It’s an itchy time of year

Is your cat grooming half of her hair off, or is your dog licking his paws raw? It may well be that your pet is experiencing allergies, one of the most common health problems for pets. Forty percent of dogs and cats are estimated to have allergies. Just like people, animals have allergic reactions because their immune system — the system that protects the body from foreign and potentially infectious substances — overreacts to some material. Almost anything — pollen, dust, an ingredient in pet food, a household chemical, an insect bite — can set off an alarm in the immune system, causing it to pump out large amounts of white blood cells, hormones, and other material called histamines into the bloodstream.

The result for animals can be a range of different effects, including itchy, swollen skin (known as pruritis); difficulty breathing; or a disruption of the digestive tract, such as vomiting or diarrhea. These symptoms are the animal equivalent of a person’s sneezing, runny nose, and watery eyes.

Pets with these kinds of allergic symptoms can be pretty miserable creatures, and unfortunately they can’t be cured. Allergies are lifelong, chronic problems. The good news is that there’s a lot you can do to help your animal “children” feel better. The best way to start is to find out what your pet is allergic to so that you can keep the allergen out of his environment. Animal allergies generally fall under one of four main categories.

Contact Allergies

These are the least common type of allergy in animals. They happen when an animal’s skin comes in contact with the material to which he’s allergic — if he rubs his face against a wool blanket, for example, and he’s allergic to wool. The chemicals in flea collars can cause this problem as well. The skin at the point of contact will be irritated; it may itch, become thickened or discolored, have a strong odor, and/or lose hair due to constant biting or scratching.

Contact allergies are generally not a hard problem to solve; they’re usually confined to a specific area of an animal’s body.  The area of the pet that contacts the floor or carpet is typically affected. The allergen shouldn’t take too much work to discover. You can try removing different materials that your pet touches until you find the one that irritates his skin.

Food Allergies

Diet can be a complicated factor in pet allergies. Most animals are not born with allergies to food; their immune systems develop an allergic response over time to some part of their diet, often one of the animal proteins. A food allergy can present in many different ways, including the itching, digestive disorders or irritated anal glands.  They can be a real challenge to solve, however.  There is not a specific test for food allergies.

You can try to figure out what’s causing your pet’s allergic reaction by feeding him different diets, but the allergic effects of food can stay in the system for 8 weeks. You may have to keep your furry friend on a special hypoallergenic (non-allergy-causing) diet for 8 to 12 weeks to see how he reacts, and you may have to do it several times with several different diets before you find one that doesn’t cause an allergic reaction.

And while you’re feeding these test diets, you’ll have to make very sure that your pet doesn’t eat any treats, vitamins, leftovers, scraps or even plants around the house. He must eat the test diet exclusively for the entire 8 to 12 weeks to determine whether he has an allergic reaction to it.  A diet trial does not mean to switch from one grocery brand to another.  Special diets are available with proteins your pet has probably never had such as Ostrich and Rice, Rabbit and Rice, Venison and Rice and one of these is fed for 12 weeks.  If the allergy symptoms resolve, it does not mean that you pet must only eat the trial diet.  Improvement confirms that a food allergy is present and then you can add ingredients, one at a time, to see if the symptoms return.

Inhalant Allergies

Inhalant allergies are the kind we humans are most used to. Just like us, our pets get hay fever, meaning they can be allergic to the pollen and mold that fill the outside air during the spring and fall. They can also be allergic to the dust mites, mildew and mold that can be inside every home. These kinds of allergens usually produce severe itching in pets, which is usually concentrated in the ears, feet, groin and armpits, although it can be spread across the entire body. Dogs in particular may develop hairless, irritated “hot spots” from constantly chewing on and scratching the affected skin.

Most animals that are allergic to airborne particles are usually allergic to more than one. Often, they will only experience itching during the pollen-heavy seasons of the year, just like humans who have hay fever. If you find that your pet’s allergies seem to be seasonal, you may be able to limit his outdoor time during allergy season. Your pet may be reacting to an indoor allergen, however, or an allergen that doesn’t vary by season. In that case, there’s not much you can do to keep him away from whatever he’s allergic to, although an air filter might provide some relief.

Flea Allergies

This is an extremely common problem for pets and is possibly the most common allergy of all. Animals aren’t actually allergic to the fleas themselves but to proteins that fleas secrete in their saliva when they bite. Your pet doesn’t have to be a walking flea circus to suffer from an allergy, either. Affected animals can itch severely from a single bite for more than 5 days! So, if you suspect that your pet is allergic to fleas, you’re going to have to work very hard to keep the little pests away.

Frequent baths are a good idea, as are the prescription flea applications and pills. Consult your veterinarian when you choose a flea repellent for your pet, though; the wrong kind or too strong of a concentration could cause irritated skin, seizures and even death in extreme cases. You will also want to treat your pet’s environment, including any bedding or carpeting with which he comes in contact.

