Pet Health Tip #13- Ringworm

I have had several people over the years ask me if ringworm is really caused by worms.  The answer is no.  Ringworm is caused by a fungal infection.  Only a few diseases can be spread from one species of animal to another or from animals to people (zoonotic).  Ringworm is one of the diseases that can be contagious between species.  Cats and dogs can give ringworm to each other, and both of them can give it to people.

 

In humans, ringworm causes a lesion on the skin that is usually circular and very itchy (pruritic).  In dogs, it causes patchy hair loss (alopecia) that can occur anywhere on the body.  The skin in the area of the alopecia is usually flaky. Unlike humans, dogs are usually not pruritic.

 

Cats are the tricky ones.  Some cats will have patchy hair loss.  Usually, the hair loss is localized around the mouth, eyes, and on the ears.  However, there are cats who are asymptomatic, which means they have the fungus on their fur, but don't have any lesions.  These cats are still contagious!  So, if you suddenly come down with a ringworm lesion and you recently had contact with a cat, the cat was probably the source, even if it appeared healthy.

 

The fungus that causes ringworm can also survive very well in the environment, including the dirt.  The fungal spores can also travel through the air and hide in places, like air conditioning ducts, for long periods.  It is extremely difficult to get rid of ringworm once it has entered an environment.  The fungus is very susceptible to household cleaners.  So, it is pretty easy to kill it on cleanable surfaces.  The problem areas are the places we don't usually clean or are difficult to clean, such as furniture or air ducts.

 

If your pet is diagnosed with ringworm, limit the areas he has access to and keep him isolated from other pets and children.  Ringworm is a treatable disease, but as I said, it is difficult to eliminate it from your environment once it’s there.

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Pet Health Tip #12- Flea Allergy Dermatitis

Several great flea control products are on the market.  However, flea allergy dermatitis is still a major problem for dog and cat owners.  Three common factors contributing to that are: 1- Failure to properly apply flea control products.  2- Extreme sensitivity to fleabites.  3- Failure to treat indoor pets.

 

First, let's talk about the failure to properly apply flea control products.  Often owners don't understand when and how to apply the topical flea control products.  A good rule of thumb is to remember to wait at least two days after a bath before applying the product and to wait at least two days after applying the product before giving a bath.  The products use the oil glands associated with the hair follicles for absorption into the skin.  Most shampoos strip these glands of their oil. Therefore, waiting a few days after the bath will allow the oil glands to replenish.  By the same token, it takes a few days after applying the product before it is completely absorbed into the skin. Therefore, the product needs time to absorb before allowing your pet to get wet.  This two-day rule also applies to swimming.  If your dog is a frequent swimmer, then I suggest using an oral flea control product and avoiding the topical products altogether.

 

Another application error is failure to apply the product directly to the skin.  To apply properly, part the hair, put the end of the tube against the skin, and then squeeze out the liquid.  Don't touch it!  I have had several clients who have told me they "rubbed it in."  Don't!  That only takes the product off your pet and onto you.  Also, with cats, it is important to apply it to a part of the head they can't reach with their tongues.  Cats are notorious for bathing the products off.

 

Another possible reason for your pet’s flea allergy dermatitis is that some dogs and cat are extremely sensitive to fleabites.  Some animals are so allergic that one fleabite can cause them to itch for an entire week!  Therefore, you may never see the flea that is causing the allergy.  It is essential to limit the amount of time these animals spend outside in order to limit their possible exposure to fleas.  Also, it is especially important to keep them on a flea control product all year round.

 

Finally, a common mistake I see pet owners make is to only treat their outdoor pets and not the pets that live indoors.  I see this most often with owners who have indoor cats and indoor/outdoor dogs.  They treat the dogs for fleas, but not the cats. The problem with that is the fleas will hitch a ride on the indoor/outdoor pet.  Once they get inside, they will jump off the animal that has been treated and onto the one that hasn’t.

