Q : My pet is facing a problem i.e. growing of red spots near his excretary part and foul smell from ear and also from whole body. We tried many homeopathy medicines and other products but in vain. He always itches. So we wanted to know what care one can take so as to reduce this problems. Please help us.
Ms. Jayita Choudhury, Kanpur
A : Many thanks for sharing your pet problem and saw the picture of your pet. Looking at the problem of your pet, the exact cause cannot be ruled out until personal observation is made. But after considering the signs you have mentioned, I would like to suggest the following treatment.:
Tab Phexin 250 mg : Give 2 twice a day for first 4 days and then one per day for 3 days.
Tab. Omnacortil 5 mg : Give 2 twice a day for first 4 days and then one per day for 3 days.
Use Petben shampoo for the bath. Bathe once in 3 days if the condition is severe or once in a week with Petben.
Q : I have a male dog Irish Setter 26 months old. Since last two months his whole body is covered with rash i.e. red spots appear which again gets covered with flakes (dandruff) and he loses his fur. Lots of fur is replaced with new one. The red spots don't last for more than three days but new appear. Antibiotics are not showing any effect. Please suggest a remedy.
Mr. Terence Gracias, Goa
A : Many thanks for placing a query. There could be many causes for this problem viz. mites, allergic (food, physical agent etc), fungal. If it is bacterial cause it will disappear with an antibiotic but as you said antibiotics are not working then probable cause could be mites / food called ATOPY, so we would suggest you the following treatment.
01. Bathe the pet with Petben shampoo once in a week, if it is severe once in 3 days.
02. After that allow it to dry the fur, then apply RIDD(AMITRAZ) by mixing 2 ml of that in one litre of water. Apply completely over the body and leave in a sunlight to dry. Don't give bath after that.Kindly repeat the procedure 3 times with a gap of a week.
3.Do not give the food containing protein, i.e. chicken/meat/egg/cereals atleast for 15-20 days. Feed him the food that contains only carbohydrates like rice and vegetables, bread etc.
4. Do not forget to groom the pet everyday once.
Q : I have a problem with hair fall of our pet (POM) named Tuffy. I regularly use Notix Scrub but the problem is that after using this there is ncrease in hair fall. But once I applied human shampoo and it made lot of difference that there was decrease in hair fall. How can this happen please clarify my doubt as what is the difference between human shampoo and pet shampoo.
Mr. Abhishek Trivedi
A : One thing we should understand is that hair does not grow continuously but grows in cycle i.e. after some few days old hair falls and new hair grow. This a normal physiology. Because of this reason your pet's hair fall down regularly. You can give bath to your pet once in 10 days.
It is generally advised not to use human soap or shampoo to dogs. Because there is lot of difference between human and dog skin. Human shampoos may cause skin allergy.
Notix Scrub Liquid is advised for ticks, fleas and lice infestation only. If you want to give only bath to your pet you can use general pet shampoos which are available plenty in numbers in market.
I hope this will clarify your doubt.
Mr. Nilaap, Cuttack
A : Thanks for sharing your pets query with us. Coming to addresssing your query, following are the susggestions ...It is quite possible that right from the puppyhood you must have adapted manual feeding , so the pet got addicted to such type of feeding. It is difficult to overcome that. If the only problem is not eating , apart from other activites normal Viz, physical activity , alertness, responding to the call. etc . pl. follow the following medication .
1. Deworm the pet every 3 month with the product PRAZIPASTE - 5 g pet 10 kg of body weight.
2. Administer Syrup sillybon 1 tsp twice a day & vidalyn - m syrup 1 tsp twice a day . Both for 15 days.
3. Observe for a week after giving these two , inspite of that if does not take then i would recommned to give TAB PRACTIN half tab. 5-20 min. before food. Sometime thre is a chance that the pet gets addicted to the tablet. so give it for 3-4 days in tapering / reducing dose.
Q : My Dachshund has the problem of Excitement Urination, like when I reach home & if I touch him or pick him up immediately he urinate either on me or on the floor but if I touch or pick him after few minutes then no such problem & sometimes we are at home if we touch or pick him up then also he does. So what should I do for this problem.
