Q:I'm thinking about taking my dog on vacation, but I'm really not sure how Ranger will do away from home. What should I consider before deciding to take a pet traveling? A: When preparing to travel, consider your petsÕ personality. Nervous, shy or unmanageable pets do not make good traveling companions. Also, young puppies or very old or ill pets probably should not go on the road. Healthy, outgoing and well-trained pets are usually best suited for travel.

Q: I've got a new dog and I've heard conflicting information on how often I should bathe him. What do you recommend? A: Bathe your pet whenever his coat is dirty, oily or smells bad. Use a rubber mat in the bottom of the tub or sink to provide secure footing. Place cotton in the ears to keep the ear canal dry and begin shampooing at the head, using care to avoid the eyes. By beginning at the head and working to the rest of the body, fleas are less likely to hide in and around the eyes and ears. With gentle care and massage, most pets will actually enjoy bathtime.

Q: My dog, Mr. J, continually gets worms in his droppings that look like grains of rice. I take him to the vet and while that helps for a while, the worms are back a few weeks later. Why isn't the worm medicine working? A: It sounds like Mr. J has tapeworms. These worms are acquired when dogs or cats eat a flea carrying the larval stage of the parasite. The medicine your vet prescribes probably successfully eliminates the worms, but if Mr. J eats more fleas, the problem starts all over again. Ask your vet how to eliminate the fleas and stop the cycle.