Upon examination my pointer did not have a fever and seemed to be fine. My vet said he has not seen anything like it, but he gave me antibiotics and steroids to administer to my pointer for a few days. If at the end of that time the swelling does not go down he intends to do a needle biopsy or a regular biopsy.

I have valued your opinions and I would like your opinion as to what it could be. One other fact is that my pointer is so frantic during thunderstorms that she forced her way out of her crate twice last month through the bottom of the door without opening it--squeezing through a 12-inch space to do so. We have changed crates but I thought perhaps she might have herniated a leg muscle.

I'm hoping it is not a mammary tumor as I have lost one bird dog to cancer. I also thought it might be a lipoma but have never seen a lipoma on the inner thigh.

I would appreciate any thoughts you might have. Thank you for your help.

(Answer) A biopsy is a good place to start in an attempt to diagnose this problem. From your description I wonder if your vet will be able to localize an area that will give a representative tissue sample.

Certainly a radiograph would also be in order and would show if there was bone involvement. Sometimes muscles can be traumatized enough to cause them to have abnormal shapes when they heal. The muscle tendons can pull loose from their attachments and also the fascia that gives the muscle belly its form can be ruptured and the resulting bulge or davit gives a defective appearance to the body contour.

I think you are wise to try to diagnose the problem but if it is a torn muscle there is probably not much you are going to be able to do for it.

(Question) I asked a friend what heartworm preventative medication he uses to protect his English setter. The reason for the question was that I knew he used a unique product and I was entering retirement and would consider a change if it was cost efficient to do so. This was his reply:

"I use Ivomec Injection. But I don't use a needle. I fill up a syringe to a .5, take the needle off and spray it into the dog's mouth. Works very well. A bottle lasts about two years. For two dogs, the cost is approximately $40. It's good stuff. My vet uses the same thing."

I know another English setter man who uses the same product. I use Flavor Tabs by Novartis. They have worked without fail. Can I make the switch and safely use the product my friend recommends? A discussion of the various products and Ivomec would be enlightening.

(Answer) If you can treat two dogs for two years for $40 then you have saved a fair amount of money. I don't know what veterinarians in your area get for Heartgard Plus, for example, but I'm sure it is more than $40.

You should compare the dose of Ivomec you would be giving each dog with the dosage in your current medication. I think you will find that you are grossly overdosing your dogs. Again, for example, in Heartgard Plus the dose is 136 mcg per month for a dog 25 to 50 pounds, and 272 mcg per month for a dog 50 to 100 pounds.

More importantly, you have no idea how effective Ivomec--a hog or horse product--is when given orally to dogs. Obviously I'm on a "support your local veterinarian" kick.