Q:Now that summer is here, I want to make sure my pet is protected against external parasites. There seem to be many products available in the stores and on the Internet. How do I know which product is the best one for my pet?

A:There are many good parasite preventatives on the market and because each one works in a unique way, some products may better suit certain pets depending on its lifestyle, medical, or dermatologic needs. For instance, dogs that go hiking or are used for hunting require both flea and tick control whereas dogs that live in urban areas and go outside only for elimination, tick control may be less important. The key to superior parasite control is consulting with your veterinarian to choose the right product or combination of products for your pet. Some preventatives conveniently combine external and internal parasite control in one dosage either by mouth or application to the skin. The new Advantage Multi, released this summer by the makers of Advantage and Advantix, offers a new alternative to longer competing combination products such as Revolution and Sentinel. One final word about parasite preventatives is that when they are purchased over the counter or online, their safety and efficacy is not guaranteed. However, when you purchase these products from your veterinarian's office you benefit from a full guarantee by the manufacturer and from being fully counselled about the proper and safe administration of the product to get the best result for your dollars spent.

 

Q: There are so many pet foods on the market these days. What is the best food for my dog?

A:You want to choose the right food for your pet's age or stage of life and activity level. More and more, obesity and associated diseases such as arthritis are becoming common. There is a great deal of research that goes into commercial pet foods and most are nutritionally balanced. Many of the pitfalls of pet nutrition come from over-feeding and indiscriminate treat-giving. I recommend measuring the food with a measuring cup and limiting treats to 1 cm sized morsels several times per day given as rewards for performing commands. If your dog or cat requires special dietary consideration for skin or gastrointestinal or other organ disease, your veterinarian can recommend a specific food for your pet.

Q: Lately my senior pet has been having urination accidents in the house. Is he just getting old or could there be some problem?

A: As pets age there is a greater possibility for an underlying medical reason for the loss of house training/ litter-box training. Kidney and endocrine diseases and loss of cognitive function are a few of the common problems. A baseline workup will help your veterinarian diagnose whether or not there is a disease process present that should be treated.

Q: My pet lives indoors and never comes in contact with other animals. Does he really require vaccinations or heartworm prevention?

A: Yearly physical exams and vaccinations are very important in maintaining your pet's health, especially as he ages. Disease can go undiagnosed for years if owners put off their pet's annual check-ups. Vaccinating against distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvo and corona not only prevents these diseases in your pet but also keeps the prevalence of these diseases down in our pet population. Rabies can be transmitted to humans and is a required vaccination by law. Because some intestinal parasites from dogs and cats can be transmitted to humans, a yearly fecal exam is important as well. Heartworms are transmitted by mosquitos so even indoor pets are at risk and should be treated year-round.

 

Q: My pet has bad breath. What can I do about this?

A: First of all, take your pet in for an exam. Halitosis can be associated not only with dental disease such as gingivitis, periodontal disease and tooth root abscesses, kidney disease, poor appetite, weight loss and personality changes. These conditions are often painful and can have long-term consequences to the overall health and quality of life of your pet. Just as in humans, chronic inflammation and infection in the mouth can lead to heart or kidney disease, poor appetite and weight loss and personality changes from discomfort. Take your pet in for an exam because dental health is an important component of the quality of life for your pet.