LickingQ: I have a two and half year old shih-izu. she licks herself all the time. we have tried medicated shampoos and creams. but nothing seems to work. do you have any suggestions on what to do? she doen't have fleas. she is an inside dog. A: Likely has allergies either inhalent or food allergies. could try a natural hypoallergenic diet like california natural by natura, a lamb and rice based food. antihistamines sometimes help like benadryl at a dose of 1 mg per pound of body weight twice daily. also could ask about allergy testing at your vet
Shop for: antihistamine
Constant itching for puppyQ: Hi, brand new to our life is a 2-month old miniature schnauzer. since we got him, he has been itching a lot; his legs, towards his rear, his ears, his face sometimes. we'll be out for a walk, and he'll stop many many times to scratch. it seems to impede normal activity, and may be affecting his personality. i've done a lot of research online, and was thinking atopy, but thought you might lend some insight into this before i contact my own vet. when we took him in for his first check up after we got him, the vet said that while he has flakiness, that she thought it was just dandruff. but, he scratches so much, i feel so bad, he needs some relief soon! is there anything i should ask the vet specifically? anything i can do in the short term? is there something specific to miniature schnauzers that i should be aware of? thanks, jill A: No specifics to this breed at this age. two things i would consider if itching is as bad as you describe are hidden scabies mites, which dont always show up on skin scrapes at vet office or food allergies. a bit young for atopy, but not out of the question. if skin scrapes negative you still might want to treat him for possible hidden sarcoptes mange anyway with ivermectin once weekly as well as try low allergy prescription diet. also consider baths with 1800petmeds aloe vera and oatmeal shampoo and conditioner every few days which might help as well as adding prozyme and brite coat xs to hisfood that can help skin long term
Shop for: prozyme, 1800petmeds
Raised red spotsQ: I have a 8yr old golden that has 4 to 6 elliptical red spots the size of a quarter on her belly along with other redish splotches (not raised) but very irritated and itchy. this looked a bit like typical hot spots but seem to mostly dissipate in a few hours after an anti-itch shampoo. i'm also wondering about some fungus similar to ringworm but there seems to be no loss of hair at these areas. she had been to the groomer recently and we suspect some infection while in a kennel, etc. any ideas? A: Does not sound like ringworm. likely an bacterial infection from allergies. sounds like may need antibiotics from your vet in addition to allergy treatment
Shop for: ringworm
Tried everything!Q: I have literally tried everything to get rid of fleas for my indoor dog and cat in the past 2 months; from bombing, sprays, powders, dips, shampoos, etc. -- treating house, carpet, furniture, bedding, yard, and the animals. they are both now on their 2nd dose of frontline plus, but still have some fleas. is is ok to use both frontline plus and capstar tablets? and, is there something oral for the cat? i will continue to treat the house and yard; however, can sprays and powders be used in addition to the frontline. i just don't want to hurt overdose or give them a skin reaction. A: You can use capstar tablets by mouth daily until you get over the hump.
Shop for: frontline, capstar, frontline plus
Flea bite allergyQ: I have an 11 year old female cat in very good health, vet checked couple of months ago. she weights 7lbs, small cat. when biten by a flea, she reacts by constantly cleaning herself, loses her fur on her belly and around her hind legs. the vet gave her a shot which relieved the cleaning compulsion almost immediately. now it is happening again. what should i do. what meds, shampoo etc. thank you. A: Try oral chlorphenirmine at dose of 2 mg twice daily as well as adding derm caps from 1800petmeds to her food. also consider 1800petmeds aloe vera and oatmeal shampoo an deconditioner. this is better alternative in this aged cat than long acting cortisone shots
Shop for: 1800petmeds, derm caps
Do i need to bomb the house?Q: My neighbors have fleas and today i found one flea on one of my two indoor cats. i can't find anymore fleas but to be safe i'm bathing them in flea shampoo and applying frontline plus. however do i need to bomb the house or will vacuuming work since there seems to be no hatched fleas? also should i worry that the cats have tapeworm? A: Tapeworms are possible but i would wait and see. they are not real health threatening to most pets. also since you got right on top of it the bathing and front line should be enough.
Shop for: frontline plus, frontline
Health dog nutrition explanationTerms used in this page:
health, wellness - a healthy state of wellbeing free from disease; "physicians should be held responsible for the health of their patients"
dog, domestic dog, Canis familiaris - a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds; "the dog barked all night"
nutrition - (physiology) the organic process of nourishing or being nourished; the processes by which an organism assimilates food and uses it for growth and maintenance
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