Notes from Dr. T

Good morning!!

Hope your weekend was good, maybe got a little crazy?!? Hey!! Incase you haven't noticed, but have the "allergies" hit with a VENGEANCE OR WHAT!!!
What's even crazier man, is that the cases we have been seeing for the past 2 months, have been involving like, one ear in dogs and "bumps"(Miliary dermatitis) in cats. These ear cases come in all kinds of jacked up; ear swollen, red, painful, brownish-yellow crap coming out of it, some with hematomas, owners with bloodshot eyes from not getting sleep because the dog is scratching &/or doing that low mournful growl as the dog slowly digs in the affected ear, then smells and licks the the foot it used to scratch it with; time for "Morning kisses!" I'm good, but thanks; NOT!! It is OFFICIALLY, without a doubt, ALLERGY SEASON!!! !!! And the FRICK'N FLEAS have come out on a true mission as well!! (Be thinking Vectra or Bravecto baby!!)
Here it is. Allergies can be managed to a degree, but one HAS TO be PROACTIVE!! Get the flea preventative, don't wait until your dog or cat get secondary staph infections of the skin, get a call into your vet.....LETS GET SOME KIND OF RELIEF for your pet....AND YOU!! Guys, nothing works all the time, but with consistent management and ACTION, there can be improvement. One word of CAUTION though. Long term, consistent( every day & in many case every day of every month) use of Prednisone or Prednisolone is not a good thing. To get an animal "out of a flare" to prevent more trauma to the skin of these affected fur babies...SURE THING, but not for the long term unless being frequently monitored(liver & kidney enzymes). I truly wish there was one "Universal Cure" but as many of you know who battle allergies on a personal level, some remedies work better than others, & what may have worked in the past, doesn't work now..Different allergens out there!! GIVE US A CALL TODAY, and let's get you & your scratching, miserable fur baby in for some MUCH NEEDED and APPRECIATED RELIEF!!! Be a beast today!! Your support is so very greatly appreciated; we are grateful. OUT! Dr.T

Can My Cat have Allergies?

Allergies 

Allergies are never fun.  No one loves the coughing and sneezing and itchy eyes.  One question many pet owners have is if their cats or dogs can also suffer from these allergies.  

The Answer

YES!  Pets can suffer from allergies too just like us.  It is more common for dogs to suffer from allergies than for cats but it's not unheard of for cats to suffer from them as well.  

Common Allergies

• tree, grass, and weed pollens
• food ingredients (e.g. beef, chicken, pork, corn, wheat or soy)
• dust and house dust mites
• cigarette smoke
• prescription drugs
• fleas and flea-control products
• dander
• cleaning products
• insecticidal shampoo
• perfumes
• fabrics

Signs

• extensive itching
• red, irritated skin
• obsessive licking
• hair loss
• hot spots
• skin rash or hives

What to do

If possible remove the allergen.  This may be as simple as keeping your cat inside when the pollen count is high, or it could be more complicated because it's hard to determine exactly what it is that's bothering your pet.  If you cannot find out exactly what it is that's bothering your animal or the allergy seems to be causing a lot of discomfort a trip the vet is recommended.