Canine Q&A Archive

Have a pet related question you need answered? Every week we pick a few of the best questions to be answered by Acme Pet's panel of Pet Professionals & Veterinarians. So read through these previously answered questions, or ask a question of your own!

Topics

Puppy Care | Breeding Concerns | Flea Control | Canine Diseases
Hip Dysplasia | Dental Care | Eye Care | Diet | Pet Loss | Other
- Choose the Q&A subject area you want to explore -

Legal Stuff: All answers should be considered free advice. Always consult your Veterinarian before following any information on this page. Acme Pet specifically disclaims liability for mistakes or damages that may stem from the content of this Web page.


Puppy Care

Q. Our lab has a litter of 7 very healthy, beautiful puppies. They are now 4 weeks old. When should we start introducing solids? I am not anxious to do so if they don't really need it. Isn't their mothers milk the best for them until 6 weeks or so?

A. Dogs should be weaned at 6 weeks. By now they should be on solid food. They should start their vaccines at 8 weeks.


Q. We have a 5 month old Boston Terrier and got her when she was 2 months old. We began to crate and paper train her. She was responding well and had very few accidents. Just recently she began to leave little gifts for us around the house in both liquid and solid form. We began to crate and paper train her again but this time she is not responding at all. We would like to confine her necessities to the crate. Can you offer some advice?

A. Your puppy may not be old enough yet to go without the crate. I would continue with it, but make sure you are very regimental about how and when you take her out. Dogs respond to repitition, so take her out when you get up, after she eats, when you come home and before bed. Eventually she will catch on. It takes a lot of patience.


Q. I have recently acquired a new Entlebucher Sunnenhund (Swiss Cattle Dog) 12 weeks old that has had all of the necessary shots to date. I live in New York City, Do I have to keep her indoors all of the time until 16 weeks ?? My Vet said no but many others have said yes do you have any ideas on the subject ???

A. It is not necessary to keep your puppy indoors until 16 weeks of age if it is properly vaccinated and you are careful where you take it. Mother's immunity lasts 8 weeks, then starts to decline and is gone by 16 weeks, so the puppy should be vaccinated at 8, 12, and 16 weeks. After the first 1 or 2 shots, it is okay to walk your puppy and socialize it with other pets and people. Just stay away from parks or pets that you don't know the vaccine history on until your puppy is fully vaccinated.


Q. I have a new 8 week old puppy. She does not seem to be eating very well. I had her on Purina Puppy chow and tried mixing in some water with little success. I then tried some Science Diet Canine Growth and mixed some cottage cheese with it. This gave me better luck, but she is still not eating too much. Is there reason for concern, or should I wait a couple more days while she adjust to her new home?

A. Your puppy is probably being picky. Don't get into the habit of frequently changing the foods to get your dog to eat. This will create a very picky eater. Choose a food you want to feed her and make her eat it. She will in time. Science diet Growth is a very good food.


Breeding Concerns

Q. I want to breed my chocolate lab and I would like some information on doing so.

A. For the owner of the Chocolate Lab that wants to breed it, make sure you do your homework and make responsible decisions. It would be helpful to know if it is a male or a female. Assuming it is a female, make sure all of the dog's papers are in order including lineage and breed registration. It is also a good idea to wait until 2 years of age before breeding so you can get the hips OFA(Orthopedic Foundation of America) approved. This accomplishes two things: 1. it cuts down on the incidence of hip dysplasia and increases the value of the puppies. 2. it allows the dog to have 2-3 normal heat cycles which will make breeding more successful.


Q. Where do you go to find information about breeding your own dog? I have a Golden Retriever that I would like to breed next year and I know nothing about doing it. I can’t even find information in the books at the pet store that tells me the nuts and bolts of it. How do you pick a sire? What do you do to get it and the puppies registered? How long do the two dogs have to be together… you know... how to?

A. If you want to breed your Golden Retriever, make sure you know exactly what you are getting into and why you are getting into it. Unfortunately, Goldens have become very watered down due to excessive and poor breeding. They have become very susceptible to hip dysplasia, heart defects, and cancers. We are also seeing an increase in bad personalities; whether that be aggression or inability to train. This has all occurred because of their immense popularity.

