Allergic skin in dogs and vaccination
This handsome boy is Hugo. Hugo is a patient of Laura’s who came to see us back in October 2020. His owner had noticed some redness and fur loss in his armpit and Hugo was licking and scratching a lot. He was initially given a steroid treatment. Steroid treatment can only to be used in the short term due to the side effects of the medicine. Once the treatment was stopped, Hugo’s symptoms flared back up.
An itchy skin is annoying and uncomfortable for anyone, including our pets. Constant scratching can also damage the protective layers of the skin making it more open to infection.
Hugo’s next option was a medication that stopped the itching. However, again when the medication was stopped, Hugo’s itchy symptoms returned.
A diet trial was recommended which looks to identify an allergy to food. We’ll post more information about food trials later in the month.
Hugo was already on a urinary diet. He was prone to kidney stones so choosing the right food was very important to protect his other organs as well as alleviating him from the discomfort of allergies. This meant that regular monitoring of his urine and blood was important so Laura knew how the food was affecting him overall. In the meantime, Hugo continued to take the anti-itch medication to control his symptoms until the food had time to take effect. It was also recommended to use a special foam to use on Hugo’s body to control the levels of bacteria on the skin.
Hugo was a prime candidate for a new allergy therapy. This is a medical treatment where very small amounts of the allergens a pet is allergic to, are injected just beneath the skin in increasing amounts. The goal is to change the immune system’s response so that it becomes less sensitive or not sensitive at all to those allergens. They should either decrease or disappear altogether and remove the need for other medication too. It is a licensed medicine that is prescribed by a vet. It is custom made, safe and can be used for long periods.
Here’s Hugo having his monthly injection and check up with Laura. Although Hugo isn’t a big fan of visiting the vet (we can’t win them all ?), his human says that the treatment has been a real help with the uncomfortable symptoms of his allergies.
If you think your pet might have an allergy, call the team today on 01772 639800 OR 01253 766352 or open a chat on PetsApp.
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How we diagnose allergic skin in pets
The skin protects an animal from infection so damaged skin leaves it vulnerable to infection. In many cases of allergic skin, the skin is damaged from the incessant scratching to try to alleviate the itch and any infection will require treatment. If the allergy isn’t identified and managed then the skin infections will continue as long as the pet is scratching trying to ease the itch. It’s a vicious cycle which is costly for the pet owner and not pleasant for the pet.
Finding the cause of the allergy is the obvious solution but the process is one of a process of elimination. It needs to be approached in a logical fashion and here’s how we can help.
If a vet suspects your pet may have an allergy we are now able to refer you to a specialist skin clinic run by Laura, one of our experienced vets. These skin clinics have been developed so that clients can access a more affordable, local service.
There is a tried and trusted method used by Laura to help diagnose an allergy. It’s a method that requires commitment and support of the owner. An owner is ALWAYS integral to any treatment process but more so in the case of skin allergies. The process is:
- Initial – A full history which means LOTS of questions being asked by the vet of the owner – we did say you were an important part of the process.
- Stage 1 – Rule out parasites – even if your pet doesn’t have visible fleas, treating the home regularly too is very important as it reduces the likelihood of exposure for your pet.
- Stage 2 – Skin scrapes – to check that the natural “balance” of the skin’s natural flora and fauna is as it should be and that there are no infections of the skin.
- Stage 3 – Hair plucks – this process is useful if there are already bald patches to check hair growth, whether the patches have been chewed or have fallen out.
- Stage 4 – Food allergy – usually as a result of an overreaction to a protein source in food. We will be looking at this particular allergy in more detail later in the month.
- Stage 5 – Atopic dermatitis – allergies to the environment or genetic links to allergies. Again, we will be looking at this specific area in more detail later in the month.
At each stage Laura is looking to either identify or eliminate the cause of the allergy so she can develop a bespoke allergy management treatment programme for your pet.
Why not take an allergy quiz HERE to see if your pet might be allergic. We also have a handy leaflet on itchy dogs – HERE and a tracking sheet HERE to monitor how itchy your dog is.
If you suspect your pet is affected by an allergy, call the team today on 01772 639800 OR 01253 766352 or why not open a chat on PetsApp.
#rowanvets #vetsinpreston #vetsinblackpool #vetsinlytham #vetsinkirkham #vetsinwarton #vetsinfreckelton #petsandskin #petsandparasites #protectyourpet #lymesdiseaseandticks #protectyourfuturetoo #petallergies #petsandallergies #fleaallergy #allergicpets #photooftheday #instagood #nofilter #picoftheday #love #healthypets #goldstandardpetcare
How to prepare for your #staycation
Just like us humans, our dogs like to get away for new adventures. Increasingly we are taking our dogs away with us on holiday within the UK and with COVID, a #staycation is the new thing.
