Novartis Sentinel Flavor Tabs for Heartworm & Flea Prevention for Dogs Review

Providing the best possible care to family dog(s) is the common goal for you and your veterinarian. The main goal is to keep your dog healthy and active so they can enjoy many years of fun, love, and adventure. The prevention and treatment of heartworm disease is a very high priority when it comes to a dog’s health and that is why Novartis created Sentinel Flavor Tabs for Heartworm & Flea Prevention.

Sentinel Flavor Tabs are once-a-month tablets that can prevent and treat heartworm disease and flea populations in dogs and puppies. Indicated use suggests use in puppies that are four weeks of age or older, and two pounds of body weight or greater. Sentinel Flavor Tabs are orally administered and extremely palatable to dogs, which makes treating them that much easier. Dogs love the taste so much, they will think you are giving them a treat! Before giving Sentinel to you dog, please talk to your veterinarian.



Sentinel Flavor Tabs for Dogs indicated uses are:

• Prevention of heartworm disease caused by Dirofilaria Immitis
• Prevention and control of flea populations
• Control of adult hookworm Ancylostoma caninum
• Removal and control of adult roundworm Toxocara canis and Toxascaris leonine
• Removal and control of whipworm Trichuris vulpis

Sentinel Flavor Tabs work to immediately break the flea life cycle by inhibiting egg development. To ensure adequate absorption, it is recommended that tabs are administered to dogs immediately after or in conjunction with a meal.  It is also recommended that the tablets be administered monthly, preferably on the same date each month, as a preventative health measure.

Novartis Sentinel Flavor Tabs are available in four tablet sizes with varying dosage formulated according to weight:

• 2 to 10 lbs… 2.3 mg
• 11 to 25 lbs… 5.75 mg
• 26 to 50 lbs… 11.5 mg
• 51 to 100 lbs… 23.0 mg

Each tablet size arrives in color-coded packages of either six or tablets each, which are packaged 10 par display carton.  You can purchase the full line of Novartis Sentinel Flavor Tabs at www.medi-vet.com and save money compared to other online stores. Medi-Vet offers name brand pet products to pet owners, veterinarians, and pharmacies at discount prices.  Be sure to check out Medi-Vet’s wide selection of dog supplies including supplements, toys, grooming tools and more.

6 Top Questions about Dog Pregnancy

Do you think your dog is pregnant or have questions on how to take care of your pregnant dog? Then you have come to the right place. We have compiled a list of top questions we get asked and the answers or solutions for them. These answers are just to help you get started and alleviate some of your immediate concerns; it does not replace talking to your veterinarian.

1. How can I tell if my dog is pregnant?

Canine pregnancy lasts an average of 62 days, and the first signs start showing about 15 days after conception, when the mama dog’s nipples get larger and darker and the fur surrounding them will start to thin out. After about three weeks, your dog may lose her appetite as doggy morning sickness sets in. If your pooch is pregnant, you should be able to hear heartbeats with a stethoscope just one month after conception and feel the walnut sized puppies in their tummy. If you are trying to find out if your dog is capable of getting pregnant, a Witness LH Test kit can tell you when she is ovulating.

2. What should I feed my pregnant dog?

It’s okay to feed your dog as normal for the first month of her pregnancy, but after that you should increase the amount by 25% every week. You should also switch her to puppy food instead of dog food at that time to give the growing puppies the nutrition they need. You may find it necessary to start feeding her several small meals throughout the day, since loss of appetite is common.

3. How much exercise should I give my pregnant dog?

When it comes to getting mama dog some exercise, more is better. Being more physically fit will make giving birth easier for her, and although she will get tired more easily as her pregnancy progresses, it’s still ideal for her to have several short walks a day to stay strong.

4. When will my puppies open their eyes?

About two - three weeks after they’re born, your puppies should start to open their eyes. If you are planning to sell your puppies, eight weeks is the ideal time for them to leave the nest. Recommend their new owners invest in a Snuggle Puppy with a warm and comforting heat pack, specially designed to reduce stress and help the pups adjust to their new homes.

5. If the mama can’t provide enough milk to feed the puppies, what should I do?

Sometimes the mama dog can’t provide enough milk for her puppies. Her milk provides important antibodies and nutrients to keep the pups healthy, and you want them to get as much as possible, but sometimes supplemental feeding is necessary. Vet Solutions Pro-Biolac Milk Replacement for puppies is a nutritionally complete supplement that can be added to your adult dog’s food, mixed with water to provide a supplemental food source to your puppies, and also contains colostrum for a food source that can replace mother’s milk in a pinch.

6. How can I tell if one of my puppies is sick?

Keep a close eye on your puppies; one of the best indicators of whether a puppy is sick is if it starts behaving differently from the rest. A sick puppy may go limp, and its tongue will be cool to the touch. If the mother refuses to feed or interact with her puppy, it may be time for a trip to the vet. If this happens, you may need to take over the feeding and care of your puppy with a Petag Nursing Kit and a milk replacement kit for puppies.

