Ask a Vet!
Ask a Vet!
Our online veterinarian, WWWiz, Vet., gives you helpful tips on pet care.
4/24/97 Q: I have a 10-month-old male Doberman. When I don't have time to watch him, I have to put him in a cage because he will eat the entire house. When he is out, he NEVER lays down. He does exercise and obedience every day. I hate to put him in a cage. Is there something I can do? When is he going to calm down? Thank you!
A: 1. Neuter him.
2. Twice a day 30-minute heeling walks.
3. Get into a nonviolent obedience class.
4. Gradually phase in a lamb and rice dry food diet, like Nutro Max Natural Choice.
5. Have him sleep inside with you at night (if needed, in a crate or loosely tethered to the bed, with blanket and bone, and under your constant supervision so he doesn't get tangled).
That should do it. The more time he spends alone and isolated, the more hyper he will be.
4/7/97 Q: I have a 16-month-old black pug that has been experiencing severe itching problems for over a year. Her symptoms are always present although the severity varies. Two different vets have seen her for this condition and done little to help. One prescribed steriods which did reduce the itching but did not eliminate it, and the other simply said, "It's bacterial," and prescribed an antibiotic that has done little to nothing. I have noticed that before a severe breakout occurs, she has lumps under her skin (usually on her backside and neck area). These lumps seem to be the start of her itchiness and eventually turn into open, festering wounds. Her skin is also quite flaky and her fur is stiff compared to that of my other pug. She is miserable but I don't trust my vets when they charge me $90 and do so little to help. I have changed her diet three times and she is currently eating something called Organic Gold.
A: I am unable to give treatment recommendations without physically seeing the animal. If you are unhappy with the veterinarians you have seen, you may want to locate a board-certified veterinary dermatologist for a consult. A few diagnostics I would recommend for this dog would be skin scrapings, DTM, and possibly a skin biopsy. Good luck!
4/7/97 Q: I have heard that there is a way to treat dogs with non-prescription drugs such as Benadryl and Advil. In fact, someone told me that they once saw a list that defined the proper doses of such medications depending on the breed and size of the dog. Have you heard of such a list? If so, have you an idea where I can get one?
A: I am not aware of such a list. I would recommend consulting with your veterinarian regarding nonprescription drugs for their uses and doses. By the way, I would NOT recommend using Advil for a dog.
4/3/97 Q: My dog (65 lbs.) was recently diagnosed with Addison's disease. He has been prescribed florinef, and the pharmacy dispenses them in 0.1mg tablets. The vet's directions are to administer the medication twice daily, three tablets for each dosage. However, I've read other vet-related information on the drug and it sounds like the correct dosage is ONE 0.1mg tablet daily. Does my dog's dosage sound high? Also, the vet is considering an injection of DOCP every 20 days as a replacement. Have you any comments on this medication? Any help is greatly appreciated.
A: In regard to your first question, the dose of florinef that your veterinarian prescribed is correct. The dose is 0.1mg florinef per 5kg of body weight, divided into two doses per day. Hence, your dog should take a total of six 0.1mg tablets per day, divided into three in the a.m., and three in the p.m. Humans with Addison's require much less -- usually 0.05mg-0.1mg total per day. The injection of DOCP every 20-25 days is an alterative to the tablets and you might be able to learn how to administer the injections yourself. I believe the injections are not cheaper than the tablets, however. Good luck!
4/2/97 Q: My two-year-old bichon frise has all of a sudden started urinating in the house right near his water dish, two or three times, and once on his bed. I'm guessing bladder infection, but worried about the location of the accidents.
A: I recommend taking your bichon frise to your veterinarian for a thorough exam and urinalysis. A urinary tract infection is a possible cause for his behavior. However, this behavior also occurs when an unneutered male marks his territory. Is he neutered? If not, neutering him may also help, especially if the problem is not due to a urinary tract infection. Good luck!
3/28/97 Q: My dog is 10 years old and I was recently told that she has a leaky heart valve. I give her 3/4 of an Enacard tablet each morning. I have noticed since giving her that medication, she sleeps a lot more and doesn't seem to have much pep. Do you think she will get a little better since she is on Enacard? I love that little animal so much. When the day comes along that I will have to decide whether or not to have her put to sleep, it will be one of the saddest days of my life. Do you have any other suggestions for me as to how I can make her more comfortable?
A: Has your dog had a thorough cardiac workup (i.e., chest X-rays, EKG, echocardiogram and blood work)? Based on this information, your veterinarian could possibly initiate more therapy to improve your dog's quality of life. Good luck!
3/27/97 Q: Our nine-year-old male lab/golden retriever collapsed today. He didn't seem to be in any pain, just couldn't get up. He has been healthy in the past. We took him to the vet and she told us his blood count was low. Later she said she drew blood from his belly. Upon her questioning, we told her that it was pretty unlikely that he got into rat poison or had been hit by a car. She is afraid that it might be some sort of cancer of the spleen and that the prognosis is pretty bad. She said an operation to remove the spleen sometimes can add six months if the cancer hasn't spread much. Do you have any advice or things we should be asking her about?
A: I would agree with your veterinarian. By the time you receive this I'm sure surgery will have been performed and you will know what was causing the bleeding. A great deal of the time it is a tumor or hematoma that developed on the spleen and has ruptured. Unfortunately, you don't know until an abdominal exploration is performed. Please let me know the outcome. Good luck!
2/10/97 Q: I have a Bichon, four years old, due for his teeth cleaning. My question regards the use of Antirobe (clindamycin), the antibiotic for controlling possible infection. We used it a year ago (1 tablet, 25mg, twice a day for 10 days) following the cleaning, and experienced some mild problems. Our dog threw up a few times the following days but then seemed fine. (Vomiting is listed as one of the side effects.) My vet recommended that we could use Antirobe as a preventive measure, and give the dog one 25mg tablet for a five-day period each month.
My big concern came when I wanted to know more about the drug and did a little research. The Physicians Desk Reference says, "Clindamycin has been associated with severe colitis which may end fatally. Therefore, it should be reserved for serious infections where less toxic antimicrobial agents are inappropriate." It goes on to say, "Its use should be reserved for penicillin-allergic patients."