What you may not know is that different areas of the UK present different parasite health risks for our pets. Why not have a chat with us before you go away so we can help you keep your pet protected.
One of these risks is ticks. Ticks have been spreading around the country at a rapid rate. Click HERE to see what the tick risk is in the area you are visiting. It’s especially important to protect your pet from ticks as there is the risk of them contracting Lymes Disease. Visit the PDSA website
Click HERE for information on ticks, Lymes Disease and how you can help protect your dog.
Call the team today to discuss your flea, tick and worming needs on 01772 639800 OR 01253 766352 or open a chat on PetsApp to order and pay for your usual products.
#rowanvets #vetsinpreston #vetsinblackpool #vetsinlytham #vetsinkirkham #vetsinwarton #vetsinfreckelton #petsandskin #petsandparasites #protectyourpet #lymesdiseaseandticks #protectyourfuturetoo #petallergies #petsandallergies #fleaallergy #allergicpets #photooftheday #instagood #nofilter #picoftheday #love #healthpets #goldstandardpetcare #staycation
Cats have allergies too!
It’s not just dogs that can have allergic skin. Cats also have issues with allergies and there are 4 common areas that can affect them:
- The environment – Pollen, grass, fungi, mould and dust are some of the environmental allergens that can affect cats. Your cat may also have allergies to other things like cigarette smoke, perfume or even cleaning products.
Fleas – more specifically the protein in the flea saliva. It can also affect the cat’s whole body, not just the site of the bite. Owners should ask the vet about a good quality flea prevention product to protect the cat.
- Food – allergies to food are most commonly as a result of the body’s overreaction to a protein source within the food. It can also sometimes be as a result of a carbohydrate source.
- Atopic dermatitis – this is when the skin reacts to an allergy by developing skin sores, scabbing, hair loss and redness.
The most common signs that a cat may be allergic are:
- Itchy skin
- Over grooming
- Hair loss
- Rash
- Repeated ear infections
If you think your cat may be displaying these symptoms, contact the team today and book to see a vet. You can reach them on 01772 639800 OR 01253 766352 or by opening a chat on PetsApp.
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Photo by Alvan Nee on Unsplash
Allergic Skin Disease in Pets – what is it?
The skin is an important part of any pet’s anatomy. The skin is the biggest organ of the body, making up 12% to 24% of the animal’s overall weight. Your pet’s skin provides protection from infection, controls their temperature and gives your pet their sense of touch. The skin is a complex organ and there’s a lot that can go wrong with it.
The most common cause of allergic skin is flea allergies. To be more specific it’s an allergy to the protein in the flea saliva that causes a reaction. Owners should ensure that they have a regular and effective flea treatment regimen in place to minimise this risk.
Another common allergy is canine atopic dermatitis which in simple terms are allergies to environmental irritants such as pollen and house dust.
Disorders of the skin can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are very similar. The most common signs that your pet may be suffering with an allergy are:
- An increase in grooming
- Thin or balding patches
- A dull or greasy coat
- Persistent itching and scratching
- Dry or flaky skin
- Redness and inflammation
Another common sign that your pet is allergic are recurring ear infections or other recurring issues with the ears. You can read more about the signs of allergies HERE
As with everything in medicine, there’s a lot that can be done to ease the uncomfortable symptoms of an allergy. Call the team today if you think your pet might be suffering from an allergy to access the help your pet needs. You can reach us on 01772 639800 OR 01253 766352 or why not open a chat on PetsApp.
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Photo by Noemi Macavei-Katocz on Unsplash
General management of pain in pets
We’ve shared lots of information over the month about managing the pain of arthritis. Arthritis isn’t the only disease or condition that causes pain. Your pet may be showing the signs of pain but for a very different reason. The important message is to notice when your pet might be in pain so that you can seek advice and support from a vet.
Arthritis requires long term management of pain. However, there are instances where short term pain management might also be needed, such as after a surgery or an injury. The same approach is applied to each patient. Each patient is an individual. Whichever treatment is recommended it will be with the patient’s specific needs in mind. It will take into consideration any additional health conditions so as to protect the whole health of the pet.
Click HERE to read about the experience of Pluto, Poppy, Jacob and Fred and if you relate to anything we’ve shared over the past month, call the team on 01772 639800 OR 01253 766352 or book an appointment.
#rowanvets #veetsinpreston #vetsinblackpool #vetsinlytham #petsinkirkham #petsinwarton #petsinfreckelton #healthypets #petsandarthritis #petsandmobility #petsandpain #chronicpainvetlancs
Treatment options for arthritis
This gorgeous lady is Angel. Angel suffers from arthritis and receives a package of treatment to help manage the pain that she experiences as a result.