Other Options

What makes allergies hard to deal with is that, in many cases, you either won’t be able to determine exactly what is causing the reaction or you won’t be able to remove it from your pet’s environment. This is where your veterinarian comes into the picture. You and your veterinarian will probably have to work together to determine the best treatment, or combination of treatments, for your pet’s allergy. You may have to go through a series of trying a possible solution, waiting to see how your pet reacts to it, and moving on to another solution. Your veterinarian may suggest one or more of the following tests or treatments:

Testing — Your veterinarian has a few different tools to help determine the source of your pet’s allergy. Intradermal or “scratch” tests involve making small abrasions in an animal’s skin and inserting small amounts of materials to which the veterinarian suspects the pet might be allergic. If the animal is allergic to one of the materials, say dust mites or ragweed pollen, the immune system will react to it, and that particular scratch will become inflamed. There are also a number of blood tests that your veterinarian can use to analyze the amount of certain chemicals that the immune system releases into the bloodstream when it is exposed to different allergens. These tests can be used to tell whether your pet is having an allergic reaction or whether the problem is caused by something else, and sometimes they can determine the source of the allergy.

Steroids — These drugs work to suppress the immune system and make the allergic reaction less severe. Steroid treatment can help your pet even if you can’t determine what he’s allergic to or how he’s being exposed. Steroids can have several side effects, however, and they affect nearly every organ in the body. Steroid use can cause weight gain, increased thirst and urination, and increased aggression and other behavioral changes. Steroids are generally used if the allergy occurs for a short amount of time, because long-term use makes animals more prone to infection, as well as susceptible to diabetes and seizures.

Immunotherapy — This is one of the safest and most effective ways to treat allergies, but it also takes the longest amount of time to work. In immunotherapy, animals are given regular — often weekly — vaccinations that contain small amounts of the substance to which they are allergic. The same therapy is used for people who go in for allergy shots. It gradually desensitizes the immune system to the allergen, meaning that, as time goes by, the immune system is reprogrammed and doesn’t react to the allergen as strongly. Unfortunately, it takes some time for the immune system to re-adjust. It can sometimes take 6 to 12 months before animals show any improvement from the treatment.

Antihistamines — These drugs, much like the allergy medication that people take, work to block the chemicals, called histamines, that are released by the immune system. They are effective at reducing itching and inflammation, and they are relatively safe to use. Their major drawback is that they cause sedation and can make pets extremely drowsy and sluggish. Occasionally, they can change an animal’s energy level enough to affect his quality of life.

Symptomatic treatment — Even if none of the above treatments are effective, you can still give your pet a lot of relief by simply treating his symptoms as they come up. There are a number of soothing shampoos on the market that contain ingredients like oatmeal or Epsom salts. Your veterinarian may also be able to suggest ointments, ear treatments or sprays that can make your pet more comfortable. Be cautious about using home remedies or herbal treatments on your pet, however. Consult with your veterinarian before you try any new treatment, because you could damage your pet’s skin or aggravate the allergic reaction. Most of all, remember that, while you can give these symptomatic treatments often, they will only provide temporary relief. If your pet still seems uncomfortable despite the baths or other treatments, you can talk to your veterinarian about long-term treatment.

Whatever treatment decision you and your veterinarian come to, rest assured that the patience and determination it can take to treat allergies is well worth it. Although it may take some time and effort, you can help your itchy, grouchy pet feel comfortable again.

This article originally appeared on healthypet.com

Your pet’s doctor will examine the teeth at each visit/examination. We urge you to examine the mouth and teeth at least monthly because important things are happening in the mouth this first year. Look for chipped, broken, movable, discolored, extra teeth, missing teeth, unusual gum tissue and for foreign objects stuck between teeth.

The red number 1’s are retained baby teeth. In this picture, see how the permanent teeth, blue number 2’s have been pushed inward and when they fully erupt, they will poke into and damage the roof of the mouth. The green “x” is a baby incisor to be removed.

These numbers are true for most pets:

- 28 baby (deciduous) teeth erupt between 3 and 6 weeks of age.

- 42 permanent teeth arrive between 4 and 7 months by pushing the baby teeth out. (Between 4 and 7 months, you may see baby teeth fall out, or find them on the floor or see some bleeding gums where they have fallen out)

Teething: Teeth pushing through the gums are painful and the pain is reduced by chewing on objects. Rawhide chews and soft toys seldom cause damage. Do not allow real bones, hard plastic chews and cow hooves as they often fracture or break teeth.

