The itching, scratching, licking pet.... spells frustration for pet, owner and vet (which is worse when they are one and the same person!).

Our dog Piper showing how itchy her feet can get.

Our dog Piper has severe allergies - to food (fish, chicken, oats, beef, lamb), pollens, grasses, fleas, dust, dustmites, cockroaches....well the list goes on!

 So we are living with this chronic condition every day.

In 2016, we are hoping that the new drug Apoquel will be released to help control the itchy pet.

Watch this space!

What "at home" things can you do?
- If you think scabies is possible, then use Revolution or Advocate for three doses at two week intervals (the label says monthly, but it needs to be given more frequently for mites). This is 100% curative.

- Keep your pet's diet simple with simple ingredients- preferably with ingredients that are new (novel protein) choose hypoallergenic foods (one of the reasons we like Ivory Coat), however, due to Piper's complex allergies, she is on the prescription food Royal Canin Anallergenic (released in June 2015) - this food is the diagnostic test for Food Allergies in dogs.

- Keep your pet's skin well moisturised - using leave in conditioners.  We love PAW Nutriderm condi

NEW - Spray bottles for Nutriderm Conditioner, only $6.50

tioner (and are now stocking the spray bottles to use with them).  Or you can try Alpha Keri Oil, QV Bath Oil, or the Ivory Coat Sensitive Skin Conditioner.

- Wipe your pet down with a clean damp cloth daily (physically removes allergens from the skin surface. )

- Exceptional, top of the line, no expenses spared, flea control (even if you see no fleas). We have seen amazing responses to the new Bravecto chew for dogs, and Activyl for cats.

- Add Essential Fatty Acids into the diet - such as PAW Dermega Oil or Megaderm.

- As for which shampoo - for most dogs, the Ivory Coat Sensitive Skin Shampoo is awesome.

For dogs who have skin infections, then a sticky tape preparation is needed to find out whether Malaseb or Pyohex or PAW Mediderm is the right one to use. You should never buy these shampoos over the counter, or because that shampoo worked on your neighbour's cousins dog, as you could do damage to your pet's skin if you choose the wrong one.

As an example, Malaseb is great for dogs with yeast infections, but not ideal for those with bacterial infections only.  Pyohex is great for dogs who get recurring hot spots and have bacterial infections, but will do nothing for those with yeast infections.

Every itchy pet should have an "Itchy Pet management plan". Our dog Piper does, so make sure you get one together for your itchy pet too.

Her plan is - She is on desensitizing injections each three weeks, twice daily antihistamines, Anallergenic food, Hypoallergenic (wet) treats in her chew toys, Cortavance Spray (as needed), QV bath oil daily, Mediderm shampoo as needed. When she has really itchy flare ups, she is on macrolone (cortisone) for a day or two.

 If I haven't already made an  "Itchy plan" for your pet, call us on 42 845 988, we will be very happy to help you out.

 

This year has been extraordinary - with the number of pets with bee stings and dog bites.

These have made me feel very sad, as a vet and animal lover!

Every pet owner should have a Pet First Aid kit, and the Pet First Aid app on their phone.  Select Russell Vale Animal Clinic as your preferred vet hospital to have access to the information.

Every house should have a "Pets live here sticker"  (a copy of one is here).

And make sure you have a box of antihistamines at the ready, just in case.  As an example, Zyrtec 10 mg can be used - Dose Cat: 5 mg (half a tablet)   Small Dog: 5 mg (half a tablet)  Medium to large dog: 10 mg (full tablet).  Large/giant dog: 20 mg (two tablets). Can repeat 12 hourly.