When I questioned my vet, she said that she had never heard of these warnings and would consult with her pharmaceutical distributor. I asked twice more but she didn't seem to be able to get any additional information.
I called eight veterinarians in my area to see what antibiotic they used in association with dental cleanings. Five use Antirobe, two use nothing unless there is some type of infection present, and one uses ampicillin.
Sorry to take so long to get to the question which is: can you recommend another antibiotic that will provide the necessary protection against possible infection without being this toxic?
A: First, you need to keep in mind that the Physicians Desk Reference applies to people. Clindamycin is very safe to use in cats and dogs. However, it will cause severe intestinal upset in hamsters, rabbits, guinea pigs and horses. Remember, medications have different effects in each species of animal (i.e., human, dog, cat, horse, etc.). If the dental/gum disease is not very severe, amoxicillin could be used instead of Clindamycin. Good luck!
1/28/97 Q: Do you know something about elephantiasis? With the help of a cream called hyrocortiderm we can keep it a little bit under control. It seems that the disease starts with the skin becoming thicker, then the dog starts biting or scratching his skin, then the skin gets black and looks like typical elephant skin. People think that maybe food is the cause of all this. I have already tried low-fat food, but it seems not to help. Can you advise me, please?
A: It sounds as if you are describing a condition referred to as acanthosis nigricans (which tends to affect dachshunds, usually). Has the dog been tested for hypothyroidism? This also may sometimes be associated with such a condition. Unfortunately, acanthosis nigricans is manageable but not curable. Good luck!
1/27/97 Q: My wife and I are extremists and animal rights activists in the Bahamas. Our country has a horrible stray dog problem. That's why we have 13 canine "children." By the time we nursed them back to health they were in our hearts. Anyway we have an immense tick problem. We bathe them weekly, we dip (not too often, though), we powder, we hand-groom, and we have sprayed the yard. Nothing but nothing can eradicate these pests. We have heard that there is a tick pill in testing, rather like "Program" for fleas. Can you give us any info? Thanks.
A: I'm sorry, but at this time I have no information on this product. You might try contacting Ciba-Giegy, the manufacturer of Program. Good luck!
1/27/97 Q: In your answer to Sores Everywhere (12/30/96) you mentioned the term "pet store disaster." We have a local pet shop that seems VERY responsible with their puppies. They answer all questions, they have all puppies checked by a local vet, and all the paperwork (including breeder info) is on hand for prospective pet owners to read. Would you suggest we look elsewhere for our puppy? What we might look for from this store? We want to make sure this puppy is the right one. Thank you.
A: My "pet store disaster" comment was directed toward "purebred" puppies (from Midwest puppy mills) that are sold at these pet stores. You need to be aware of what possible genetic/congenital problems a particular breed is prone to, and try to find a breeder's puppy that is free of these problems. One such problem, for example, is hip dysplasia. Mothers and fathers of puppies (of a breed prone to hip dysplasia) should be OFA-certified as free of dysplasia. Good luck!
1/26/97 Q: We just had a new litter of Shih Tzu puppies (six, to be exact). All are doing fine except one which we are having to hand-nurse with formulated puppy milk. He doesn't seem to want to suck on his mother and became quite weak, even to the point where we thought we might lose him. Between members of our family we have been hand-nursing him, but now we are wondering if he will accept his mother's milk. I should mention that the puppies had to be delivered by a C-section, so I was wondering if that has anything to do with him being a little lazy. Your comments would be appreciated.
A: You can continue to hand-nurse the puppy until you can feed him solid food (three to four weeks), and he should do fine. I would still see if he catches on to the idea of nursing from his mother. Definitely keep him with his littermates and mother for warmth and company, even if he is not nursing from her. Make sure you are nursing him with a formula that is specifically for newborn puppies. I do not feel the C-section had any bearing on his condition. If he continues to have problems, please have him checked by a veterinarian. Good luck!
1/26/97 Q: My mother-in-law has a toy poodle and has a couple of questions. 1.) What is the average life span for these little guys? 2.) Her poodle doesn't have a socket for its knee (doggy patella?). Is this normal? Does it lead to further problems in the future and what kind of options are there if it does? I appreciate you taking the time to answer these questions. I've been unable to locate this information in any poodle books or Web sites.
A: 1.) Average life span for a toy poodle is 12-15 years of age. 2.) No, this is not normal. It is a congenital problem called a "luxating patella." She should consult a veterinarian regarding whether or not surgical repair is necessary. Good luck!
1/26/97 Q: I have a 14-year-old golden retriever. She used to have a habit of diving in front of moving cars and has had a broken pelvis. She was fine until about two years ago. At that time the vet took X-rays and told me that the left hind leg was fusing into the hip joint. He wanted to grind away the fusion and pull a muscle over the leg bone (femur in humans) to create a false joint. This seemed like a "rough" way of helping the problem so I did not have it done. She is still very active and loves to chase balls like always (just not as fast). She does not use the leg much, even when swimming. Now, however, I see her getting worse by the month. Sometimes she struggles to get up. I'm sure you know how very sad it is to think about having her put to sleep. Right now that is not even an option. I live in a rural area and have to wonder if there aren't better solutions available. It seems I saw something about acupuncture on CNN a few months ago. Are there any new drugs available? She was on prednisone (sp) for awhile, but it seemed to make her stomach upset. I am giving her half an aspirin daily and that helps some. Is she too old for hip replacement? Any other ideas? Please help; I cry just thinking about her not being here.
A: Personally, I think that hip surgery on a 14-year-old dog is not realistic. I do not have much information on acupuncture. You might consult your veterinarian regarding a veterinarian in your area capable of performing acupuncture.
Some medications that might be helpful are Cosequin, Glycoflex and Rimadyl. Please consult your veterinarian for more details and dosing. If he/she can't give you more information, let me know. Good luck!