With that in mind, if you truly wish to breed your dog, make sure it is registered with your national registry organization as purebred (which are papers you should have already have from the breeder you got your dog from). You should also have the dog checked for hip dysplasia at 2 years of age by the Orthopedic Foundation of America; and the eyes checked by a veterinary ophthalmologist for congenital defects. This does three things:

Next, make sure the stud has all of these same things done. Finding a good stud can be difficult and expensive. Stud fees can be as expensive as $300-$500 or more depending on quality.

When the bitch goes into heat, have her checked out by your veterinarian. He/She should give the dog a good physical and do a vaginal smear which will allow a more exact prediction of ovulation and better guide your breeding. This may take several smears over time. When the time is right, the bitch should stand for the male. If he is experienced, they should know what to do. If they are both inexperienced, you may need the help of your veterinarian to guide them or artificially inseminate her. If all goes well, be prepared for 9-12 puppies. Good luck, and remember, breed with the intention of trying to better the breed; anything short of that is just hurting the breed and taking the homes away from 9-12 strays that could have otherwise been adopted.


Flea Control

Q. I am curious about the various forms of flea control both the natural (i.e. homeopathic) and chemical. I am desperate and I am about to go back to Prospot. Do you have any other suggestions that will control fleas without being harmful to the dog?

A. Flea control can be a big problem and deciding what the best form of control is can be an even bigger problem. There are many, many different products-both prescription and over-the-counter. In my experience, the OTC products do not work as well as the prescription products. Products that I have found to be very safe are the Defend products which can be placed on your dog and kill fleas and ticks for up to 4-6 weeks. They have shampoos and cream rinses as well. The only down side to this product is it CAN NOT* be used on cats at all. The newest flea control product out now is Program which is a once a month pill that is given to the dog to prevent flea infestation. Program prevents any flea that bites the dog from reproducing. It is very good for those people that have problems with fleas in the house. The down side is that it does not directly kill fleas so flea shampoos and sprays are still recommended. Another form of flea control that a lot of people swear by is Brewer's Yeast although there is no real medical evidence that it works.

The one thing that I have found consistently works in dealing with fleas is being diligent about looking for them. In bad infestations, I recommend that you take your dog to your veterinarian and have the dog dipped. While that is going on, go home and treat your house. A very good product to use for this is Siphotrol Plus House Treatment. I prefer the spray to the bombs(foggers) because it is cheaper and it allows you to get right where the fleas hide, like in corners of carpet, under furniture, and in cool, dark places. After you bring the clean dog into the clean house, check him EVERY day. This only takes a couple of minutes and if you find a flea, spray the dog or give it a flea bath with a good quality flea shampoo.

Flea control is a long, difficult process with no quick fixes. Personally, I save Prospot and Spot-On as a last resort for those clients who have tried everything and it hasn't worked; They are not my favorite forms of flea control. Good Luck!

*note: Defend is now available in a spray made specifically for use on cats.


Canine Diseases

Q. I have a 3 years old X-shetland. When she was about 2 years old, she started excessively scratching her muzzle and chest. She also chews her tail and her paws and hence her normal black paws have since then turned pink! I have consulted a number of vets and they tell me that she is allergic to things but can't tell me what she is allegic to. ( one of them says that she has an ear infection but other vets disagree ). I have ruled out the possibility of the presence of fleas and ticks because I have found no such creatures on her when I shaved her bald. I am desperately in need of help. Please kindly advise me. Thanks.

A. Have your veterinarian do a skin scrape on your dog on all the places where she scratches. It sounds like the dog may have mange. If mange is not the answer, have your dog allergy tested. That will tell you what she is allergic to, if anything. Ask your veterinarian for details. It can all be done with a blood test.


Q. I have a Boxer. She gets sores in the folds of skin on her face. I have tried baby powder, daily washing, etc. but it continuously comes back. I also apply antibiotic salves when it gets bad, which is usually in humid or damp weather. This "infection" sometimes spreads to her back paws (from scratching at her face). Is there anything I can use to prevent this skin fold problem?

A. This is a problem called skin fold pyoderma. If the infection is that severe and washing the area and using antibiotics, systemically and topically, don't work, I would recommend cutting the skin folds out. This is associated with great success and does not alter the appearance of the dog very much if done correctly. They usually look much better.


Q. I have a six year old giant schnauzer who has had seizures for the past two years. These started after a rabies shot. I am looking for non-toxic treatment, if possible.

