is very common in older dogs and can affect any joint. There are several treatments that you can give for this condition. The two main groups are the natural supplements such as Joint Guard, Sasha’s Blend or glucosamine tablets which contain glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, Vitamin C and other ingredients proven to support and maintain joint health and help in cases of osteo-arthritis or degenerative joint disease. The other main treatments are the NSAID ( Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs) such as meloxicam, caprofen and deracoxib. These medications are effective and have few side effects. These medications are prescription only medications so you will need to visit your vet for these. Bad breathe is most usually due to teeth problems, which are again quite common in the older dog. A teeth clean and scale will greatly improve the smell. If the teeth are all ok you may like to try the Aristopet Charcoal Tablets which will help control of all mouth odors.
Regards
Dr Mark.
Q: My female weimerymer (sp?) has discharge from her eyes and they are very red. Dows she have an eye infection that can be fixed with antibiotics?
Lynne P, Arvada, CO
Dr Mark : Dear Lynne,
It is possible that your Weimaraner may have an eye infection. Conjunctivitis is one of the most common eye diseases in dogs. It is usually caused by bacteria and it is treated with antibiotic ointments. Other causes could be allergies, mechanical irritation from hair, eyelashes etc, corneal scratches, foreign bodies such as grass seeds etc.
Regards
Dr Mark, BVsc
Q: : I have a rabbit, His name is Dash, i'm not certain his breeding, but there probably some dwarf in him. My question is that i have recently noticed that his right eye is reddish in the skin surrounding his eye. Also his whole eye is very cloudy. He seems to be sensitive to this eye, when relaxing he will close his right eye while the left remains open. His left eye looks normal, clear and his pupal dilates normally. When i shined a light in his bad eye it looks foggy, there was some spots in the middle of his pupil, and the brown color around his pupil when light is shined on it looks like white, and clear with lots of red in it. Please help me... Thank you Dash's Mom
Cody H, Sunderland, ON, Canada
Dr Mark: Hi Cody,
It sounds like Dash has an eye infection, most likely a bacterial conjumctivitis. These are treated with antibiotic eye ointments and usually respond very well to treatment. You should take dash in to your local vet so that the appropriate treatment can be started.
.
Regards
Dr Mark, BVsc
Q: : one of our black angus cows is pregnant and is due any day. she has been very unsteady on her feet and is very slow walking and won't go very far with the rest of our cattle. every time i have seen her she has been laying down she has been doing this for about 5 days. do you happen to no what is wrong with her.
Don, Havre
Dr Mark: Hi Don,
While it is normal for a heavy pregnant cow to be slow and separate themself from the rest of the herd it is best that you have a vet check on her. It is possible that she is not able to calve normally. You should look for any discharges coming from her vulva. There are a few diseases that cattle can suffer from around the time of calving, these being metabolic diseases such as milk fever or a displaced abomasum (stomach)
Regards
Dr Mark, BVsc
Q: My cat has extreme dandruff and oily fur what product would you recommend to clear up this problem?
Danile F, Roselle Park, NJ
Dr Mark:Hi Daniel,
There are some diseases such as can causes oily coats with dandruff such as mite infections, ringworm, Malassessia infections or Seborrhea. It would be good to have your cat checked to ensure that any of these are not the cause. Some cats though have a naturally oily coat and dandruff. I’d recommend bathing regularly in a medicated shampoo such as Malaseb and supplementing with a omega 3 fatty acid supplement such as the Mega-Coat.
Regards
Dr Mark, BVsc
Q:Last night, my blue heeler, buddy, all of the sudden began to throw up and cough up vast amounts of blood, all over the kitchen, dining room and living room. he was very hyper at the time and running everywhere while he was coughing up blood. he ran outside and we were sure that he would lay down and die somewhere. several hours later he came home and was fine. he acted like there was never a problem and is still fine today, what could have been the problem?
Mike H, Tyler, TX
Dr Mark: Hi Mike,
It’s hard to say exactly what may have caused him to show these signs. One possible cause could be that he had a bone or piece of wood or other foreign body stuck in his throat. This would be very distressing for him and the blood he would be vomiting/coughing up would be frothy, bright red and mixed with saliva. The wound may have only been quite small but that part of the body bleeds a lot. Once the foreign body was dislodged the wound may have clotted. Some other possible causes could be heartworm, poisoning, snake bite. I would advise that you have him checked by a vet to make ensure that he receives any appropriate treatment necessary.
Regards
Dr Mark, BVsc