1/26/97 Q: We have a Jack Russell terrier who is nine months old. When he was very young, we were told (in a written report) by an Ohio State vet student that he had a luxating patella. No mention of it was made in our verbal consultation. Since then, we have found a regular vet who has not mentioned the condition. Because it was treated so passively, I thought little of it. In the past few days, I have read an alarming post on the JRTCA home page, that makes me think this is much more serious than we were lead to believe. But other experts say it is very, very rare in Jacks. If Wishbone does have this (which I intend to find out ASAP), what are the implications for the future? He is extremely active, and shows no sign of lameness. Thank you for your time.
A: If your dog does have a luxating patella, you should consider surgical repair since your dog is so active. A luxating patella results in a less stable knee and a knee that is prone to injury, such as a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament. For a second opinion/exam, you might consider a consult with a board-certified orthopedic veterinarian. Good luck!
1/20/97 Q: I hope you can help me. My five-year-old Yorkie was just diagnosed as having pancreatitus. My vet said it was due to eating rich foods, but I also wonder if the rawhide chews have contributed to his condition. The only advice my vet gave is to keep him on a bland diet. I was afraid to ask how serious this disease is and if it's something that reoccurs. A friend said she knew of a dog that died of it. Please advise A.S.A.P. Thanks.
A: I would not feed rawhide chews to the dog any more, as they can be fatty. If he is eating with no vomiting, I would feed a bland, low-fat diet. If he is vomiting, he should be hospitalized, treated with intravenous fluids and other appropriate medications, and not fed until he does not vomit for at least 24 hours. Acute pancreatitus that responds well to treatment has a good prognosis. However, pancreatitus that has other complications such as hemorrhaging, pancreatic abscesses, pulmonary insufficiency or cardiac arrhythia, carries a more guarded prognosis. Good luck!
1/12/97 Q: I have a Newfie pup, approximately five months of age. I did not know he had a problem until I took him to my local vet (who had never seen a Newfie pup before) and was told that this pup had a luxating patella in one leg. I was also told he would probably need an operation to correct the problem in both legs because if the problem was in one leg then it would also develop in the other. The pup has shown no signs of limping, pain or discomfort whatsoever, if very active and placid. How can I really tell if he has a problem or not?
A: I would consult a board-certified orthopedic veterinary surgeon regarding your puppy and seek his/her guidance as to whether or not he needs surgery. Since the puppy has luxating patellas, have you had his hips checked for hip dysplasia, elbows for elbow dysplasia and shoulders for osteochondrosis dessicans? These are all congenital defects that are possible in the breed. Good luck!
1/8/97 Q: My 13-year-old cockapoo probably has bladder cancer. The vet took x-rays and said that although they weren't diagnostic, there was a solid mass at one end of the bladder and that he couldn't even get the small catheter in place because it seemed to be solid. My dog has been having "accidents" for months and had been treated for a bladder infection. When I asked the vet how long it would be before the disease got bad, he said that it was already bad. He also said that this type of cancer was inoperable, but there were some chemo procedures that could give her more time. She still acts like a puppy, jumping, running, and playing, so there are no signs that she is in any discomfort. Is there anything that can be done? Should we go for the chemo? We don't want her in any pain. Do we put her to sleep while she's "normal"? Obviously we are very upset. Thanks for your help.
A: Typically bladder tumors in dogs are inoperable due to their location (at the neck of the bladder), and their invasiveness and metastasis. Chemotherapy is usually palliative and not curative. You might want to consult a veterinary oncologist for more information on the chemotherapy (rate of success, side effects, etc.).
Eventually your dog will become unable to urinate and the cancer will most likely spread. I would watch for a decline in the quality of life as to when to put her to sleep.
In short, these tumors carry a very poor prognosis, as I'm sure your veterinarian has told you. I'm very sorry that I couldn't give you more hope.
1/8/97 Q: Our ten-year-old Airedale terrier has had keroconjunctivitous (eye problem) for approximately one year. We administered an antibacterial ointment for the first nine months as prescribed by our local vet. After a period of time, he was diagnosed with keroconjunctivitous (explained to us as his tear ducts were not functioning). The product "optimune" was then prescribed and has been used for the last three months with no improvement. We are now back to using the antibacterial ointment again. Note that the problem is in both eyes. Please advise.
A: Has the dog's tear production been measured? How often were you administering the optimune? Have any systemic medications been tried (e.g., antibiotics, prednsiolone, etc.)? It is difficult for me to actually diagnose the dog's eye condition without actually examining the eyes myself. Has glaucoma been considered? I would recommend a consult with a board-certified veterinary opthamologist. Good luck!
12/30/96 Q: I have a four-year-old female Akita, who originally went to the vet approximately six months ago for a non-healing wound on her leg. It was scraped (no mites) and biopsied, and they don't know what it is. She now has sores EVERYWHERE, very crusty nose, ears, very swollen footpads (which are also crusty), and weepy eyes. The wounds smell BAD and are very large and very deep. I don't see any problem with her eyes (the retina part of VKH), but other symptoms seem present. She's now very weak, can hardly walk, won't eat, and shivers. She looks like she's 12, but is only four. She is purebred (probably inbred). She has been to four vets, including a dermatology specialist, with no luck. Please help. I think she may be dying, and no one knows what's wrong with her. From reading on the Net, I'm guessing VKH or Pemphigus disorder. Please hurry - she might not have too long!
A: Sounds like this dog needs some serious help. Unfortunately I am not able to diagnose an animal without actually examining the pet. I would strongly urge you to seek out a consultation with a board-certified veterinary internist. Is this dog on any medications (e.g., antibiotics, prednisolone, etc.)? Also, this dog should be hospitalized if she is as sick as she sounds! By the way, you mentioned possible inbreeding. Is she yet another pet store "disaster" or merely the product of ignorant people who "just had to breed their dog because it was such a 'great dog'"? Good luck.
12/29/96 Q: I have a five-month-old black Chow, and she is limping with her front left leg. Our vet says it might be "panostyitis" (sp?). Do you know where I can get any information on this disease/problem? I would like to get all of the information possible before going ahead with any treatment.