A. The most common treatment for seizures is phenobarbitol which is a medication that raises the seizure threshold and keeps the animal from seizuring. For the most part this is a relatively safe drug but does have some side-effects such as increasing liver enzymes, sedation and so on. It is the treatment of choice for treating seizures at this point. How many does your dog have? per day? per week? per month? how severe are they? If the seizures are not that often (1 time a month) and there is no treatable cause for the seizures(liver disease, tumors etc.) treatment is oftentimes not advised.


Q. My 6 year old lab recently had surgery to remove malignant growth surrounding her mammary glands, and had two of her mammary glands removed. The cancer was very widespread and "ugly". The report showed that there were suspicious tissues near the sectors of removal. What is the likelihood of this coming back and what is a time frame of the growth spreading if it does return? Is it difficult to keep up with? Are treatments very effective?

A. Mammary cancer is a very serious cancer in dogs if it is highly malignant. Did the report say if it was? The fact that the tumor was not completely removed means that it will probably reoccur. How fast it will spread depends on how highly malignant the tumor was. Usually these spread to bone or the lungs. Did your veterinarian take chest films? I would recommend removing the entire mammary chain on both sides after checking the lungs for cancer.


Q. My 16 month old Jack Russell Terrier has an inner catarac left eye. Is there any type of surgery to eliminate this problem? My vet believes this was caused by some type of trauma.

A. There are cataracts that can occur due to trauma, but if there is no history of trauma, it is more likely a congenital cataract. I would have a specialist look at the eye and tell you exactly what is going on and if it will affect your dog in the long run. There are surgeries that can remove cataracts but a specialist will be able to tell you more.


Q. I have a friend who has a cocker spaniel that was just diagnosed with facial palsey. If anyone has any information about this disease in animals and how to cope with it please e-mail me or post a response. Lisa

A. Lisa, This is a disease of Cocker Spaniels called Idiopathic Facial Nerve Paralysis of Cockers. For some reason the facial nerve on one or both sides of the face is affected and the dog's lips sag on the affected side. They can't blink. The facial muscles are paralyzed. Sometimes this is associated with hypothyroidism. The good news is, it will go away in 3-4 weeks most likely.


Q. I have a 13 year-old German Shepherd. For the past few months he has been having difficulty standing up, and walking up stairs. Yesterday he fell twice while I was taking him for a walk, and today he can not stand up at all. He also refuses to eat, and therefore I can not get him to take any aspirin. Is there anything I can do at this point? What do you think is the problem.

A. There is probably one of two problems going on, and they may both be present. One is hip dysplasia that is causing arthritis and pain. The other is degenerative mylopathy which is a condition seen in older german shepherds in which the spinal cord starts to degenerate from back to forward. These dogs become very week in the rear legs and often walk with their butts very low to the ground as if they can't quite stand all the way up. This is often misinterpreted as hip dysplasia and arthritis. Your veterinarian should be able to tell you what is going on. There is not cure for degenerative mylopathy.


Q. My friend's 11 year old female dachshund was just diagnosed with auto immune hemolytic anemia. Her pac count went down to 15, but as of yesterday was up to 20. What are the usual tests given that could verify this disorder, and could you please give us more info as to what she can expect. The vet was very vague on the subject. She's assuming that there's not a lot that can be done for her dog. Any information you can give would be greatly appreciated. By the way, the dog was spayed at 6 months old.

A. Autoimmune hemolytic anemia is a disease in which the body's immune system starts to attack the body's red blood cells and destroying them. The test to diagnose this is a Coomb's test. The treatment is supportive care like transfusions as needed and steroids that stop the immune system from destroying the cells. If treated agressively and in time, many dogs can do very well.


Q. I am interested in finding out what the symptoms of Parvovirus look like.

A. The Symptoms of parvo are usually almost always bloody diarrhea and vomiting. It affects puppies of any age, usually affecting those that have not been vaccinated. The vaccine is very effective if given at the proper time and boostered correctly. It seems, though, that Dobermans, Rottweilers, and Old English Sheep Dogs are very sensitive to the disease and can come down with it even if properly vaccinated. It is best to check with your veterinarian about their vaccine protocols and have your puppies checked out for early signs of the disease. Puppies can be completely normal in the morning and in the hospital with parvo that night. It is a terrible disease, so get those puppies properly vaccinated!


