Health Problems

1 My dog shakes his head a lot. Does he have an earache?

2 Can the dog food Purina® Fit & Trim® brand dog food cause diarrhea?

4 My 6 year old dog cut the bottom of his paw, he now keeps licking it, is this normal or should he stop it? Is there anything I can do to help the healing and cleaning of the cut? thank you

5 How many types of intestinal worms are common to dogs?

8 How serious are ear infections and how do you treat them and how do you know it is resolved?

9 Our dog Bandit who is 4 years old often gets red eyes with material matted in the corners. It is especially bad after he comes in from outside. Could it be an allergy?

12 My 6 year old German Shepherd has a discharge from both eyes. I have tried washing them out with eyewash. I have to keep wiping them. She is not rubbing them.

13 If a dog is heartworm positive and is being treated, how long does the treatment take? Also, if the dog is treated is the disease fatal?

14 How can I tell if my 4 month old puppy's swollen, no puss, lower eyelid is in need of veterinary attention?

15 My dog's ears smell really bad. He is a black lab/Bouvier mix and he continuously scratches his ears. There has been some discharge and the smell is unbearable.

17 My dog vomits frequently and I have no idea why. Is there any help you can offer?

18 What are the symptoms of Cushing's Disease in a dog?

20 My veterinarian is having a difficult time regulating the dog's insulin (my dog was diagnosed with diabetes 6 months ago), is this normal? What is the best food for a diabetic dog?

23 Can you please tell me some of the common health problems in adult Cocker Spaniels?

25 What exactly is Parvo, and how do dogs get it? What is the treatment if they have it, and is it always life threatening?

27 Our dog keeps having a bloody nose. What could be causing this?

29 I recently noticed my dog drinking excessive water, trying to urinate more often but sometimes cannot, and today I found blood in the urine, what might be wrong?

30 Why does my German Shepherd get seizures? He has been getting them ever since he was about a year old. Now they have subsided since his Veterinarian has prescribed daily medication.

32 My small Chihuahua has started scratching his tail area around his anus causing bald spots and bleeding. Does this indicate internal parasites?

33 My 7 year old Golden Retriever drags her anal area on the carpet and also outside on the lawn. Do you think there is a problem?

36 My dog has a urinary tract infection. My dad, a doctor, is wondering if there are any medications he can prescribe to her.

37 Once your pet has been diagnosed with heartworms, what is the proper treatment, if any?

38 My dog has a greenish-white discharge coming from her vaginal are, what do you think that it could be? Is it an infection or something like that?

39 My dog is sneezing hard as if he has something in his nose. I tried to explore with a Q-tip and there was a trace of blood on his nostril. Is this an emergency?

40 My dog developed a urinary tract infection. What can contribute to this problem?

47 I have a boxer. She is 10 years old and has a tumor on her stomach. Should I put her down?

49 My pug keeps getting diarrhea. It happens every couple of weeks or so. I took her to the vet and he has been mystified. Do you have any idea what could be causing this?

50 My dog is 6 months, she was really good about eating and now she really doesn't eat. What can I do? All I give her is dry food, should I try some soft every now and then? I am concerned.