Mr. Vikas Wanchoo, Haryana
A : Excited urination is common in some dogs. Giving proper training to your dog can easily cure it. Approach a dog trainer for training your dog or consult a vet regarding this. Q : I would like to know what rabies injections and when we should deworm puppies and adult dog ?
Mr. MCRS. Chinnasamy, Coimbatore Dist.
A : Vaccination against viral diseases such as Parvo viral enteritis, Canine Distemper, Infectious Canine Hepatitis, Leptospira, Rabies etc. is important for dogs.
Vaccination may be done as per the following schedule.
DHLPP - 8th week
DHLPP - 12th week (as booster dose)
Rabies (Rabigen or Raksharab) - 13th week (one week after booster dose of DHLPP)
Rabies (Rabigen or Raksharab) - 16th week (as booster dose)One injection of DHLPP and Rabies vaccine every year.
Deworming
15th day - Nemocid ( 5mg / kg b/w ) i.e. if the body weight is 1 kg. give 0.1 to 0.2 ml
Continue every 15th day upto 3 months according to body weight.
After 3 months deworm once in three months
Q : I have two beagles and a german shephard all between two and six years of age. But they all seems to be suffering from health problem as they keep eating soil. Therefore, I would like to know what is causing this problem, whether due to some deficiency and what may be done to solve it.
Ms. Urmila Thirumurthy, Bangalore
A : Thanks for sharing your pet query with us. The following might me the problems with your pet.
1. Dogs tend to eat soil because of internal worm load, could be roundworms/tapeworms. So if you are deworming every 3 months with a broad spectrum dewormer then there is no cause of concern. If the pets are not dewormed then it is better to deworm with PRAZIPASTE - 5g. per 10kg of body weight orally.
2. Dogs tend to eat mud / soil because of mineral deficiency, phosphorus deficiency can lead on this. So I would suggest yo to give Nutripet Food Booster - 5g. twice a day for 15 days.
Q : I have a pomeranian dog of 4 years. The problem with her is that she does not eat anything with herself. I have to feed her. Please suggest me.
Mr. Sanjeev, Orissa
I can suggest a medication which makes you pet hungry & can eat on its own . But you need to withdraw the medication in the tapering dose.
Syrup cypon : 1 ml 15-20 min. prior to the feeding time
orTab. Practin : half tab. 15-20 min. prior to the feeding time.
Either of one give it for first 7 days & then gradually reduce to half dose for another a week. Then you need to withdraw completely.
Q : I would like to the solutions on continuous shedding of hair (every season), my pet dog gives out a very bad odour after 3-4 days of his bath, even his ears very next after washing starts smelling. Please give a suggestion as how to maintain my pet.
Mr. Raphael Varghese, Navi Mumbai
A : Thanks for sharing your query. Looking at the problem your dog is suffering, the reasons are many of which the common are :-
1. External Parasitic Infestation - Ticks & fleas
2. Skin Disorder - Pyoderma Common in GSD
3. Nutritional causes
4. Seasonal loss of hairs - Twice a year (Lasts for 15.20 days)If all these are considered, I believe your pet is suffering from skin problem, as you have mentioned bad body odour, so what I suggest is
Bathe your pet wish Savlon soap regularly for 3-4 months once in 7-10 days.
Mix Nutricoat Syrup 1 tsp. twice a day in food and feed atleast for 1 to 1.6 months
Groom the pet regularly.
Ears : Clean the ears with Savlon liquid. Mix 10 ml in 10 ml of water, clean the ears. Instill ear drops - Candibiotic / Pyrimon ear drops 3-4 drops twice a day for 10-15 days. If there is wax in the ears : Apply Soliwax drops, 4-5 drops in the night hours & clean the ears with the dry cotton in the morning. then instill suggested ear drops.
Meanwhile, have a check ove the ectoparasites on the body.
Q : I have a male pup of labrador breed. It is just 25 days. Please guide me about his feeding, bathing, training and vaccinations schedules.
