Ask the Veterinarian!

[Sweetpea The Tigress]

Xana44

Gaia ate my whole long reply!

I will try to repost it later if it does not appear.

Stupie Gaia!

How annoying!

Hi Xana mrgreen
I noticed my new kitty Lily was scratching her ears a lot, so I looked, and she has ear mites. So I bought some miticide, but I think it's too strong for her. It made her pink ears tur like a dark red and they seem more itchy and painful. I don't think I should use it on her... is she allergic or is it too strong? Should I keep using it?

[Xana44]

Sweetpea The Tigress

Hi Xana mrgreen
I noticed my new kitty Lily was scratching her ears a lot, so I looked, and she has ear mites. So I bought some miticide, but I think it's too strong for her. It made her pink ears tur like a dark red and they seem more itchy and painful. I don't think I should use it on her... is she allergic or is it too strong? Should I keep using it?

How old is Lily? How much does she weigh?

What product did you purchase and from where?

Even though over the counter products are ok'ed by the EPA, they really are not necessarily safe. The EPA does not always have the standards that the FDA has for medications. Also there has been a report from the EPA that adverse reactions to spot on treatments are up.

I would recommend washing Lily's ears well with mild soap and water or a solution of 2 parts water and one part white vinegar.

Let her ears rest for several days. If the redness continues, you need to see a vet for treatment. I would call your vet for a dose of Revolution. I have used it to treat ear mites and never had a problem.

The packaging from the product should have a number to call to report an adverse event. If you call they have to report it to the authorities. I would report. They need to know.

On one last note, not all itchy black stuff in the ears of cats and dogs is caused by ear mites. A veterinarian or technician should do an ear cytology (swab) to examine the debris microscopically to make an accurate diagnosis, so proper treatment can be instituted.

Give Lily a pat and scratch for me!

[Sweetpea The Tigress]

Xana44

Sweetpea The Tigress

Hi Xana mrgreen
I noticed my new kitty Lily was scratching her ears a lot, so I looked, and she has ear mites. So I bought some miticide, but I think it's too strong for her. It made her pink ears tur like a dark red and they seem more itchy and painful. I don't think I should use it on her... is she allergic or is it too strong? Should I keep using it?

How old is Lily? How much does she weigh?

What product did you purchase and from where?

Even though over the counter products are ok'ed by the EPA, they really are not necessarily safe. The EPA does not always have the standards that the FDA has for medications. Also there has been a report from the EPA that adverse reactions to spot on treatments are up.

I would recommend washing Lily's ears well with mild soap and water or a solution of 2 parts water and one part white vinegar.

Let her ears rest for several days. If the redness continues, you need to see a vet for treatment. I would call your vet for a dose of Revolution. I have used it to treat ear mites and never had a problem.

The packaging from the product should have a number to call to report an adverse event. If you call they have to report it to the authorities. I would report. They need to know.

On one last note, not all itchy black stuff in the ears of cats and dogs is caused by ear mites. A veterinarian or technician should do an ear cytology (swab) to examine the debris microscopically to make an accurate diagnosis, so proper treatment can be instituted.

Give Lily a pat and scratch for me!

Thanks for responding. Lily is 5 months and about 5 or 6 lbs. I bought the miticide sold online by Dr.s Foster and Smith. They are supposed to be real vets, and stuff I've bought from them before was good, but I'd never bought OTC medicine before.

I will wash her ears with some baby soap and warm water. There's an animal hospital about 15 blocks from here- I will check them out.

[EnviouSPoppeT]

Sweetpea The Tigres,
You can also ask your Vet about IVERMECTIN, it's an insecticide and it's cheaper to use than these other products (Revolution or Acaraxx) but then again it only treats eat mites sweatdrop .
I would also be careful when buying products over the counter, some of them have ingredients that are toxic to cats.
Good luck I hope her ears are nice and clean 3nodding heart .

[Sweetpea The Tigress]

EnviouSPoppeT

Sweetpea The Tigres,
You can also ask your Vet about IVERMECTIN, it's an insecticide and it's cheaper to use than these other products (Revolution or Acaraxx) but then again it only treats eat mites sweatdrop .
I would also be careful when buying products over the counter, some of them have ingredients that are toxic to cat.
Good luck I hope her ears are nice and clean 3nodding heart .