51 What are the first signs of kidney failure in a dog?

52 My dog has vomited, along with diarrhea, after both meals for 1 day. Is this serious? What are the possible reasons?

54 My puppy is a female and she has a greenish color discharge where she urinates.

57 I have seen blood in the urine of my 8 year old English Cocker spaniel.

1 My dog shakes his head a lot. Does he have an earache? Dogs will shake their head excessively when they have an ear infection or foreign object in their ear. Carefully look at your dogs ear, but be gentle and go slowly since it could be painful. If it is red, has an odor and/or discharge he might have an infection. If you see nothing but the head shaking continues, he may have a foreign body in the ear. You should take him to your veterinarian as soon as possible for an examination and treatment.
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2 Can the dog food Purina® Fit & Trim® brand dog food cause diarrhea? While any food could cause your dog to experience diarrhea, a more likely explanation is intestinal upset or illness. Be sure your dog has not gotten into something she should not have eaten, this could cause diarrhea. If the diarrhea is ongoing, there might be a medical problem such as gastrenteritis or parasites and a veterinary examination is needed. Once she is no longer having diarrhea you can gradually reintroduce her diet and see if she remains healthy.
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3 My dog is on her 3rd yeast infection in her ear. Our other dog is always licking her ears, and keeps them moist. My question is can I buy OTC yeast infection product, instead of spending $60 at the vet everytime? We are cleaning her ears often as well. Your other dog licking her ears may contribute to the infections but may not. Allergies, long hair around the ears and in the ear canal all can contribute to ear infections. Although I sympathize with the expense involved with chronic ear infections, it usually is important to get an appropriate diagnosis in order for treatment to be sucessful. Therefore, I would recommend returning to your veterinarian when an infection is suspected. Perhaps your veterinarian can prescribe medication for cleaning the ears that might help keep the infections less frequent.
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4 My 6 year old dog cut the bottom of his paw, he now keeps licking it, is this normal or should he stop it? Is there anything I can do to help the healing and cleaning of the cut? thank you Contrary to myth, a dog licking a wound is not necessarily helpful. Often what will happen is that the wound takes longer to heal and might get infected. I would strongly urge you to take your pet to the veterinarian so she can evaluate and treat the cut on his paw. It may need stitches and/or a bandage and possibly antibiotics.
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5 How many types of intestinal worms are common to dogs? There are several types of intestinal parasites commonly seen in dogs. These include Roundworms, Hookworms, Whipworms and Tapeworms. When a dog has intestinal parasites they may have diarrhea, weight loss, a poor hair coat and decreased activity. If the parasite load in the intestinal tract is large there can be serious consequences. Therefore, it is a good idea to have a fecal sample checked at least once a year by a veterinarian to be sure that your dog is free of intestinal parasites. If your veterinarian finds intestinal parasites, she can prescribe appropriate medication to treat them.
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6 Our black labrador retriever keeps throwing up repeatedly; after drinking, eating or just sitting. It is a fairly recent behavior. Truth is she ate a sharpie pen last night when we came home and I think that might of upset her..and she is in heat. Don't know if either are associated. Should I take her to the vet or just eit and see what takes place? Repeatedly vomiting is serious and could signal either an infection or a blockage from the pen. Her being in heat is not related to her vomiting. Therefore, I would suggest that you take her to the veterinarian for an examination and if necessary medication.
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7 I have recently moved to a place where my dogs can swim in a river everyday. My Golden Retrievers ears smell bad, but they are clean and free of discharge, my Flatcoat's ears don't smell at all and are also clean and free of discharge. They both put their heads entirely underwater frequently while they are playing. Is there something wrong with my golden? If your Golden's ears have an odor, that usually is a sign of an infection. Other signs of ear infections include reddened or swollen ears, discharge, head shaking and scratching at the ears. To be on the safe side I would recommend a veterinary examination so that the ear canal can be examined in it's entirety.
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8 How serious are ear infections and how do you treat them and how do you know it is resolved? Ear infections can be very serious and if left untreated could cause damage to the ear canal and potentially a loss of hearing. If your dog had a discharge from his ears or an odor coming from his ears he should be examined by your veterinarian. Your veterinarian will look into the ear canal and perhaps take a swab to look at the material under a microscope for bacteria and/or yeast cells. In recurrent or serious cases a culture may be needed. Then the ear canal will need to be cleaned and medication administered into the ear on a daily basis for at least 7-10 days. The best way to determine if the problem has resolved is a return visit to the veterinarian for another look into the ear canal.