Retained Deciduous Teeth:  Occasionally a permanent tooth will erupt beside a baby tooth, and the baby tooth can crowd the permanent tooth into the wrong position resulting in malocclusion or a bad bite.When a baby tooth (deciduous) tooth and the accompanying  adult or permanent tooth can both be seen, the baby tooth should be removed quickly.  You do not want the baby tooth to deflect the permanent tooth into an incorrect position.  Also, when two teeth occupy the space meant for one tooth, food accumulates between them and periodontal disease and discomfort occur. Removing baby teeth typically requires anesthesia so the the baby tooth can be removed completely.

A red #1 baby tooth is pushing the blue #2 permanent tooth forward.

The retained baby tooth has been extracted.

Be aware of the foods that could harm your pet.

No matter how much they beg, (and no matter how cute they look when they beg), there are some foods that should never be fed to pets. Below you will find a list of the top toxic “people foods” to avoid feeding your pet. These are not the only foods toxic to your pets. There are other foods that, if ingested in large quantities, will make your pet ill. The following list details the most common and the most toxic foods to avoid.

If you suspect your pet has eaten any of the following foods, please note the amount ingested and contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

Alcohol

Alcoholic beverages and food products containing alcohol can cause vomiting, diarrhea, decreased coordination, central nervous system depression, difficulty breathing, tremors, abnormal blood acidity, coma and even death.

Avocado

The leaves, fruit, seeds and bark of avocados contain persin, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs. Birds and rodents are especially sensitive to avocado poisoning, and can develop congestion, difficulty breathing and fluid accumulation around the heart. Sometimes ingestion of avocado may even be fatal.

Chocolate, Coffee, Caffeine

When eaten by pets, chocolate, coffee and products containing caffeine can cause vomiting and diarrhea, panting, excessive thirst and urination, hyperactivity, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures and even death. Dark chocolate is more dangerous than milk chocolate. Baking chocolate is the most dangerous.

Grapes & Raisins

Grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure. In pets who already have certain health problems, signs may be more dramatic.

Macadamia Nuts

Avoid feeding the entire nut and any cookie or candy which contain Macadamia nuts. These nuts have caused weakness, depression, vomiting, tremors and hyperthermia in dogs. Signs usually appear within 12 hours of ingestion and last approximately 12 to 48 hours.

Milk

Because pets do not possess significant amounts of lactase, the enzyme that breaks down lactose in milk, milk and other milk-based products cause them diarrhea or other digestive upset.

Moldy or Spoiled Food

Never feed your pet moldy or spoiled food. Make sure that the lids on your garbage cans are tightly closed at all times.

Onions, Garlic, Chives

These vegetables and herbs can cause gastrointestinal irritation and could lead to red blood cell damage. Although cats are more susceptible, dogs are also at risk if a large amount is consumed.

Raw/Undercooked Meat, Eggs and Bones

Raw meat and raw eggs can contain bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli that can be harmful to pets. In addition, raw eggs contain an enzyme called avidin that decreases the absorption of biotin, which can lead to skin and coat problems. Feeding your pet raw bones can result in choking, or sustaining a grave injury should the bone splinter and become lodged in, or puncture, your pet’s digestive tract.

Salt

Large amounts of salt can produce excessive thirst and urination, or even sodium ion poisoning in pets. Signs that your pet may have eaten too many salty foods include vomiting, diarrhea, depression, tremors, elevated body temperature, seizures and even death.

Xylitol

Xylitol is used as a sweetener in many products, including gum, candy, baked goods and toothpaste. It can cause insulin release in most species, which can lead to liver failure. Ingesting xylitol can result in vomiting, lethargy, loss of coordination and seizures. Elevated liver enzymes and liver failure can be seen within a few days.

Yeast Dough

Yeast dough can rise and cause gas to accumulate in your pet’s digestive system. This can be painful and can cause the stomach or intestines to rupture. Because the risk diminishes after the dough is cooked and the yeast has fully risen, pets can have small bits of bread as treats – but never moldy bread. However, these treats should not constitute more than 5 percent to 10 percent of your pet’s daily caloric intake.

For a more comprehensive list of pet toxins, please visit: http://www.healthypet.com/PetCare/PetCareArticle.aspx?art_key=655a2b98-fe3f-4162-b9e4-af262ec76c7c

Information in this article was taken from the ASPCA website and the WebMD website.

Imagine you are a dog or cat: It is a slightly cloudy but warm day, you are covered in fur, your body is not made to perspire well, you especially overheat in high humidity and you tend to be active and excited in the car.

Then a loved one leaves you alone in the car stating, “I’ll be right back!” Minutes pass and the car begins to get hot. You pant harder and harder, but all the air you are taking in is hot. Your body temperature starts to rise. You begin to panic…

Panting cats are overheated.

