Q. My Shih-Tzu has autoimmune hemolytic anemia. We go to our local Banfield. Her Vet retired. Should she see only one Vet?

ANSWER : A. Auto-immune hemolitic anemia is a disease which requires treatment for at least a few months and it may come back in future so it is better to have one vet in charge who decides on treatment and monitors progress. If your vet has retired you should take your dog’s full clinical history to a new vet who will be looking after her.

ANSWER : A. Your question is a good one, and unfortunately the answers are going to differ based on who you ask. Many vets are seeing resistance to Frontline, which has been the go-to product for many of us for many years. It contains the active ingredient Fipronil, which is very safe and typically extremely effective. I use it on my dogs and never see fleas or ticks. However other vets will tell you in their areas, for whatever reason, they are seeing fleas and ticks on dogs and cats on which this product was used.

Another reason opinions differ is that some people like to give an oral product, and some like to put a topical product directly on the skin. That’s a matter of personal preference mostly. Bravecto, as mentioned below, is one of those products. Most people find it safe and effective. It uses a different process that Frontline to kill fleas and ticks.

In general the products you buy over-the-counter are likely going to be less expensive and less effective than what you get from a vet. I think the reason is that the more expensive products contain newer insecticides, and likely less resistance to these products has built up in the flea and tick population but also they are maybe less “proven”, so it’s important for a vet to be involved in the use of the product in order to ensure that there won’t be a negative reaction to using it.

If I lived in an area where there was Lyme disease (in the US that’s the northeast and upper midwest) I’d most definitely add a tick collar to my standard oral or topical flea and tick prevention. AND I’d search both of my dogs everyday for ticks. It’s because nothing you buy will be 100% effective, and Lyme disease can be a very serious problem.

If you want to talk further and talk more specifically about where you live and what products you’re considering, I’d be happy to do a consult with you. Nobody here is paid to recommend products, but we do develop preferences based on what we use on our own pets and in our practices.

ANSWER : A. If this is a puppy, see a veterinarian immediately. Puppies should want to eat. Common causes for anorexia in puppies include viruses (parvo is a big one), parasitism, and foreign bodies. They need immediate care – go to an emergency vet if yours isn’t open. Puppies can get low blood sugar and dehydration very quickly.

If this is an adult dog and you observe other concerning signs, such as diarrhea or decreased energy, you should see a veterinarian.

If the dog seems otherwise bright and stable, try offering different types of food: wet food, canned tripe, or cooked chicken and rice. Some dogs will go for canned baby food: chicken, turkey, or beef as the main ingredient. Make sure there are no garlic or onions in the ingredients!

Causes of anorexia in adult dogs can range from less serious to severe. Younger dogs are more likely to get into trouble- they tend to eat things they shouldn’t, and can get foreign bodies from eating things like socks, or stomach upset from getting in the trash. Any dog may stop eating due to stress, or just being a picky eater. Middle aged dogs can stop eating when they’re stressed and also have Addison’s disease, which can be fatal. Older dogs tend to stop eating when they develop cancer or renal disease.

There is no one-size-fits-all recipe to know when the right time is to take your dog to the vet. The moral of this story is, if it’s not getting better, your pup feels bad, or you’re worried – go see the vet!

ANSWER : A. Sounds like your dog has some gastrointestinal distress going on. Frequent constipation is kind of an unusual thing to see in dogs, but certainly if that’s going on it can cause discomfort and nausea. Adding fiber to his diet may help in the long run, however it’s probably not going to help right now, since he’s not eating. I would recommend taking him in to see your vet ASAP, as these are kind of general signs you’re describing and many things could be going on. He needs a good exam by your vet and possibly some lab work and/or x-rays to help figure out what’s going on and how to help him. If he’s got a blockage from chronic constipation your vet can give him an enema for relief.

ANSWER : A. It depends on how deep it’s cut and if it’s going to snag on something and rip the entire nail off. It would probably be best to go to the vet now rather than later when a more serious injury occurs. The cost really depends on where you live and what the vet decides to do. I really can’t give much of an estimate other than the initial cost of a sick exam (which also varies from vet to vet). Call the vet and when you make the appointment ask how much a sick exam costs, that will be your initial payment (Amount just to see the vet).

ANSWER : A. If it was a stroke (vestibular syndrome) there is little the vet will do for the first 24-48 hours apart from giving an anti vomiting injection. You need to wait and see how well the dog responds after the episode to see if he fully recovers, sometimes they partially recover but may end up with a head tilt.
If it was a seizure they normally only last seconds and then within an hour the dog is back to normal. Again you don`t need to consult your vet straight away but monitor him. Some dogs may have one seizure but never again. If this is what it was then see your vet if your dog has another one.

ANSWER : A. A vole’s teeth a quite sharp but small. The puncture wounds would be very small and may even close over, so that you can’t see them. First, if your pet is not current on rabies, go to the veterinarian right away. A vole is a type of rodent, and rodents can carry rabies (although voles are not major carriers). Better safe than sorry. Otherwise, wash the affected foot with warm warm and monitor carefuily. If the foot becomes swollen, develops an odor, feels very warm to the touch, or you see oozing pus, head to the vet. Also, go to the vet if the cat continues to favor the foot more than a day or two.

ANSWER : A. His not eating is the most concerning for me. They cannot go more than a few days without eating or they risk liver damage. Your cat needs to be seen by your vet for an exam and bloodwork to determine the cause for your cat’s loss of appetite. Based on the findings, your vet will be able to give you a clearer picture of what is going on with your cat and be able to offer you treatment options.

Try enticing your pet to eat with beef or chicken baby food that does not contain onion or garlic powder. Onion and garlic causes anemia. Warm it in the microwave for a few seconds. Stir it with your finger first to make sure there are no hot spots and that it isn’t too hot. This makes it more aromatic and appealing to your pet. Wetting dry food or mixing wet food with low sodium chicken broth, also warmed, might entice your pet to eat. Some cats like to be petted while they eat, some want to be left alone. You’ll know your cat’s habits and be able to act accordingly.