week 2 - Apr 09

Q: I have a 153lb. mastiff and a 101 pound shepherd. As far as frontline plus goes, do I give them the largest dose possible (from the red box) and then a smaller dose (from blue box) to add up to their weight? Or just one dose from the over 89lb. box?

Sue B, WI (question of the week 2 April 09)

Q:  l have a 5to6 yr. old Shibu Uni. The only trouble we have with him is that he burps after eating and during the day we have divided up his food feeding 1cup morn. 1cup lunch 2cus at supper. no table scraps,or very little. please advise. 
David E, NJ

A: Hi David,

A small amount of burping may be normal for a dog, however excessive burping caused by gas accumulating in the stomach is a problem. There are a few different things that you can try to reduce gas build up. It is recommended to feed small meals, often, as you are doing. Try to slow down the speed that a dog eats. There are special bowls available that help this. Try changing the diet. Certain foods may cause your dog to form more gas. Try giving him a product like Charcoal Deodorant tablets which contains activated charcoal that helps absorb gas.

Q: I got a puppy and now my cat keeps peeing in my bedroom and can't get her to stop. Is there anything I  can do to get her to stop? I have two cats and I put the cat liter in my room but only the other cat uses it?
Tracy, USA

A: Hi Tracy,

Thank you for sending us a photo of your new puppy. This sort of problem is quite common when introducing a new puppy into an existing home with cats. Your cat would be suffering from stress and some anxiety by having to share her home with the new puppy and she is showing you that she is not happy. Here are a few ideas to try.

Try keeping her out of your bedroom for a number of weeks, so that there is a break in her behavior.  Make sure you clean any mess with an enzyme based odor cleaner. Regular cleaners will not remove all of the smell and your cat may continue to use that spot. Place multiple litter trays around the house. The general rule for the number of litter trays is to have one more than the number of cats that you have. Therefore you will need three.

You can look at confining your cat to a small room for example, a bathroom. Have her food, water, litter box, scratching post, toys and bedding in that place. When you go out you may be able to confine her to that spot. Once she is using the litter box in this area you can allow her into the rest of the house.

Feliway is a product containing a synthetic version of a naturally occurring pheromone which promotes a state of well being and calm. It has been known to help in these situations.
 

Q: I have a German Shepard who is up in age and having trouble with his hips and bones. I was told to start giving my pet Tramadol can you please help?
Robert G, Pala, CA

A: Hi Robert,

The most common cause of difficulty in older dogs in the hind legs is arthritis that develops in the hips and other joints. There are a number of supplements that help with this problem. These are supplements which contain glucosamine and chondroitin such as Sasha’s blend powder and Glucosamine tablets. These supplements have been shown to reduce pain and inflammation, stimulate healthy joint function, protects cartilage and stimulate healthy joint fluid production. Most dogs show a noticeable improvement on these products. Some dogs need anti-inflammatory medications such as the NSAID medications. Most of these are prescription meds and are dispensed by a vet. You should not start your dog on any medications without having him checked by a vet first.
 

Q: Can I use flea drops on my pet rabbits.
Christina S, USA

A:Hi Christine,

The use of most flea drops made for dogs and cats cannot be used on rabbits. There are two, Advantage and Revolution, which are  used on rabbits, however this is an “off label” use. There are sprays that are made for rabbits, such as the Aristopet Small Animal Insecticidal Mite and Mange Spray which will treat fleas

Q: I am thinking about using Advantix for my dog Penelope but the largest one they have is 55lb and up I am wondering is that enough for my 105lb dog or will I have to give her 2 every month. Thank you
Kathleen B, Wilmington, NC

A: Hi Kathleen,

Thank you for sending us a photo of Penelope. She certainly looks like a lovely girl. One pipette of the K9 Advantix for Extra Large Dogs over 55 lbs (Blue) will cover dogs up to 110lbs, so one pipette each month should be sufficient for your dog.

Q:I have been giving my 3 yr old male Golden Retriever Heartguard Plus since he was old enough to take. I have never put flea meds or given him anything for fleas and he doesn't have or has ever had any fleas. However, I moved to an area that is notorious for having a flea issue. What do you recommend giving with or in place of Heartguard so Sam is totally protected? His last dose was 03/30/2009 which I purchase from vetshoponline?
Edward, SC

A : Hi Edward,

You can continue with the Heartgard Plus and give a separate flea and tick treatment such as Advantix or you can try a combination product which covers the heartworm as well as fleas, for example  Revolution for dogs. Both products are safe and effective. Revolution eliminates the need to give multiple different products. No one product covers everything though, The Revolution does not cover all of the gastro-intestinal worms. In dogs, you should still worm with an allwormer such as Drontal Plus or Canex every 3 months, when using Revolution.

Q: My dog every once in awhile has regularly poop, then slime(sometimes) a touch of blood. Twice she has had above, then she has all diarrhea, does not eat or drink, sleeps a lot. Gets up a lot to poop a little bit of runny stuff. Sometimes a bit of blood in it. In almost a week she recovers starts eating ,poops regular. Then is fine. Last time I had her in the street and she pooped magenta liquid. I didn't have and thing to get a sample. I know about the puss sack in her rear end. My friend has the sister dog and thinks she gets it in the country. My neighbor boards dogs and don't know who goes through my yard when I am not there. Everytime my friends dog is with mine in the country, she comes down with it..Help
Robert S, NY

Dr Mark: Hi Robert,

It sounds like your dog has some sort of lower bowel disease. There are a number of different causes. Once of the most common cause is intestinal worms. You should consider worming your dog with an effective wormer such as Drontal, Canex or Popantel. Other causes can be something she has eaten, bacterial disease, colitis etc. If worming does not stop the signs, you should have your dog checked by a vet.

• Thanks for answering me.  When I talk to other dog owners, they tell me  their dog sometimes poop  soft with some slime.I just feed her bentiful dry  and no table food.She is the greatest dog but fussy about food.Have tried all the healthy food but she hates them .This is the only one and sometimes she won’t it.
  
  Every once and awhile she gets sick where she sleeps all day and does not eat, and get up to poop alittle with slime and maybe some blood. Now when I take her out I have a vile and paper to pick up sample to bring to vet.Will be going in two months for check up( she is 75 miles away) The only other thing I give her is Frontine Plus and Interceptor. Iam wondering about interceptor…I have to give it to her this weekend…Will watch her..
  
  THANKS
  
  Robert

Q: Can I give my pregnant dog comfortis or interceptor, or will it be dangerous for the pups.
Mark E, Statham. GA

A: Hi Mark,

Comfortis is best not given to pregnant or lactating bitches. Problems such as loss of the litter, poor weight gain of the puppies and vomiting has occurred. Interceptor is safe to use on pregnant dogs.
 

Q: Hi- just found out my new puppy has giardia- we are currently treating her for it, but we also have 2 cats. Have only had the puppy for about 5 days and the cats wont come near her yet- but the puppy has gotten into their water bowls a few times- should i be worried about them catching this?
Jill D, Cromwell, CT

A: Hi Jill,

Giardia is spread when cysts from the faeces of an infected animal are spread around the environment, including drinking water. There is a small chance that your cats may develop this disease. You should try to keep your cats away from area where your puppy may have defecated  to prevent this disease from spreading and disinfecting the area with bleach, or another disinfectant effective against giardia. If any of your cats start showing symptoms, you should start treatment immediately.