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9 Our dog Bandit who is 4 years old often gets red eyes with material matted in the corners. It is especially bad after he comes in from outside. Could it be an allergy? Redness in the eyes could be due to an allergy or an infection. If the problem is ongoing it should not be ignored since it could lead to very serious eye infections. Therefore, Bandit should be examined by your veterinarian to determine the appropriate treatment.
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10 Can you explain why all of a sudden my dog, a minature Schnauzer started shaking so badly and panting last night for no apparent reason? This morning when all of us left for work he hid under a chair in our den which he normally doesn't do. When a dog exhibits a sudden change in behavior, my first thought is always a medical problem. When dogs are ill or experiencing pain they may shake, pant and even hide. If your dog continues to show these signs then a veterinary visit is definitely in order to try and determine the cause.
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11 I got a dog with kennel cough and she is really ill with it. She was off her food and I took her to the veterinarian last week and she is now on antibiotics. I was curious as to how long it will take until she starts picking up again? Kennel cough is often used as a catch all phrase for various types of respiratory infections both bacterial and viral. The rate of recovery will depend on how severe the infection was. Usually dogs will begin to eat again after a few days on medication. If there is no improvement at that time, a revisit to the veterinarian is probably in order to reevaluate her illness.
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12 My 6 year old German Shepherd has a discharge from both eyes. I have tried washing them out with eyewash. I have to keep wiping them. She is not rubbing them. While it might be normal for there to be a small amount of discharge from the eye every few days, large amounts on a daily basis could signal a problem. If the discharge is daily, dark in color with or without reddening of the eyes I would suggest a veterinary examination.
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13 If a dog is heartworm positive and is being treated, how long does the treatment take? Also, if the dog is treated is the disease fatal? Heartworm disease can be fatal especially if left untreated. When the dog is treated the results generally depend on the severity of the disease, the level of the infection, the dog's response to infection and how long the dog has been infected. In addition, the general health of the dog must be assessed prior to treatment to determine any other complicating factors. Treatment is often done in two phases. The first kills the adult worms in the heart. Once this phase of treatment is completed, strict confinement is needed for 4-6 weeks post treatment to help limit possible complications. The final phase of treatment takes place after 4 weeks to kill the larvae that might still be in the blood stream.
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14 How can I tell if my 4 month old puppy's swollen, no puss, lower eyelid is in need of veterinary attention? If the eyelid is swollen, then veterinary attention is needed. Usually a swelling is indicative of either an inflammation or an infection or both. Neither should be left untreated for any length of time.
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15 My dog's ears smell really bad. He is a black lab/Bouvier mix and he continuously scratches his ears. There has been some discharge and the smell is unbearable. An odor and discharge from the ears is generally a sign of an infection. This is not something you should allow to continue or treat at home. The best thing to do is take your dog to your veterinarian for an examination and appropriate medication to treat his ears.
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16 My miniature Poodle, Ben, has a yellow discharge every once in awhile from his left eye. I took him to the vet and they did a test for dry eye and I was given an ointment to use when it happens. What would cause this? I am assuming your dog does not have dry eye but rather just an infection. A dog can get an infection in their eye due to irritation, a foreign object or just bacteria in the environment. Repeated infections may be a sign of other problems, so a return visit to the veterinarian may be needed if it continues.
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17 My dog vomits frequently and I have no idea why. Is there any help you can offer? Vomiting can occur for many reasons. Some dogs may vomit yellow bile when their stomach is empty and this is often due to hunger. Feeding two smaller meals instead of one larger one may help if that is the problem. Other times vomiting may signal irritation or infection in the gastrointestinal tract or a food intolerance. If the vomiting is occuring multiple times a week it could signal something serious that needs veterianry attention.
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18 What are the symptoms of Cushing's Disease in a dog? Cushing syndrome is due to hyperactivity of the adrenal gland and therefore can present with various signs that reflect the dysfunction of various organ systems. It is usually a disease of middle-aged dogs with no one breed or sex seen more commonly than another. Common signs include hair loss, increased thirst and urination, increased appetite, excessive panting, lethargy or increased nervousness.
