Diedra Cardamone
,@diedracardamone
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I recently purchased a “furminator” brush for my cat with medium long hair so that I can brush her daily to help cut down on her hair balls. The brush works great! So, I am working on brushing daily and have purchased over the counter hair all control dry cat food to use with basic wet food. What is my next step if she is still vomiting Hair balls once in a while? Thanks!
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I have an 8 day old kitten that I am bottle feeding with kitten formula. How often should he have a bowel movement and what do I do if he goes too long without a bowel movement? Thanks!
My friend’s dog stepped on a sticky mouse trap and still has some stuff on his foot. Any suggestions?
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Alice Maya Clean his food try and get any infection out if it worsens call the vet
Does second hand smoke affect pets like it does people?
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Jana Yes, it does.
http://m.petmd.com/blogs/thedailyvet/dr-coates/2014/june/risks-second-hand-smoke-dogs-and-cats-31821Moreover, there is such a thing as “third-hand smoke” when it comes to pets. “You know the smell that lingers in smoking areas, and on clothes and hair after a party or a night out? This is “third-hand smoke”, a cocktail of toxic residue including arsenic, cyanide and lead that gradually coats every surface. Second-hand smoke eventually dissipates from a room, but the third-hand threat remains.
Not only does it linger, it grows with each invisible coat. And on every surface it touches, it combines with the chemicals in the carpet, the chemicals in the upholstery, the chemicals in the laminate flooring, in the silk flowers in the vase, every iPad and cell phone, and on the surface of every pet bed and toy. It even builds up on our pets.
We can wash our hair and launder the clothes, even steam the carpet, but how often do we thoroughly bathe our pets? The residue builds up on them as well. When they groom, lick their paws, chew their toys and nuzzle their noses down into those plush beds we provided, they are in direct contact with the cocktail of every environmental chemical, cleanser and airborne toxin.”
http://www.dogcancerblog.com/blog/smoking-second-hand-smoke-third-hand-smoke-and-dog-cancer/ -
Sue Bona Yes it does, and it’s my understanding that it affects them worse.
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Kelly Furgason Yes indeed. We had a dog come into our rescue from a home where it lived for years with an owner that smoked . It was confirmed the dog had severe emphysema from the second hand smoke:-(
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Diedra Cardamone Post author Thanks everyone! No one smokes in my house (thankfully) but I was extremely curious about the answer. I now feel knowledgeable if I ever need to share with someone else.
I am interested in making/baking my own dog treats. What ingredients are the best and are there some that are best to avoid? I have 3 dogs: 8 yr old Border Collie mix, 12 yr old Jack Russell, a 2 yr old German Shorthaired Lab mix.
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Kaz Kallin I make my own treats all the time since I have one dog that is on a vegetarian diet. Peanut butter is a good ingredient, so are blueberries and bananas. We use oat flour in all the treats we make and substitute maple syrup for sugar.
http://www.dogtreatkitchen.com/blueberry-dog-treat.html
That’s the recipe we used as a starter and have experimented since then.
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andrea Lee Roundfield -
Diedra Cardamone Post author Thank you both for your help. I am excited to give it a try!
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Kelly Furgason Making your own treats is easy and fun! There are lots of recipes online and treat recipe books you can use too. Almost any human recipe can be modified for pets. For dogs and cats omit the sugar. They do not need it and will never know it’s missing.
You can use regular flour or omit it if your pet has an allergy. You can use oat flour, rice flour, buckwheat flour, quick cook or regular oats. Grated carrot, applesauce, peanut or nut butters, eggs are also common ingredients
Steer clear of salt, garlic, onions, chocolate
Pinterest also has lots of recipes for pets too
Have fun!!
-Kelly
Why do dogs drink so much water when they get old and how much is too much?
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Krista Magnifico Hello Diedra,
Thanks for asking such an important question.
There are many reasons why dogs drink an excessive amount of water.
Many times an increase in water intake is one of our first clues to the onset of a disease.
If you think that your dog is drinking more water than usual you should make an appointment to see your veterinarian and they will likely want to check your dogs blood and urine.
Some of the diseases that can cause increased thirst in dogs are kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes, and adrenal tumors.
There is actually a formula used to figure out how much water is too much. But never withhold water from a pet.
