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Flea Allergies Dermatitis (FAD)   Acral Lick Granulomas   
Heat Stroke Prevention     Hot Spots   The Komedy Kennel

Flea Allergies Dermatitis (FAD   

Flea allergy dermatitis, or FAD, is the most common allergic skin disorder in pets. Here are the symptoms and reasons, below are the answers to help you and your pet find both instant and long-term relief! 

• Fleas bite and suck blood from a host to feed themselves in the same way that a mosquito does.

• Unlike a mosquito, who eats once and goes off to digest its meal, fleas continue to bite a host animal long after their hunger is satisfied. 

• They do this to produce flea droppings containing undigested blood. 

• These droppings are very high in protein and iron and are eaten by the immature stage of a flea's life cycle. 

• A flea bite may leave no mark at all, but it can leave instead a small, red spot surrounded by a reddened halo if the host is sensitive to its bite. 

• Unless there is an allergic skin reaction, there may not be any swelling. 

• But many dogs and cats develop an allergic reaction to flea saliva, occasionally producing severe skin reactions. 

• In dogs, there is no preferred breed or sex for development of FAD. Most cases are observed in dogs between one and six years of age. 

• Animals can be different, with different sensitivities and tolerances. It is possible to have two pets living together in the same environment and have one react violently to flea bites with severe scratching and rubbing, while the other shows little or no reaction. 

Tips:

• Always bathe an itchy dog in cool water . . . heat stimulates itching!

• Hydrocortisone is a potent anti-inflammatory/anti-itch agent that helps to reduce the itch as well as that bright red skin. 

  Heat Stroke Prevention 

It's going to be 110 degrees and you've got four meetings and a report due today at work where you'll be cooled by an air conditioner and have a choice of beverages to choose from. But what about your pet, remaining behind at home, outside, in the sweltering heat? 

Heat stroke and heat stress are major concerns for owners of pets that are left outside for prolonged periods of time. If you are unable to keep your pet inside during the day, there are some things you can do to protect your pet. 

Water, Water, Water! 

Don't let your backyard turn into the Sahara desert for your pet. Leave plenty of water around for pets to drink from. One big bowl of water may not be enough, especially for large dogs who have a tendency to put their paws in the water or flip it over. Provide several different bowls of water in areas of shade. 

Many pets can beat the heat by taking a swim or merely standing in a plastic pool. These plastic pools, available at stores like Wal-Mart and Toys-R-Us, are a great cooling off spot for pets and often serve as a giant water bowl. Keep these pools in a shady area if possible and change out the water on a regular basis. 

Shade
If you have to leave your pet outdoors, make sure your pet has some form of shade to rest or sleep under. This can be a porch that doesn't get direct sunlight, a dog house facing the breeze, or simply an area of the house that doesn't get sunlight, even on a clear day, and remains cool. 

Pet Stores
Visit your local pet stores or online to see the latest pet items for cooling pets. Some include misters that offer a fine spray of water as well as chilled pads that maintain a below 70 degree temperature for several days. 

If he digs, he digs… 
If you find your pet digging up your backyard, it may be because he's seeking to create a cool spot to lay down on. You can't blame your dog for doing that nor should you punish him hours later. 

But what if you arrive home and you're concerned that your pet may be experiencing heat stress or a heat stroke. Here are some warning signs: flushed gums, disorientation, constant panting, vomiting, and weakness. If you pet exhibits these symptoms or any symptom that suggests heat stress or a heat stroke, immediately begin cooling your pet down. This can be done by hosing the pet down, taking the dog into a shower or bath (be sure to test the water temperature), applying soaked towels. Ice packs can also be used around the pet's head and neck area. Contacting your Vet immediately is also well advised. 

Acral Lick Granulomas   

Acral lick granulomas are a common problem in dogs. There are a number of treatments that have been advocated for this problem, mostly because none of them is consistently successful in eliminating all cases of lick granuloma. 

Lick granulomas can occur secondary to allergies -- in this case, treatment for the allergy is often successful. It is a good idea to consider allergy testing in dogs with persistent lick granulomas or recurrent ones. The standard treatments for allergies are itch control medications or hyposensitizing "allergy shots". Skin testing is the most accurate way to diagnose allergies. Veterinary dermatologists frequently do this. Blood testing for allergies is considered to be less accurate but can be substituted when skin testing is hard to arrange. 

Acral lick granulomas can occur secondary to injuries, underlying bone infection (this is a tricky diagnosis because the persistent licking can lead to periosteal inflammation around the bone making it seem like an infection was the cause), bacterial skin infection, parasites and other physical causes. 

