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Week 4 - Aug 08, Weekly Ask a Vet Q&A

 

  • Question : Hi I have a english springer span, 3yrs old last year his ears got infected the vet said it was yeast infection so he was treated 1cc twice a day for 14 days, it healed but ayear to date it is back in one ear I keep him shaved to get air in the ear, and for hunting to keep the burrs off etc, but why is this back it is a job to treat and I do wash his ears out about twice a month. can you help and I treat with Otomax and clean with Epi-Otic is there not something better?.
    Randy D, Elko, MN (Question of the Week)
  • Answer: He looks like such a loyal fellow that you have there! Waiting patiently for his master to take him out for a drive! Spaniels are a breed that often develop ear infections. This is because of the pendulous ears that hang down and cover the ear canal. Some individual dogs in the breed also tend to get ear infections more frequently than others. An infection of the external ear canal is called Otitis Externa.  Ear infections occur more often in the hotter, summer months. When the fungus or bacteria has taken hold, you will need to treat with appropriate medicated drops until the condition is under control.

    Otomax is usually an effective medication in cases of Otitis Externa. Once treated the aim is to prevent reoccurrence of the disease. Keeping the hair short on the inside of the ear is good. I would then recommend using the ear cleaner more frequently. I’d recommend applying a dose to each ear two to three times a week over summer and after every time he is bathed or goes for a swim. This will dry the moisture out of the ear, soften and loosen up the ear wax and disinfect the ear canal. You will need to apply the ear cleaner (Epi-Otic is a good one) to both ears, give the ears a quick massage to get the drops all the way down the canal, and then let him shake the excess out.

     
  • Question: I am trying to decide between two flea applications for my cats. Frontline Plus says it kills fleas in 24 hours. But I am really looking at the Revolution product because it can help so much more because I know cats can get worms from fleas. How quickly does the Revolution product help my pets from the annoying biting fleas? Can You Help me decide what to do? Planning on moving soon and I really don't want to take any extra baggage with us?
    Angelique, MO
  • Answer: I have had a number of my customers say that they are finding that the Frontline Plus is not working as well as it once did, so I tend to prefer the Revolution. As you have said it covers many more parasites. It is still a very effective flea control.  In studies 98% of fleas were killed  within 36 hours.
     
  • Question:What can I give my dog to keep her calm in the car for a long trip?
    Margeret, VA
  • Answer: There are medications available from your vet. Some people do use Benadryl, however you should check with your vet first. The dosage of Benadryl is 1-2 mg/lb every eight hours.
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  • Question: There are medications available from your vet. Some people do use Benadryl, however you should check with your vet first. The dosage of Benadryl is 1-2 mg/lb every eight hours.
    Cheryl B, Simi Valley, CA
  • Answer: The only real long term treatment for this condition is surgery, however you may like to consider giving her one of the joint supplements such as Sasha’s blend or Joint Guard. These products are high in glucosamine and chondroitin and other joint protective ingredients. They will help reduce any arthritic changes that will develop in the joints.
     
  • Question: If I were to get the generic heartworm pill , it will work as good as the Hearguard Pill. I have never given my Yorkie anything but Heartguard before , and I want to make sure it will give him the same protection. Thank you
    Marinda J, Ocoee, FL
  • Answer: Generic Heartgard has the same amount of active ingredient Ivermectin in Heartgard and Heartgard Plus. It will give the same amount of protection to your Yorkie against heartworm. The generic Heartgard that we have on our site – Nuheart - is manufactured to exact standards by one of Australia’s largest manufacturers of pet medications.
     
  • Question: We but Frontline Plus on our Mini Schanuzer approximately 1 hour after a bath. After reading the directions there was no indication we could not apply after bathing - did we goof? He is still itching and scratching? What can we do.
    Mary, Wilmington, DE
  • Answer: Frontline Plus should not be applied within 48 hours before or after bathing or shampooing your dog. It will do your dog no harm but the product won’t last as long. The Frontline binds to the oil in the coat and bathing washes the oil out. It takes about 48 hours for the oil to replenish back on the coat. You may find that you will need to apply another dose within a few weeks. Some dogs will continue to itch and scratch even though the fleas have been treated, so you should check to see if that is the reason for him to be scratching. If not it may be due to another reason that will need to be treated. I have had a number of my customers say that they are finding that the Frontline is not working as well as it once did, if this is the case I would recommend trying a different product such as the Revolution or Advantage.
     