A: Panosteitis is a temporary condition in young dogs. I like to think of it as a "growing pain," as it can occur in one leg and then shift to another leg. It is not an infectious or contagious disorder. Essentially, the pain is due to an increased pressure on the periosteum, which is a highly innervated tissue covering bones. Basically, it needs to "run its course." Treatment consists of resting the dog and using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories such as buffered aspirin or phenylbutazone. Please consult the dog's veterinarian regarding what they recommend and the dosages. Good luck!
11/22/96 Q: Our one-year-old cocker spaniel eats feces. I have read that this may be caused by a mineral deficiency. If so, what vitamin/mineral should we feed her?
A: Typically, coprophagy (eating feces) is a bad habit and not related to a dietary deficiency. However, it can (once in a great while) be related to a dietary deficiency. You could try supplementing her diet with a dog vitamin such as Pet-Tabs or some other vitamin supplement available through your veterinarian. Is she eating her own feces? Other feces? Both? Good luck!
11/13/96 Q: My one-and-half-year-old Maltese has a terrible chewing condition. He has chewed all the fur from all four legs and paws. It's so bad that he has developed hot spots on his skin. My vet says he has allergies and has prescribed cortisone medication. Wally has been taking the medication for weeks without any improvement in the condition. Is there anything else I can do for him?
A: Did your veterinarian perform a Wood's light test and take skin scrapings? Wood's light is to rule out ringworm and a skin scraping test would rule out mites. Please make sure these tests have been done.
Another consideration would be a food allergy and maybe you should try the dog on a hypoallergenic diet. Some hypoallergenic diets are Eukanula Response diet (fish and potato) or a lamb and rice diet. Make sure the diet contains no corn, wheat, beef or chicken. The dog should be on the diet for approximately eight weeks before you decide this is not an effective approach. Also, all dog treats and table scraps should be discontinued during this time.
Two other tests that could be done to determine the problem are an allergy test and a skin biopsy. Please consult your veterinarian or even a veterinary dermatologist if the problem persists. Good luck!
11/13/96 Q: My seven-year-young Shih Tzu was diagnosed this past week with a valve leakage on the right side of his heart. My vet prescribed Enacard (3.5mg) in the mornings. He said not to limit exercise and that there was not anything else that could be done. I would like to know your opinion of what could be done. Is my vet correct? I am willing to do what it takes to see that my baby has a full and wonderful life. I do not want him to suffer with this problem. If there is a surgical treatment that I could have done for him, I will do it. Whatever it takes to keep him alive. Please offer any suggestions! Also, I live in SC and I am very close to NC State School of Vet Medicine. Do you think I should try taking Yoshi there? Please help.
A: I think this would be an excellent idea, especially since you are close to the school. I'm sure the NC State School of Vet. Medicine has a board-certified cardiologist on staff. Maybe you could take Yoshi for a cardiology consult. Good luck!
11/13/96 Q: Your help would be very much appreciated!! My Lab/golden retriever was diagnosed with metastasized cancer about three weeks ago, based on a biopsy of a growth removed from her gums. Her heart and lungs are in fine working order. Are there any treatments you can recommend to extend her functional life? Thank you.
A: The big question is: what type of cancer is it? "Metastasized" simply means that the cancer has spread from some other area of the body. Once the type of cancer is determined, then a treatment protocol can be discussed. Treatment can range from surgical excision to chemotherapy to radiation therapy, or a combination of these. Let me know what type of cancer it is, and whether or not the dog has had abdominal and chest X-rays to rule out the spread of cancer in these areas. Good luck!
11/11/96 Q: I have a question about a six-year-old golden retriever. Last February she was swimming and when we got home she seemed to be lame on her right rear leg. Assuming it was pulled muscle, I kept her quiet for a few weeks. After that I noticed that every time she ran hard or played hard she would come up with a limp that would last a few weeks. I eventually took her to the vet who checked her out and the diagnosis was either muscle or ligament. Four weeks ago she was playing hard and again came up lame. I took her back to the vet who this time took X-rays to check for hip dysplasia and bone cancer or anything else obvious. Nothing showed on the X-ray, all was fine. So once again he said it looks more and more like a ligament. He told me to watch her and keep her quiet until the limp goes away...
Well last night she can't even put weight on the leg. So back to the vet we went. Now he said he is fairly sure it is her ligament, since he manipulated the knee and was able to get some movement in it even with the dog awake. He suggested surgery from a specialist that repairs ligaments.
Now my question to you is...once she has the surgery, will she ever be able to walk and run again? Will she be able to swim? Is this just a temporary type fix, that will occur again if she twists funny? Guess what I am asking is, is it fair to put the dog through this type of surgery if it is not going to do any good? The vet seems to think that the surgery is a relatively easy one, that they will just re-string the ligaments and she will be home in a day but must be kept quiet for weeks till it heals, then a gradual walking routine to strengthen the leg again. Is he being honest...I am very concerned and have no one else to ask this of.
A: I believe you are describing a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in your dog. This is a common knee injury, especially in active dogs. I think it's great that your veterinarian is referring you to someone who specializes in these repairs. As far as postoperative results go, most of these dogs resume a normal active life in approximately eight to ten weeks following surgery. Yes, she will be able to walk, run and swim again. Please follow the postoperative exercise restrictions and instructions that the specialist gives you, in order to ensure there will be no complications.
No, your dog will not be able to re-injure the same ligament, because this ligament is ruptured and will no longer be present. Please consult the specialist for the details of the surgery and what he expects for recovery time. However, bear in mind that the dog has another knee and potentially could injure that knee in the same way.
The bottom line: it sounds to me as if your veterinarian has given you very good advice. I would recommend that you talk to the specialist regarding your concerns, as well. Good luck!
11/11/96 Q: I have a 13-year-old cocker/setter mix spayed female. On Friday afternoon she began to vomit (greenish liquid, brown [food-like] and clear/yellowish foamy). Today is Monday and she hasn't eaten since Thursday afternoon and refuses food (even her treats). She is drinking water (her normal intake, maybe a little more) and urinating normally; the color appears clear to light yellow, no blood. She has no trouble walking and is not listless, just not herself. She sleeps through the night with no accidents. She also answers to her name and is enthusiastic when called. She exhibits no visible trauma, no sensitive areas, and allows pressure in the abdominal area without reaction. The area "feels" normal, when compared to our other two dogs. Only other abnormal trait is a desire to be close to me and my wife, to the extent of jumping up into bed with us and wanting to be in contact, not just laying next to, but on top of us. She is not allowed to run free and is basically a house dog. Our other dogs are fine. Ideas?