These lesions are thought to be due to stress or boredom in some dogs and even to be an obsessive/compulsive disorder in others. 

So the first step in treatment is to do a thorough examination for an underlying cause. If one can be identified, it should be treated. If a bacterial infection is suspected antibiotics must be used for at least 6 to 8 weeks. If an underlying cause can not be found then the lick granuloma itself should be treated. There are a number of ways of doing this. 

Topical treatment with a combination of Synotic and Banamine has been advocated. Local anesthetic preparations like DermaCool or Relief can be helpful. Application of aversives like bitter apple or chloramphenicol ophthalmic ointment is sometimes done. Bandaging or using a sock to cover the lesion helps in some cases. A good adjunct to this type of therapy appears to be administration of hydrocodone to cut down on the irritation and/or fill the need for endorphins that the dog may be experiencing. 

The psychological cases can respond to simple changes in environment (reducing stress or boredom). In more difficult cases, amitriptyline (Elavil), naltrexone (Trexane), clomipramine (Anafranil)and fluoxetine (Prozac) have been advocated. Acupuncture is reported to work well in some dogs, anecdotally. 

For really desperate situations, radiation therapy, casts over the area, cryosurgery, and surgical excision have all been attempted. 

This condition is frustrating and often will take several approaches to find the one that will work. Keep working with your vet to find a solution to the problem for your dog. 

Hot Spots   

Dogs with long hair or double coats are particularly prone to hot spots. The problem usually starts on or near the dog's fanny with a minor irritation, perhaps a flea bite. The dog then attacks the spot enthusiastically, and soon the area is a gooey, infected mess. 

If you catch it early enough, a hot spot can be treated at home; after it gets to the inflamed and gooey state, though, you need to see your veterinarian.

Clip the fur away to allow air in and flood the area with an antibacterial cleanser. In some cases, giving your dog over-the-counter antihistamines, such as Benadryl, may help to quell the itching and encourage the dog to leave the area alone. Your veterinarian can give you an appropriate dose for these drugs, but be advised that antihistamines are not nearly as effective in dogs as they are in humans. If you have an old Elizabethan collar from a previous vet visit, put that on your dog as well.

If you've caught the hot spot just as the dog started it, you may get lucky and see the area dry up quickly. If it gets worse, however, call your veterinarian without too much delay. The problem certainly isn't life-threatening, but it's surely making your dog miserable. 

The day is divided into two important sections: the all-important mealtime, and everything else.     

I. Mealtime 

Just because there does not seem to be anything visible around to eat certainly does not mean there is nothing around to eat. The act of staring at the underside of a table or chair on which someone else is eating sets in motion a chain of events that eventually results in food.

It goes without saying that you should carefully check the lower third of any space for edibles. Mouth-sized things which cannot be identified by sight or smell are considered gum.

When you actually receive a meal, submerge your head into it as you would a shower. Never, never look up again until a minimum of at least fifteen minutes after the obvious food is gone. This is important. Just because your dish is empty does not mean that it is time to stop eating.

Remember that all food is potentially yours up until the time that it is actually swallowed by another. The lengthy path a piece of food will take from a plate to a mouth via a hand is as good a time as any to stake your claim to it.

When it comes to selecting an appropriate beverage, location and packaging mean nothing. There are absolutely no exceptions to this rule.

If you really see something you want, and all your other attempts at getting it have failed, it is only right to grovel shamelessly. As a second tactic, stare intently at the object of your desire, allowing long gelatinous drools to leak like icicles from your lower lip.

II. Everything Else 

There are really only two important facial expressions to bother with: complete and overwhelming joy and nothing at all.

Any time that is not meal time is potentially nap time. The best time to take a nap is when you hear your name being called repeatedly. The best location for a nap is dead center of any street or driveway. The most relaxing position is on your side, all four limbs parallel.

The most practical way to get dry is to shake violently near a fully clothed person. A second effective method is to stand on a light-colored piece of furniture.

Personal Safety 

At the first hint of any irregular noise, run from room to room barking loudly. If someone actually comes into the house, rush over to them whether you know them or not. Then kiss them so violently that they lose their balance or have to force you away physically.

The greatest unacknowledged threat to life as we have come to know it is squirrels. No matter what you must do, make sure there are none in your yard.

Recreation and Leisure 

Ball: There are two equally amusing sets of rules you will want to know. 

The Common Form, in which you receive a thrown ball and return it.

The Preferred Form, in which you receive a thrown ball and eat it.

Car: As you know, any open car door is an invitation to get in. Once inside, your only goal is to try to get out.

Health: In the event of a trip to the doctor, always be on your guard. If you are vaccinated, urinate on the physician.