 |
One of the more recent developments that have frustrated both veterinarians and animal guardians alike is the removal of the non-flavored Heartgard tablet. While in the vast majority of cases this is not an issue, as most pets love the Heartgard chewable tablet, some pets may have a chronic skin issue and need to eliminate common flavors and meats from the diet, like beef (the flavoring used in the Heartgard chewable tab). As a result, this forces animal guardians to use a topical means of heartworm prevention like Revolution. Hopefully with enough marketing pressure by vets and animal guardians alike, the non-chewable form will be back soon. |
Another common question I get from guardians is what to do if they miss a dose of Heartgard. Generally speaking, it is okay to start up the preventative right away if a dose is missed. In fact, in most circumstances, Heartgard lasts for at least 45 days in preventing heartworms, so there is usually no need to worry or retest before redosing. Simply resume the normal once monthly schedule.
Another hot topic in recent years is whether Heartgard can be used to treat heartworms rather than the expensive series of injections given at the vet office to heartworm-positive dogs. While it is usually preferable in most cases to treat a heartworm positive dog with the approved injectable medication Immiticide at the local vet, another alternative in pets that are at risk for treatment reactions or for those clients who can’t afford the Immiticide treatment protocols, I recommend using Heartgard monthly for at least 1-2 years.
Because many heartworm positive dogs are also positive for another parasite called Wolbachia, a 3-4 week course of Doxycycline is often used at the same time. I have seen many cases eventually turn heartworm-negative when Heartgard is used this way continuously year round. Obviously if a pet has advanced signs of heartworm disease, such as heart failure, abdominal fluid retention, etc., it is best to use the approved Immiticide for treatment in most cases.
Lastly, I’m also frequently asked about side effects or risks associated with Heartgard. While the drug company claims the amount of Ivermectin is too small to cause a reaction in sensitive breeds, like Collies and related breeds, I will usually prefer to use monthly Interceptor. Although rare digestive or neurological reactions can occur with any heartworm preventative medication, I haven’t found Heartgard to be more of a risk to give certain breeds that suffer from seizure disorders or to dogs that are on phenobarbitol
Pe
Is it cruel to hide the toys that annoy you away from your dog? Greta loves a good squeak toy. I want Greta to be happy. But a good squeak toy is a loud squeak toy and I just can’t tolerate two rambunctious little boys and a constantly squeaking dog all summer. So, I have hidden all her squeaky toys and opted during my last dog toy buying spree for a toy with a bell inside. So far, Greta hasn’t pulled apart the rubber weave or been able to wedge out the bell so it has been a good buy. Cole and Adam roll it around with Greta chasing and trailing behind, and there aren’t a lot of activities that all three of my “kids” can play together. This ball has been added to what I call Greta’s “baby” collection and more often than not I find her sleeping with her head propped on top of her ball or a paw draped over it like she is sleeping with a lovey. The benefit has also been we have been able to replace her football “baby”, which she would intermittently squeak in the wee hours of the night, with her new rubber ball “baby” and we have gotten more sleep in the process.
| Some of the more common recent questions I’ve received in the clinic regarding f and its use for flea and tick prevention in pets. A big concern I often receive is the quality of Frontline Plus being carried by online pharmacies like 1800petmeds and whether it is the same as those used and sold by veterinary offices. The truth of the matter is that Frontline Plus is a prepackaged product by Merial, and is the exact same one carried by 1-800-PetMeds as your local veterinarian. |
 |
Another common question is, “Why does my pet still have fleas after applying Frontline?” (after a few consecutive months. The most common reasons for flea treatments failing is typically because of improper application, or more commonly failure to treat the environment of the pet, including the home and yard; where 80% of the flea life cycle occurs. Along the same line, some products, however will work better on some pets than others. So, if there are still fleas even after properly treating the home and using Frontline Plus for several months, I would suggest having your house professionally treated by an exterminator and/or change to a different product such as Advantage.
If a pet still has fleas, many veterinarians will use the product more frequently than once monthly, sometimes as often as once every 2-3 weeks. However, this process is often considered to be “off label use,” and I would not use the product this way unless first speaking with your pet’s veterinarian. If a client is currently using a different topical such as Revolution or Advantage, it is safe to change to Frontline Plus after 3-4 weeks from the date of last application of the other product. While Frontline Plus is labeled as waterproof, I usually advise clients to wait at least 24 to 48 hours before bathing their pet. Side effects to Frontline Plus are rare but may include hair loss/skin irritation at site of application, (rarely) digestive upset, (and even rarer) immunological reactions of the blood or neurological reactions like seizures. Again, these are very rare, as most pets tolerate this product quite well.
 |
One of the most economic and useful supplements I’ve found in canine veterinary practice is the addition of the Be Well supplement (available for dogs and cats). While many have heard me discuss in other blog posts, the deficiencies in processed commercial pet foods, as well as even those who attempt to prepare home made diets, by incorporating the Be Well supplement, animal guardians are going a long way in helping provide their dogs with what is missing in most dog foods. |
Rich in Omega 3 fatty acids from flax seed, fiber, as well as antioxidants from green tea, a sprinkle of this supplement replaces nutrients often lost in the processing of most commercial pet foods. Some of the wonderful potential benefits I’ve seen with continued use include less intense skin allergies and shedding, along with a healthy coat. As we are just learning the tremendous benefits of Omega 3 fatty acids in many chronic diseases, Be Well’s wonderful spectrum of nutrients is also helpful in maintaining a healthy heart, brain, and kidneys.
| The most common question I receive is whether a pet should receive year round heartworm prevention. And while in many areas of the country, the actual risk of contracting heartworms is higher in the spring and summer months, because of recent global warming, and the fact that many pets travel back and forth across different areas of the country, the American Heartworm Society does recommend year round use of heartworm preventatives like Interceptor. |
 |
Another common question I often get is, “Can I break a heartworm preventative pill to save money on the quantity of pills?” Because the medicine is not equally distributed in the chewable pill, it is not recommended that heartworm preventative medicines be broken this way, and animal guardians should always follow manufacturer package recommendations regarding dosing. For those few dogs who do not like the chewable formulation of Interceptor, it is okay to pill the dog directly down the throat or mixed with something the dog will eat.