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19 For the last couple of days my 10-year-old Dachshund/Chihuahua female has been vomiting a yellowish substance and her stool has been loose, sporadic and minimal. Could this be something she has eaten or a cold? The presence of both vomiting and diarrhea suggests and intestinal problem. The likely reason her stool has been minimal is that she is not keeping food down to pass through her intestine. A ten-year-old dog could also have other problems that might present as vomiting or diarrhea including liver disease or endocrine dysfunction. Since the problem has been present for several days without resolving she should see the veterinarian as soon as possible.
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20 My veterinarian is having a difficult time regulating the dog's insulin (my dog was diagnosed with diabetes 6 months ago), is this normal? What is the best food for a diabetic dog? At times it can be difficult to regulate a diabetic dog, so your experience is not unusual. Insulin requirement can be influenced by diet and exercise so these need to be taken into consideration when treating a diabetic dog. A diet should be formulated to provide sufficient calories to maintain ideal weight and correct any problems with obesity or excessive weight loss. Diets with increased fiber seem to help in controlling obesity and reduce the glucose increase so often seen after eating. The feeding schedule should also be adjusted so that it is timed with insulin therapy and some animals do better with multiple small meals a day. Finally it helps to keep exercise levels constant and daily exercise such, as walks are beneficial in diabetic dogs.
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21 I have a 11 year old Sheltie; yesterday when I took her outside, she kept squatting like she had to go to the bathroom but couldn't. I'm not sure if it's for pooping or peeing, since it's kind of an in between squat. Should I be worried about this? Yes, I believe that her repeated squatting may indicate a medical problem. When a dog has a bladder or kidney infection, they may feel like they need to urinate but pass very little urine. They also might do the same thing if they are blocked. Therefore I would urge you to visit your veterinarian immediately to seek the cause of this behavior.
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22 I have a question about my dog. He is a beagle and will be 4 years old in August. Lately he has this odor and its seems to be coming from his hind end. It looks red and oozes out sometimes but he acts fine, runs and plays. He doesn't whine when he goes to the bathroom or anything. Do you know what this is? Without actually examining your dog it is hard to know exactly what is going on but I can suggest some possibilities. Dogs have anal sacs on either side of their anal opening. These sacs contain a material that has a strong odor and often discharges when the dog is nervous or afraid. They also can become impacted and infected and may rupture and ooze material. In other cases the anal opening itself can become very irritated, red and oozing. A veterinary visit is needed to appropriately diagnose and treat the problem.
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23 Can you please tell me some of the common health problems in adult Cocker Spaniels? One of the most common health problems of Cocker Spaniels is ear infection. Because they have those long ears that have quite a bit of fur on them very little air can get into the ear canal. Therefore it is important to check the ears on a weekly basis to look for accumulation of wax and any signs of infection. If the ears appear reddened or tender, have a strong odor or large amounts of wax you should take your pet to the veterinarian. Cocker Spaniels can also be prone to diseases of the eye. Checking your pet weekly for any signs of discharge, or changes in the eye will help you detect problems early and seek appropriate treatment.
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24 My Chihuahua is 7 years old, has been spayed and she has a bad odor. She is bathed every day, the next day she smells really bad. She is losing weight and doesn't want to eat much; she also scrubs her rear end on the floor a lot. Can you help her? When a dog has a persistent odor about them it could come from several sources. If there are dental problems such as gum disease or diseased teeth this could create an odor. A dog may have an odor if they have a skin infection or disease or an ear infection. Dogs may also have an odor if they have an infection in their anal glands, which are next to the anal opening. This is also the reason many dogs will slide their back end along the ground. If a dog is also losing weight it could be a sign of a metabolic disease or an endocrine dysfunction. See your veterinarian immediately for an examination and appropriate treatment.
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25 What exactly is Parvo, and how do dogs get it? What is the treatment if they have it, and is it always life threatening? Parvo is a shortened name for parvovirus, which causes an acute gastrointestinal disease in dogs. Infection is via the ingestion of contaminated fecal material. When a dog has parvovirus they pass large numbers of infected viral particles in their feces, which can remain in the environment for many months. Since the signs can begin quickly and progress quickly, seeking appropriate care early is important. Dogs with parvovirus will usually have no appetite, fever, vomiting and severe diarrhea. Dehydration is common as the disease progresses. Treatment is mainly supportive including treating the dehydration with fluids, antibiotics, dietary restrictions, and medication to control the vomiting and diarrhea. If the animal survives the first 3-4 days, they often recover but other complications can result in death even after that time.