The main methods of counteracting overheating that the dog and cat body can utilize are panting (but the air being taken in must be cool), drinking cold water, immersion in cool water or being wet down with cool water to allow evaporation, and being in circulating air that is cool. Pets, due to their poor ability to cool themselves, are in danger of overheating if left in a car even for a few minutes. Death or permanent organ dysfunction from overheating can occur in a matter of minutes! Please note that even if you leave the air-conditioner in your car running, computers in many cars today will shut the system off or cause it to blow hot air fairly quickly.

PETS IN THE MOST DANGER ARE THOSE:

• left alone in a car (minutes can mean heatstroke)
• isolated in one area of a car that is not as cool as the “people” area
• trying to keep up with an owner who is jogging or hiking
• who are overweight (40% of American pets are obese)
• who have a short-face such as Boston Terriers, Pugs, Pekingese, etc.
• who are older or very young (less physical ability to cope)
• who have thick coats
• who are excited or ones that just exercised or overexerted
• with any disease

SYMPTOMS or SIGNS:

• frantic panting in a dog and any panting in a cat
• dilated eyes
• weakness, staggering, non-responsive, vomiting &/or diarrhea
• red gums
• body temperature above 103 degrees may mean your pet is overheating

TREATMENT:

If you suspect that your pet is overheated, and he or she is losing consciousness, you must act quickly. Begin to gently cool your pet even without confirming a high body temperature:

• wet the pet down or use a tub of cool (not cold) water
• provide cool drinking water if the pet is able to drink
• stop aggressive cooling of the pet when rectal temperature drops to 103 to 104 degrees F.
• have pet examined by a veterinarian ASAP

HEATSTROKE PREVENTION:

This cat has found a unique way to cool down!

• NEVER leave any pet unattended in a car or isolate them to a warmer area of your car while you are driving
• with any summer activity, remember pets overheat easily and don’t know when to stop or pace themselves
• an inexpensive thermometer in your pet’s first aid box is valuable
• keep fresh cool water available at all times

At Animal Hospital of North Asheville, we see heartbreaking cases of heatstroke that could have been prevented had the pet’s family just realized how easy heatstroke can occur in dogs and cats. Our own Drs. Dave and Betsy Thompson experienced a terrifying heatstroke in their dog, Ding, while she was riding in their van with them on a spring day. Ding had chosen (she was not restrained) to ride towards the back of their 1975 panel van which did not have a rear air conditioner, when she suddenly got up, came forward to them, and collapsed as she lost consciousness. Due to immediate treatment, thank goodness, Ding survived, but the incident brings home just how vulnerable our pets are. Please be very careful with your pet this summer!  Always remember that they have less ability to cool themselves than you do.

Feline Vomiting and Diarrhea – IBD

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

Comments from specialists:

• We do not believe it is ‘normal’ for cats to vomit hairballs, but feel it is symptomatic of gastrointestinal disease, especially IBD and its various presentations.
• Cats are built to eat a lot of hair from self-grooming, grooming other cat friends and eating small, furry rodents.
• I might accept vomiting one or two hair balls a year as possibly normal. However, it is more likely the cat is vomiting for some other reason and the owners only see the hair as the problem.
• I don’t rely on laxative-type products in vomiting cats since vomiting is not a “grease” deficiency, just as grease is not a treatment for vomiting people.  I don’t believe that nature created a vomiting species.  Vomiting hair is frequently the result of a motility disorder due to inflammation of the intestines = IBD.

Vomiting and Diarrhea can be acute or chronic. Acute cases have a greater probability of being less serious but some acute causes such as foreign body obstruction and exposure to a toxin can require immediate attention for a good outcome. Chronic disease can be slowly progressing or intermittent or may take weeks or even years before owners are certain that there is a problem.

Owners and veterinarians always hope that vomiting or diarrhea “is nothing”. For example, in cats, vomiting is sometimes dismissed with the comment, “I thought it was just hairballs.” The following list shows how varied and complex the causes can be. Some possible broad categories of causes of vomiting and diarrhea include: viral, bacterial, fungal, protozoal, parasites, obstruction, inflammatory, immune mediated, metabolic, hormonal, systemic disease, cancer, anatomic abnormalities, drug-induced, toxins and an array of adverse reactions to food.

Diagnosing a cause of vomiting or diarrhea requires a series of questions (a good history) and a good physical with abdominal palpation. Treatment can range from supervised observation, to a trial of symptomatic medication, to a diet trial, to tests, which might include, fecal parasites, blood, X-ray, barium, endoscopy with stomach/intestine biopsy and/or ultrasound. Tests are only recommended when warranted because simple approaches have failed.

The purpose of this discussion is to broaden our thoughts beyond “hairball” whenever our cat vomits, even if the vomit is hair.  An examination and a good history with your veterinarian will allow a better understanding of possible causes and a diagnostic and/or treatment plan can be developed.