Q. I am inquiring about a problem my parents are experiencing with a local(Maryland) Papillon breeder. They purchased a puppy approximately five months ago. She was recently diagnosed with a congenital liver disease. The hospital bills are outrageous and the puppy will need to be constantly supervised and given medication for her disease and for seizures for the rest of her life. Also, this disease will shorten her life-span in half. The breeder reluctantly offered to take the puppy back and give them a new one. The puppy will be euthanized. My parents have already become so attached to this dog it is like their child. I believe the breeder should compensate them monetarily. Since they refuse, is there anything we can do to convince them to stand behind their litters. If they will not, is there some organization we can contact which might let other people know to beware of this breeder?

A. For the Papillon owners, I'm very sorry to hear about your puppy. Congenital defects are very hard to deal with when they show up after you have become attached (which sometimes only takes minutes it seems). It sounds like the puppy has a portosystemic shunt which sometimes can be fixed with surgery. I would be interested to know if this is what the diagnosis was. None the less, you could have a battle on your hands. Although this is a congenital defect, it may not be hereditary, meaning passed on by the parents. It may just be bad luck for that puppy and for you, but not knowing exactly what is wrong, it is difficult for me to say. If this is a hereditary defect of the breed, you may have a better case if they guarantee their dogs. Breeders do not like to hear that there is a problem with one of their dogs and can get very defensive. I agree with you, if they really stand behind their litters they should at least compensate for the price of the dog. Getting them to pay the medical bills may be tough since it was your decision to pursue treatment (I commend you on that choice). If you really feel that you have a case, get documentation from your veterinarian and call the better business bureau. It may not get you your money back, but if they find a problem it will go on their record for anyone who checks to see. Also, word of mouth goes a long way; if you don't like the job they are doing, don't recommend them.


Q. What Is Canine Leukemia? What are the affects and responses you get from your dog?

A. Leukemia in dogs is a cancer of the blood. There are many types of leukemias depending on what cell line is affected. Essentially, the bone marrow starts producing abnormal types of a certain cell line and starts dumping them into the blood stream. The result can be extremely abnormal white counts which can affect the animal's immune system. The body's attempt to get rid of these cells can make an animal very sick. Signs can be as subtle as a fever or as obvious as severe depression and weakness. Some types of leukemia can be treated with chemotherapy, but the success really depends on the type of leukemia affecting the dog. Not all respond the same.


Q. I lost my rottie over the weekend to a disease called immune mediated thrombocytopenia and I was looking for someone who might have any information about this disease.

A. Immune mediated thrombocytopenia is a disease in which the body's immune system attacks the thrombocytes of the body which are responsible for clotting of blood. It can occur as an acute or chronic form. In the acute form, the dog can die in weeks if not treated or if treatment fails. The chronic form can last for years. Diagnosis is made by clinical signs and bone marrow aspirates as well as serum antibody tests. The treatment is prednisolone or other steroids alone or in combination with other immunosuppressive drugs. Sometimes removal of the spleen is done when all forms of treatment fail. I'm sorry for your loss.


Q. Could you please discuss panosteitis (puppy limp) and possible options to get my year and a half old black lab through this. He seems to be in terrible pain and my vet said there is nothing we can do for him except see it through its course. I should say that he was x-rayed and also has moderate dysplasia in both hips. the panosteitis was diagnosed based on his obvious limp in left rear leg and dark spots showing up in x-rays of the lower leg bone. Thanks for any helpful advice.

A. Panosteitis is an inflammatory disease of the long bones of young dogs. This is most commonly seen in large breed dogs (most commonly the shepherd), but it can be most any breed. It is called panosteitis because it affects all of the long bones and can flare up at anytime in any leg. The most common sign is a switching leg lameness. One leg hurts for a few days, then another. This disease is treated with prednisolone which is a steroidal anti-inflammatory. The good news about panosteitis is that it is self-limiting; meaning it will go away on it's own once the dog reaches skeletal maturity. What is odd about your case is that your dog seems too old to have this disease, or at least it should be resolving. Since the pain is in the rear leg and the dog also has hip dysplasia, I would be looking at the hips as the source of pain. There is a way to tell; squeeze the bone where the darks spots on the x-rays were. If it is panosteitis it will be very painful. If it is the hips, the dog should resent manipulation of the joint.


Q. I have a six year old Giant Schnauzer with hypothyriodism and seizuring disorder. How closely are these two problems connected. If the thyroid is treated, will the seizuring disappear?