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26 My four year old Greyhound has very dark urine. It also has a foul smell sometimes. She drinks plenty of water and does not seem to show any pain when she urinates. What could be causing her urine to be abnormal? When urine is dark colored and has a strong, foul odor it is usually a sign of an infection. The infection could be in the urinary bladder or in the kidneys. The only way to diagnose a urinary tract infection is by a veterinary examination and a urinalysis. Urinary tract infections can result in serious illness and should not be left untreated. I would strongly advise you to see your veterinarian for a complete examination.
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27 Our dog keeps having a bloody nose. What could be causing this? A bloody discharge from the nose is always cause for concern. A dog may have a bloody discharge because of an infection, a foreign object in his nose, an abscessed tooth or even a tumor. Whatever the problem it should not go untreated. Therefore, a veterinary examination is necessary to try and determine the source of the bloody discharge as soon as possible.
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28 I have a 2 month old albino boxer, he sleeps inside the house, how can I get rid of the dog smell? I tried dog deodorant, carpet deodorant, I also burn candles every night, but the smell is still there. Please advise. If your dog has a persistent smell despite bathing, I would be concerned that a medical condition is responsible for the bad odor. A dog may produce odor from their ears if they have an ear infection, from their mouth due to dental disease or from their skin due to various dermatological conditions. Therefore, I think the answer to resolving your odor issue might start with a veterinary visit and a good physical examination.
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29 I recently noticed my dog drinking excessive water, trying to urinate more often but sometimes cannot, and today I found blood in the urine, what might be wrong? There are any number of reasons your dog could be drinking excessive amounts of water but the most likely reason for the increased water drinking, inability to urinate and blood in the urine is a problem in the urinary tract. Your dog could have a kidney or bladder problem such as an infection or bladder stones. Either one of these could be serious and immediate veterinary attention is needed.
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30 Why does my German Shepherd get seizures? He has been getting them ever since he was about a year old. Now they have subsided since his Veterinarian has prescribed daily medication. There are many reasons that a dog may have seizures. Neurological problems, metabolic problems or even toxicity could cause a dog to seizure. However, most often a medical cause is not found. Seizures are not uncommon in dogs and often can be controlled using daily medication such as Phenobarbital. Once medication has been prescribed to control the seizures it is usually life long and it should not be stopped without consulting your veterinarian.
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31 My 2 year old shih tzu has been urinating in many spots around the house. At first we thought he was just nervous or a bit under the weather but he won't stop, even right after his walk. What is wrong with him? Frequent urination is often a sign of a problem in the urinary tract. Your dog could have a bladder or kidney infection. It is also possible that there is a metabolic problem that is making your dog drink more water so that he has to urinate frequently as well. A veterinary visit and examination is necessary to determine what type of problem is causing the excessive urination. At that time your veterinarian might need to do some tests such as a urinalysis, radiographs and blood work to determine what is causing the problem so that she can prescribe the appropriate treatment.
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32 My small Chihuahua has started scratching his tail area around his anus causing bald spots and bleeding. Does this indicate internal parasites? There might be several reasons for the scratching behavior. Your dog could have impacted anal sacs which can be painful and irritating. He may also have intestinal parasites that are causing discomfort and/or diarrhea. Finally, he could have an allergic response to something that he is encountering outdoors. The best way to determine what is bothering him would be with a veterinary examination. Be sure to bring a fecal sample with you to check for intestinal parasites.
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33 My 7 year old Golden Retriever drags her anal area on the carpet and also outside on the lawn. Do you think there is a problem? When a dog drags their rear end on the ground it often means that their anal sacs are bothering them. Anal sacs are small glands on either side of the anal opening that can fill with fluid and become impacted. When that happens it is uncomfortable for the dog and they may try to expel the excess material by rubbing their anal area on the ground. In some situations the anal gland may become infected and actually rupture. If this behavior persists, you should have her examined by your veterinarian who can check the anal glands and empty them if they are impacted.