Mr. Rakesh Mani
A :It is nice to hear that you have bought a puppy. The appropriate time of vaccination is at the age of 6 weeks, combined dose should be given and after 12 weeks anti-Rabies vaccine. The same should be repeated after 3 weeks as a booster dose. Coming to the feeding schedule, feed the dog four times a day with a gap of 4 hours preferably till 6 weeks give Cerelac with water. After 6 weeks start giving boiled egg half, milk, small quantity of rice till 4 months. Regarding bathing, start from 3 months onwards till then give sponge bath once in 3-4 days.
Q: My dog is too fat. What steps shall I take to reduce its obesity?
Mrs. Sushma B., Bangalore
A: One of the major concerns in owners is obesity preferably in breeds like Labrador Retriever. It is quite simply through eating more that the body needs. Often, the weight gain creeps gradually, so it is always best to weigh your dog regularly. This will alert you to weight loss, as well as weight gain. There are many problems associated with obesity like breathing difficulties, heat intolerance, reduced liver function, increases surgical and anesthetic risk and reduced life expectancy. If your dog is overweight you need to establish a target weight and a weight loss of 15% over 14 weeks is reasonable. But you can begin by decreasing your dog's current food intake by 10% or use a low calorie tinned food, providing your dog is healthy in every other respect. Make sure everyone you know understands that your dog is on a diet, so they won't be tempted to feed sweets or other high calories treats.
Q: How can the person bitten by rabid dog is protected immediately?
Ms. Vasudha L., Bangalore
A: The only way to immediately protect a patient is to give passive protection with RIGs. Rabies Immunoglobins at a dose of 20 I.U./kg. of body weight, if it is of human origin and 40 I.U./kg. if it is of equine origin. Immediate protection also be helped by careful washing - soap & detergent of the local wound since the virus is sensitive to detergents. Active post-immunization antibodies reach their peak 10-14 days after the first dose. Post exposure regimen included five injections : 0 first day / 3rd day / 7th day / 14th day / 30th day / 90 the day. The sixth injection 90th day should be considered as optimal, to be given to immunodeficient patients or persons under immunosuppresent therapy.
Q: Please give me suggestions in details about how to take care of old age dog including diet and possible illness and its treatment?
Mr. Sanjay Mitra, Kolkata
A: As dogs get older, they have a reduced calorific requirement, and may not absorb essetial fatty acids from their diet as well as they used to. Some senior dogs need a reduced protein diet, as they can't process their food as efficiently. The reduced protein should be good quality and easily digestible, to put less of a strain on their kidneys. The healthy senior dog's diet should contain a slight increase in fibre, to avoid constipation, and a lower level of phosphorus and salt, again helpful if the dog has early kidney or hear disease.
The dog that has a liver problem will need a low protein diet of good quality, such as cottage cheese or eggs. this diet should not be high in fat if the patient has a bile duct problem.
Kidney disease sufferers need plenty of clean water available at all times, a high energy diet, which is low in meat to reduce the phosphorus content. The diet may need supplementing with Vitamin B, potassium and calcium. However, each patient is different, and the diet needs to be tailored to the requirements. Hence, vets. advice is essential before you start on any dietary regime.
Q: I would like to what precautions can be taken for skin disease. We have observed red colour big size patches on leg, neck and shoulder. It itches too much and hair loss is also seen. It is reducing its weight and getting scared of people and street dogs. How can I change its behaviour and give some tips on skin care?
Mr. Suprakash Das
A: Regarding the health problem you have described about your pet, we would like to ask you few points.