5 Christmas Gifts for Your Dogs & Cats

The holiday season is just around the corner! Chances are that you have thought about buying gifts for pets and are window shopping online, looking for this year’s top gifts for pets. Make your gift extra special and brighten up your four-legged friend’s day with these unique presents that are meant just for them. Here at Medi-Vet, we have come up with some holiday gift ideas for pets that will truly show them how much they are loved. A word of advice, though: don't put your pet's presents under the tree before Christmas since they have a way of "nosing out" what's under the wrapping paper!

1. Kong Snugga Wubba Dog Toy: 

Dogs love to play tug-of-war and fetch but you don't like holding onto a slimy tennis ball or rope. The Kong Snuggaa Wubba is the perfect solution. Its bright colors and tail make it great fun for dogs to chase and shake. This dog toy by Kong comes in four different sizes (small, medium, large and extra-large) so, no matter what type of dog you have, there is a Kong Wubba perfect for him or her.

2. Busy Buddy Bouncy Bone: 

All dogs love to chew on bones but the mess and choking risk from real animal bones may make you reluctant to give them to your pet. The Busy Buddy Bouncy Dog Bone is what you have been looking for. It is a durable nylon and rubber bone that is attached to a rubber ball for endless chewing pleasure. Even better, you can add treats to the toy for a tasty surprise! The Busy Buddy Bouncer Bone comes in four different sizes from small (for puppies and miniature dogs) to large (shepherds, retrievers and other dogs over 60 pounds).

3. Kong Extreme Dog Toy: 

Kong chew toys are famous for their fun and durability. The Kong Extreme Dog Toy is made of puncture-resistant rubber that will help clean your dog's teeth and massage its gums. As an added feature, the Kong Extreme Dog Toy is hollow, allowing you to stuff it with treat pastes (or even peanut butter!) for your dog's chewing pleasure. It come in a variety of sizes, so there is one for your furry friend, no matter what their breed. Whether you have a three pound Chihuahua, or a 200-pound Great Dane, there is a Kong Extreme Dog Toy perfect for them.

4. Feline Greenies Smartbites Treats: 

What cat doesn't like treats? Feline Greenies are treats that are essentially health supplements for your cat. Not only are they delicious, but they provide important nutrients like fish oils and natural fibers. Because Feline Greenies Smartbites for Cats are so good, they recommend that you provide up to 40 treats a day (depending on weight). It is available in 3 different flavors such as salmon, chicken, tuna and can help with hairball control, digestion and healthy skin and fur.

5. Kong Wubba Cat Mouse Toy: 

Cats are natural hunters. Indulge their desire to stalk and hunt with the Kong Wubba Cat Mouse Toy. This toy is designed to resemble a mouse and is infused with catnip to intrigue your kitty. The tail makes a distinctive crackling noise when touched for added fun.

Hopefully this article has been helpful in giving you some great ideas for picking the best Christmas gifts for pets. Don't forget to include them in your holiday shopping this season!

Butler NutriSentials Lean Treats For Dogs Review

You love your dog and you want them to be healthy, right? Are you looking for a treat you can give them that they will love but won’t cause them to gain weight? Butler NutriSentials Lean Treats for Dogs is the perfect choice for your four-legged furry friend.

Keeping your dog healthy and happy has never been easier with this dog treat because it is

• Made with real chicken that has the skin removed to be even healthier
• Comes in bite-size pieces for easier portion control
• Low fat content - only 7 calories per treat

Butler NutriSentials Lean dog treats are not just for showing your best friend how much you love them but are also an excellent way to give medication and treat them with a delicious reward during training. The treat can easily be digested by the dogs and are priced reasonably for regular consumption.

Butler NutriSentials Lean Treats For Dogs are made up of:

• Crude Protein - 23%
• Crude Fat - not less than 4%, not more than 7%
• Crude Fiber - 2%
• Moisture - 32% 

The Butler Lean Treats come in a convenient, resealable zipper pouch to lock in flavor and insure freshness. Each packet weighs 4 oz and are economically priced, which is a good thing because your dog will try them once and go absolutely crazy for it and will be begging for more. When choosing treats for your dog, you want only the best- best in taste and for their health. Butler NutriSentials Dog Treats will not disappoint but don’t take our word for it, let your dog do all the talking (tail wagging).

Monoject 412 Curved Tip Syringe 12cc Review

One of the most popular curved tip syringes used for medication and dosing purposes is the Monoject Curved Tip Syringe. It is a disposable syringe made from reusable plastic with a rubber base designed specifically for pressure irrigation and flushing of wounds, abscesses and anal glands. The syringe can also be works great for periodontal procedures and packing surgical dressing. In addition to medical industry, this syringe is frequently used by people who work in arts and crafts to small amount of liquid to something being produced. Home care patients find it helpful to apply medicine to their wounds or to clear out tonsils. If you are a pet owner or veterinarian or animal shelter, you can use it give medicines to pets easily by getting the curved tip into the corner of the animal’s mouth and squirting the medicine. 