A: Hopefully, by the time you receive this reply, it will have occurred to you to take the dog to a veterinarian for a thorough exam and possible diagnostic testing (i.e., blood work, urinalysis, radiographs, etc.).
There are numerous possibilities as to what could be wrong with your dog: renal disease, pancreatitus, gastroenteritis, foreign body, etc. Bottom line: if you receive this reply and she is better...great! However, if you receive this reply and she is still is...GET HER TO A VETERINARIAN! Good luck!
11/11/96 Q: I just purchased an eight-week-old rottweiler and he is experiencing constipation. I did not change the brand of food he was introduced to by the breeder. He has a good appetite and is drinking water regularly but is having great difficulty passing his stools. He has an appointment this week at the vet's but I would like to help relieve his straining problem in the meantime. Any suggestions? Thank you.
A: Is he passing any stool? If so, is it hard, soft or diarrhea? Basically, he should be taken to a veterinarian for an exam, and to have the veterinarian run a fecal test to check him out for intestinal parasites. Good luck!
11/11/96 Q: I have a nine-month-old Old English Mastiff puppy that was bred accidentally by our stud. I would like to terminate this possible pregnancy (it happened last night at about 9:30 p.m.). What are the side effects of the Miss Mate shot? It has been less than 24 hours since this breeding (the tie lasted about 10 minutes). It's 9:30 a.m. the next morning as I am typing this letter to you. I have heard that this shot causes all kinds of problems in future pregnancies. This bitch is going to be kept for breeding purposes after her genetic testing has been done (hips, elbows, eyes, etc.) and after the age of two. If the bitch is pregnant, how will this affect her growth? Thank you for any advice you might give.
A: Was your female in heat at the time of the accidental breeding? Are you sure the male and female "tied"? As far as the "mismate" injection's side effects go, there are a few serious ones. the mismate injection is a compound called estradiol cypionate (essentially estrogen). The possible side effects are uterine disease (pyometra) and permanent suppression of the bone marrow.
I would not use this injection, especially since I have personally seen the side effects manifested. Your other alternative is the use of prostaglandins and I would urge you to discuss this drug and the protocol with your veterinarian. The side effects include hypersalivation, tachycardia, vomiting, urination, defecation and hypothermia. These side effects are transient. Also, the use of prostaglandins does not affect the dog's ability to reproduce in the future. Good luck!
11/11/96 Q: I have a miniature toy female poodle. Her eyes constantly run and stain her fur, causing a dark build-up which we are constantly cleaning. Is there anything we can do to ease the runny eyes or some product we can use that will clean the stains? (She has white hair.) Thank you.
A: There is a product available at most pet stores to clean the stains. I believe it is called "Crystal Drops" or "Diamond Drops." Another alternative is to ask your veterinarian for oral tetracycline (an antibiotic) for your dog. This will stop the staining but as soon as you discontinue the medication, the staining will resume. Another option is to have your veterinarian examine her for the possibility of a "clogged" tear duct. Good luck!
Dog With Patch of Dry Skin
10/31/96 Q: We have a ten-year-old black Lab/beagle mix who has a large dry patch of skin on her tail (the patch is about a half-dollar size and is toward her rear end where the tail starts). She bites at the area on a regular basis since the area came about. There has been no change in diet or general behavior as far as being outdoors goes (she is outdoors several hours a day). We treated the area with panalog but that is expensive and we do not have much left. Would it be all right to treat the area with hydrocortisone ointment (1%) prior to taking her to a vet? Is hydrocortisone harmful to dogs?
A: I am not able to diagnose and/or recommend treatments without seeing the pet. Hence, a veterinarian needs to examine your pet's skin and recommend a treatment. Good luck!
10/31/96 Q: We have a nine-year-old cocker with an ulcer on his left cornea. He was on TriOptic-P for a week. His eye looked red and droopy after putting in the medication. We saw our vet again yesterday. She said it may have been a reaction to that medication, so she switched us to chloramphenicol and atropine. This morning there was more drainage than usual from the eye and it still looked very irritated.
His eyes are the first thing to show when we give him a tranquilizer. They turn blood red and get very droopy, similar to how they look now. Would these meds produce the same kind of effect? I know the atropine could. It seems both eyes look this way when we are only putting the meds in one eye. Is this normal? Should there be a different amount of drainage from the eye because of a switch in medication?
A: Chlorampenicol eye medication and atropine eye medication
do not have a sedative side effect. It sounds to me as if the problem is
not resolving. I would recommend a re-check with your veterinarian or a
second opinion from a board-certified veterinary opthamologist. Good
luck!
Canine Diabetes
10/31/96 Q: My dog has diabetes. My vet says don't give her shots unless she eats. It is so hard to get her to eat. She eats only about every other day. Any ideas?
A: You need to find a diet that your dog is excited about eating. A diabetic dog should ideally eat half of its daily required calories in the morning and the other half in the evening. The insulin injection is typically administered in the morning prior to feeding. However, some dogs require an insulin injection in the morning and in the evening.
In order to get your dog to be a regulated diabetic you need to be able to give insulin daily and have her eat on a daily basis. Bottom line: you and your veterinarian need to work together to get her regulated. If the insulin is given and the dog does not eat, she could become hypoglycemic (low blood sugar). Hypoglycemia is a dangerous situation that can result in seizures and a life-threatening situation.
Please consult with your veterinarian about the insulin, your dog's eating habits and trying to achieve a regulated diabetic state. Good luck!
