Q. he has mites and I tried to make a natural mite repellent spray out of apple cider,baking soda and water but it seems to be irritating him.w…

ANSWER : A. Unfortunately those home made repellent usually do more harm than good. if you suspect a mite infestation you will need to go to the vet in order to confirm your suspicion and then get treatment for mites (ivermectin, advocate or revolution).

In the meantime wash your dog from the repellent you made as it’s not likely to do anything against mites anyway and it seems to irritate it.

ANSWER : A. Although many natural flea control products don’t have to go through EPA-mandated tests, because they aren’t classified as pesticides, this doesn’t mean they don’t work.

There are several natural flea control products that are safe for your home and your pets: repellants, sprays, squeeze-ons, shampoos, flea tags and powder. Also garlic and B-vitamins seem to make blood less attractive to fleas, so many guardians supplement with garlic and brewers yeast during flea season. However, sensitive animals can develop an allergy to brewer’s yeast, so I suggest you monitor your pet to guard against worsening itchiness.

Many people use the natural approach to flea control effectively and, although it is not always as easy as using chemicals, it’s generally safer for your pet and your family. Regarding chemicals, the US Environmental Protection Agency recently completed an in-depth investigation due to the hundreds of reports of illness and death in pets and serious adverse effects were reported for every product EPA assessed. EPA is in the process of increasing restrictions on their use. You can read more information about this report here: http://www2.epa.gov/pets/epa-evaluation-pet-spot-products-analysis-and-plans-reducing-harmful-effects

Besides, most chemicals, including bombs and sprays, kill only adult fleas or adults and larvae. That leaves thousands of tough little eggs and cocoons just waiting for the proper conditions, when they’ll renew their assault once more.

That said, you must keep in mind that a product labeled as “natural” or “organic” could still be not suitable, or even harmful, for your pet. Therefore, I recommend consulting with your veterinarian or trying to find a holistic veterinarian who can offer you guidance about natural flea control products.

ANSWER : A. Ear Irritation can be caused by a number of things ranging from allergies, ear infections or even mites. Dirty ears can also cause irritation and problems. Knowing the type of problem is best for figuring out how to treat it.

For plain dirty ears that do not have any odor, redness or leakage of discharge/debris, a simple over the counter canine ear cleaner can be used. Gently soak some cotton balls or a washcloth with the cleaner, and then use these to wipe out the flap of the ear and opening to the ear. Do NOT use Q-tips as these can become stuck or lodged in the curve of the ear canal and may cause injury to the ear drum.

If the ear is bright red or itchy without any dirt or debris in it, it may indicate an allergy. Sometimes an allergy medication can help provide relief in this situation. Your vet can give you the correct dosages of an over the counter allergy medication to use, or may recommend one specifically for dogs.

For infections and mites, changes to the ear such as bad smell or lots of debris and discharge, flecks of black or brown debris, or scabs and sores in the ear may be present. In these cases, it is best to have your vet take a sample of the ear debris to test for mites or infection. Your vet can then give you an ointment that is placed and left in the ear between ear cleanings. Most vets will then recommend cleaning the ears twice daily and then leaving in the ointment after for a period of ten days.

Ear mites ARE contagious to other pets, so if your dog does have them, it is best to treat any other pets in the house at the same time to prevent the mites from spreading around continuously.

ANSWER : A. Give your cat time to adjust.. Animals can be quite fragile. Try feeding and watering your cat while she’s under the bed. Maybe give her some wet food (more moisture) every day, add a little bit of water to it, put it under the bed for her to eat, toss some kitty treats under there, give her a bowl of water under the bed.. just make her comfortable under there and act like nothing is unusual. She will eventually come around.

When she does end up coming out from under the bed, don’t make a big deal of it. Continue doing whatever it is you’re doing, and act like she isn’t even there. The more you make a big deal of things, the more she will make a big deal of them too, and it will end up making her more fearful.

ANSWER : A. Firstly, you should quantify if your dog is actually drinking an excessive amount of water. In a 24 hour period, a dog should drink about 1 fluid ounce (or 30mL) per pound of body weight. Therefore, the recommended amount of water intake (in fluid ounces) equals your dog’s weight (in pounds). For example, if your dog weighs 8 pounds, he/she should drink about a cup of water in a 1 hour period. This will be slightly increased if your dog gets a lot of physical activity or lives outdoors.

You can measure your dog’s water intake the following way: in the morning, measure a specific amount, a little bit more than you think he/she will drink. 24 hours later, measure the remaining amount. If the amount of water your dog drank is significantly greater than it should be, then you should take your dog to a veterinarian.

Causes for mildly increased water consumption include: food changes, increased ambient and body temperature, increased activity, urinary tract infection, and general illness.

Common causes for greatly increased water consumption include: diabetes, urinary tract infection, kidney disease, steroid use, and other systemic diseases. With large increases in water consumption, you will also usually see increased urination. Please take note of urinary patterns to discuss with your vet. Greatly increased drinking and urination is ALWAYS a reason to see a vet.

ANSWER : A. If the mites and mange have not begun to clear up yet with the current treatment, it may be a good idea to speak with your vet about attempting a different treatment. Ivermectin is typically the main treatment for mange, while a topical ear solution is used for ear mites, however there are some alternate choices if those do not work or your dog cannot use ivermectin products (it should never be given to collie dogs).

Mange and mites can take a long time to recover until the skin begins to heal, and even if the underlying mite issue is resolved, the skin may have a secondary bacterial or fungal infection causing the sores to appear. Additional treatment or testing of the area can help. Ear mites are also very contagious and can be passed back and forth from pet to pet, so if you have other pets in the house, treating them for ear mites at the same time can help break the cycle and prevent them from spreading back and forth.

In some dogs, Demodetic mange *can* be genetic, making it more likely to be chronically there for a longer period of time. English Sheepdogs and Shar Pei dogs as well as other dogs with large folds in the skin may be more prone to this type.

ANSWER : A. Yes, of course you can. However, you do not want to give ice water to your dog when he is already overheating. If your dog is panting, shallow breaths, vomiting, displaying gums of a different color, having diarrhea, or lethargic, do not give him ice water. Ice, ice water, and very cold water all shock your dogs system, and constrict the blood vessels, making your dog hotter in-turn. It could turn deadly.

If your dog is acting normal, and in a cool room, feel free to give him some ice water, or ice cubes! There a fun treat, and you have nothing to worry about. It’s truly only when they’re very hot, or overheating.

FYI, if the dogs are vomiting, panting with shallow breaths, having diarrhea, etc.. please see a vet immediately.

ANSWER : A. Schedule an exam with your veterinarian to rule out medical causes. To diagnose UTI, have your vet collect a sterile urine sample to submit for urinalysis, culture and sensitivity. Blood work (CBC and chemistry panel) should be submitted also to assess major organ function. Once medical causes have been rule out, focus on behavioral concerns. If you have multiple cats, the general rule of thumb is to have one litterbox per cat plus an additional box. Try covered and uncovered boxes as well as different types of cat litter. There are litter attractants that you can buy that may lure her back to the box. Search www.pet360.com for these products. Lastly, if she seems stressed or anxious, try to determine then reduce or eliminate the offending stimuls. Consider a pheromone collar such as the Feliway collar instead of spray products. Sprays may disperse quicker whereas the collar is on the cat at all times.