|
|
|
|
|
  (through Wednesday October 17, 2001) By Dr. Kelly Brodnik 1) Shots for Pups Question: I am emailing to find out when the first shots are given and when the first worming is done. Can you worm the puppies yourself, and about how much the average first shots cost. The puppies are exactly 3 weeks old. M.C., Sterling, Ohio. Answer: The first vaccines can be
given at 6 weeks, again at 8 weeks, 12 weeks, and 16 weeks. Then
yearly boosters are given. Some people may skip the 6 week set
of vaccines because there may be some maternal antibody in the
pup's bloodstream rendering the vaccine uneffective (but still
safe to give). As for deworming the pups, it can usually be done
as early as 2 weeks of age, but you must check the label on any
product you are using and check for the proper frequency and
dosage. As for the cost, it ranges based upon where you live
and where you go and whether or not you elect to have a complete
physical examination done, which I always recommend. You can
find some lower cost vaccination clinics, but they don't always
perform a physical examination but the price varies. Vetco offers
low cost vaccinations through Petco stores, check out our website
at www.petservice.com for vaccine clinic locations and prices.
Good luck with the little pups! Check out: Off
to a Good Start : A Manual for Raising Your New Puppy Question: We had a litter of kittens and we kept one for our daughter. Fluffy is sweet, affectionate and likes to leave little spots of poop all over the house. She used the litter box like the other kittens but since they left she does this. What can I do? Bob, Knoxville, Tennesee. Answer: You need to have the kitten examined to be sure it is healthy and not suffering from any type of intestinal parasites especially if you have kids (because some can be transmitted to people from pets). Once the kitten is given a clean bill of health, then you must try different litters, different types of litterboxes (sizes and covered vs. uncovered), different locations for the litterbox, etc. Good luck.
Question: At what age can you bathe new born puppies? At what age can you spray them for fleas? I have 4-week old lab puppies. A.H., Brandon, MS Answer: You should not bathe newborn
puppies because their mother has kept them clean by licking them
herself. I would not bathe them until they are weaned (usually
by 6 weeks of age) unless they get into something and then I
would just spot wash them with a damp cloth. As for fleas, I
would wait to apply any flea and tick product according to its
label and each product is different. Many cannot be applied until
the puppy is 8-12 weeks of age. Check out: The
Dog Owners Home Veterinary Handbook Question: My cats have ringworm (Microsporum Canis). I have been dipping them in Lyme Dip. They are still kittens and I do not want to use the rough stuff on them yet. I heard that the flea medicine "Program" has been used with great success along with the Lyme Dip in removing fungus. Is there any truth to this? M.J., Middletown, Ohio. Answer: Generally, topical treatments as the sole source of treatment of ringworm is not effective, according to Saunders Manual of Small Animal Practice. The most effective control of ringworm is seen with systemic therapy and the use of the ringworm vaccination (during infection and to prevent infection) As for Program being used for ringworm, I have never seen any published information on this form of treatment nor do I recommend it. If you would like to call the company that makes it, Novartis, their number is 1-888-644-8585 and speak with one of their technicians.
Question: The local pound issed a free spay or neuter service at their vet hospital. Our 6-mo old Chihuahua mix was spayed and given a vet signed proof of service. I was fiven aftercare tips such as rest, activity and food. There wer no verbal or paper documention, no follow up appointment. I thought the stitches were self removing but I believe they have grown under the skin. I am unsure yet worried if this is possible. What should I do? Also, is the vet responsible to fix it without charge and if so, how is this done? Thank you, worried mom. BJ.D., N. Hollywood, California. Answer: Some vets use absorbable sutures others do not. The only way you will know is to call the pound and the vet that did the spay and ask. If the sutures are left in place, you should ask why you were not told what to do with them and present them with the copies of the papers you received. As for removing them, it would depend upon whether or not they pose a problem or a health risk and you would need to ask the vet that performed the procedure how they handle individual cases such as yours. Good luck.
Question: I am looking for a local Essex County vet to perfrom laser declawing on my cat who is about 2 1/2 and she also needs to be spayed. Love her, but her claws are doing too much damage, even after they are trimmed. L.P., Montclair, New Jersey. Answer: Try calling the American College of Veterinary Surgeons at 301-913-9550 and asking them for a list of those surgeons that currently own or use a laser. Truly, the way to go with declaws in my opinion. Good luck. If you don't get an answer there, ask your vet about vets in the area that use a laser, check the phone book (it is usually advertised), or you can ask your vet who the local laser dealer is in that area and they will have a list of vets who have the laser.