A. The hypothyroidism is probably not related to the seizuring but it could be affecting the treatment. Hypothyroidism slows down the dog's metabolism. As a result, he may not metabolize his phenobarbitol (medicine to control the seizures) properly. This may result in a higher than necessary dose. Once the thyroid is treated, the seizuring may be better controlled.


Hip Dysplasia

Q. What type of exercise is good for dogs with hip dysplasia?

A. There are several good forms of exercise for dogs with hip dysplasia. The most important thing is making sure that the dog does in fact get exercise. A common mistake made with dysplastic dogs is not to exercise them because they are painful. The key is to exercise them according to how much the dog can take without being very painful or nonfunctional. If possible, the best form of exercise is swimming because it exercises the legs and joints without putting pressure or a lot of strain on them. The more common form of exercise for dysplastic dogs is walking. A good sustained walk can be very therapeutic for dysplastic dogs by keeping the hind limb muscles strong and the joints loose. If your dog is out of shape, start slowly. The walk may only be to the end of the street and back, but with time, you will be able to gradually increase the distance. Dogs with hip dysplasia also benefit from anti-inflammatories to control pain. I recommend Ascripton at 10mg/lb twice a day (Check with your veterinarian to make sure your dog doesn't have a condition in which an aspirin is contraindicated). Also, there are several very good surgical solutions to hip dysplasia if your dog is a good candidate. I strongly suggest looking into these surgical options because they can allow your dog to live an almost completely normal life.


Q. A Black and Tan Coonhound I adopted, age unknown, has hip dysplasia. I am giving her injections of adequan once a week for five weeks, and then four weeks off, the shot does ware off. Is there anything else I can give her to help her with the pain, she has very bad arthritis in her hips as well. I love her very much and would like to make her as comfortable as possible.

A. Hip Dysplasia is one of the saddest things that has to be dealt with in dogs. Some dogs do fairly well on medication to control pain such as Adequan. (Personally, I haven't had that great of luck with it). Other anti-inflammatories are Aspirins, Phenylbutazone, Arquel and steroids. All of these pain medications are like headache medications for people; some work sometimes and others work other times, and finding the one that works best for your dog can be a trial and error process. Pain medications are all doing the same thing though, just controlling the pain. If the hip dysplasia and arthritis is severe, the treatment of choice, in my opinion, is surgery. If the dog is relatively young and money is not an issue, a Total Hip Replacement is a very good option for relief of pain and return to a normal functioning hip. If money is an issue, a Femoral Head Osteotomy or FHO is a very good procedure for removing the arthritis and treating the pain. The femoral head of the femur is cut off creating a false joint. Since there is no bone left to grind together, the joint is pain free. I do a lot of these procedures with very good success and highly recommend it as a treatment for hip dysplasia with associated arthritis.


Dental Care

Q. My dog’s teeth seem to get a lot of tartar. Is there anything I can do to stop this?

A. To cut down on the amount of tartar build up on your pet's teeth, feed him/her a dry food. Wet or canned foods tend to accumulate tartar on the teeth. Also, brushing the teeth or at least wiping them with warm water and cotton can help decrease the rate of tartar build up. To get rid of what is on the teeth, have your veterinarian perform a dental. Routine dentals have been shown to increase a dog's or cat's life expectancy and quality of life.


Eye Care

Q. In the whole tri-state area of Philadelphia, PA, I am told there is only one vet who does cataract surgery. It takes a lot of visits, and I’m not sure if you should do that to a 15 year old dog. What do you think before he goes blind-he is 15 and getting his second cataract. What to do?

A. It is not uncommon to find only a few veterinarians or clinics that perform cataract surgery on dogs. This is a specialty procedure that requires special training and very expensive equipment. As a result, the surgery is not cheap. On the other hand, it is very effective and not all that traumatic for the dog. Is it worth doing in a 15 year old dog? That all depends. If the dog is not handling going blind very well, or is in an area where being blind would be dangerous (no fenced in yard etc.) and the dog is in good health, it may be very well worth the effort and the expense. On the other hand, dogs can do very well blind. I personally had two blind poodles that did very well. They learn their way around but just take more watching and care than you are used to. It would not be a bad idea to take your dog to the specialist and at least talk with him and have the dog checked to make sure he/she is a good candidate for surgery. The specialist will be able to answer all of your questions.


Q. I want to post a note for advice on aging canine blindness. if YOU can advise and/or direct me to a source that knows about aging canine blindness (clouding of the lens), I would be most appreciative.