1. When did these lesions start appearing and from which region, you noticed first?
2. Did you notice any parasite over its body?
3. Any such lesions (symptoms) were seen with its parents anytime?
4. Did anytime, pus or blood come out of these pimples?Please inform us. In the meantime, you can start with this treatment:-
1. Seledruff Shampoo bath once weekly
2. Ridd lotion spray (3-4 ml/litre of water), avoid its contact with eyes, mouth and also to children.
3. Nutricoat syrup 2 tea spoon daily in the food continuously till the symptoms goes off.
4. Tablet Enrofloxacin 50 mg once daily for 5 days only.
5. Daily cleaning of the wounds and pimples with Savlon lotion.
Q: I have a 7 and half year old Doberman Pinscher. From last 2 months he is not able to pass his stools easily so we went to a Radiologist and he passed Barium through rectum and decending colon without any difficulty. He gave report to us that there is smooth narrowing in the rectosigmoid region and there is mild dilation of decending colon. He also told that there is no ulcer or filling defect seen. He gave his comments that appearence are suggestive of smooth structure for formation in the rectosigmoid region. Veterinary doctor passed a boggie in dog's rectum for a week but there was no sign of any recovery. In the meantime my dog is losing his weight and stamina. He is taking his food regularly and we are giving him liquid food more than solid food. And we are giving him 30ml. parafin as a laxative daily. But still the problem is not solved.
You are requested to give some advice to solve my dog's problem as early as possible.
Mr. Hemant Patel
A: Looking at your dogs situation it appears that there is possibility of stenosis i.e. constrition and is of pathological Origin. So it will be very difficult to bring back the dog to normal phase. The only way out is to perform the surgery as it will not be cleared with external medication. So I would suggest you to consult a surgeon and sort out the problem.
Q: When do the suck reflex normally disappear in puppies and kittens?
Ms. Elizabeth S.N.
A: Normally the suckling reflex will vanish after 19 - 22 days.
Q: How do I find out whether my dog is pregnant or not since I do not have veterinary nearby? My German Shephard bitch is having her first mensturation, when will she allow to breed and My German Shephard has been spotting since seven days now, when will she allow mating wia a male?
Ms. Pama Wangden
A: The female should be crossed wil after the stoppage of bleeding. The bleeding will last for 9 to 11 days and thereafter the female will become receptive for male dog. Also it is always better to cross for two times with a gap of 24 hours. The pregnancy period is 60 plus or minus 2 days. So you will be able to make out after 30-40 days after mating. After 45 days if the female is carrying you will see enlarged mammary glands and also milk coming out after milking.
Q: My dachshund dog who is one year old was spayed last Friday. On Tuesday of this week, she began to leak milk out of her nipples. I took her to the vet and he said this was because her hormones were all out of whack. He thought she could be going through false pregnancy. Could this be correct after she was spayed?
Mr. Carla Yates
A: We thank you for forwarding your querry about your pet as it is always our endeavour to serve the doggy world to the maximum. Generally it should not happen after spaying. But you need to check with your vet whether the dog is subjected for ovarihysteretomy or hyterectomy. If ovariohysterectomy is performed i.e. removal of both the ovary and uterus then the problem should not occur. Since there is harmone called oxytocin which is responsible for milk let down secreted from ovaries. So if both the ovaries are removed then there will not be any problem of psuedopregnancy. If female is subjected for hysterectomy i.e. removal of uterus then there is always possibility of secretions and female coming into heat. Also, if one ovary generally left ovary is removed alongwith uterus then also there is tendency to occur.
Hence, kindly check with your vet about this and come to us in case if you are in need of further clarification. But you need not worry if there is milk let down as it will subside on its own after 5-7 days. but you need to moniter that milk should not be infected so better to remove the milk to prevent the infection.
A: We received your mail enquiring about the clinical condition, that your pet is suffering with. I appreciate your extreme care and also keen observation related to your pet's health.
You have given a fair idea about your pet. Could you please furnish few more facts related to your pet? I am listing down these questions.
1. Whether do you give beef/mutton, if yes then how often?
2. Do the parents of your pet were having such type of problems?
3. Since when this problem persists?
4. Has he become obese or lethargy somewhat in recent days?Right now I can narrow down the problem to either fungal and/or seborrhea with primary or secondary cause.
If you can send us the close up photographs of the lesions then we can narrow down to the specific problem with what your pet is affected.
