Top 20 Cat and Dog Questions and Answers

1. Why do I need a heartworm test each year if my dog is instructed to be on the medication year round by my veterinarian? Is heartworm medication necessary year round?

Recommendations for heartworm medications have changed. The American Heartworm Society (AHS) is recommending year-round treatment for pets exposed to heartworms and yearly testing for all pets on heartworm medication.

No matter how good a medication is—and heartworm medications are excellent—some pets will develop heartworm infection regardless. Other pets develop heartworms because we do not give the medication as we should, or the pet doesn’t digest it. Some pets don’t chew the medication properly, and others spit the medication out without our knowing. Testing pets allows us to treat them appropriately if they have heartworms in their heart and lungs and provide the appropriate heartworm treatment. Companies that make heartworm medications guarantee their products, and they will accept the responsibility for treatment—if you have given the medication appropriately.

2. Why do I need a prescription to purchase heartworm medication when my vet doesn't require one?

You may not have been aware that the prescription process was going on all along because your veterinarian entered the prescription in your pet’s chart without handing you a copy. Federal law requires prescriptions for certain items, such as heartworm medications and antibiotics. The veterinarian can prescribe the medication by entering it in your pet’s chart or by writing out a prescription that can be filled at the pharmacy of your choice. Most state laws require that veterinarians write out prescriptions when the client requests.

3. What is the best flea and tick medication and is it waterproof?

There is no single best flea & tick medication—there is the right medication for your pet. Frontline Plus is excellent, but for those pets whose skin is highly sensitive, Advantage or K9 Advantix may be better. Frontline, Frontline Plus, Advantage and K9 Advantix are all waterproof, and K9 Advantix is only for dogs..

According to the package insert, Advantage can be applied as often as every week, but Frontline cannot be applied more than once a month.

4. My dog is scratching but I don't see any fleas or ticks, what should I do?

Fleas are the number one cause of scratching, but they can be difficult to find. Look for red tiny bites on your pet’s skin, rather like mosquito bites. Or, look for signs the fleas have been there—flea dirt. Comb your pet over a white surface, dampen the dirt and look for streaks of rust-brown. These rusty brown colored streaks are your pet’s blood that was digested and passed out in the flea’s feces.

If your pet is allergic to fleas, it may react by scratching for several days when it has been bitten only once. Protect your pet from fleas by using a topical medication, and by removing fleas from the environment.

5. I can't tell what kind of worms my pet has when it goes to the bathroom and I see something in their stool that looks like a worm. How can I tell what kind of worms my pet has?

Take a fresh stool sample to your veterinarian to have the worms identified. Don’t try to diagnose the parasites yourself. It is easy to think the biggest threat to your pet’s health is the parasite you see, but there may be far more serious parasites in your pet’s intestines than the ones you find in the feces.

If you worry about parasites, use a monthly product like Interceptor (Rx) to treat rounds, hooks, whips and heartworm in your cat. For your dog, use monthly Sentinel (Rx) to treat rounds, hooks, whips, flea eggs, and heartworm. If your dog or cat has tapeworms, Tape Worm Tabs are an effective over-the-counter treatment.

6. Why does my dog have such bad breath? What product do you recommend we use in order to get rid of the smell?

Bad breath is caused by bacteria in the mouth. The highest concentration of bacteria, and the biggest problem, is not on the crown of the tooth that is easily visible, but along the edge of the gum where it sits against the tooth. Brushing is the best way to get rid of these odor-causing bacteria at the gumline. Brushing also helps remove plaque from the teeth, especially if you use a toothpaste that has enzymes. C.E.T. Toothpaste is one of the best toothpastes to help with breath because it contains enzymes that attack bacteria and plaque. And, pets like the taste.

7. Can I help my pet's shedding problem by changing its diet? Or can I give my pet a supplement to stop the shedding?

Yes, you can help your pet shed less by changing the diet to a food that is high in fatty acids or by supplementing with fatty acids. We recommend supplementing with Missing Link, a powdered supplement with fatty acids that nourishes the skin and helps with shedding. 1-800-PetMeds Shed Terminator, 1-800-PetMeds Brite Coat, 3V Caps, Lipiderm, Derm Caps all contain fatty acids and help with shedding. All these medications work by nourishing the skin and the hair follicles. The healthier the skin and hair follicles are, the less problem your pet has with shedding. As an extra benefit, fatty acids also nourish the brain and make our pets more trainable; nourish all the organs, including the liver and kidneys. Fatty acid supplementation is very wise.

Brushing your pet’s coat also helps with shedding because brushing removes the old hairs, and it increases blood flow to the skin. The blood will bring the fatty acids to nourish the skin.