Question: My dog has started sucking are in really quickly and its kinda loud and getting worse. Can you tell me what he is doing? (Pembroke Welsh Corgie). Thanks. Melissa, Anchorage, Alaska. Answer: It is tough to say without examining him. He may be sneezing, reverse sneezing (seen with allergies), he may have a respiratory problem, or a mechanical problem in his airway. The best and only way to find out is to have him examined. They may want to do a chest xray and some blood work to see what is causing the problem, as there are other causes than those I have listed. Good luck.
Question: I got a 6-7 week old calico kitten that was doing great. 4 days later there was definately a problem. She didn't want to eat, would not use the bathroom and didn't play. By the next day she was having a seizure that went from mild to serious. We have no poisons down or anything that she could of gotten into that could have caused this. My vet is at a loss and said that if there is no change by Thursday morning, we need to put her to sleep. I don't want her to suffer, but not knowing scares us to the fact of not having any more small or young animals again. Can you shed some light on this to see what could of caused this in a healthy playful kitten? D.B., Iuka, Mississippi. Answer: You didn't mention what tests were ran on the kitten and that is the only way to get a diagnosis. You need to rule out feline leukemia virus, feline immunodeficiency virus, feline infectious peritonitis virus all through blood tests. Routine bloodwork could reveal liver shunts, bacterial infections, kidney problems, or other problems such as diabetes, etc. Xrays would rule out some toxins such as lead ingestion, etc. A urinalysis would also be helpful. Fecal testing may also be necessary to rule out parasites. Good luck with your kitten and I hope she is doing better. Some kittens, will not thrive very well because they were weaned very young and did not recieve antibody from their mother's to prevent disease. Mom also may have had an infection she passed on to her kittens.
Question: I have a pregnant female Jack Russell that has gotten into the garbage bag yesterday. Today I saw that she had diarrhea and there was blood in it. Now, I want to know if there is something that I should do because she's expecting or that its just because of the chicken that she got that she is having diarrhea. Nat, Moncton, NB. Answer: You should take her into your vet. You don't want to mess around with a pregnant bitch especially with what may be food poisoning. Chicken in itself is not bad, it is the bacteria that chicken can harbor that we worry about. Blood in the diarrhea can signify some significant bacterial pathogens and you need to have her treated if she is infected. Supportive care such as fluid therapy may also be necessary if she is dehydrated at all from the diarrhea. Good luck and get her in ASAP.
Question: My Akita is very skinny (ribs showing). I dry feed her but she does not eat much. I have taken her to the vet and everything seems to be okay. Is there some sort of supplement or prescription to boost her appetite? If not, what should I do? B.S., Las Cruces, New Mexico. Answer: You didn't mention whether
or not she has had any blood tests done. I would start there
and with a fecal sample to your vet to rule out parasitic infection.
An xray of the abdomen is not a bad idea as well as a urinalysis
to see if the kidneys are funtioning normally. As for boosting
her appetite, ask your vet about putting her on puppy food to
add some weight to her once she is given a completely clean bill
of health (blood work and all). Good luck. Good luck to all and thanks for the
questions! You can always join me on Wednesday from 2:00 PM -
4:00 PM (Eastern) 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM (Pacific) on our
website at www.petservice.com for our Ask the Vet Live. We would
love to have you join our LIVE CHAT! |
A Book Worth Owning...  ...Click to Purchase! Sponsored by:  Retractable Leashes Ideas for New Pet Owners & Pet Lovers Dr. Kelly Brodnik D.V.M.  Chat Live with PetService's ASK THE VET Dr. Kelly Brodnik D.V.M EVERY WEDNESDAY! ASK THE TRAINER Terri Desnica Certified Trainer EVERY SATURDAY! Please tell your fellow pet loving Internet friends about PetService.com! Click below and email a few...  Receive weekly pet health tips for dog, cat, bird, reptile and small animal lovers from PetService.com    Gifts Galore!  Arrive  Electronic Gear  Learn It Time  MaxiSport 
Only$6.00Mind's Eye  NASCAR It's Hot!  Computers Etc… *PetService.com presents pet lovers with an opportunity to help Pet Adoption Agencies. Any purchase conducted through PetService.com affiliate programs will earn adoption agencies located on PetService.com site 20% of PetService.com portion of each sale. So you can buy the things you need and help the pets you love!  |
|
|