Blog Post

Advances in Canine Skin Disease

  • By Jason Albertson, DVM
  • 21 May, 2018

Spring is here and summer’s around the corner! With the onset of warmer weather veterinarians are treating more dogs and cats for skin disease. 

 Here are the latest developments in the treatment of various dermatologic conditions: 

  1. Systemic external parasite control. Gone are the days of flea shampoos, dips, flea collars, powders, and in-home foggers. The era of most topical insecticides is fading fast as fleas are developing resistance to the products that revolutionized flea control over 20 years ago. The preferred products these days are chewable tablets such as Simparica, Nexgard, and Bravecto. These products kill fleas, ticks and some forms of mange mites as they take their first blood meal. It is thought that the incidence of tick-borne disease can be reduced in this way.   This class of anti-parasite drugs provide long-lasting control, too, from 1 to 3 months, depending on the brand. 

  2. Apoquel is a relatively new medication for the treatment of itchy skin due to allergies. It does not have many of the annoying side effects that steroid medications such as prednisone have, and can be given long-term with fear of harming the immune system. 

  3. Cytopoint (Canine atopic dermatitis immunotherapeutic)—this is a revolutionary biologic treatment that targets a specific protein necessary for skin itchiness. Cytopoint is administered by injection every 4-8 weeks.   This therapy is available through veterinary dermatologists and some general practices. Other time-honored therapies that remain viable treatment options include high doses of omega-3 fatty acids, corticosteroids (eg. Prednisone, etc.), topical therapies such as special shampoos and topically-applied fatty acids that strengthens the dermal barrier against environmental allergens and irritants. 

 Your veterinarian will choose the very best treatment option for your itchy pet. Don’t delay—see your veterinarian as soon as the itch begins!

By Dr. Jason Albertson DVM 23 Apr, 2021
   Children must be taught how to approach, handle, and play with dogs. Children should be taught to avoid making contact around the eyes, ears, and head. Hugging and lifting are not well-tolerated by some dogs.
   Children are likely to be bitten on the face or head. Boys ages 5-9 years old are at highest risk, and most  dog bites in young children are by the family dog, in contexts of resource guarding, or benign interactions such as hugging or petting. 
   The dog should be physically confined away from the child so that an adult can supervise each approach and ensure that the dog threatens or shows avoidance while resting or being handled. 
   Never punish or force affection on a dog that resists. Children should have some degree of positive control over the pet. Children must learn rules about pet. Children must learn rules about other pets, especially that the child must never touch another family's pet or give it food unless an adult gives permission.
   Dogs on a leach, by food, by toys, sleeping, tied down, or running loose should never be approached. All family members must also follow these rules as a model for the child's behavior. 
   Children must be taught to recognize and avoid aggressive postures (growling, loud barking, hair standing on end) and fearful behaviors (trembling, crouching, ears back, tail tucked) and to avoid these animals. If the child is approached by a dog that is acting aggressively, the child should stand very still and silent, hold the arms against the body, and avoid eye contact. If the child is on the ground or knocked down, he or she should curl into a tight ball, cover the ears with fists, and remain still and quiet until the animal moves far away. 
By Dr. Jason Albertson 16 Nov, 2020

Health Benefits of Pet Ownership

The company of a pet relaxes and entertains people, but the benefits of pet ownership go beyond simple joy. Studies have shown that keeping a pet improves the health and well-being of the people in the household. During stressful times, the comfort of a pet protects against depression and loneliness. Animal companions ward off depression and loneliness among people with AIDS and Alzheimer’s disease. Stressful situations have less of an impact on elderly pet owners and visit their physician less frequently.

Pets allow their owners to feel needed as nurturers, while also nurturing their owner. An animal’s unconditional affection often increases the owner’s ability to cope with personal setbacks and depression and can reduce loneliness. Individuals who live “alone” with a pet are actually part of a family; they can look forward to being greeted and recognized when they walk in the door. Caring for a pet can make its owner feel needed and provide reasons for living and staying healthy.