1. Sunflower oil 1-2 tsp daily mixed in food
2. Nutricoat skin conditioner 2-3 tsp daily mixed in food
3. Once weekly bath with Chlorhexidine lotion + Seledruff Shampoo+ Ketoconazole shampoo, make a mixture of all three and give bath to your pet.You will see the response after a week.
A: We appreciate your extreme devotion towards the innocent animals and especially your pet. As you have explained, this problem looks like an allergic problem / Immunologic disorder. If the problem exists since long / birth then please let me know about the parental status whether her mother / father also suffered any time with same problem? Whether do you give beef / mutton to her?
Please mail me back and till then start the following treatment:
1. Stop beef / mutton
2. Give 1 teaspoon of sun-flower oil mixed in food daily
3. 1 teaspoon of Nutricoat daily
4. 1 tablet - ATARAZ 25 mg. daily one time for 5 - 7 days.
5. Stop the fish or remove any other allergen if you suspect from her surroundings.
6. You can dust her once in 2-3 days, there is no harm.
7. Use Notix Scrub Liquid once in 10 - 15 days.If you still find some problem, please revert back to us with full details as well as scanned photographs of the dog with the lesions shown clearly.
Q: My dog got an attack of fits after eight years of its life. the dog is healthy bright and alert. We have tried many medicines but still the problem persists. Please suggest the medication.
Mr. L. Desmier, Hubli
A: Thanks for forwarding your concern about your pet to us. In fact, fits what you are referring is technically called Epilepsy. If we look into the causes, we arrive at a cause called Idiopathic i.e.. unknown. Since here central nervous system is involved difficult to conclude the cause. It can be hereditary also. Hence best thing is not to find out the cause of the concern but to treat. Coming to treatment aspect of Epilepsy, it is advised to start on Gardenal 30 mg or Garion & Neurobion 1 tab twice a day. If the convulsion is severe & frequent give the tab. For twice a day for first 7 days then maintain on 1 tab a day for 45 days along with Neurobion tab. Another important factor is, treatment is sometimes life long hence you have to bear with your pet life long giving a tablet a day. As such there will not be effect on his health and other aspects of the body but he will sleep more than routine as Gardenal is sedative . If your dog is old i.e. more than 7 years along with Gardenal after 20 days you need to give a liver tonic as Gardenal in long use will affect the liver. Q: I own a St. Bernard Dog Male one and half year old. Kindly suggest me some tips about how to handle, take care and what to feed for such a massive breed.
Mr. Saurabh Tripathi, Durg
A: Thanks for your query. Please click here to get an answer
Frequently Asked Questions on Spaying/Neutering
Q : Is spay / Neuter operation painful ? Is it dangerous?
A : During spaying / Neutering, dogs and cats are fully anesthetized, so they feel no pain. After surgery they may experience some discomfort, but this disappears in a few days or hours, as with any surgery complications are possible, but rare.
Q : Shouldn't female dog or cat have one litter, or at least one heat, before being spayed?
A: On the contrary, a dog or cat has the best chance of good health if spayed before her first heat. Early spaying also reduced the chance that the animal will "accidentally" escape and become pregnant.
Q: Can a pregnant animal be safely spayed?
A : Many animals and cats are spayed while pregnant to prevent the birth of puppies or kittens. However, a veterinarian should be consulted about the health and stage of pregnancy before making such decision.
Q: Are spayed / neutered animals become overweight and less affectionate?
A: In some dogs and cats the appetite will increase, but if your pet is given the proper amount of food and adequate exercise, it is unlikely to become overweight. In addition, because they are freed from the urge ot mate, dogs and cats tend to be calmer, more content and more affectionate.
Q: Why should a male dog or cat be neutered?
A: Besides the health benefits from neutering, a male dog or cat can impregnate many females in a short period of time, and oftern without the owner's knowledge. This greatly contributes to pet over - population.
Q: At what age should my dog or cat be spayed / neutered?
A: Because of the health and reproductive benefits of early spaying /neutering, most dogs and cats should undergo the surgery by 6 months. Remember, evern older dogs and cats will benefit greatly from being spayed or neutered.