10/31/96 Q: I have a half Great Pyrenees, half Australian Shepherd. In June she was diagnosed with ehrlichia. At that time she was underweight, inactive and had severe nosebleeds. She had just had a litter of puppies a few days before the nosebleeds started. Only one puppy died; the rest (seven) were fat and healthy. She was put on antibiotics (doxicylene) for two weeks, then had another nosebleed the day after she went off the medication. After another two weeks on the same medication she had yet another nosebleed. We finally sold all the puppies and put her on a stronger antibiotic for four weeks. She is gaining weight and playing more and seems to be in good health. I am concerned because I have heard such conflicting information regarding whether or not this disease will continue to come back. Can a dog completely recover from ehrlichia or will we constantly have to fight it? If she will not recover completely, what can we do to help her?
A:Yes, some dogs will have ehrlichia as a chronic disease. Some chronic cases require antibiotic therapy for one to two months or longer. However, it will sometimes persist in spite of long-term therapy and the dog may require on-and-off therapy for the rest of its life. Good luck!
Neutering a "Nearly Perfect" Shar Pei
10/31/96 Q: I have an eight-year-old nearly perfect Shar Pei. We have one of his daughters (four months old). He is such a good specimen that we will breed him again this week, but I would like to know if we can have a vasectomy or neutering done after that so he does not breed with his daughter. We like his disposition the way it is, so we would not be doing this to mellow him out.
A: Neutering is done to prevent a variety of physical problems, such as prostatic cancer and testicular tumors, as the male dog gets older. Therefore, vasectomies are usually not a very practical or commonly done procedure. It has been my experience that at eight years of age, neutering does not change to dog's disposition. Good luck!
Thin Momma Dog
10/31/96 Q: I have a two-year-old black Lab that had ten puppies that are now four weeks old. She is very active about her lot and appears to be a very good mother. Her problem is that she is very thin now and has been since she gave birth. She eats like a horse but doesn't seem to gain any weight. Her hair is still thick and shiny and her mucous membranes appear normal. At times she has a thick, watery stool. No additional finds are pertinent. The pups sure are fat and happy. What suggestions can you offer toward change of diet or a particular home remedy that may help?
A: I would recommend feeding her a diet that has a higher caloric content than a "maintenance" diet. A "growth/lactating" diet would have a higher caloric content. A nursing mother requires a higher caloric intake than your average dog. As for the watery stools, this may be secondary to the mother cleaning up after the puppies. However, it would be a good idea to take a stool sample to your veterinarian and have it checked for intestinal parasites. Good luck!
Canine Spinal Illness
11/1/96 Q: Our dog Brittney is suffering from a spine problem. My vet has told me her spine is leaking fluid and causing her to become immobile. This is the second time in three years this problem has occurred. Our vet tells us this is very common in these types of small dogs. We now have to confine her to a cage for four to six weeks to allow the spinal area to calcify. Have you ever heard of this illness before and, if so, could you tell me a little more about what is happening to her and what might prevent it from happening again?
A: I am not familiar with a dog "leaking fluid" from its spine. However, you might be trying to describe a dog with intervertebral disc disease. Please consult with your veterinarian as to the exact terminology/diagnosis and get back to me. Thanks!
Skin Cancer in Puppy
Q: 11/1/96 Our six-month-old mixed breed puppy developed a lump on the side of her abdomen that grew to the size of a large grape within 10 days. We were having her spayed so we had the lump removed at the same time. The lab said it was probably malignant, possibly squamous cell carcinoma or basal cell melanoma. By the time the lab results were in the dog had developed another lump (growing more slowly than the first) on the top of her head. Our vet did not want to operate because she said the lump was not very large and we should not operate on every lump and bump a dog gets. She said to watch how fast it grows. A week later it is larger but still not as large as the first lump. What are our options? What should we ask our vet to do?
A: I would consult another veterinarian who will remove the new lump for you, and get pathology done on it as well. I would also consider asking for another pathologist to examine the first growth and see if they can give you a more definite diagnosis. In my opinion, once an animal has had a malignant growth, all other growths should be considered potentially malignant until proven otherwise. Good luck!
Is our dog pregnant?
Q: 11/1/96 We have a nine-month-old Westie who had her first heat about four to six weeks ago. Now her teats are large and swollen. Does this mean she is pregnant, or is this normal maturation? We kept her inside most of the time she was in heat and don't think she had an opportunity to meet a male dog.
A: No, this does not necessarily mean she is pregnant. She could be having what is known as a "false pregnancy." You should take her to your veterinarian for a thorough exam to rule out the possibility of an unknown pregnancy. If it is a false pregnancy, it could last a few days to several weeks. Increasing her activity and possibly decreasing her calorie intake could help shorten a false pregnancy's duration. Of course, if you are not planning to breed her, you should have her spayed when the false pregnancy is over. Good luck!
Q: 10/22/96 Recently we purchased a puppy from a flea market (not a good idea) and five days later the puppy tested positive for parvo. She is being treated as 1 type. I went to the library last night and was upset to find nothing on the disease except a paragraph in a book that seemed to be as old as I am. Today I decided to surf the Net to see if I could obtain any info. I came across articles on human parvovirus. Is it possible for a puppy to get the disease from a human who has recently been treated for the human parvovirus "filth disease"? We bought the puppy while visiting a relative who had recently been treated for this disease after cleaning out an old farmhouse that was littered with rat and bird droppings in the attic where she was cleaning. I wondered if the puppy had been exposed at her residence. In the meantime, we have been cleaning everything with bleach. Tonight I am going to clean the carpets with Kennel-Sol. How long will we be infected with the virus? If our puppy doesn't survive, when will it be safe to bring a new puppy into our home?
A: First, parvovirus is very species-specific, that is, humans don't get canine parvovirus and vice versa. Your puppy probably had the disease when you first purchased her, and she got the disease from another dog.
Parvovirus can survive a long time in the environment, so I would recommend thoroughly cleaning everything as you are doing. I would wait at least a month before introducing another puppy. Also, I would get an older, better-vaccinated puppy from a more reputable source. Good luck!
Q: 10/22/96 Why does my nearly two-year-old golden retriever eat her own droppings? It seems to be a result of boredom to me, but is there a medical explanation? Thanks for your help.