 

Diagnosis of flea allergy dermatitis is pretty straightforward.  Typically, a distinct pattern of hair loss and redness of the skin appears on the animal’s rump.  The pets are usually very pruritic (itchy) and will bit and scratch at the base of the tail.  If your dog is showing these symptoms, then it is almost certainly fleas.  Look very carefully, and you may spot one.

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Pet Heatlh Tip #11- Hot Spots

"Hot spots" are localized bacterial skin infections usually caused by Staphylococcus spp. Typically, the skin becomes inflamed and the bacteria that are normally found on the skin invade and cause an infection.  You will notice an area of matted fur or a lesion that is oozing pus.  The skin will be very red and inflamed. Often the lesion appears very suddenly and progresses quickly.

 

There are 3 common causes of the initial inflammation of the skin:

 

1) Moist skin- The skin becomes moist due to a bath, swim, or heat.  If the dog has dense fur, then this area doesn't dry properly and the moist skin becomes inflamed allowing the bacterial invasion.

 

2) Fleas- The skin becomes inflamed from either the flea bites or the dog scratching.

 

3) Ear infections- Often times a hot spot will develop under the ear due to either the dog digging at his ear or from the discharge coming out of the ear.

 

The main treatment for “hot spots” is to allow the skin to dry.  First, shave the fur from around the lesion.  Once the fur is removed, then the air can circulated over the skin and dry it out.  The next step is to thoroughly clean the area.  Most of the time the dog will also need oral antibiotics in order to heal the infection.

 

"Hot spots" can spread very rapidly.  They are extremely painful and can cause nasty looking lesions.  It is important that you get the "hot spot" treated as soon as you notice it.

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Pet Health Tip #10- Ear Infections

Ear infections are a common medical issue that occurs in dogs.  Ear infections are typically caused by moisture that gets trapped inside the ear canal.  The moist environment is a breeding ground for infectious organisms, such as yeast and bacteria.  Floppy-eared dogs are highly susceptible to ear infections, especially in the summer time.  Since the earflap covers the opening to the ear canal, air is unable to circulate, which creates a warm, moist environment for the infectious organisms.

 

Ear infections are easily prevented by cleaning your dog’s ears with a drying solution on a regular basis,  especially floppy-eared dogs.  During the winter, make sure you clean the ears each time your dog has a bath.  This ensures the ear canal is dry after the moisture from the bath enters the ear canal.  During the summer, you should clean the ears approximately every two weeks.  Again, this is to make sure that they remain dry.  If your dog is a swimmer, then the ears should be cleaned out after each swim.

 

Several good ear cleaning solutions are available.  You can also use a mixture of 1/2 white vinegar and 1/2 warm water dispensed with a bulb syringe (like the ones used on babies).  Although not as effective as the commercial cleaning solutions, it can be used if you are on a budget.  Note: It is important to have an expert show you the proper procedure for cleaning your dog’s ears before you attempt it at home.

 

Several factors can lead to ear infections.  As I stated, the most common cause is moisture in the ear canal.  Ear infections can also be caused by a foreign object (such as a tick or grass seed) in the ear.  Additionally, they can be caused by allergies.  The skin in the ear is the most tender skin on the dog’s body, so this is often where we see the inflammation of an allergic reaction manifest itself.  The most common allergies to cause ear infections are flea allergies and food allergies (See #37 Allergies in Dogs).

 

Ear infections are easiest to treat in the early stages.  Symptoms include: redness, odor, excessive scratching at the ear, or tilting the head to one side.  Ear infections can occur in one or both ears.  As the infection progresses, you will also begin to see a discharge.  This discharge can be an oozing pus or dark brown or black waxy build-up.

 

If your dog is showing the symptoms mentioned above, then you should to take him to a veterinarian, so that a diagnosis of the underlying issue can be made.  If it is your dog’s first ear infection, then it is most likely due to moisture trapped in the ear, and a 10-14 day regimen of ear medication will clear it up.  However, if your dog has been having reoccurring ear infections, then you are most likely looking at a bigger problem.  Chronic ear infections are much harder to treat.  Therefore, the sooner you get a diagnosis, the better the chance of successful treatment.