8. Is it necessary to vaccinate my dog yearly or is this just a way the veterinarians make extra money?

Generally it is not necessary to vaccinate yearly. Our understanding of vaccines has changed in the last few years and there is now evidence that vaccines may protect our pets for many years. We have also learned that we can harm our pets by giving too many vaccines, and by giving too many at one time. Never vaccinate for diseases that your pet will not be exposed to, and help your pet’s immune system function optimally by feeding it well. Keep your pet healthy, well exercised, and happy, and the vaccines you choose to give will have the greatest benefit.

9. Can I use an over-the-counter medication such as glucosamine rather than having to put my pet on Rimadyl for a bad hip problem? I have read that Rimadyl might have bad side effects.

Yes, Rimadyl, EtoGesic, and all the nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can cause serious side effects, including stomach, liver and kidney damage. You’re wise to use NSAIDs sparingly. Glucosamine, chondroitin, and perna are generally much safer, and they bring long-lasting relief because they provide the nutrients that help restructure joints. We recommend using homeopathics such as Traumeel, and chondroprotective joint supplements containing glucosamine and chondroitin, such as 1-800-PetMeds Super Joint Enhancer For Dogs and 1-800-PetMeds Joint Enhancer For Cats whenever you have a pet on NSAIDs for arthritic pain. However, these medications take several weeks to become effective. In the long term, though, Traumeel and Joint Enhancer may lower the amount and the frequency that your pet needs a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory medication.

10. Is bathing my dog too often possibly causing him to have dry skin, and if so what do you recommend? If you are using a good pet shampoo, dry skin is almost always caused by nutrition rather than by bathing. Dry skin is almost always caused by nutrition rather than by bathing. The skin is nourished from the inside out, and when it doesn’t receive the nutrients it needs, it dries out. If your pet has a healthy diet, especially a diet that includes fatty acids, the skin will be healthy. We recommend Missing Link, a powdered supplement with fatty acids that nourishes the skin. We also recommend 1-800-PetMeds Shed Terminator, 1-800-PetMeds Brite Coat, 3V Caps, Lipiderm, and Derm Caps, which contain fatty acids and nourish the skin.

When bathing your pet, use the proper shampoo. Many pets that are bathed weekly have beautiful skin and coats, but they are not bathed with harsh shampoos. Bathing your pet with a harsh shampoo dries out its skin. Pet skin is different from human skin, and pet shampoo is usually best for pets. We recommend 1-800-PetMeds Oatmeal and Aloe Shampoo which is good for the skin and does not remove flea preventative medication.

11. Other than flea/tick products and heartworm medications, is there anything else my pet should be taking on a regular basis?

Two basic supplements that all pets benefit from are

• digestive enzymes
• Omega 3 fatty acids

Enzymes make it possible for your pet to digest and absorb all the nutrients you’re paying for in its food. NaturVet Enzymes & Probiotics with probiotics are an excellent source of enzymes and of the friendly bacteria (probiotics) your pet needs in its intestines. Omega 3 fatty acids help nourish your pet’s skin and coat, help control allergic reactions, and help control the inflammation that causes arthritis pain. Omega 3 fatty acids also build healthy brain cells so that pets are smart and well behaved. They help many pets feel more positive and cheerful.

Missing Link, and the new Lifetime of Wellness Product that will also contain health-stimulating green tea are excellent sources of Omega 3 fatty acids. And, they’re delicious.

12. How do I administer insulin? Is it a vaccine?

Insulin is not a vaccine, but a protein hormone that treats pets with diabetes. Insulin can be injected 3 ways: in the vein, in the fatty layer just below the skin called the subcutaneous layer or SQ; and in the muscle, called IM. The veterinarian writes the prescription and tells the client how the insulin should be injected for each pet.

Where the insulin is injected determines how quickly it is absorbed. Because the skin and SQ have fewer blood vessels, insulin absorption in this area is slow, and the insulin duration is longer. The muscle has more blood vessels than skin and absorption is faster, but the insulin doesn’t have as long an effect. Insulin injected in the vein acts immediately and has a short duration of effect.

Vaccines are medicines designed to prevent infection. They are injected according to directions on the label, which will specify in the muscle, in the dermis of the skin, or the label will state that it’s ok both in the skin and in muscle so you have a choice.

Some vaccines are not intended to be injected, but are sprayed into the nose. Be careful to read the label because, if, by mistake, an intranasal vaccine is injected into the skin, the skin becomes infected and a deep ulcer develops.

A human drug company is working on an intranasal form of insulin. Like the intranasal vaccines, this form of insulin will be inhaled. It will be a few years before it is available, but everyone is looking forward to it.