A. Clouding of the lens is a condition called lenticular sclerosis whereby as the dog ages the lens hardens causing it to appear blue. This should be differentiated from cataracts in which there is an actual opacity in the lens. The difference is lenticular sclerosis is a normal aging process. Cataracts can be a normal aging process or caused by another problem such as diabetes. Either way the dog usually goes blind slowly,(faster with cataracts). Most dogs adjust very well to slowly going blind. If they do not or are at risk to hurt themselves, cataract surgery can be done. Check with a veterinary opthalmologist in your area. They can recommend the best course of treatment.


Diet

Q. My 8-yr.-old Labrador Retriever had severe enteritis several years ago and was diagnosed with food allergies (milk, beef, lamb, eggs). For three years I have fed her a vegetarian kibble supplemented with canned Science Growth and chicken. I have read that a taurine deficiency can cause cardiomyopathy. I don't really want to change her diet because she hasn't had a bout with enteritis since eliminating the allergens from her diet. Would you recommend a taurine and carnitine supplement?

A. If your dog has no signs of heart disease, I wouldn't worry about it at this stage of his life. Besides, the science diet you are feeding should be perfectly balanced for a dog and supply him with enough of everything he needs.


Q. I own a Sheltie and I am curious as to what kind of diet is better for older dogs?

A. There are a plethora of foods out there for older dogs. Almost all of the brands have some type of food for less active dogs. One of my favorites is Science Diet Senior. It comes in a canned or dry. Fit and Trim is a good diet as well as Cycle Diet 4. You want a lower protein diet that is lower in calories.


Pet Loss

Q. It might be helpful to animal lovers if you had a special section on losing a pet. I've been there...and it's hard to let go. Things like articles, stories, poems, books to read...anything to help people cope with the heartfelt loss.

A. To those who have lost a pet and are looking for ways to cope, there are support groups and hot lines for this special and difficult problem. Some examples:

  1. Grief Counseling by University of California-Davis Veterinary Student volunteers; staffed weekdays 6:30pm-9:30pm Pacific Time. (916)752-4200

  2. Grief Counseling by University of Florida-Gainsville Veterinary Students and Volunteers; staffed weekdays 7pm-9pm Eastern Time. (904)392-4700 then dial 1 and 4080

  3. Grief Counseling by Michigan State University Veterinary Student Volunteers; staffed Tuesdays and Thursdays 6:30pm-9:30pm Eastern Time. (517)432-2696

  4. Grief Counseling by Chicago VMA Veterinarians and Staffs. Call anytime to leave a voice-mail message; calls will be returned 7pm-9pm Central Time-long distance calls will be returned collect. (708)603-3994

If these numbers are not in your area or you want someone in your area to talk to face-to-face, try calling your local veterinarian or humane society, they may have local support groups you can join. Also, getting yourself a new friend can be very therapeutic...there are a lot of pets out there that would be very lucky to get such caring owners,


Miscellaneous Topics

Q. My purbred white boxer sheds tons...all the time. What can I do to try and decrease her shedding. I read that shedding is a healthy sign as long as it isn't accompanied with bald patches etc. Overall she is a very active and fit dog.

A. Shedding can be helped with frequent brushing and bathing in a shampoo/conditioner on a routine basis. Make sure there is no reason for the shedding such as very dry skin, infection etc. Unfortunately, there is no way to completely keep them from shedding.


Q. My dog does one thing that I just can not tolerate any longer. Whenever we walk around, he will grab my shoelaces and hold on. When I pull my foot to take another step, he growls like I'm playing with him. If I pat him on the shoulder and say NO, he then jumps up and grabs and bites my hand as I am retracting it. He will hold on to my pants legs (tearing holes in them). He will also pull down my son (2 years old). He will grab his shoelaces, and pull him down to the ground. He only does this to me and my son. No one else. What would be the best way of breaking him of the habit, quick!? It seems at this point he does it to get my attention. When I go home in the evenings, I pay close attention to him for at least 30 minutes, and only him. Then, I play with my son, the dog, while cleaning, etc.

A.I would recommend being much, much firmer with your dog than just patting him and saying no. You have to make him understand that you are upset and won't tolerate this behavior. Also ignore him completely after he does this and you correct him. If he bites your laces and you give him attention, he is getting exactly what he wants, so you are just reinforcing the behavior.


