Ditch the itch with these allergy tips
By Pet Connection Staff
July 7, 2010
Did you know that along with the heat, your pet may be suffering from allergies in the summer? From Dr. Becker and — in his print debut! — David S. Greene in this week’s Pet Connection newspaper feature:
Allergies typically show up within the first three years of a pet’s life, worsen with age and can’t be cured, only controlled. Knowing what causes allergies is an important first step toward treating them, and that means getting your veterinarian’s help. Flea bites are a top cause of these allergies, but food and environmental issues are a problem for many dogs. Dust, pollen and spores in the home and yard gather in the pet’s fur, and the allergens then trigger reactions.
Your veterinarian will have suggestions specific to your dog, your region and your season, but in general, you can help your pet a great deal with an allergy-prevention regimen in the home. Dedicated parasite control is the first step, and that will mean veterinary-recommended flea-control products along with frequent vacuuming of pet areas and washing of pet bedding.
Dr. Marty Becker and Mikkel Becker Shannon give us a heads up on pet blood banks:
Blood banks for pets have grown in popularity in recent years. Veterinarians used to draw blood from pets of their own or of staff, or keep animals as pampered hospital pets for this reason. While practice pets — especially cats — remain popular and are no less pampered, the growth of blood banks means they’re not as often made to donate for their keep. As with human blood banks, volunteers are essential to these livesaving efforts. Owners bring their health-screened pets in to donate in exchange for credit toward future care. Ask your veterinarian if your pet is suited to donating to save the lives of others.
Want more? Read the entire Pet Connection for this week.
My dog Ukiah is a blood donor at the UC Davis Medical Center. He is large (over 70 pounds) and a universal donor, so it has worked out well. Though this may seem odd, I decided to do this partly because he is rather shy (he was an undersocialized rescue). It was a new experience for him with dog savvy people. (I’ve also had a dog that got transfusions from UCD, so that was also a reason.) He is turning 8, so his blood donor career is just about over—but it has been a positive experience for him (with lots of cookies thrown in!).
Comment by Arlene — July 7, 2010 @ 2:43 pm
What kind of hints are there that your dog may be suffering? Will he sneeze? Or will he just generally be down in the dumps?
Comment by TalkPaws — July 7, 2010 @ 3:08 pm
Dog allergies are typically expresses as itching, and even by G-I issues, including diarrhea. Chewing at feet, rubbing faces, digging holes in the skin — these all need to be checked out by your veterinarian. They’re often allergies. Dogs don’t sneeze/wheeze as we do … their skin drives them crazy.
If your pet is constantly itchy/scratchy, s/he needs to see the vet.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — July 7, 2010 @ 3:17 pm
My oldest Flat-coat has a cow allergy. Can’t have beef or milk products. How did I find this out? He was licking his bung hole to the point it bled. Vet said it was what dogs with beef allergies do. Whodathunk???
Comment by Jill — July 7, 2010 @ 3:51 pm
My breed of cat, Abyssinian, tends to have the less common cat blood type. I’ve taken an additional cat in on more than one occasion to be a donor if needed. Fortunately it was never necessary, but the vets were glad to have a related donor cat at the ready.
Comment by Moira — July 8, 2010 @ 1:52 pm
Our GSD gets an ear infection if the allergies get bad with her. The ear goop pops up suddenly.
Comment by Shirley — July 14, 2010 @ 9:49 am