One of the most common reasons for a trip to the Vet is allergies. During a typical day in Spring, allergies may account for 80% of office visits.
Allergies usually start on or at three years of age, but may not become significant until the animal is older. For a comparison, people with allergies may show signs of hay fever and they may decrease with age. Allergies in animals usually exist as skin problems and can worsen with age.
The initial signs of allergies may be very subtle to include dry skin, mild licking or chewing and even an occasional ear infection. As they progress, they may lead to constant ear problems, hair loss, skin infection and even self mutilation.
Atopy, inhalant allergic dermatitis, is the most common form of allergy in pets. Atopy can not be cured, but if treated early we may be able to manage if effectively. Upon examination, some diagnostics may be needed to rule out other causes of the skin condition. Once the diagnosis of allergies is made, there are three basic treatment options.
The best treatment is to avoid exposure to the underlying allergen. This can only be accomplished if the pet is allergic to his food or fleas. Therefore, flea control is essential in any allergic animal. The second form of management involves the usage of medications. Essential fatty acid supplements may help manage the allergic patient if used in conjunction with other medications. Antihistamines, which are very effective in people, have limited success in animals. This is due to the fact that histamine is NOT the main allergic mediator in animals, but some pets may get an acceptable level of relief with antihistamines. Because each antihistamine will have varying success from patient to patient, many times a trial of different antihistamines will be used. Corticosteroids is the most effective medication for the relief of allergies, but they may carry significant side-effects. They will cause an increase in appetite, water consumption and urination. Long term usage may cause severe effects in the pet. Because of this, the side-effects of corticosteroids should always be discussed with the Veterinarian before the decision to treat on a long-term basis. If used properly, the advantages of steroids should outweigh the potential side-effects.
The third and most appropriate way to manage allergies is hypo-sensitization. This involves a blood test to determine your pet's allergies followed by a series of injections, usually given at home. These injections expose the animal to a limited and controlled amount of the inciting allergens in an attempt to control the signs of the allergy. Although this is not a cure, 60% of animals can be completely controlled with no skin problems. 20% have a significant decrease in their clinical signs. Unfortunately, the remaining 20% have no significant relief and must be managed by the aforementioned medications.
If your pet is starting to show signs of allergic dermatitis or has been suffering from them for years, schedule a consultation with Dr. Benschoter to discuss the treatment options for your pet. |
Heartworm is a parasite that occurs in animals due to exposure to an infected mosquito. Although classically associated with dogs, this is a disease of dogs and cats. The life cycle starts when an infected mosquito bites a pet and therefore transmits larvae into the pet. Over the course of months, these larvae mature into adult worms which live in the heart and lungs, thus increasing the risk of cardiovasular disease. Diagnosis is based on blood testing, and therapy for this disease can be costly and dangerous. Highly effective preventative medications exist, which if given year-round will keep potential exposure at bay.
At Mission Road Animal Clinic, we carry and recommend Sentinel for the prevention of Heartworm disease. Sentinel is a monthly oral medication to address not only heartworms, but the intestinal parasites hookworms, roundworms and whipworms as well as fleas. Given at home, Sentinel is a tasty flavor tablet that dogs love to eat!
Sentinel is a prescription product, so a current doctor-patient relationship is necessary in order to dispense it. If your dog has been off of preventative, a heartworm test may be crucial before re-starting Sentinel, and if your dog stays on year-round, we will only heartworm test intermittently. Please give us a call with any questions you may have regarding Heartworm disease and/or prevention. |
While plenty of cats are content staying indoors, many of our feline freiends enjoy spending time outside. In that case, there are some additional preventative measures that should be taken to ensure the health of your outdoor cat.
All outdoor cats should be vaccinated against Feline Leukemia, a viral disease spread through the contact with an infected cat. (Viral Diseases cannot be cured, only prevented by vaccination.)
We all know about heartworms when it comes to dogs, but did you know that heartworm disease could also affect cats? Heartworms are spread through mosquitoes, so outdoor cats are at risk. Ear mites are also a higher concen for outdoor cats, and easily passed from cat to cat. But most sandboxes and similar children's playthings are commonly mistaken for litter boxes by cats. This behavior in cats can pose a human health risk for small children.
Mission Road Animal Clinic now carries Feline Revolution, a monthly prescription topical application that provides protection against Fleas, Heartworms, Intestinal Parasites, and Ear Mites. Applied at home just like Frontline, you can rest knowing that your outdoor cat has the prevention necessary to stay happy and healthy.
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