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Interview with Kids Corner at Kindle Nation Daily

Kids Corner Interviews Kindle Author Billi Tiner

April 25, 2013

By KindleKids

By Candace Cheatham, Editor, Kids Corner at Kindle Nation Daily
We announced last week that Billi Tiner’s The Rescue Team is the Kids Corner Book of The Week. Today we are very excited to post an exclusive interview with author Billi Tiner.

KIDS CORNER’S EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW:

Kids Corner: How did you come to write books using animals as your main characters?
Billi Tiner: I am a veterinarian and have always loved animals. Some of my favorite books growing up were books that featured animals as the main characters (Charolette’s Web, The Incredible Journey, Black Beauty). I wanted to create stories for kids that were similar to the stories that I enjoyed reading. I love creating characters that display the loyalty, bravery, and compassion that our animal friends express every day.
Kids Corner: Let me guess… your favorite animal is dogs?
Billi Tiner: Dogs are my favorite, but I also love cats. I appreciate the unconditional love and devotion that dogs show their owners. They don’t care what you look like, how much money you make, or what kind of car you drive. They just want to love you. I love how cats can be extremely loving, but still maintain that air of independence.
Kids Corner: What is your favorite scene in The Rescue Team?
Billi Tiner: My favorite scene is when Anne and Ellie first bond with each other. That scene was based on how I met and adopted my dog, Ellie. She was the inspiration for the main character. I couldn’t resist using her name. She shows many of the same characteristics as the Ellie in the story, such as bringing home hurt animals.
Kids Corner: What lessons can parents expect their child to learn from The Rescue Team?
Billi Tiner: Children reading The Rescue Team will see positive examples of friendship and the importance of working together as a team to accomplish goals. The characters all demonstrate important characteristics such as courage, love, and caring for others.
Kids Corner: What authors have influenced you? Any YA authors that have influenced your current work?
Billi Tiner: I want to create stories similar to the authors that I enjoyed reading as a kid. I want the books to be fun and full of adventure. Some of the authors I try to emulate would be Beverly Cleary, Jack London, and Judy Blume.
Kids Corner: Can we expect anything else from you? Any sequels to The Rescue Team?
Billi Tiner: I have written a total of four books for middle-graders (Welcome Home, Heart of a Hero, Friends for Life, and The Rescue Team). Each of them have animals as the main characters and are written from the animal’s point of view. I have also written the first two books in a young adult western series (Bounty Hunter: The Beginning and Bounty Hunter: The Reputation). I have plans to write another middle-grade book featuring a dog who dreams of joining the police K9 unit. It is just in the planning stages right now, but I hope to begin writing is soon!

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5 Useful Tips to Minimize Your Cat's Scratching Habit

Something that cats love to do the most is scratching! When they go out, they scratch wooden poles, fences, trees and when they are indoors, they love to scratch carpet, sofa, wallpapers, curtains etc. It is because of these habits of cats, many of the pet owners who are already frustrated of seeing scratches all over their furniture and decor items, are considering declawing their kitties.

Removing Those Dangerous Claws!

It is important to know that removals of claws is an extremely procedure for cats; not to mention an unfair one. It is their nature to scratch and for your convenience, you should not really try to change them. These kinds of procedures not only cause physical but also psychological trauma to the cats.

Why Do Cats Scratch A Lot?

In order to find a solution for this problem, you should first try to understand why your kitty likes scratching so much. People believe that by scratching, the cats sharpen and clean their claws. And, that's not entirely true; it is also one of their ways of marking territories or leaving marks on surfaces.

Besides marking her own territory, sharpening and cleaning her claws, for cats scratching is also a great physical exercise. It normally includes climbing, balancing and stretching. These activities are very important for a health survival of cats. That is why it is not a good to declaw your or punish her every time she scratches.

