Pet Pip » Treatment

Does Your Pup Need Prozac?

admin — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 12:00:59 +0000

Prozac has been used for a lot of people who have anxiety and depression problems, but a lot of pet owners don’t know that it can be used in dogs, as well. If your pet is struggling with depression or an anxiety problem, you can talk to your vet about getting a Prozac prescription for your pup. Don’t be afraid to do something like this if it helps your animal feel better and have a more enjoyable life.

What Does Prozac Do?

Prozac, like many other drugs for anxiety and depression, helps to lift a depressed mood, lower anxious moments, and make a person (or a dog) feel more stable and comfortable. By evening out moods, there won’t be huge variances between the highs and lows that your pet will feel. He’ll be happier, and you may also see some behavioral problems disappear or lessen.

Is It Safe For Dogs?

Prozac is generally believed to be safe for dogs. Just like in humans, there’s always the chance that there will be a negative reaction or an allergic reaction to the medication. Prozac should only be given to your dog with a veterinarian’s prescription, and only if it’s really necessary. Over-medicating an animal just to keep it calm isn’t a good idea.

When To See Your Vet

If your dog is very anxious or lethargic, or he has other serious behavioral issues, talk to your vet about whether Prozac would be a safe and helpful choice, or whether there’s something else you should be doing instead. There may be other alternatives, or a combination of therapies could be the best choice.

Don’t buy Prozac from a source that isn’t reputable or give it to your dog without your vet’s ok. It’s a prescription medication for a reason, and you’ll want to be informed and careful so you don’t compromise your pet’s health.

Choosing The Right Vet

admin — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 12:00:49 +0000

In order to get the right vet, you might have to try several different clinics. It’s likely you’ll like the first vet you find, but it doesn’t always work that way. Some of them also charge much more than others, and you may be able to find one who’s much cheaper and who still gives you great quality and service.

Price Matters

How much a veterinarian charges matters to most people. Unless you’re rich, you probably want a vet who’s going to be fair about his or her pricing structure and who’s going to work with you if you need to make payments. These kinds of vets are out there, but finding them is sometimes difficult. Keep looking around and don’t give up.

What About Experience?

How much your vet knows, what kind of schooling he’s attended, and how much continuing education he’s had since then is important. Some veterinarians are great right out of school, but the more experience someone has had the better they generally are at their chosen profession. Keep this in mind when you’re shopping for the right vet, especially if you have animals with existing health problems or behavioral issues.

Treating Unique Animals

Not all vets treat more than dogs and cats. If you have a bird, horse, or exotic reptile, you may have to look much harder to find the right vet. This is also true if you have rabbits, hamsters, gerbils, or tarantulas that need medical care. Be sure to ask any vet you’re considering what kinds of animals he or she treats.

No matter what vet you pick, take your time unless treatment of your animal is an absolute emergency. It’s very important that you find a vet you’re comfortable with and that your animals like and respond well to, so you can have a long and healthy relationship.

Diagnosing Liver Disease In Your Pet

admin — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 12:00:08 +0000

In order to diagnose liver disease in your pet, it’s best to get a professional opinion from your veterinarian. That’s because some diseases can easily be mistaken for others, and you don’t want to misdiagnose your pet and treat him in such a way that can really cause harm. Also, you may not really know what’s wrong based on the symptoms your pet has.

Liver Disease In Pets

When pets get liver disease it can have several causes. Sometimes genetics play a part in it, but diet and a predisposition to other diseases can also affect the health and functionality of the liver. Liver disease can build up over time and can also come on more suddenly, depending on its cause. Watch for unusual changes in your pet.

Symptoms And Concerns

When people get liver disease, they often turn yellow and have other problems. With pets, the same kinds of things can occur. Unfortunately, because pets are covered with fur you might not see the yellowing of their skin. You could still notice it in their eyes, however. If you see that happening, or if you find that your pet is acting sick and lethargic, a vet should be consulted.

What Your Vet Will Do

A veterinarian can diagnose your pet much better than you can, because he or she has the training necessary for it. In addition, a vet has access to tests and equipment that you don’t. It lets him or her find the problem quickly and treat it effectively. Your veterinarian can also recommend what you can do to help your pet and when (or if) euthanasia would be the best choice.

The best thing you can do for your pet is to make sure that he’s healthy and happy. Liver disease can be devastating, but if you catch it in time, you’ll have more treatment options and more time with your pet.

Treating A Dog With Cancer

admin — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 12:00:06 +0000

Because many people become so attached to their dogs, it can be devastating to find that one of them has a serious disease like cancer. If you have a dog who’s received this kind of diagnosis, it’s very important that you pay close attention to what your veterinarian advises you to do when it comes to treatment and pain control.

Treating Or Curing The Disease

Some dogs, just like some people, can be successfully treated for cancer and they won’t see a recurrence. However, that’s often not the case. There’s still no cure for cancer, and the only hope is to remove all of it that can be safely taken out, treat the rest with methods such as chemotherapy or radiation, and see what the outcome is. Often it’s good, and sometimes it’s not, but there are only so many options.

Handling The Pain And Anxiety

Like people, dogs are often in pain from cancer and they’re very anxious, as well. They understand that something is wrong and they can’t talk about it with anyone the way a person could. Because of that it’s very important you make your dog as comfortable as possible. Your veterinarian can give you pain medication you can administer to your dog on a set schedule. Doing this will help to ensure that your dog will receive good pain control but will still be able to function.

Know When It’s Time To Say Goodbye

As difficult as it is, the time may come when it’s best to have your dog euthanized. Recognize the pain and suffering that your dog is going through, and don’t hold onto the animal just because you don’t want to be without him.

By following the advice of your veterinarian, you’ll be able to make the right choices. Take your cues from your dog, as he’ll let you know in his own way what he needs the most.