A: This type of behavior is referred to as coprophagy. If the dog is eating a well-balanced diet, having normal stools, not vomiting, is not thin and has a coat of good condition, then this is basically a "bad habit." Most of the time (99%) that is exactly what coprophagy is - a bad habit. You can try to discourage this behavior a number of ways. Consult your veterinarian or our animal behaviorist, Larry Lachman.
Q: 10/21/96 My 2.5-year-old Chesapeake bitch "Lady" whelped 12 pups on Sept. 11, 1996. The date of breeding put the pups seven days premature. While the delivery was very easy for Lady, five of the pups were delivered dead. Of the remaining seven, six faded within two days. All the pups appeared normal, if somewhat undersized, and did not exhibit any symptoms of distress except for a brownish discharge from the nose just prior to death. The female was somewhat underweight during pregnancy, but has always been active and thin. A postmortem on the pups has revealed nothing.
One female pup remains. While still nursing determinedly and very mobile, she is not growing properly and has not yet doubled her birth weight. She is fretful and will not sleep unless the bitch is with her. We are not hopeful.
Approximately two weeks prior to this incident, the kennel owner administered "kennel cough vaccine" to all the dogs in her care, including the pregnant bitch. It was administered via the nose and as a result, all the dogs came down with mild, but full-blown, trachealbronchitis.
My questions are: Is it possible bad vaccine caused this? Is there anything we can do for this lingering pup? What do you think we should look for in a blood panel?
A: As far as the vaccine questions go, I would be inclined to say that the "kennel cough vaccine" had no effect on the litter. However, to be certain, I would find out what type was admistered, that is, who manufactured the vaccine. I would then contact the vaccine manufacturer and see what they have seen regarding side effects in pregnant dogs. As for what to do with the "lingering pup," I would recommend that you consult your veterinarian. Regarding why this happened, I would recommend a thorough exam of the bitch, including a test for brucellosis and a culture for mycoplasma.
Q: 10/21/96 It is with great regret that I must lay my beautiful two-and-a-half-year-old rott to rest. She developed epilepsy this year and we have been unable to get it under control, even on the pheno. She also is unable to perform her task of being the vigilant dog she once was. My question is, are there any research facilities that need canines in order to study this disorder? In a sense I would wish that all would not be in vain and that she would maybe help toward determining if there would ever be a chance of curing this ailment. This whole experience is extremely painful for me, to watch a 140-lb. dog just lose total control, and the anxiety that is causes is too much for all of us and her. I don't regret the nurturing, training and love I have given her; it has been good therapy for me and I hope that she has had a good life, although it had to be less than what we would have wished for her. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
A: Off the top of my head I am not aware of a particular facility doing research in seizure disorders. However, you or your veterinarian might contact the closest veterinary school and possibly they could give you some more help or information.
I would also like to extend my sympathy in the loss of your friend.
Q: 10/17/96 Hi. My dachshund is losing small spots of hair on his rear hindquarters. Each day a new spot appears and he licks it until it scabs. The skin heals from the scabs and then turns black. It seems to be spreading. I have put antifungal medication on it, bathed him in medicated shampoo and used an antibiotic. Nothing seems to help.
A: Basically, you need to get your dog to a veterinarian for a thorough exam and treatment. If there is a board-certified veterinary dermatologist in your area, consider a visit to him/her.
Q: 10/17/96 We own a German shepherd and lately he islosing a great amount of hair. Although the loss has been evident for the past year, in the last month it has been terrible and disgusting. We have talked to our local vet and she sees nothing wrong medically. The dog does not appear itchy, as he seldom scratches, nor is there evidence of patchy hair loss. However, the sweeper will often find three pustpans of hair on the floor in one day. A friend suggested Rogaine but we have not been able to find it in our area. Does this really help? Are there any side effects? Where would I be able to find it?
A: I would not use Rogaine on a dog since it has not been tested on dogs. I think the main focus should be to find out why he is losing hair. Is it allergies? Fleas? Mites? Bacteria? Fungus? Some other reason? You should consult with your veterinarian regarding diagnostics (e.g., skin scrapings, fungal tests, allergy tests, biopsies, blood work, etc.) and treatment. Good luck!
Q: 8/30/96 I have three bloodhound puppies that have coccidiosis, and my vet is treating them with corrid solution. This helps, but the results are slow. My question: is there a better choice of meds I should know about?
A: I am not familiar with "corrid solution." Typically I use a medication called Albon once a day for 21 days, and then check a fecal thereafter. Please consult with your veterinarian on this. Good luck!
Q:8/14/96 I am trying to find out more about a puppy problem we have been having. Hope you don't mind me sending this to you! Here is our little story; any expert advice or counsel would be greatly appreciated.
Scout was our largest puppy, very healthy and robust. We placed her in a very special home, with a young couple who had moved to a much less comfortable apartment where they could have a dog.
At 10 weeks, Scout was nearly housetrained and was sleeping through the night. Suddenly she exhibited all the signs of a bladder infection: frequent and sudden urination. This was treated with Amoxil, and there was some improvement, but not enough. The vet prescribed Apo-Sulfatrim and did a C&S, which came back negative.
Meanwhile, the problem was escalating. Scout started peeing in her crate at night, and quit asking to go out. The owners said she would pee in her sleep and not even wake up. She peed frequently during walks and then began having accidents while awake in the house. She seemed to lose all control.
Suspecting an anatomical abnormality, the vet had a contrast imaging done. Amoxil was prescribed to head off any possible infection from the catheterization necessary for the procedure. The imaging found no abnormality, although the vet did find a persistent hymen and fixed that.
The owners reported that on some days, Scout seemed better, but on the whole, the problem was wreaking havoc with their lives and apartment.
We consulted a specialist, who agreed that the most likely problems would be an ectopic ureter and/or sphincter problems. He recommended growing her out to seven months, in the hope that the problem would "grow away." At that time, if there was no improvement, we could try meds. If that didn't help, we could then decide to do more diagnostics with an eye to surgical repair or euthanasia.
As Scout neared the end of her course of Amoxil, the couple called me in tears and asked for the replacement puppy I had offered them. I took Scout back and determined to give her time to grow. We prepared our family for the possibility of having her for a few months and then losing her.
