VetShopOnline presents Top Ten List of 'Ask A Vet' Questions written to our Vets. Dr Mark, has personally responded to each selected Question of the Week. Due to its popularity, VetShopOnline feel it will be handy for pet lovers to gain quick access to them.
Q: I have an older dog, he is a rat-terrier. He is having trouble with balance, and if another dog gets close he will fall. The tile on the floor is slippery. Is there anything that I can do to help him. I know that it's just a matter of time for him, he is 15 years old in human years, he's lived a very good life. He still has his great sprit, but his body is just getting old. Can you please help me? Thank You
Dena, Anniston, AL
Dr Mark: Hi Dena,
As dogs age, they start to have a few problems such as that which you are describing. There are a few different treatments that you can try that may help. You should consider starting him off on a muscle and joint supplement such as Sasha’s Blend or Joint Guard. These products may help increase his strength and help his slipping on slippery floors. Another option is a medication called Anipryl which helps with brain function in an older dog and may help with his balance problems.
Regards
Dr Mark, Bvsc
Q: Is there any kind of mosquito spray I can use on my dogs before taking them for a walk? The bugs land all over them. They use Frontline plus for their flea and tick - I like it the best. However, the chart you have on Frontline spray says no on the mosquito line. What can I use?.
Sandra B, Brunswick, MA
Dr Mark: Hi Sandra,
There are a few products that can be used to repel mosquitoes. You can try changing to Advantix which contains an active ingredient called Permethrin which repels mosquitoes or you can continue to use the Frontline Plus and then give your dogs a light spray with Permoxin spray before taking them out for a walk. Permoxin comes as a concentrate which you make up with water and keep in a spray bottle.
Regards
Dr Mark, Bvsc
Q: Hi; I have 4 dogs one is Shitsu .Is a 3 month puppy and somehow one of its eyes get real red and seams like a little gland is swollen. A friend told me that this condition name was cherry eyes. What can I use to cure this condition?. thank u.
Veronica B, LA, CA
Dr Mark: Hi Veronica,
Cherry eye is a condition where a gland called the nictitans gland prolapses, or pops out, from the position where it normally sits under the third eyelid. The nictitans gland is a gland which produces tears. Topical medications such as anti-inflammatory and antibiotic eye ointments are not successful at treating this condition and the best treatment is surgery to replace the gland back into position.
Regards
Dr Mark, Bvsc
Q: My cat has a skin problem on her tail. She licked off the hair about one-half inch in length until it bled. My vet gave her a penicillin shot and a cortisone shot. The area healed and about one week later she started all over again. The vet told me to use Chlorphencramine 4 mg. broken in half and given one-half twice a day. Do you have this medication?.
Lucille M, Holbrook, NY
Dr Mark : Hi Lucille,
Could it have been chlorpheniramine? This is a more common antihistamine. Unfortunately we do not stock either medication. The condition that you are describing sounds like a condition called pyschogenic over grooming, where cats groom themselves excessively and cause hair loss. The hair loss tends to occur in the back half of a cat, where they can reach to lick themselves. The condition may be triggered by a number of different reasons such as stress, anxiety or boredom however it is thought that cats that engage in this behavior usually have an underlying allergy to something such as fleas, pollens or a type of food. You should ensure that you use an effective flea treatment on her such as Revolution or Advantage.
Regards
Dr Mark, Bvsc
Q: What is the best pet food for puppies?
Jamie, Crowley, TX
Dr Mark: Hi Jamie,
There are a large number of premium pet foods such as Eukanuba or Hills Science Diet that make puppy foods which are balanced for the nutritional requirements of growing puppies. Premium dog food companies tend to use better quality ingredients, have the correct balance of nutrients and make different foods depending on the life stage of a dog.
Regards
Dr Mark., Bvsc
Q: What is the name of the pill you can give you dog for ticks?
Diana, Phoenix, AZ
Dr Mark : Hi Diana,
Proban tablets are administered orally for tick control. The dosage is one tablet per 22 lbs body weight every second day. There are other tablets for flea control such as Capstar, Program and Comfortis however they do not treat ticks.
Regards
Dr Mark, BVsc
Q: Hi Its that time of year again, my Springer gets yeast infection in his ears, I clean them every other day with a product called vet solution, it does not clear the constant brown waxy build-up and also pain when I 
clean it so I’m asking. Will Illium ear drops work on clearing up the yeast infection? Thanks?.
Randy D, USA
Dr Mark: Hi Randy,
Some dogs are prone to recurring ear infections, in particular breeds that have pendulous ears or those that swim a lot. 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. The Ilium ear drops are anti-fungal however they are probably more suited to only fairly mild infections. 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. Possibly every day 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 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. If you are finding that vet Solution is not working consider trying a different brand such as the Professional Groomer Ear Cleaner.
Regards
Dr Mark, BVsc
Q: My cat is 15 yrs old. He has always been a good kitty when going to the bath room in his litter box. Now he is pooping in the house everywhere and his poop is runny and sometimes with a little blood. or really 
soft. I don’t know what to do. Can you help? Thanks.
Micheala, Bend, OR
Dr Mark: Hi Michaela,
There are a number of diseases that may cause the signs that your cat is showing. The more common reasons may be worm infestation, infection, changes in diet and other diseases such as kidney or liver disease. You may like to try worming your cat with a good quality wormer such as Drontal or Popantel. If this does not help it is best to have your cat checked by a vet so that the exact cause can be determined and the most appropriate treatment can be started.
Regards
Dr Mark, BVsc
Q: I have a dog with flea infestation have tried everything use frontline, it doesn't work what should i do?
Nancy, Brooklyn
Dr Mark: Hi Linda,
I usually recommend one of the better once a month treatments such as Advantage, Advantix, Revolution or Frontline Plus to control fleas in most dogs. With these products you apply the treatment to the skin at the back of the neck. They are usually very effective and continue to control the fleas for a month. However in very bad flea infestations I recommend Permoxin spray. With this spray you mix it with water and place in a spray bottle. Spray your dog daily for 14 days. Usually you will see a significant reduction in fleas in that time. You should also treat the fleas in the environment. You can do this by setting off flea foggers in the house and using an external yard spray. Also consider having a professional pest exterminator treat the yard outside.
Regards
Dr Mark, BVsc
Q: Which is better: frontline plus or revolution? Why does revolution not cover ticks .
Jim Utley, Tulsa, OK
Dr Mark:
Hi Jim,
Depends. If you are aiming to treat heartworm and a few other external parasites like mange, Revolution are able to cover that sort of protection for your pets.
Frontline Plus is an easy to use product which controls ticks as well as fleas and is safe for use on dogs and cats. Frontline Plus is more water resistant than other meds so it is good for dogs that swim a lot or are frequently bathed. It contains an Insect Growth Regulator (IGR) to kill flea eggs and larvae. Do not bathe animals for 48 hours prior to and after application. You will need to give a separate heartworm med with Frontline Plus.
Revolution has a multiple action. It is easy to use, controls the American Dog tick as well as fleas. The main advantage of Revolution is that it also treats heartworm as well as ear mites and intestinal worms in dogs and cats. Revolution eliminates the need to use separate flea and heartworm preparations each month.
I have had a number of my customers tell me that they are finding that the Frontline is not working as well as it once did for fleas. It is possible that revolution may have an effect against other ticks however the manufacturer has not sought registration for any ticks other than the American Dog tick
.
Regards
Dr Mark, BVsc
Would you like to Ask a Vet a question regarding your pet? Submit your question here.