- e-Vet ALERT: Possible Spring Pet Injuries
- We have lost two special animals this past month
- e-Vet ALERT: Valentine dangers to your pet – roses, lilies, raisins, chocolate and more.
- $5 provides a box of Valentine’s cookies for a dog, or a box of heart-shaped treats for a cat
- e-Vet ALERT: Beware Ibuprofen in Dogs
Archive for the ‘Skin & Coat’ Category
natural coat or haircut for Chow in summer?
Dear Dr. Brown, Do you have an opinion on whether it is better to give a Chow a haircut in summer or leave the natural coat and brush regularly to remove the undercoat? We used to have a haircut by a groomer (not shaved) but I read in some Chow books that the natural coat actually insulates from all weather extremes. Because of this and because he often got ear infections after the groomer, last summer we let his full coat stay and I brushed him regularly. This is So. California, and he is black, but he did not seem to be less comfortable than other summers. I would love to have your advice.
I have a question about people who might adopt dog requiring Atopia for life…
I have a very expensive GSD who is 2 years old. He has dealt with fistulas, allergies and is now on skin meds Atopia, and 2 other prescriptions. We will learn if my husband is allergic to him in a few days. I don’t know if there would be anyone to adopt him in this condition. In your experience, what does it cost to treat this skin condition long term, and the threat of fistulas again?
I have a question about…Hair Loss causes
My 9 year old bassett hound is a rescue. I adopted him when he was 6 and he used to have problems with chicken and beed products. We had him on fish but recently switched to lamb and in the last month or so since we switched we noticed he has been losing a lot of hair. It comes out in clumps and his coat is significantly lighter. Could this be due to the food? The only other changes have been that we moved to Florida 3 months ago, so I didn’t know if heat could cause that much shedding/hair loss. What should we do?
I have a question about…cat behavior
I have 5 cats. I just got rid of a flea problem, but one of my male cats, Lee, is still licking the fur off his stomach and spots on the back of his hind legs. None of the other cats are doing this. Since then he has also gotten in the habit of leaping on the back of another male cat, Hari, and holding onto the scruff of Hari’s neck with his teeth. Sometimes Hari takes it and sometimes he squirms. Lee had never done either of these things before and he’s about 11 years old. Are these behaviors related and/or why are they occuring? Can or should anything be done about them?
I have a question about allergy testing
Dr. Brown,
I have an American Cocker Spaniel. He has fortunately been free of the typical Cocker health problems. About 1 year ago he started developing skin problems. I saw your recommendation for testing through Heska. Is there a way to get the testing done without going back to the vet?
Thank you for your help.
Dark spots on skin
I have a 2 1/2 year old maltese/bishon mix. He is white with pink skin and the groomer cut his hair really short about a month ago. I just noticed he has a dark spot on his skin under his arm pit. He also has a couple of smaller lighter ones on his under belly. It resembles old age spots on a elder person. The bigger one that concerns me is about 1 1/2 inches. He is a stay at home dog however in the last two weeks we found a dog park and I have taken him 4 times. He is a healthy dog and has his shots however last month he did get roundworms which as been taken care of. What could the spot be? Should I be worried?
I have a question about…a crusty rash on my dog
We have been trying to treat or ‘contain’ a rash that is now continually scpreading on my dog’s underside and back end. Mostly from the middle of his body on back. He is now getting spots of it on the top side but also from about midway back. He is a beagle-mix about 8 years old. It crusts over and is now developing blister pockets. Started on a small area underneath a couple of years ago and we have been working with the vet ever since. He gets put on antibiotics at times and we are bathing him every other day with a sulfoxide shampoo or a septicide shampoo designed for scaling, crusting, itching. Our vet has now sent out bloodwork to Michigan State Veterinary because we cannot seem to get it under control. He has it a lot on his back end and aroung the base of his tail. Apprears to be getting worse though and certainly not under control or getting cured. Saw your show and was wondering if you might have any insight. thank you so much for your time.
I have a question about siberian husky
she is about 4 and we live in new york. she sheds all day, every day. how can i stop the constant shedding? her hair is very think whats the best way to keep her clean of ticks and bugs?
I have a question about…
rescue cat approx 4yrs old. last yr developed hard white bumps on ears. went away in winter. bumps back again this spring. the 1st vet said it was ring worm & was given meds & bathed 2x wk special shampoo. when aft a mo the bumps were no better, same vet wanted to go another round of meds. instead went to another vet who said it was an alergic reaction to fleas. she had no fleas but started using frontline. it is unsitely but the cat shows no discomfort, no scratching. any ideas?
