John C. Gicking, DVM, DACVECC

Biography

Dr. John Gicking is a graduate of the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. He subsequently completed a small animal rotating surgery and medicine internship. After working in general practice, Dr. Gicking went on to complete a residency in emergency and critical care and became board certified in that specialty. Dr. Gicking has special interests in envenomations, transfusion medicine, acute kidney injury, and respiratory medicine. In his spare time, Dr Gicking enjoys outdoor activities including camping, backpacking, and SCUBA diving.

Questions Answered by John C. Gicking, DVM, DACVECC

Do cats need Heartworm prevention? I just realized I never discussed this with my vet. Also, do I use the same nail trimmers for my cat as I do for my dogs? I’ve noticed cats nails are flat compared to dogs round nails but the clippers look the same.

Thank you for using PetCoach! Cats should be on heart worm preventative. This maybe a seasonal recommendation depending on where you live. Also, the nail trimmers used with your dog can generally be used on your cat as well. Just be careful that the blades are sharp and fit the nail well. Always be aware of the quick of the nail and have something to help stop bleeding in case you hit the 'quick.'

On 12 may 2018 he was diagnosed with b.ginsoni positive and he has gone with the treatment for month till 12 June 2018 then in 19 June 2018 we had his CBC where his platelets come 202000 and yesterday on 24 July we again went for blood work where his platelets come 140000 and in blood smear it came again b.gibsoni positive & he is active eating and playing well that is why I asked when this b.gibsoni will going to come as negative in blood smear after the treatment has done

Thank you for using PetCoach! Itis good that Bruno is feeling better. Babesia gibsoni can be very hard to completely clear and is an infection that can remain in hiding/dormant with no outward clinical signs. Therapy with variety of different medications has been tried with varying success. Months (2-3) of therapy is often needed. It is important that control of the vector (ticks) be a priority in preventing reinfection if the current infection is cleared.

My dog passed away a year ago but I'm not sure why? He was fine until one day he threw up then after that he stopped eating and started to have diarrhea and started vomiting. Then we started to force feed and drink him. We took him to our vet they didn't know what was wrong with him they took x rays and saw a lump they took him to surgery but his stomach was just turned in a weird way so they pined it up,but then he just got worse that's when we put him down. He also lost a lot of weight.

Thank you for using PetCoach. I am sorry your dog passed away, it is always hard to go through that. From your description, it sounds as though your dog had a gastric dilitation volvulus (GDV) or 'bloat.' This is where the stomach flips upon itself. it is a life threatening condition that requires surgery in attempt to fix. Sometimes, the signs that occur when this first happens can be subtle and it goes unnoticed for some time before being treated. When the 'flip' happens, it causes a large amount of inflammation that the body must contend with and unfortunately, a good outcome doesn't always happen. It sounds like you did everything you could for your pet. Of course, it is hard to know tell what happened for sure based on your description. Since you are asking this question a year later, you may still be grieving. It may be of benefit to speak to the veterinarian who took care of Patch to discuss what happened. There are also counselors who work with grief over pet loss in your area that also may be of benefit to you.

What the best dry dog for food match my dog

Thank you for using PetCoach! In the United States, Pet foods are regulated by a nongovernmental organization called AAFCO. They set standards for what makes a complete pet food. Due to these high standards, most pet foods for sale are adequate to provide complete nutrition for pet dogs. What you want is a food that has an AAFCO statement on the package that the food has been used in FEEDING TRIALS. You will find some food that have a statement that they are FORMULATED to meet requirements. Your family veterinarian may have specific preferences for food types. In general, food made by Hills, Purina, Eukanuba, and Royal Canin will have excellent nutrient profiles for your pet. If your dog has specific medical requirements, your family veterinarian can make recommendations for a prescription food.

Buddy has always been in good health and inside dog I noticed his belly is swollen and he can't see very good. Please help. Thank you

Thank you for using PetCoach! Abdominal distension could be due to fluid accumulation in the abdomen, organ enlargement, weakening of the abdominal muscles, or other problems not listed here. You should take him to a veterinarian for an examination. They may recommend testing to determine the cause.