  • Question: I have a west highland terrier. I have been using k9 advantage, but i am going to switch to Frontline. I have noticed that he has an area on his butt and tail that he has chewed and pulled his hair out. Why is he doing that? Thank you.
    Penny, Coldwater, KA
  • Answer: I haven’t heard of any resistance to the k9 Advantix, however I have had a number of my customers say that they are finding that the Frontline is not working as well as it once did. You may just need to try and see which one works best for you. Do you still find many fleas on him? It is possible that he is not chewing at fleas. There are many other causes that will cause a dog to itch and scratch such as an allergy. If you cannot see fleas on him you may need to have him checked by your vet to determine the cause of this.
     
  • Question: I have a 11 week kitten, he was a stray that I caught and he has gotten use to me somewhat. Everytime I try to go and pick him up he always runs away from me is it because he is a kitten? Also he always bites and scratches is there a way that I can get him to stop that? PLEASE HELP! Thank You.
    Mindy, Nth Dakota
  • Answer: Do you think he is scared of you or just playing rough? If he is scared of you it could be that he has learnt  this behavior by his mother - to fear humans.  Many wild cats are like this. If you pick him up it will just make him panic and want to bite and scratch. The way to deal with him is to give him lots of time and lots of space until he learns to trust you. Talk to him very calmly and don’t use any sudden movements. If it is that he is playing rough, it is because he doesn’t know yet what is acceptable play and what is too rough. You will need to train him that biting and scratching is not acceptable. You should have lots of toys for him so that he can burn off some energy. Let him wrestle and bite those. When he is calm try gentle stroking and patting. If he starts being rough, put him down on the ground, so that he learns that when he is being rough, play will stop. You can try discouraging him by squirting him with a water pistol or similar when he bites or scratches. After squirting give him back his toys so that he learns that if he wants to play rough, it can be with his toys.
     
  • Question: My puppy has really bad skin allergies due to the grass. I was told to try benadryl, but wasn't told how much or if to use liquid or pill form. He's 12 lbs and four months old. His little body is red all over from him scratching. Please help.
    Nichole, Evanville, IN
  • Answer: Benadryl is used on pets to reduce redness and inflammation caused by allergic reactions. The dosage of Benadryl is 1-2 mg/lb every eight hours. Your pup does seem to be a bit young to have developed an allergy. It is best that you have him checked by your vet to determine whether or not that is the cause and whether Benadryl is the appropriate medication for him.
     
  • Question:Hi! Our constantly barefoor youngsters play all day in a heavily woodedare that is often frequented by raccoons, skunks, bats, and foxes, that have often known to be rabid. Are they at a health risk? Please help. Love, Susan and Tim.
    Susan B, White Plains, NY
  • Answer: Transmission of rabies virus usually begins when infected saliva of an infected host is passed to an uninfected person or animal. Various routes of transmission have been documented and include contamination of mucous membranes (i.e., eyes, nose, mouth), aerosol transmission, and corneal transplantations. The most common mode of rabies virus transmission is through the bite and virus-containing saliva of an infected host. Your youngsters would be at risk if they were to come into contact with a rabid animal..
     
  • Question:my dog just had 4 puppies 2 weeks ago and all of them are severly infested in fleas.. my dog is an indoor/outdoor dog and now my house has fleas.. i was wondering how to treat the puppies without hurting them and also get rid of the fleas in the home!?
    Monica S, Marietta, GA
  • Answer: Fleas can be quite difficult to get rid of once they have built up in numbers. A concerted effort is required to control the fleas in the house as well as those on your dogs. I recommend treating the fleas in the house with a flea bomb or an environmental spray which contains an IGR or insect growth regulator, which will stop the flea eggs from hatching. Wash the bedding frequently. For treatment on your dog, I would recommend Advantage for dogs. Advantage is safe to use on pregnant and lactating bitches. It is safe for the pups. Treat the mother. Crystals of the active ingredient will fall from the mums coats onto the pups where it will control the fleas there also.
    • When i received this message i had already went to the local pet supply and purchased front line, and treated all of my animals. I had previously been using grocery store flea medication and the one month applique and powders didn't work i even put flea collars on the dogs and cats but those didn't work either. the front line worked. I checked the dog and the puppies a few days later and the mom had no fleas and the puppies had very little. i took about 4 days till they were all gone. i also went to my local garden center in Walmar and purchased indoor/outdoor spray, it was super cheap ($6) for the whole house and its not harmful to the kids or the animals and it worked like a charm! YAY! now my animals, and happy! thanks you for the advise Dr. Mark! and i will definitely try the advantage next time!
      Monica S, Marietta, GA

 

 

 

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