BUT!
Scout came home just after her last dose of Amoxil. I kept her outside, and crated her at 10 p.m. She asked to potty at 3 a.m., squatted for a short pee, and went back to sleep 'til 7 a.m. She remained dry in her crate. Ditto the next night. In the day, I watched her, and she circled and sniffed, and squatted to urinate. She was dry, and I saw no evidence of urgent or unconscious peeing. I also observed her during her lengthy naps, and she remained dry in her sleep. In all respects she acts like any other healthy, normal 12-week-old pup.
Needless to say, this has left me puzzled, with many questions: Was there ever an anatomical abnormality? Was her bladder merely irritated by the original infection and slow to settle? Did the drugs irritate her bladder? Or is this a fluke and is she still living on borrowed time? I would certainly appreciate any advice.
A: This is a difficult question to give advice on without exact history and lab reports. For example, how long had she been on antibiotics? Was she on or off antibiotics when the culture and sensitivity was done? How many lab tests were done and when? Et cetera.
I would strongly urge consulting the specialist again and getting his/her opinion. Also, you could possibly consult a second specialist. Good luck, and let me know of Scout's outcome.
Q:8/9/96 My black lab (six years old) recently had left rear knee surgery Tuesday, 7/30/96. This is her third day home and she's still having a hard time figuring out how to get around. It happens to be the side she always lies on, which causes even more discomfort.
My main question is this: she's not yet standing on the leg, of course, and I have noticed that the joint below her knee is swelling up about 2x normal. Is this a normal reaction to the surgery or the fact that she's not applying any weight to it yet?
A: You definitely need to consult with the veterinarian who performed the procedure. First off, what kind of knee surgery was done? Secondly, I would not expect swelling at the hock secondary to knee surgery.
Please consult your veterinarian on this matter.
Q:8/9/96 I have a three-month-old puppy and my vet suggested that she be spayed next month when she has her final set of shots. Is this too young for this procedure? What is the normal age for doing this?
A: The usual age for spaying or neutering a dog is six months of age. Some animal shelters/humane societies have been doing the procedures at a younger age. The main reason for this is to ensure that the animal does get spayed/neutered, rather than relying on the owners to carry this out. However, on an individual basis, I prefer to perform the procedure at six months when the dog is more mature and better able to handle it.
Good luck!
Q: I have a dog actually a stray who has adopted us, I noticed recently that there was blood on my carport where she was lying. I thought maybe she was bleeding from one of her paws, but I discovered, when I rolled her over, that her genitals were a little bloody. Is this a normal event when a dog is in heat? And if so, how many times a year does a dog enter heat? I would appreciate any information you may provide.
Thank you.
A: 6/15/96 Dogs typically go into heat every four to six months. The heat can last 7-14 days. Unless you are planning to breed your dog, I would advise spaying her as soon as possible. There are several very good reasons for this. They are as follows: - Spaying will prevent unwanted pregnancies and homeless puppies. - Unspayed dogs are at great risk for developing pyometra (essentially an infection in the uterus, which will require costly surgery). - Every heat cycle a dog experiences after age two or three dramatically increases her chance of developing mammary tumors later in life.
- No more heat cycles mean no more blood in your carport or house.
Q: We have a 15-month-old Lhasa apso that was just diagnosed with patella lux in a rear leg. Our doctor proposes an expensive and painful operation. Is there an alternate treatment or therapy that will avoid surgery? Thank you.
A: 5/16/96Your question unfortunately does not have an easy or single correct answer. First, there are four grades of patellar luxations, with the least severe condition (a grade 1) exhibiting occasional slippage of the patella from the trochlear groove, and the most severe condition (a grade 4) exhibiting complete and permanent luxation of the patella from the trochlear groove. Treatment depends on the severity of the luxation, clinical signs, and age of the patient. Conservative treatment may be tried if the diagnosis was made as an accidental finding, if minimal to no clinical signs are present, and if the patient is older than one year of age. Conservative treatment entails weight control, controlled exercise and, if necessary, anti-inflammatory medication. If clinical signs are present, then surgery should be performed to correct the luxation. Your veterinarian can review the necessary surgical procedures and post-operative care with you. As a final note: Luxating patellas, whether grade 1, 2, 3, or 4, do indicate a malalignment of the stifle as a whole. Hence, the potential for other problems with the stifle (e.g., a ruptured cruciate ligament) could, but not always, occur if conservative treatment is elected. Please consult your veterinarian for further guidance in this matter.
Q: I have a 3 1/2-acre property with a little teeny patch of lawn. My dog, a female Great Pyrenees, somehow finds it necessary to urinate on my little teeny lawn, leaving the typical "burn" spots that female dogs leave. I have tried the doggie-b-gone sprays and such to no avail. It is fairly easy to get the lawn to come back quickly with high-nitrogen liquid fertilizer or even a large dose of water if I catch her, but I really want to encourage her to use the other 3.49999 acres. I know this is probably a question for a dog trainer, rather than a vet, but can you help??
A: You are right. As far as training your dog not to use the lawn goes, I will refer you to three well-known animal behaviorists/trainers. They are:
Sue Myles - (800) 404-DOWN Larry Lachman - (714) 831-1501 Bob Barrud - (800) 900-PETS Another option is to try adding one to two tablespoons of baking soda to your dog’s drinking water. This will alkalinize her urine so it won’t "burn" the grass. Good luck!
Q: I have a new puppy. How long do I have to wait before I can let my puppy play with, or be around, other dogs? When should I get shots for my puppy?
A: I recommend that puppies not be allowed around other dogs, or areas where lots of other dogs walk, until 14 weeks of age, or older. Of course, that is provided that they are adequately vaccinated. Vaccines (a "combination" vaccine is available from your veterinarian) should be started at 6 to 8 weeks of age and administered every 2 to 3 weeks until the puppy is at least 14 weeks of age. A rabies vaccination is given at 16 weeks of age (per California state law - check with your particular state). One more parvovirus vaccination should be administered at 18 weeks of age.
The vaccinations are boostered annually. Consult your veterinarian for the exact vaccination and schedules he/she uses.