Pet Skin Doctor
Pet Skin Information
Archive for November, 2009
Ferrets are such fun little creatures, as you are well aware if you have one or have had one (or two) as a pet! But like many pets, ferrets are prone to certain health risks and skin problems.
The most common ferret skin problems to be aware of are skin tumors, dry skin, sarcoptic mange as well as irriations and possible respiratory problems caused by flea sprays and powders. Some ferret skin problems are deadly while others are treatable without long term side effects. Be sure to find a veterinarian that is knowledgeable and handles exotic pets.
add comment
(0 Comments)
When it comes to protecting those that you love, taking preventative measures against potential harm is often the best policy and this cannot be stressed enough! Proper care of your pet dog, cat or ferret may vary from animal but the basics are for sure – a nutritional diet, proper exercise and clean water and bedding. It’s amazing how completing tasks in these three areas how how many health risks are eliminated for your pet.
I realize that if you’re looking for answers from the pet skin doctor, then you may already have a pet that is experiencing a skin condition. After preventative care, the second best thing you can do is begin diagnosis and proper treatment directly after you notice the problem. Do not wait hoping that “maybe it will go away on it’s own”. Begin observing your pet and research his symptoms, keep a journal of his/her behavior, take your pet to the vet and see treatment all the way through to complete recovery. Then start back from the beginning with preventative care!
As a cat owner you may be aware that when a feline has a health issue or skin disorder it will often reveal itself through the condition of the skin and coat. Therefore dry skin may be a sign of a more serious underline cause such as allergy, or it may just be dry skin.
Excessive self-grooming may cause your cat dry skin. of course, excessive grooming is a sign of an underlying problem as well. Some cats just like to be clean or groom themselves. The tell tale signs of a more serious underlying health problem, such as an allergy will manifest itself through numerous signals. These include all or any number of the following; abnormal behavior or attitude, biting, chewing, hair loss, constant scratching and itching of the face or hind legs, rubbing and hot spots.
Pet skin conditions cover a wide range of potential problems, making diagnosis difficult. However, the type of ailment your pet is suffering from may be diagnosed based on the visual (hot spots, hair loss, etc.) location (face, belly and armpits, ears, etc.), and color (dry flaky skin or red irritated skin?)
Pet skin conditions are often due to an allergic reaction your pet has (like humans, it can be to just about anything!), but is most often caused by flea or insect bite, inhalent or food allergens.
Hygiene can be a problem with long haired cats around the tail end. “Trousers” that are too long pick up dirt and debris which is often unpleasant and unhygienic. A trouser trim every couple of months will help cope with the hygiene problems.
Grooming problems caused by an ill, disabeled or traumatized cat can be the result of poor diet or neglect. Dull coat, dandruff and cat itchy skin can also be due to the cat being unable to self-groom due to illness, disability or trauma. A bath in quality cat shampoo and a thorough brush and blow dry can make a huge difference.
Proper Nutrition Prevents Pet Dry Skin
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
posted by Essential Needs @ 4:02 PM
It will never cease to amaze me the role proper nutrition plays in a dog or cat’s skin and coat. That’s right! Your pet’s healthy, shiny coat isn’t about being vain or a prissy pampered pooch! Pet dry skin, hot spots and hair loss are typically signs of improper nutrition or diet. This is not a loving, caring, pet owner’s fault, since most pet foods do not contain adequate amounts or sometimes, any of the required ingredients our pets need to stay healthy.
There are a number of chooses you have to remedy this situation. One, you could take your pet to the vet for a recommendation on a diet based on the type of pet, breed, age, medications, and/or health issues. Two, devour the ingredients listed on your current pet food packaging and make sure it contains more then just grains and by-products. Three, begin a food supplement regimen to your current pet food. Four, mix your own pet food based on your individual pet’s needs. Of course, daily exercise, a clean bed, water and food bowls, as well as a fair share of lovin’ will go a long way too!
Cat Skin Conditions Caused By Allergy
Thursday, November 12, 2009
posted by Essential Needs @ 1:57 PM
The most common cat allergies are caused by allergens in the air, food, medication or fleas/insects. You must properly diagnose the underlying cause prior to treatmenteliminating the irritant.
Since most feline allergies affect their skin, cat skin conditions due to allergy may occur at any time and may seem to appear from out of no where. A sudden allergic reaction to cat food they’ve been eating for long periods of time is not that unusual.
If you’ve ever had a dog with hot spots then you know what they look like and how disruptive they can be to your pet’s quality of life; as well as your own. What you might not know is what the cause of the dog’s hot spots are, especially if they seem to be returning off and on again.
Dog hot spots that tend to come and go with a particular season may be a sign of an allergy, such as an inhalent or contact allergy. Although an all-natural skin therapy lotion containing essential fatty acids and the Omegas will most likely remedy the hot spot, it will not solely be enough to cure the problem.
Our boxer had been fighting a yeast infection for nearly a year. The vet gave him several steroid shots and Prednizone. The infection would get a little better, but it kept coming back. He lost most of his hair, his appetite and his skin became discolored and thick in places.
Turns out he had an allergic reaction to one of the grains in his pet food and that is what lead to his dog skin problems. I supplemented his dog food with an all-natural food supplement as well as applying a skin therapy lotion to the problem areas of the skin. Because he had fought this problem for so long, it did take several months to correct it. He began to eat better and more and slowly regained weight. The truth is I never would have tried these methods if it hadn’t been suggested by a close friend who shows dogs professionally.
My pet pooch spent months on a very limited diet of rice and hamburger as we tried to figure out what type of food or an ingredient in his dog food that he was allergic to. The ironic thing is that he had been munching down on the same type and brand of dog food for years. Suddenly, his skin and coat began to tell us that something wasn’t right.
One of the most common types of dog skin allergies is an allergic reaction to a food or by-product. And let me tell you from first-hand experience that it is not a fun process to go through for the animal or pet owner. The worst part was not being able to treat him (he loves scooby snacks!) or even feed him his normal amount of food for breakfast and dinner.