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34 I have a Siberian Husky. She came into heat 9 weeks ago. She should have finished it in 3 weeks but is still spotting and is constantly licking herself. She has never had this problem when she's been in heat before. Do you have any idea what or why this is happening? Thank you. Once the three week heat cycle is over, the discharge from her vagina should cease. If she is continuing to have discharge this could mean an infection. If left untreated your dog could become quite ill. A veterinary visit is needed to determine the cause of the discharge. It may even be necessary to do some blood tests and take radiographs to determine the cause of the discharge and then prescribe the appropriate treatment. Once she is better, please have her spayed to avoid not only this problem but unwanted litters of puppies.
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35 My dog has been doing a lot of reverse sneezing and regular sneezing the last 3 weeks and now has a greenish color coming from her nose. Can you give me any information on what might be going on with her? Thank you There are certainly many reasons that a dog may sneeze including irritation of the nasal passages, infection, allergies, nasal tumors and foreign bodies in the nasal cavity. If there is now a greenish discharge from her nose, this usually indicates at the very least an infection in the nasal passages. The next step would be a veterinary visit to try and determine what else might be happening and what the best treatment would be.
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36 My dog has a urinary tract infection. My dad, a doctor, is wondering if there are any medications he can prescribe to her. Although your father has medical training, it would be inappropriate for him to prescribe medication for your dog. Before medication is prescribed it is necessary to check a urine sample to determine what type of problem your dog has. Then the veterinarian would prescribe and dispense the appropriate medication. Therefore, a visit to your veterinarian is the next step for your dog.
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37 Once your pet has been diagnosed with heartworms, what is the proper treatment, if any? Dogs that are diagnosed with heartworm disease should be treated. In most cases the dog is hospitalized while undergoing treatment to kill the adult worms. This medication is usually given by injection and the dog is hospitalized for a few days. Severe restriction of activity is necessary for 4-6 weeks after treatment. Treatment for the microfilaria in the blood stream occurs 4-6 weeks later and usually the dog is treated and goes home the same day. Complications are possible and vary in severity and are usually dependent on the symptoms, blood work and radiographic findings prior to treatment.
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38 My dog has a greenish-white discharge coming from her vaginal are, what do you think that it could be? Is it an infection or something like that? A female dog may have discharge when they are in heat, but that discharge will be clear or can be reddish in color. A discharge that is greenish-white in color is usually a sign of an infection and must be attended to immediately. Therefore, a veterinary visit is essential to determine the cause of the problem and get appropriate treatment.
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39 My dog is sneezing hard as if he has something in his nose. I tried to explore with a Q-tip and there was a trace of blood on his nostril. Is this an emergency? It is actually not all that uncommon for a dog to have a foreign object get caught in their nasal passages. One of the primary signs is sneezing and or a bloody discharge. These same signs can also be seen with a nasal infection or tumor. Therefore, a veterinary visit is the best way to determine what is causing the sneezing and discharge and then begin appropriate treatment.
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40 My dog developed a urinary tract infection. What can contribute to this problem? Bacterial urinary tract infection of the urinary bladder is common in dogs. The urinary bladder is usually fairly resistant to infection due to unidirectional voiding of urine and the mucosal defense barriers. However, bacteria do enter the urinary tract from time to time and can cause problems. The symptoms often include frequent need to urinate, blood in the urine and even house soiling. Urinary tract infections can also be due to other predisposing causes such as prostatic disease, liver disease, endocrine dysfunction or immunocompromise. Usually with proper treatment most primary urinary tract infections resolve without complications.
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41 My new puppy has blood mixed in with his stool. He also seems very lethargic most of the time. He's a mixed breed Beagle and Schnauzer and about 8 months old, has had his necessary shots, and appears healthy on the outside. What could be plaguing my puppy on the inside? When a puppy has blood in their stool several possibilities come to mind. They could have a primary problem with their gastrointestinal tract. Another possible explanation is intestinal parasites. Taking a fresh fecal sample to your veterinarian would be a good place to start to try and determine why he has blood in his stool. If he is parasite free, your veterinarian may want to do some radiographs to determine if something else is going on in his intestinal tract.