Many veterinarians recommend twice yearly examinations for older dogs.
If you haven’t seen your veterinarian lately it might be time for a check-up.
If you would like to make an appointment I can be reached at the clinic.
Sincerely,
Krista Magnifico, DVM
Owner Jarrettsville Veterinary Center
My dog Bandit is an 85 pound Border Collie mix rescue. On my morning run today from 10 to 11 am, he had diarrhea. He went three times and by the third time it was straight water. What should I look for or do for him today?
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Krista Magnifico Hello Diedra,
If your dog is not feeling better , or if the diarrhea continues you should bring him to see your veterinarian as soon as possible.
Diarrhea can cause dehydration and an anti-diarrheal, or fluids may be indicated.
In most cases acute diarrhea is short lived and self limiting. But diarrhea of longer than one day, or severe in its onset should be addressed by your veterinarian.
If the diarrhea persists, or you get concerned you and Bandit can see me at the clinic.
Sincerely,
Krista Magnifico, DVM
Owner Jarrettsville Veterinary Center -
Diedra Cardamone Post author Thanks!!!
My dog Maizie is a mix Chocolate Lab Dalmation. She is going to turn 14 in a month. Over the past year she has lost most of her muscle and her back legs look especially thin and wobbly. She has a large living room to live in and is let outside through a door with a very small step. What can I do for her to help her body be as strong and safe? Also, she eats best when her dry food is mixed with a little canned food, is that ok?
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Krista Magnifico Hello,
Thanks for your question.
Congratulations on all of the things you must have been providing and giving to Maizie to get her to an astounding age of 14! Did you know that most labs and dalmatians only live to about 12? 14 years old is amazing!
There are many things that you can do to help her age gracefully and maintain her strength, stamina, and vigor.
Diet is a great place to start. Ask your veterinarian about which diets they like and recommend for her. I like Science diet J/D. The "J" is for joint. I also like a glucosamine/chondroitin supplement like Dasaquin daily. I have a 16 year old dog and I encourage her to eat by mixing a great dry food with an equally high quality wet food. I make great efforts to keep her eating well, like feeding her twice a day. I have also begun using a dog food gravy to make her food even a tiny bit more exciting. Muscle mass is lost because of two reasons, not enough exercise, and not enough dietary protein.
Most of the older dogs that I see are losing peripheral hind limb muscle mass from chronic dis-use. They aren’t getting enough exercise to maintain muscle mass because it hurts too much to move. So after a thorough physical exam I discuss x-rays, and bloodwork and an NSAID. This is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory. it helps many dogs feel better and takes away some, or even all, of their pain. At 14 years old I think it is very important to make the remaining days, however many they may be, comfortable. I also think that a thick (about 6 inches), orthopedic bed helps on those bony achey joints.
I recommend twice yearly exams to better monitor and manage the aging process. Blood work, urinalysis, radiographs, and thorough physical examinations will help keep Maizie happy, healthy, and mobile for her days yet to come.
Wishing you and Maizie continued longevity. If you would like to set up a geriatric exam with us we can be reached at Jarrettsville Veterinary Center in Jarrettsville MD.
Sincerely,
Krista Magnifico, DVM
Owner Jarrettsville Veterinary Center
Jarrettsville MD
twitter FreePetAdvice
jarrettsvillevet.com -
Diedra Cardamone Post author thank you for all the information and great advice!! i would like to set up an exam please.
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Krista Magnifico I would love to see Maizie.
I can be reached at http://www.jarrettsvillevet.com.
Hope to see you soon!
Hello,
Great questions. If you are still having issues talk to your vet about having your cat shaved down. You can also try otc catlax. But if you have excessive vomiiting don’t forget to ask about a possible medical issue. I worry some of these guys have an underlying medical condition that causes them to be chronically nauseous so they over groom and Chronically vomit. Chronic vomiting can have a huge range of causes but for these cases I start with a thorough history, exam, bloodwork, X-ray and ultrasound. Then I talk about an anti nausea medication trial highly digest able food and managing stress. But like I said this can be a long rule out list. Start at the easy and most likely and go from there. Monitor weight closely and document the vomiting with time, amount and vomitus description. It call help to identify the location of the primary issue. Let us know what happens. And ps I love the Furminator. It works great!