Thursday, September 15, 2011

Pet Medicine For Canines Under One Year

By Adriana Noton


Pet medicine for canines under one year old is different then the prescriptions and over-the-counter pills giving to older dogs. Puppies are still developing up to one year of age and they need special formulas when it comes to treating various illnesses. Puppies also need several vaccinations, just as babies do, before they reach three months of age. This will prevent them from getting an array of diseases and, help them to develop a stronger immune system.

The breed of a dog will play a large part in the amount of medication he receives for different aliments. For example, a Chesapeake Bay retriever would need a larger dose of pills for heartworm preventative then a Sheltie. Even if these two dogs are the same age, their size dictates they receive different amounts or strengths of preventative for heartworms.

Puppies that are still growing should not be given full strength flea and tick preventatives. These are strong drugs that contain a toxin which kills the pests when they bite into the animal. This means the animals skin is saturated with the flea and tick medication and when a puppy is little, it is too strong for their developing skin.

Worms are another common problem for growing dogs under one year of age. Many medications for worms can be given to puppies as young as 4 weeks old, but they must weigh over 2 pounds so the very tiny puppies are not good candidates for most of the worm medicines. There are several varieties of dewormers but heartworms are the biggest concern for dogs of all ages. Once thought to be a southern state issue, heartworms are now found in dogs across the United States.

Depending on their breed, many middle-aged dogs get ear infections. If the dog gets wet a lot, from swimming or bathing, it is important to dry off his ears with a towel immediately when he's done. This will prevent a yeast infection. Yeast infections hurt and could cause permanent damage.

Dogs will develop allergies to a variety of things just as their owners could. Some dogs become allergic to their food while other dogs develop allergies to pollen and grasses. Dogs will show signs of allergies pretty much the same as humans do, with coughing, itching and watery eyes. Tests can be done to determine what your dog is allergic to or you may want to treat the allergies with a low-dose medication to see if that helps.

Puppies often get dry, itchy skin or yeast infections on their skin. An anti-fungal cream applied to the affected area might be the best or an oral antibiotic may help to clear it up. Try to discourage the pup from scratching. This may sound difficult but distractions might help. If they don't, use an e-collar, the large plastic collars that go around the puppy's head so she can't reach around to bite at something.

Pet medicine for kittens and cats may look the same as for dogs, but it is a strength that is less powerful. This doesn't mean it won't work, it just means it won't damage their delicate system. Cat medications could be obtained through the vet's office or through an online retailer with a prescription from the veterinarian's office.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment