| A recently published study has looked at a natural proprietary plant blend product, in which the dose of cortisone needed to control allergy symptoms was significantly decreased in a significant number of animals. This natural product called Phytopica can supposedly help allergic dogs by “maintaining a healthy immune system” and is simply added to the diet. In this one study, some dogs did not like the flavor, and definitely more work and research is needed. However, this preliminary report is certainly exciting, given the frustrations many animal guardians and veterinarians across the country in trying to manage chronic allergic skin patients. |
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While not yet available, both veterinarians and animal guardians can learn more about this potential new product on the horizon at the website www.phytopharm.com
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A client came in today and asked why her pet sheds so much. This common question can have many potential causes from the normal shedding cycles that dogs and cats go through, dietary imbalances, hormonal imbalances, as well as allergic and parasitic skin diseases. Only a proper veterinary exam and full workup can help sort all of these possibilities out. |
For simple cases of excessive shedding, I will often recommend regular shampooing and conditioner application to facilitate the shedding process and encourage growth of healthy fur with shampoos like 1800PetMeds Oatmeal & Aloe Shampoo and Conditioner to be used as often as a few times weekly during times of excessive shedding. I also will often recommend nutritional supplements such as Shed Terminator. I also find that supplementing with fatty acids such as Super Pure Omega 3 or Be Well, in addition to digestive enzymes to enhance absorption of such nutrients with products like Naturvet Probiotics & Enzymes, also dramatically help many excessively shedding pets, as well as their frustrated owners who have to clean up all of that extra hair!
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Another common presenting scenario in everyday practice presented to the veterinarian is dogs and sometimes cats with chronic anal sac problems. These small glands located adjacent to the anus at 4 and 8 o’clock normally empty their contents with regular bowel movements. However, in some pets, these glands can become clogged, leading to anal itching, scooting and discomfort. On occasion they can even abscess and even rupture leading to discharge and infection.
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While no one knows why some pets are more predisposed to this problem than others, it does help to insure regular exercise, as well as adding extra fiber to meals to facilitate anal sac emptying. I will often suggest the supplement Vetasyl or Psyllium husks added to meals from the health food store as a source of soluble fiber. If a pet continues to rub and lick at the anal area, a thorough veterinary exam should be done, including a check for intestinal parasites such as tapeworms, which can also cause anal itching and scooting. Often simple manual expression of the glands by the veterinarian or animal guardian can offer dramatic relief to affected pets.
| Each spring many veterinary offices often get phone calls from anxious clients stating that they skipped their pets’ heartworm medication during the winter months, and are worried about starting their pets back on heartworm prevention without having their pet tested first. And while an annual to every other year heartworm test is certainly recommended, most pets can be routinely started back up on the monthly heartworm preventatives such as Interceptor or Heartgard or Iverhart without worry about safety or side effects. |
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This decades long fear started when we used to use the old daily heartworm preventatives called filaribits. In those situations, it was critical that a pet be heartworm tested negative first, because there was the possibility of an acute severe reaction if a heartworm positive dog received filaribits. However, this is not the case with monthly preventatives, which in most cases are very safe to use, even in heartworm positive dogs. In fact, some veterinary cardiologists, may not approve the heartworm treatment drug (Immiticide) for a heartworm positive pet, but will on occasion prescribe monthly heartworm prevention in these pets as an acceptable alternative. With continuous use of Heartgard or Interceptor over 15 to 24 months, many pets can actually become heartworm negative.
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Every day across the country in veterinary clinics, small animal veterinarians are often asked by animal guardians about why there pet itches so much. This very frustrating problem can have many causes. Depending upon the age of the animal will determine the major differential diagnoses in a pet. In very young kittens or puppies food allergies can be very common causes of itching pets. |
And despite the myriad of blood tests for food allergies that have been developed, the gold standard for diagnosing food allergies is a minimum 6-8 week dietary trial feeding a novel protein diet to a pet, while restricting access to all other food sources, including treats and flavored bones and rawhides. In young animals mange mites also should be ruled out, which can only be ruled out by skin scraping and microscopic exam at a veterinary office. In more mature animals, inhalant/contact allergies to grasses, trees, dander, house dust mites, molds ragweed, are also common causes of itching and secondary skin eruptions and infections. This category of itching tends to be more seasonal at least initially, and will often respond to antihistamines and/or prescription Prednisone or in some cases stronger drugs like Atopica.
Nutritional supplements like Omega 3 fatty acids, antioxidants like Proanthozone and steroid alternatives like Yucca Intensive can all help manage many allergic pets. Of course flea bite allergies are big causes of itchy dogs, which is why it is so important to have your animal on some sort of flea control measures during the flea season, whether the conventional treatments like Frontline Plus, Advantage, or more holistic options. And of course if an itchy pet develops secondary scabs and eruptions often indicating a bacterial or yeast infection, these problems must also be addressed through topical shampoo therapy such as with Chlorihexiderm Shampoo, as well as prescription antibiotics and/or antifungal medications.
As the summer season approaches, there are many health tips to keep in mind to keep your pet healthy and well during this wonderful time of year. Because pets and people spend increasing amounts of time outside, it is important to be aware of the risk of heat stroke as the temperature and humidity increase. Fresh cold water should be available for any pets spending any significant time outside. Guardians should be aware of any high humidity or heat index warnings, which should hint to owners that their pets should be kept inside in a cool environment as much as possible, especially during these weather advisories.
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When traveling with pets during the hot days of summer, extra caution should be taken not to leave pets in parked cars for any length of time. Even with the windows open, temperatures can rise quickly to 120 to 130 degrees inside non-air conditioned cars quite quickly. Certainly older pets are more sensitive to the effects of the heat, but also certain breeds, especially the brachiocephalic breeds such as Pugs, Bulldogs, and Boston Terriers to name just a few.
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Signs of heat stroke can include excessive panting, drooling, neurologic signs such as wobbliness and disorientation, as well as even seizures and coma. If heat stroke is suspected, an animal should be immediately taken to the nearest veterinarian, as well as the temperature of the pet be lowered gradually through frequent cool shower baths, and rubbing alcohol compresses applied to the extremities and ears to promote heat loss.
With the increasing amount of time spent outdoors, both insect bites, bee stings and other allergic reactions are frequently seen. Many pets will present with facial swelling, hives, and/or painful puncture wounds. Having a good supply of Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) on hand at home is essential during the summer season. If the allergic reaction is severe, than a veterinary exam is recommended, where injectable corticosteroids often provide rapid relief in those more severe situations. Of course with the warmer temperatures come increased exposure to fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, and other external parasites, so it is important to make sure that pets are on heartworm preventative medication such as Heartgard or Interceptor, as well as some sort of external topical flea/tick control, whether natural methods, or more conventional spot on treatments such as Frontline Plus or Advantix. And finally with increased time spent outside also brings with it the increased likelihood of encounters with wild animals such as skunks, raccoons and bats. These three mammals are the biggest carriers of rabies in most states, so it is important to make sure that rabies vaccinations are current and up to date.
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Even with indoor cats and toy breed dogs that often spend most of their time at home, it is often necessary to travel with our pets by automobile or plane, whether for a simple veterinary exam visit, or during vacation. One of the most frustrating problems in this situation is those pets that become extremely anxious during travel, and/or pets that become nauseous and excessively drool or vomit. There are both natural and prescription medicine alternatives animal guardians can try that can help with this frustrating problem.
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The homeopathic remedy Cocculus, when given shortly before travel, can often help many vomiting animals. Natural Bach flower essences such as Be Serene or Rescue Remedy can help as well. For many years we used to suggest giving drugs like Benadryl (Diphenhydramine), Dramamine, Meclizine, or Acepromazine. However, efficacy does indeed vary with these drugs. A newer prescription drug called Cerenia can be prescribed by your veterinarian, should a stronger prescription medication be necessary to solve this frustrating problem.
| From the wonderful company Azmira comes another non-drug alternative to help our pets suffering from many chronic inflammatory disorders, including crippling arthritis, frustrating skin allergies, and inflammatory digestive disorders. With its powerful natural steroidal plant derived saponins, this product exerts a wonderful anti inflammatory effect in helping manage these skin, digestive and joint disorders, especially when combined with other natural antioxidant products like Proanthozone, as well as Super Pure Omega 3 fatty acids. |
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Yucca Intensive can also help cleanse the liver and kidneys as well by promoting blood flow and tissue repair. I find it quite safe to use with most supplements, and medications like Phenobarbital and thyroid medication. I have also found it very safe when used at the same time as the commonly prescribed pain medication Tramadol. Due to the natural steroid effect of its plant components, one must be slightly cautious if a pet is taking full doses of commonly prescribed anti-inflammatories such as Rimadyl, Deramaxx, Metacam and Prednisone. The same can be said of patients on heart medications, as Yucca may predispose to mild fluid retention in such patients.