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42 My beagle had ACL surgery 4 days ago. He is feeling much better but has started to sneeze a whole lot. His sneezing keeps him from resting at night. He is taking Rimadyl and Clindamycin. Would this be a sign of an allergic reaction? If not could I give him Benadryl? Allergic reactions to medications are not usually manifest by sneezing. It is possible that your dog has contracted a respiratory infection. It would be inappropriate and perhaps even harmful to give him any medication without first checking with your veterinarian. The best response would be a phone call to your veterinarian and probably a veterinary visit.
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43 I have a 6 month old chocolate Labrador retriever. Four days ago I saw him eat a golf ball size rock. The last couple of days he has not been himself, lack of energy, not eating, etc. I suspect the rock is the problem. Can I give him something to aid in passing the rock (laxative?) A large foreign object like the rock is not likely to pass through the intestinal tract. The signs that you are seeing indicate that your dog is seriously ill and possibly has an intestinal blockage. Usually, the only way to remove a blockage is with surgery. Your dog should be seen by your veterinarian immediately so that diagnostic tests can be done and the appropriate treatment determined.
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44 My 25 lb. American Cocker Spaniel has seizures/epilepsy and she's had them since she was one year old. She is on Phenobarbitol 15 mg. two times a day. She has 1 or fewer seizures a month. Is this still the right medication and amount ? Is there anything else I can do? Phenobarbitol is generally the first line medication used to treat seizures in dogs. However, when a dog is having break through seizures they may need a dose adjustment. Often the first step is a blood test to check the level of medication available in the body. If the level is not within the therapeutic range to prevent seizures, the veterinarian may adjust the dose and recheck the blood work in several weeks. If things still are not stable but the medication is within the therapeutic range and seizures are continuing different treatment strategies may be discussed at that time.
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45 I have a dachshund female and she has been spayed. We have had her almost 6 months now and suddenly blood started showing up in her urine. I know this isn't normal. Could it be a urinary tract infection or something more serious? We keep plenty of water down for her. What can I do to help her? When there is blood in the urine, this usually signifies a problem with the urinary tract. A dog could have a bladder or kidney infection. It is also possible that there are stones in the bladder or kidney. A veterinary visit is needed to determine the cause of the blood in her urine. Once a diagnosis is made the appropriate treatment can be begin. Without treatment the problem might get worse and a dog may become quite ill.
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46 My 5 year old chocolate lab gets bored during the day when I'm gone and will lick areas on his legs and tail until they bleed. Is there anything that I can put on him to stop the licking? I've tried over the counter sprays that are bitter but they don't seem to work. It is possible that your Labrador has an allergy or skin parasites that cause him to lick and scratch. Another possibility is that your dog is suffering from separation anxiety. Dogs that are anxious may lick at themselves as a displacement behavior when they are left home alone. If the dog is anxious when left alone, treating the skin condition will not help since the anxiety continues whenever you leave. Your veterinarian can help in determining why your dog is chewing on himself and prescribe appropriate treatment.
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47 I have a boxer. She is 10 years old and has a tumor on her stomach. Should I put her down? Dogs get many different types of tumors as they age. Some are very amenable to surgical removal and/or chemotherapy. Depending on the type of tumor, the location and overall health of your dog she may do quite well with treatment. Consulting with your veterinarian is the best way to determine what the best medical decision would be for your dog.
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48 My toy poodle has had episodes of laying on his side and shaking uncontrollably. This has happened about 5 times the first two times he was wet and I thought he was just really cold. But the last three times he was not wet. Today it happened two times in a half and hour time span. Each episode lasted just a couple of minutes. Then he seems perfectly fine. Do you know what's causing this and why? When a dog loses consciousness and shakes they might be having a seizure. Seizures in dogs are not uncommon and have many different causes including metabolic problems and disorders of the central nervous system. Seizures are often characterized by shaking, loss of consciousness, salivation, urination and muscle contractions which may result in recumbancy. In partial seizures the dog may retain consciousness. The best way to determine if your dog experienced a seizure would be to visit your veterinarian for further testing.