They are nice and clean now. biggrin I have to tell you though, she didn't appreciate being "rolled up like a burrito" or having them cleaned! xd But now, they are nice and pink again- it happened in like an hr, and she isn't scratching anymore.

I used Q-Tips and this hypo-allergenic soap.

I found an Animal hospital a short bus ride from my apt., and that's where I'm going to take her when I get $$$ next week. Then it's Ben's turn. They both need shots and all too.

[Xana44]

Sweetpea The Tigress

EnviouSPoppeT

Sweetpea The Tigres,
You can also ask your Vet about IVERMECTIN, it's an insecticide and it's cheaper to use than these other products (Revolution or Acaraxx) but then again it only treats eat mites sweatdrop .
I would also be careful when buying products over the counter, some of them have ingredients that are toxic to cat.
Good luck I hope her ears are nice and clean 3nodding heart .

They are nice and clean now. biggrin I have to tell you though, she didn't appreciate being "rolled up like a burrito" or having them cleaned! xd But now, they are nice and pink again- it happened in like an hr, and she isn't scratching anymore.

I used Q-Tips and this hypo-allergenic soap.

I found an Animal hospital a short bus ride from my apt., and that's where I'm going to take her when I get $$$ next week. Then it's Ben's turn. They both need shots and all too.

Glad to hear that Lily is feeling better!

Nope, no kitties like the kitty burrito, but it does work so well.

[Phenomi]

Hi, great thread! I was simply wondering how much experience you and/or other vets have diagnosing and treating fish and aquatic invertebrates? I've noticed that many veterinarians have little knowledge of fish medications/treatments/surgery/ect, except for the rare specialist. While more experienced and serious aquarists such as myself can and do treat our own fish (within our own limits), this leaves the more casual fishkeepers prone to having to tackle the tough battle of medicating without upsetting the balance of the water condition, many just falling into the old 'it's just a fish' routine and flushing.

So, if someone came to you and said "My fish has Flukes!". "I think my fish has dropsy!" or "Can you remove this tumor from my prize koi's face?" what would be your response?

[Celes_29]

for me the question is not about my pet (i have an adorable dog and a hermit crab i caught yesterday lol ) Its for you, i'm studying biochem hoping to go into vet school after, any suggestions? i did pretty bady with gen chem, i'm planning on retaking that class, other than that my grades ae decent sweatdrop

[EnviouSPoppeT]

Phenomi

Hi, great thread! I was simply wondering how much experience you and/or other vets have diagnosing and treating fish and aquatic invertebrates? I've noticed that many veterinarians have little knowledge of fish medications/treatments/surgery/ect, except for the rare specialist. While more experienced and serious aquarists such as myself can and do treat our own fish (within our own limits), this leaves the more casual fishkeepers prone to having to tackle the tough battle of medicating without upsetting the balance of the water condition, many just falling into the old 'it's just a fish' routine and flushing.

So, if someone came to you and said "My fish has Flukes!". "I think my fish has dropsy!" or "Can you remove this tumor from my prize koi's face?" what would be your response?

Hello to you as well mrgreen ,
Thank you for posting, however I only work with felines (and at school they don't teach us much about fish. I have no idea why, they seem to think that dogs are the most important topic- go figure huh-) from what I have heard in the past I know that the people that actually own their own fish specialty store know much more than the Vet's do ( unless you do go to a specialty clinic). I only know of one here in Michigan that is very good with fish and they are not a specialist.
Unfortunately, because we are a feline only practice we do not see any other species, due to our limitations in pharmacy and surgical equipment.
If you want a surgical procedure done on a fish I believe they have to be in a certain water environment, so we do not have the proper equipment or medication to do that.

However Xana, has worked in the field longer than myself and has owned a fish herself smile , so maybe she can answer you better than me.

[Xana44]

Phenomi

Hi, great thread! I was simply wondering how much experience you and/or other vets have diagnosing and treating fish and aquatic invertebrates? I've noticed that many veterinarians have little knowledge of fish medications/treatments/surgery/ect, except for the rare specialist. While more experienced and serious aquarists such as myself can and do treat our own fish (within our own limits), this leaves the more casual fishkeepers prone to having to tackle the tough battle of medicating without upsetting the balance of the water condition, many just falling into the old 'it's just a fish' routine and flushing.

So, if someone came to you and said "My fish has Flukes!". "I think my fish has dropsy!" or "Can you remove this tumor from my prize koi's face?" what would be your response?