I would consult your veterinarian in those individual cases. I often find that animal guardians can often use this product along with natural antioxidants and omega 3 fatty acids first, often eliminating the need for stronger prescription drugs. The only occasional problem I have seen is in palatability in certain pets, as the oral drops are quite concentrated. However, when mixed with a little broth, gravy, olive oil, canned food, yogurt or peanut butter, as well as pet’s favorite treat, this problem of strong taste is often avoided.
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In recent years there have been many newer non-steroidal anti inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) recently available in reducing pain and discomfort for our dogs. Sometimes this pain is associated with dental or surgical procedures, while other times it is with acute orthopedic/back problems or more chronic degenerative joint diseases and arthritis. Unlike many earlier drugs of its class including aspirin, and other prescription NSAIDs, Deramaxx functions in blocking what are known as Cox 2 enzymes.
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These enzymes are believed to be involved in inflammation and pain in arthritic joints, while sparing Cox 1 enzymes in the body, which are necessary for many normal bodily functions. Pain relief can often be dramatic, usually within 48 to 72 hours. A similar drug recently available called Previcox also is a Cox 2 inhibiter and many veterinarians will often choose one or the other as a first choice in pain relief in the situations mentioned here. No generic currently exists for Dermaxx. While side effects are less with these newer Cox 2 inhibitor drugs, I still strongly recommend that veterinarians run blood first as a baseline before using this product, particularly long term, as well as periodically every 3-6 months if a pet stays on this drug long term.
Occasional side effects can involve digestive tract upset (i.e vomiting, diarrhea) and bleeding, as well as rare liver/kidney side effects. However, in the vast majority of cases, most dogs tolerate this medicine very well. If your pet is on other medications, particularly Proin, hormonal medications like insulin, or cardiac medications like Furosemide or Enalapril, there can be occasional drug interactions with Deramaxx which should be discussed with your veterinarian. I also never use drugs like Deramaxx when a pet is on another NSAID or aspirin, as well as if a pet is on Prednisone, as side effect risk is significantly increased.
| The topic of pain relief is one of the biggest areas of modern conventional veterinary medicine. Dogs and cats can often suffer from progressive degenerative joint and spinal disorders that can cause great discomfort and interfere with the quality of life in both dogs and cats. The cornerstone of treatment of chronic pain in dogs and cats in recent years has centered around the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Rimadyl, Deramaxx, and Previcox in dogs and Metacam and Ketoprofen in cats. Other drugs of the opioid class such as prescription Buprenex and Tramadol have also been used in recent years in aging pets with chronic pain. |
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Nutritional therapies with glucosamine/chondroitin supplements such as Super Joint Enhancer or the Glyco-Flex products, as well as omega-3 fatty acids can also help as adjunctive therapies. Alternative therapies such as chiropractic, acupuncture, osteopathy, and physical therapy also offer animal guardians additional options. Recently, however, there has been increasing interest and use in both dogs and to a lesser extent in cats of the drug known as Amantadine, which blocks pain by binding to what are known as NMDA receptors. While it was first developed as an antiviral drug and to treat drug reactions that affect coordination, veterinarians have recently been increasingly using it in animals whose pain is not sufficiently controlled with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and opioid derivatives such as Tramadol or Buprenex.
A recent study in dogs showed that the ability to perform every day activities was significantly improved by the addition of Amantadine to the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory regimen that the dogs were already on. Experts suggest perhaps decreasing the dose in pets with reduced kidney function, but the only significant side effects appear to be agitation or diarrhea on rare cases. This is definitely a prescription medication that may come to play a key role in managing chronic pain in dogs and possibly cats in the future.