Give Them Scratching Posts

A better option would be to purchase a scratching post and teach her about how to use it. It will take a few days, but gradually your would realize that playing and scratching with the posts is more fun than ruining your decor or home furniture. You should try different kinds of tricks to draw your cat's attention to these posts.

As a owner, you should know that cats enjoy playing so consider buying a post with dangling toys; toys would be even better. If the post doesn't come with such attachments, consider adding a couple of them yourself.

This way, the will quickly understand the perks of fooling around near the scratching post. Make sure that the post you've purchased is big enough and sturdy. Cats do not enjoy scratching things that are not stable as they don't help them in proper scratching.

Try Other Furniture like Scratching Tree or Just a Condo

Besides the normal posts, you can also purchase other furniture items like inclined scratchers, condos, gyms, trees etc. These items can be easily purchased online or at some local pet furniture store. They will give hours of fun and entertainment to your beloved kitty. Such furniture come with a number of features like perches, sisal poles, comfortable beds, toys, and many other attractive features.

Before You Buy!

Before paying for a scratcher, make sure its size is right for placing it at some spacious location inside your house and the color and model of the scratching post goes with the feel of your houses' interior. Remember that cats are very tidy animals and hate being around dirty things, leave alone playing with them. So make sure the post or other furniture are regularly cleaned and well maintained.

Petar Petrov owns an online retail shop of furniture for different needs of cats. Through his blogs, Petar also shares tips and insights about how to take care of the cats and kitties and their different needs, and educates the owners how to purchase Cat Scratching Posts, and condos etc. For more details visit: http://www.cozycatfurniture.com/cat_scratching_posts.html

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Five Tips for Selecting the Best Cat Tree

One of the excellent ways to satisfy your cat's curiosity and keep in shape is to make her use a tree. Since there are many such trees offered in the marketplace, you should spend enough time in knowing few things before purchasing one for your beloved pet. Many pets need enough amount of stimulation so as to prevent them from getting bored, and trees are definitely one among best furniture that will keep your active through the day. But before making decision which is best for your feline friend you should consider some things.

Safety Matters a Lot!

It should be the very first thing that you need to consider, when shopping for a tree. Not only should you provide safety for your cat, but also for you or anyone who comes close to that tree. owner should know what their cats can do, and if there are risky areas in your home, the pets are going to explore it for sure.

The manufacturer is responsible for making a well-constructed tree, but the owners are equally responsible for making good judgment in terms of selection. Ensure that the design of the does not compromise on safety. Some of them could be made of cheap materials and could collapse under the weight of your pet. You may also want to buy a tree, which will not trip over when your takes a flying leap, lands on side or top of the tree. The lighter and smaller trees are not the best option if you have big or heavy cats at home. Check the stability of the before making the purchase. Some of the manufacturers use toxic chemicals, glues, and dyes in the making process, and it is strictly not recommended to go for such ones.

Accessibility

Ensure that the kitty you intend to buy is accessible to your or kitty. Cats should be able to climb the in all kinds of situations. You pets many be overweight, old, have health problems, or declawed. If you've bigger cats, take trees that can accommodate properly. The cats should be able to get down or up the very easily.

Durability

Some of the trees at local stores are made with cheap materials, so stability should always be checked. Many use cardboard as the main support, which is not that safe, especially when the is climbing the tree.

Don't Overlook the Visual Appeal

The not only should appeal to your pet, but it should also be great addition to your home decors. If you've spent $2000 on a new sofa or furniture, you wouldn't of course want to see ugly placed in the middle of living room. So, make it a point to pick something that complements your furniture, design, and style of the room.

Price

It is not about buying some cheap or expensive kitty tree, but purchasing something that offers great value for money. Have some budget in your mind and buy a that will satisfy both you and your cat.

Keeping all these things in mind, now you can choose a secure, well-balanced, and stable tree, and keep your pets happy.

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