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49 My pug keeps getting diarrhea. It happens every couple of weeks or so. I took her to the vet and he has been mystified. Do you have any idea what could be causing this? When a dog repeatedly gets diarrhea several areas should be examined. First, it is essential to be sure that the dog is not ingesting something they should not such as table food, garbage or even materials out in the yard. Next, a medical reason may be the cause but difficult to find. This may require further testing such as radiographs, ultrasound examination and perhaps even an endoscopic examination and biopsy. If the diarrhea keeps returning your veterinarian may want to run further tests.
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50 My dog is 6 months, she was really good about eating and now she really doesn't eat. What can I do? All I give her is dry food, should I try some soft every now and then? I am concerned. If your dog will not eat there is a good possibility that she is ill. Rather than try to supplement her diet it would be more appropriate to have her examined by a veterinarian. It does not hurt to mix dry and wet food together, but that might no be enough to get her to eat.
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51 What are the first signs of kidney failure in a dog? Kidney failure may be difficult to spot in its early stages. One of the earliest signs may simply be a subtle increase in water consumption and the need to go outside to urinate more frequently. Once kidney function declines to a low level water consumption and the need to urinate can increase to the point of house soiling. However, there are many other disease that can cause a dog to drink more water. In order to determine what is going on your veterinarian will need to run some blood tests and check a urine sample. Based on the results of those tests appropriate treatment can be instituted.
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52 My dog has vomited, along with diarrhea, after both meals for 1 day. Is this serious? What are the possible reasons? A dog may vomit and/or have diarrhea due to an intestinal infection, inflammation, parasites, tumor or foreign body. If the problem is persistent it could be serious. Often dogs ingest inappropriate items when outdoors which can lead to intestinal upset or even blockage. If the problem does not resolve in a day or worsens, then contact with your veterinarian is essential to plan the next step.
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53 My dog had a prostate infection a few months ago and I took him to the veterinarian and after a few weeks he was better. My veterinarian told me that the best thing to prevent it from happening again would be to get him neutered. So I got him neutered. My question is, is it possible for him to get an infection again? The testosterone produced by the testes in an intact male dog can induce an enlargement of the prostate gland which can lead to infections. Acute prostatic infection can be serious and in some cases a life threatening disease. Once the animal is recovered, castration is recommended. Neutering induces permanent involution or shrinkage of the prostate gland, and in most cases prevents reoccurrence of the disease.
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54 My puppy is a female and she has a greenish color discharge where she urinates. Any discharge that is occurring with urination is not something to be ignored. Discharge could be a sign of an infection in the urinary bladder, the vagina or the external area around the vagina. A visit to your veterinarian would help determine where the discharge is coming from and prescribe appropriate treatment.
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55 My dog has swollen glands and I was wondering if it is normal for them to have that or should we get him to a veterinarian? He has had swollen glands for a week now and they haven't gone away. What should we do? Swellings that occur under the neck can be from either the salivary glands or the lymph nodes. In either case they indicate an infection, inflammation and also the possibility of cancer. None of these should be ignored or left untreated. Your veterinarian will examine your dog and may even take a small sample to examine under the microscope. This might allow him to determine the reason for the swelling and the appropriate treatment.
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56 At least once a month for the last 3 months my dog is having fits. These fits consist of him shaking, having short fast breaths, and appearing to be dizzy. After these episodes he is tired but otherwise fine. Any suggestions? A dog can have a seizure which may result in shaking, loss of awareness and balance. Seizures can be caused by neurological problems, tumors, toxins and other metabolic diseases. Since the problem is happening on a regular basis, a veterinary visit is needed to determine the cause of these episodes.
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57 I have seen blood in the urine of my 8 year old English Cocker spaniel. Blood in the urine is usually a sign of irritation or infection somewhere in the urinary tract. The most common cause is an infection of the urinary bladder. The best way to determine what is happening is to take a urine sample to your veterinarian to be examined. This should help determine the part of the urinary tract from which the problem is coming. Once that is known, appropriate treatment can be prescribed.
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