Q. My german shepard is having a terrible time with biting flies around the ear that leave blood and scabs in the area all summer long. I've tried several commercial products - mostly horse-related stuff, but none seems to work for very long, and most are extremely messy and gooey. Is there anything I can do to alleviate the problem and give my dog a respite from these terrible flies?

A. This is a very common problem of dogs (especially that are outside a lot) with ears that stand erect. The problem is called fly-strike. The ears should be evaluated by a veterinarian for appropriate treatment. This usually involves scrubbing the ears and applying an antibiotic ointment as well as a fly repelant. I usually use Pet-Guard Gel which is sold only through a veterinarian.


Q. I have a Bichon Frise. He has never been able to take the heartworm pills the vet gives him. We have tried Heartgard and several other variations of heartworm medicine. He gladly takes whatever you give him, but always throws it up later. It is not immediate that he throws it up, but eventually he does. Do you have any suggestions?

A.It is important that he get his heartworm medication so we need to find a way to keep it down. There are several options. The first is to use the Heartgard in pill form. Crush it up and put it in something he likes and then feed him his normal meal. If it is the drug that disagrees with him, the full meal in his stomach should protect it. Have you tried Decacide? It is a very old heartworm preventative that comes in a very small pill. Unfortunately it is once a day like Filaribits, but the pill is very small and easy to take. The good news is it is very inexpensive.


Q. I have a GSD that is petrified during thunder storms. She paces and pants non stop. Her heart beat justs races. Is there anything I can do to ease her trama?

A. You should contact your veterinarian about getting a tranquilizer for your pet. They work very well for these types of problems.


Q. Can you give me some information on "reverse sneezing". My toy poodle has just started having some kind of breathing problems, when I called the vet he mentioned this reverse sneezing. It's scary to watch him go through this.

A. Reverse sneezing in dogs is something that is much easier to demonstrate than to explain, but it is a fairly common phenomenon in dogs. Basically it is a violent snorting action that occurs for no apparent reason. It is not abnormal or dangerous unless you notice a discharge that is abnormal like puss or blood. Also the dog should be completely normal afterwards. If the dog is groggy or passes out, there is something else going on. If it is just a reverse sneeze, don't worry-it may look like your dog is going to die while they are doing it but they will be fine.


Q. I have a Chow dog who loves to dig up the yard with all four legs, and consequently bring lots of mud into the house. Is this something with the breed or can I train him out of it?

A. This can be a very difficult problem to deal with. It isn't really a breed problem in as much as a dog problem. The behavior can be corrected, but you have to catch him doing it and correct him sternly. It takes a lot of patience and time, but most dogs will get the idea when they are punished every time you catch them. Use the same techniques you used to house break the dog.


Q. My daughter got her dog from the pound, he is about two years old. He thinks the furniture and the walls are fire hydrants. How do we train him to do his thing outside? We have tried a lot of things but nothing seems to work.

A. This can be a difficult situation and is a common problem when adopting an adult dog. Sometimes the reason the dog is at the pound is because it couldn't be housebroken by the previous owners. My feeling is that any dog can be housebroken with enough patience and time. If the dog is going in the house in front of you, make sure you scold him and immediately take him outside. If he is doing it while you are gone, get a cage for him and take him out as soon as you get home. The key to housebreaking any dog is repetition. Take him out in the morning when you wake up, after he eats, whenever you come home and before bedtime. Don't play with him outside when he is supposed to be going to the bathroom. Wait until he goes, then bring him inside and give him a treat. Eventually he will understand that outside is for the bathroom and inside for playing. Also, if he is not neutered, get that done.


Q. I´m writing from the Technologic of Monterrey campus Laguna and I´m doing this because I want some information about and help in finding a white boxer. I haven’t seen many that are all white, is there something I should look out for if I do find one because of this?

A. White Boxers are not easy to find because it is not a normal or accepted color of the breed. Many of these animals (white Boxers) have congenital defects, especially of the heart and are not always desirable although they are good looking dogs. If you find one, be sure to have it thoroughly examined by your veterinarian for any potential health problems.


Q. Why are some dogs born with dew claws and others are not? If my dog has dew claws, is it necessary to have them removed?

A. The dew claws on dogs are the equivalent of your big toe or thumb. It is a vestigial appendage (meaning not used anymore), so over time, some animals are born with them and some without. Many people have them removed 3-5 days after birth the of the puppies. If they have not been removed during this time and an owner wants them removed, it can be done at the time of spaying or neutering. I do recommend removing the rear dew claws because they tend to get snagged on things and then tear. Removal of the front dew claws is based on personal preference.