Angel is another of our patients who has featured on @chronicpainvetlancs. Angel visits @willowshydrotherapy to help with her mobility. It is just one part of a pain management programme she receives. Hydrotherapy is a low impact exercise option for pets who suffer from arthritis. The warm water relaxes the muscles and eases the pain. The water supports the weight of the animal, helping with the range of movement in the joints.
Angel is also using one of the new medication options now available. Angel had begun to struggle with her hydrotherapy sessions. The new medication is now managing the pain she experiences so well, she’s now back at her weekly sessions. Head over to Willow’s Hydrotherapy and take a look at what they do.
If you think your pet could benefit from a pain treatment package, call the team on 01772 639800 OR 01253 766352 or open a chat on PetsApp.
#rowanvets #vetsinpreston #vetsinblackpool #vetsinlytham #vetsinkirkham #vetsinwarton #vetsinfreckelton #healthypets #petsandarthritis #petsandmobility #petsandpain #willowshydrotherapy #chronicpainvetlancs
Managing the pain of arthritis
Photo – Francis Ewbank MA VetMB GPCert (WVA&CPM) MRCVS
Arthritis has been in our world for a very long time and although the disease isn’t completely understood, treatment options to manage the pain have come a long way.
The key to successful management of the pain from arthritis can be complicated. It’s a complicated disease! It can be a case of trial and error but there is an approach that helps us support you and your pet.
Take a look at Keys To Successful Management of Arthritis
Here at Rowan we are passionate about making the lives of our patients better. We offer specialist pain clinics, run by Francis, which have been very successful @chronicpainvetlancs. They have made a real difference to the lives of those pets suffering from pain in general but particularly those suffering from the pain from arthritis.
Francis uses a plethora of resources available to him; acupuncture, hydrotherapy, medication to name a few. A new product now available to us is CBD Oil. The hemp plant contains naturally occurring compounds. These interact with the endocannabinoid system which is found in all mammals. It does not contain the psychoactive properties (THC) of the plant which means it can be used to help keep the body in balance without the “high”. It is illegal to give CBD oil to a pet without veterinary advice and prescription. For more information on the science of how these products work click HERE
If your pet suffers from arthritis and you’d like to discuss the pain management options available, call the team on 01772 639800 OR 01253 766352 or open a chat on PetsApp.
#rowanvets #vetsinpreston #vetsinblackpool #vetsinlytham #vetsinkirkham #vetsinwarton #vetsinfreckelton #healthypets #petsandarthritis #petsandmobility #petsandpain #chronicpainvetlancs
Managing arthritis in cats
This is Misty who has reached the grand old age of 17 years old! She is another of Francis’s #painclinic patients #chronicpainvetlancs. Misty featured on his Instagram page @chronicpainvetlancs and is another patient who is doing really well on a bespoke pain management programme.
Misty suffers from arthritis but also has kidney disease. This has, in the past, made it difficult to provide pain medication options without further damaging her kidneys.
Thankfully there are new medications being developed all the time. There are now options available for those pets with other chronic conditions. This helps to manage their pain without compromising the health of other organs.
Pain clinics are a fantastic service that is on offer here at Rowan. A programme of pain management is developed with your pet in mind. It is a bespoke service that really makes a big difference to the lives of those pets who are suffering from pain. Whatever the cause of the pain, this approach really does improve their quality of life as a result.
For more information on arthritis in cats click HERE
Take a look at our previous post about how to spot the signs of pain in your cat. If you think your cat is suffering from arthritis or any kind of pain, call the team on 01772 639800 OR 01253 766352 or open a chat on PetsApp.
#rowanvets #veetsinpreston #vetsinblackpool #vetsinlytham #petsinkirkham #petsinwarton #petsinfreckelton #healthypets #petsandarthritis #petsandmobility #petsandpain #chronicpainvetlancs
Your cat and arthritis
To find out more about what the subtle signs of arthritis are, watch this great short video. It shows examples of how your cat might move and how they might behave if they are suffering from arthritis.
Watch this video on how you can tell if your cat might have arthritis.
Download this really useful mobility check list which helps owners assess whether their cat might be in pain. It will give you an idea as to whether your cat is suffering from joint pain or arthritis.
For more information on this disease visit the ICC website.
If you are concerned your cat may be suffering from arthritis call the team on 01772 639800 OR 01253 766352 or open a chat on PetsApp.
#rowanvets #veetsinpreston #vetsinblackpool #vetsinlytham #petsinkirkham #petsinwarton #petsinfreckelton #healthypets #petsandarthritis #petsandmobility #petsandpain #chronicpainvetlancs