The features of Monoject Curved Tip Syringe includes:

• Curved tip syringe
• 12 mL capacity
• Latex-free
• Ungraduated syringe barrel
• Reusable plastic finger grip extender
• Non-Sterile
• Single use syringe

This syringe is manufactured by Covidien. You can buy both single Monoject 412 syringe and a box of 50 Monoject syringes on Medi-Vet. If you order total is more $79, you get free shipping from Medi-Vet.

Purina’s FortiFlora Nutritional Supplement for Dogs Review

Is your dog suffering from diarrhea due to antibiotic therapy, change in diet or general stress? Would you like to improve their overall general intestinal health? Then FortiFlora Canine Probiotic Nutritional Supplement by Purina is the perfect choice for them. It is a nutritional supplement that helps support intestinal health and promotes healthy immune system. It has a special probiotic Enterococcus Faeceium SF 68, high levels of antioxidants, vitamins A, C, E and live active cultures and can be used safely for dogs.

For a new puppy that is getting its immunization shots, an adult dog trying to adjust to its environment or an older dog that is facing a weaker immune system, FortiFlora is the right probiotic addition to your dog’s diet.  It not only promotes their digestive health but also is delicious to eat. We recommend talking to your veterinarian to see if FortiFlora is right for your dog and to figure out a feeding plan with their guidance.

The nutrition and calorie content is listed below: 

• Crude Protein (Min)  -  43.0%
• Crude Fat (Min)     12.0%
• Crude Fiber (Max)     1.0%
• Moisture (Max)     5.0%
• Microorganisms (Min) (Enterococcus faecium)     1 X 108 CFU/g

Here is the list of ingredients in Purina FortiFlora Probiotic Supplements for dogs:
Animal digest, Enterococcus faecium, L-ascorbyl-2- polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), brewers dried yeast, Vitamin E supplement, zinc proteinate, beta-Carotene, salt, manganese proteinate, ferrous sulfate, copper proteinate, calcium iodate, and sodium selenite D-4582.

One box of Purina FortiFlora contains 30 one gram satches. On the Medi-Vet website, you can also buy in 3 packs at a time. In addition, we also have Purina FortiFlora for Cats on sale.

I just got a puppy! What do I do now?

Make no mistake about it but bringing a new puppy into the household is like adopting a new family member. Parenting a puppy is no easy task and requires a lot of work and observation but the rewards are plentiful since these adorable creatures give back tenfold in affection and loyalty. A sound training, exercise and health regiment will set the foundation for the years ahead.

The Importance of the Vet and Primary Health Care

When getting a new puppy, you should contact a veterinarian to schedule a visit within the first two or three days. The puppy's health is of prime importance at this early stage since it could have come from a kennel and have been exposed to parasites and diseases. A vet will administer a general exam and look for any potential health issues. This is also the time to schedule dog vaccinations to protect their immune system. They may prescribe external parasite soaps and lotions or medication in the form of pills for internal worms. To easily administer the pills, owners can use Hide-A-Pill for Dogs to make their puppies take them without any issues. Another important issue to be considered is whether to spay or neuter the puppy.

The Puppy's Environment

Puppies should be provided with a comfortable bed or mat to sleep on; using a crate is recommended especially if the puppy is going to be home alone. In the event that you want the puppy to remain outdoors, a suitable shelter (like a dog house) with comfortable pillows and blanketing materials should be provided. A food bowl and clean water dish should also be close by and the pups should never be left in extreme heat. You should keep an eye out for any potential threat to puppy’s health including exposed wires or breakable objects. Puppies should be watched for habitual chewing and a firm ‘No’ is suggested when a puppy is caught in action.

Puppy Food & Treats

A veterinarian is the best source for recommending the perfect puppy food because they’ll consider the age, weight and breed to determine the proper ingredients. Remember to choose based on its vitamin and mineral content as well as how much the puppy enjoys eating it. Treats should be given in moderation and as a part of training to show them praise and encouragement.

Potty Training

Housebreaking a puppy requires diligence, patience and planning. Puppies cannot control bowel movements or urinating. You may want to place several layers of newspaper in proximity to the puppy's sleeping spot and hope to direct them there if spotted starting to go potty. However, the best course is to anticipate their needs and take the puppy outdoors. The word “Potty” should be spoken at the time of the deed. Positive reinforcement is very important and housebreaking aids can also help.

Obedience and Social Behaviorism

Puppies should be taught to obey basic commands such as sit, down, and stay from the very beginning to ensure their safety and keep them under control. Spoken commands require repetition with a firm voice but nothing harsher than that. Treats can be given as a reward, but sparingly. Puppies become socially aware of other people and animals and the owner must correct its behavior and temper the aggression before the dog is allowed to approach other people or other dogs. Using dog behavior aids for bark control and anxiety relief can be helpful if you are unable to discourage them just by commands.

Just like you, the puppy is getting used to the new environment and people. They need constant attention and care so that you can gain their trust. Be patient and you know you have a found a life-long friend in them. And remember that it always starts with love.

For any new puppy products or dog supplies, your friendly veterinarians at Medi-Vet are here to help.  From vaccinations and shampoos to ear cleaners and flea medicine, we have your pooch covered!