Many people will often buy one year supply of this preventative which is fine, as the expiration date is usually 18 months. It is indeed safe to give interceptor to nursing mothers, as long as the puppies are above 2.2 pounds. Side effects of Interceptor are rare and if they do occur, they typically occur within a few days, and may involve digestive, dermatologic or neurologic reactions. As with other popular heartworm preventatives, Interceptor is available only by prescription.
 |
Many animal guardians often become frustrated with their canine companions who dig deep holes in their yards. While this can be simply a playful or nervous habit of many dogs, digging behavior is normal in wild carnivores, because they often bury their prey in order to protect it from predators, and so they can return later and eat it when others are not around. |
Many companion animal dogs will also bury bones given to them in the backyard for likely similar reasons. The simplest solution I have found to this problem in my experience is purchasing a small sand pit or child’s play area full of dirt or sand, which a dog will often move towards in digging, rather than digging holes in the garden or grass. By providing such an area, animal guardians will often protect their yards from unwanted damage and holes.
| A question often asked by clients who own diabetic pets is, “Is it ok to give a diabetic pet glucosamine joint supplements?” In my experience and opinion, I have not found the small amounts of glucose (sugar) in glucosamine joint supplements harmful to diabetic pets, and in most of my cases I’ve not seen a problem with diabetic regulation. However, every pet is a unique individual, and if a veterinarian is having trouble regulating a diabetic animal and that pet is on glucosamine, sometimes I will have the client stop the glucosamine and/or try another joint supplement such as Proanthozone, Omega 3 fatty acids, and related products until I have the pet better regulated. |
 |
I’ve also found with the higher grade joint supplement products, such as Glyco-Flex or Super Joint Enhancer, diabetic regulation is not affected with less flavor enhancers or additives. However, with the cheaper over the counter versions, it is often the extra additives that in fact add sugar to the products and can sometimes affect diabetic regulation.
 |
One of the most frustrating problems for animal guardians is when their veterinarians prescribe an oral antibiotic or oral medication that is difficult for them to administer to their pets. Whether it be that a pet is very stubborn about pilling or can eat around medication hidden in food, this has long been one of the most frustrating problems encountered by both veterinarian and animal guardian. Over the years newer medications one-a-day prescription pet medications has made this issue easier, however, this problem still remains an obstacle for many animal guardians. A few years ago, an injectable antibiotic came out by Pfizer called Convenia, where a single injection of this cephalosporin-based antibiotic lasted for up to two weeks.
|
This versatile antibiotic, which has a broad use of activity in small animal practice from skin infections to other soft tissue or respiratory infections, it has been a godsend for many guardians; especially when dealing with an outdoor cat who is hard to catch and/or a dog who is difficult to restrain or medicate.
So, if your pet has been diagnosed with an infection, and it is difficult for you to properly medicate or pill your pet, you may want to ask your vet about prescription Convenia, now available from most veterinarians by prescription injection from their office. At the same time, I will often prescribe immune boosters as well, including Vetri-DMG liquid, Vitamin C, Super VitaChews and other nutritional supplements to help improve immune function and shorten the duration of the infection.
Posted by admin on July 28, 2010 – 9:12 am
| One of the most common misconceptions amongst both animal guardians and veterinarians is the over diagnosis and over treatment of ear mites in their dogs and cats. While ear mites are certainly seen, especially in newly acquired kittens/puppies, and sometimes in adult animals who spend a lot of time outdoors, ear mites are actually rare in my experience as a cause of ear itching, head shaking and ear odor/discharge in adult cats and dogs. And while trying an over the counter ear mite medication such as those available on 1800PetMeds can sometimes be tried, it is more appropriate to have a proper vet exam and evaluation of ear discharge under the microscope, as most of these pets have an overgrowth of yeast and/or bacteria in the ears, usually secondary to underlying seasonal inhalant/contact allergies and/or food allergies.
|
 |
One of my favorite products that is very safe to use in most pets is one called Zymox Otic Enzymatic Solution with Hydrocortisone, which not only can help with yeast and/or bacterial overgrowth in the ears, but can also help lessen inflammation and is usually quite safe to use long term and is available without a prescription. However, if ear problems worsen or persist, it is best to have a proper vet exam, diagnosis and possibly prescription topical and/or oral antimicrobial ear medication prescribed, as well as usually an allergy workup to get at the underlying causes of relapsing ear inflammations in our pets.
Trying to get a picture of Greta with her bone is like trying to sneak up on a deer, a fierce, territorial deer. I am not sure what kind of animal bone this is, but judging by its size and the way she anxiously guards it, I think it might be something rare and extinct like woolly mammoth, or stegosaurus. She has managed to separate what looks like a knee cap from the rest of the bone. This has been quite problematic for her because she can’t control both pieces with her mouth at the same time. She can only carry one piece and, when approached, tries desperately to drag all of her bone loot to another “safer” part of the yard where she can chew and guard her prizes undisturbed. After two weeks she is still wearing herself out chewing on this “toy” night and day and seems to be calmer physically, like all that jaw movement releases the tension in her limbs. However, another week of needless worry over getting her bone stolen just might turn her into one of the most neurotic dogs ever.