Sadly, I also have very little experience with fish. It is not part of routine vet school training, although there are some online courses about it. It is kind of a specialized field.

I could likely find information to treat your fish's flukes (a type of parasite), but don't have the equipment to do surgery on fish, although I could likely find a vet who could. I could also find information on dropsy (which may be different from the dropsy humans get).

If you can PM me with your location, I can try to find a vet in your area with an interest in fish medicine. They are out there, but can be hard to locate.

[Xana44]

Celes_29

for me the question is not about my pet (i have an adorable dog and a hermit crab i caught yesterday lol ) Its for you, i'm studying biochem hoping to go into vet school after, any suggestions? i did pretty bady with gen chem, i'm planning on retaking that class, other than that my grades ae decent sweatdrop

Good grades are very important, as it is harder to get into vet school than med school. But it is also very important to have experience and good recommendations. Biochem or biology is a great place to start with studies. My undergrad degree is in biology. Check with the vet school you want to attend to see what their prerequisites are.

You really need to find a veterinarian or two who will allow you to shadow or work for them. That way you can get some experience and those recommendations. Most vets are pretty cool with students coming to shadow. Just watch for the first few days, then offer to start helping the techs and assistants. It will both help you get your feet wet and help you to know if this is really what you want to do. It is a tough career, but the rewards are great!

[Wakamia]

Hi hi mrgreen

We've got a 1.5 year old bouvier
She is completly neat (? - she doesn't do her needs in home) but lately (2-3 weeks ago) she started to piss in home, in the beginning we thought it was because she was excited that she would go outside, if we were playing with her or if someone came to visit us, but that does not seem to be the problem.
Her piss smells very awful and it is only getting worse (the smell and her not-holding-up-problem).
We are thinking about inflammation of the bladder/cystitis and we were thinking about going to the vet, but I just wanted to know you're advise.

Thank you in advance

greets

[Xana44]

Wakamia

Hi hi mrgreen

We've got a 1.5 year old bouvier
She is completly neat (? - she doesn't do her needs in home) but lately (2-3 weeks ago) she started to piss in home, in the beginning we thought it was because she was excited that she would go outside, if we were playing with her or if someone came to visit us, but that does not seem to be the problem.
Her piss smells very awful and it is only getting worse (the smell and her not-holding-up-problem).
We are thinking about inflammation of the bladder/cystitis and we were thinking about going to the vet, but I just wanted to know you're advise.

Thank you in advance

greets

I think you have the right idea. A bladder infection (cystitis) is the most likely thing and is common among female dogs of all ages. She needs to be on antibiotics. Make an appointment with your vet and if you can bring a fresh urine sample, that would be great. Fortunately, these usually respond to treatment very well.

Good luck and I hope your girl feels better soon!

[Wakamia]

Xana44

Wakamia

Hi hi mrgreen

We've got a 1.5 year old bouvier
She is completly neat (? - she doesn't do her needs in home) but lately (2-3 weeks ago) she started to piss in home, in the beginning we thought it was because she was excited that she would go outside, if we were playing with her or if someone came to visit us, but that does not seem to be the problem.
Her piss smells very awful and it is only getting worse (the smell and her not-holding-up-problem).
We are thinking about inflammation of the bladder/cystitis and we were thinking about going to the vet, but I just wanted to know you're advise.

Thank you in advance

greets

I think you have the right idea. A bladder infection (cystitis) is the most likely thing and is common among female dogs of all ages. She needs to be on antibiotics. Make an appointment with your vet and if you can bring a fresh urine sample, that would be great. Fortunately, these usually respond to treatment very well.

Good luck and I hope your girl feels better soon!

Thank you! mrgreen
Though, I guess you will see me hanging around this place. We've got 4 dogs (ages : 11, 9, 2 and 1.5), 2 cats, 2 aquariums and I've got some snails (just waiting for the eggs to hatch and then I will let them free I think, got them from school) 3nodding

[Sweetpea The Tigress]

Hi Xana, mrgreen
Hi EnviouSPoppeT mrgreen

There are these cats that live out behind my building. I can hear them fighting at night, and my cats watch them from the window- I was wondering- What do you think about these catch and release programs? Is it a good idea, or does it hurt the cats? I am wondering because the ASPCA sometimes works with people to do that, but I don't know if its a good idea.

I mean, might my cats catch something from me handling other cats, or is it mean to the outside cats?