13. If I stop giving my dog heartworm medication is it necessary for me to go back to the vet for another exam, or can I just start giving my dog the medication again?

It depends upon how long you stop the medication.

If you stop heartworm medication for one month, go ahead and start up again, but tell your veterinarian what you’ve done. If you’ve stopped the medication for longer than a month, don’t start without calling your vet. Your vet will be able to assess the potential your pet has for becoming infected during the period it was off medication.

If it is likely your pet was infected with heartworms during the time off the medication, your vet may put your pet back on monthly heartworm treatments or your vet may suggest other options--especially if it is felt that your pet’s heartworm burden is very great. Dogs living outside in warm weather are at greatest risk, but the full extent of the problem won’t be clear for several months. Your veterinarian will keep track of this and ask you to come in for tests 6-7 months after your pet began the period during which it was off medication.

Our understanding of heartworm and medications has improved over the last several years. We know that many pets are getting heartworms because we forget to give the medications every month that we should. The latest recommendations from the American Heartworm Society are that medications be given every month year round. This schedule provides the greatest protection for pets because we are less likely to forget to give a dose when our pets need it.

14. What is the difference between the HomeoPet medications and the ones that are not homeopathic?

Homeopathic medications are different from conventional medications in several ways. Homeopathic medications are gentle, but profound. They can be given with other medications without interfering with them or making them ineffective. On the other hand, we should not combine conventional medications, such as antacids or penicillin antibiotics, without veterinary approval.

Homeopathic medications are best given in an empty mouth or put in the water. If the liquid homeopathic medication has alcohol in it—to prevent bacterial growth—and your pet doesn’t like the taste of alcohol, put the medication in water and allow the alcohol to evaporate. If the homeopathic medication comes as a tablet, as Traumeel does, either slip the tablet into the mouth where it can dissolve, or crush it and put it into the mouth as a powder. Unlike most conventional medications, it is better to have a homeopathic medication dissolve in the mouth than to have it swallowed quickly. Homeopathic medications are less potent if they are given with foods that have a strong smell or taste. If they are given with bland foods, it is not a problem.

15. If my pet is nursing can I still give heartworm medication or flea medication?

Heartworm medications safe in pregnancy/lactation

• Heartgard
• Heartgard Plus
• Heartgard Chewables
• Iverhart plus
• Revolution
• Interceptor
• Sentinel

Flea medications safe in pregnancy/lactation

• Capstar
• Program
• Advantage—at the discretion of your veterinarian
• Frontline—at the discretion of your veterinarian
• Frontline Plus—at the discretion of your veterinarian

16. If my dog has heartworms should I continue giving the heartworm medication?

Work with the veterinarian who performed the blood test that showed your pet has a heartworm infection to choose the best treatment. Some pets with heartworms do well— and even clear the heartworms—if they continue to receive heartworm medications monthly for 2 years. However, some pets have severe heartworm infections and will be killed if they are given monthly heartworm medications. Your veterinarian will be able to determine what is best for your pet.

17. When should I begin giving my dog or cat heartworm medication, how old does he or she need to be?

The following can be given to dogs at 4 weeks of age if they weigh 2 pounds:

• Interceptor
• Sentinel

The following can be given to dogs at 6 weeks of age:

• Iverhart plus
• Heartgard
• Heartgard Plus
• Heartgard Chewables
• Revolution

The following can be given to cats at 6 weeks of age:

• Heartgard Chewables
• Interceptor
• Revolution

18. Are topical flea medications better than the ones that are taken orally?

No, one is not better than the other; it is a matter of preference. Most people want all adult fleas killed immediately. They can use the topicals to kill adult fleas (some also kill eggs and larvae):

• Frontline Top Spot
• Frontline Plus
• Advantage
• K9 Advantix
• Revolution

The oral medications include Capstar, Program, and Sentinel.
Two of the oral medications kill adult fleas:

• Capstar
• Sentinel

Capstar is given every day and Sentinel is used once a month.

• Program is used once a month ad kills eggs and larvae, but not adult fleas.

 19. If I see fleas on my dog after just administering the Frontline Plus can I give another dosage prior to the 30 days as instructed?

No. Frontline is too strong a product to be used more often than once a month. If you see fleas on your pet, work at removing the source of fleas in the yard or home. To remove fleas from the environment, vacuum twice a week, wash all bedding, remove debris from the yard, and prevent exposure to other pets that carry fleas.

 20. Can I use a flea collar in addition to using a topical flea medication or is this too much for my pet?

The healthiest way to approach fleas is to use one product on your pet and then turn your attention to the environment, rather than use multiple products on your pet. To remove fleas from the environment, vacuum twice a week, wash all bedding, remove debris from the yard, and prevent exposure to other pets that carry fleas.