Q. Why does my dog always want to eat his own and other dogs droppings? I tell him no every time I catch him in the act, but he keeps doing it no matter what I do. What can I do to make him stop for good?

A. Coprophagia, or the eating of one's own stool, is unfortunately a very disgusting but common habit of many dogs. In many cases they outgrow the habit, but sometimes owner intervention is required to break them of it. There are drugs that can be given orally that make the stool taste terrible. One is Forbid which comes in a powder that is put on the food for 3-5 days. Another of these drugs is Chlorophyll tablets, also given with the food for a period of time. Both of these treatments make the stool taste terrible and hopefully break the cycle. Ask your local veterinarian for more details.


Q. Have a 13 year old Toy Poodle. Background: The dog had 3 seizures in one day in early December,4 more in one day in late January and 1 Feb. 28. Extensive blood works were done indicating all organs functioning normally except the liver. A liver biopsy was done with negative results of any growths. A subsequent blood test showed normal for all organs. Next option was MRI of the brain which we declined. All seizures happened while the dog was in a deep asleep without any warning. Currently we give the dog one 5mg tablet of Prednisone every other day and half of a 15mg Phenobarbitol table twice per day for at least ten days. Questions: What is the purpose of the Phenobarbitol? Is there something else that can be done?

A. The purpose of the phenobarbitol is to increase the seizure threshold and calm the seizure "areas" in the brain. From what you have described, I do not think that the liver is the cause of the dog's problems. The initial increase in the liver enzymes may have been due to a drug that the dog was on. ( Prednisolone will increase certain liver enzymes.) Given the dog's age and the fact that the dog has never seizured before, my initial inclination is to think there is a mass in the brain. An MRI would not be a bad idea if you want a diagnosis. Keep the dog on the Phenobarbitol now though. Stopping the Phenobarb can sometimes make them more susceptible to having seizures. If your veterinarian really suspects a mass in the brain, and the prednisolone is to help that, the dose needs to be increased to at least a mg/lb twice a day. Every other day pred is probably not helping the situation-probably not hurting it either. Another option is a spinal tap. Sometimes you can get cancer cells in the spinal fluid. This is considerably cheaper than an MRI, but it is also more risky. The other possibility is that this is idiopathic epilepsy, which is a condition of repeated seizures with no apparent cause. This is a diagnosis of exclusion. If your dog has a mass in the brain, you will know soon enough. The seizures will increase despite the Phenobarb and there will be behavior changes, etc. If the dog does not get sick in the next few months, it is probably epilepsy and can be managed on the phenobarb. Realize though, without examining the dog, this is all speculation.


Q. I have acquired a 3 yr old female Great Dane. Please explain to me Bloat. Any special needs of a Great Dane, life expectancy and recommendations of a good book on Great Danes

A. Bloat is a condition in which the stomach fills with an excessively abnormal amount of air. Usually this is associated with gastric torsion in which the stomach twists on itself and causes bloat. The result is a cutoff of the blood supply to the intestines, shock and eventual death if not caught in time. This can be avoided by feeding your dog 2-3 times a day instead of once, and not exercising them after eating for 1/2 -1 hour. print

Danes need a lot of exercise and a good quality food. Just because they eat a lot, don't skimp on the quality of the food. They live 8-10 years. You can find very good books at most good book stores in the animal section.

They are great dogs and one of my favorite breeds.


Q. After my 1 year old Jack Russel swims in saltwater, he sometimes vomits and gets diarrhea. Is this harmful? Are there any precautions I can take to prevent this? What should I do after this happens? He really loves swimming in the ocean.

A. Your dog is vomiting from drinking the salt water. This is only dangerous if the vomiting and diarrhea is severe enough to dehydrate the dog. Make sure there is plenty of fresh water to drink so the dog isn't trying to drink from the ocean. It is tough to keep the dog from drinking or getting salt water in his mouth while he is playing in the water. For the most part, it won't hurt him.

Send us your Questions!


Biography: Douglas James Hoffman D.V.M., attended the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine earning his degree in 1993. He now is a general practitioner concentrating on small animals and exotics at the Lewis Animal Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio.


Back to the Q&A Archives List

Copyright © 1997 - ACME PET / AcmePet@acmepet.com