Pets motivate people to be more active and social. Pets are conversation-starters, help to make new acquaintances. Walking the dog provides not only physical exercise but also an opportunity to interact with humans living and more vulnerable to depression. Dog-walking and being outdoors where social contact is possible are healthful effects of dog ownership.

The comfort, social interaction, and motivation provided by pets improve cardiovascular health and lower blood pressure. Physical and verbal interaction can lower blood pressure. One study of hypertensive patients showed those who were given pets handled stressful tasks better than those who relied on blood pressure medication alone. Research shows people are more likely to survive the year after a heart attack if they have both a companion dog and a human social support network. Animal companionship is commonly linked to lower death rates and better long-term health.

By Jason Albertson, DVM 11 Nov, 2019
 Your pet's visit to your veterinarian, whether it be for routine services or to address an illness, is a well-scripted event, with numerous issues to be addressed.
 The wellness visit should include a thorough "nose-to-tail" physical examination, vaccinations appropriate for the lifestyle of the pet, and important lab work such as a blood count and chemistry profile to assess internal organ function, and urinalysis to check for urinary tract disease. A nutrition assessment should include discussion of the best life-stage diet, type of treats that are OK, possible need for therapeutic diets for various pet health conditions, as well as conversation about various supplements that would benefit health. 
 Fecal examination to detect intestinal parasites should be performed at least annually, even if regular preventive medication is administered as many pet parasites can also affect humans. Heartworm testing annually and evaluation of current prevention strategies should also occur. 
 Preventive dental health care is often over-looked by pet owners. A discussion of the benefits of dental cleaning/other dental work, as well as preventive home care should take place.
 Your veterinarian should ask if there are behavior concerns, too, as the primary reason for pets being relinquished to animal shelters is for behavior problems. Topics may include use of treats as rewards to desirable behavior, leash training, basic obedience training, use of trainers and/or structured training classes.
 Other services that are often provided during the routine visit might include toenail trimming, anal sac expression, discussion of the importance of regular grooming, boarding services, and needed preventive services such as spaying and neutering. To help make this visit as time efficient as possible, arrive for your appointment a few minutes early. Jot down questions to be addressed. Often those questions can be discussed during the exam.
By Jason Alberston, DVM 25 Oct, 2019
 "Otits externa" is a fancy term for inflammation or infection of your pet's ear canals. Here are some things that folks believe about recurring ear problems...and the facts. You might think...
 1. "I can use the same ear medication that worked for my pet's last infection." This isn't always true. Infections can be caused by a variety of bacteria and yeast. Your veterinarian selects medications based on identification of the specific organisms present in the ear canal, and these organisms can change from time to time.
 2. "Plucking the hair out of my dog's ear will prevent infections." The fact that routine plucking of ear canal hair can actually predispose to infection in some cases, as it causes the skin in the ears to become inflamed.
 3. "My dog caught an ear infection from another animal." Not true! Ear infections are almost always secondary to an underlying cause of inflammation, such as seasonal or food allergy. Inflammation alters the environment and microscopic anatomy in the ear canal which allows the usual resident bacteria or fungus to proliferate, resulting in infection.
 4. "My dog licks, scratches, or chews because he is bored or is just cleaning himself." The truth is that these signs are most often associated with an itchy, allergic dog. What does this have to do with otitis externa? Allergies are the most common underlying cause for ear infections. When your veterinarian checks your dog's skin, the ears should get checked for signs of problems, too.
 5. "My dog's ear infection is cured, so he'll never get another infection." This is seldom true, especially if allergies are the culprit.
 Your veterinarian needs your help to keep watch over the ears and may request that you clean them regularly to prevent inflammation and infection. 
By Jason Alberston, DVM 25 Oct, 2019
 As I write this article, a large batch of summer thunderstorm is rolling through our area.
 My own dogs are clearly worried and anxious. This is a very common occurrence for dogs owners in Kansas during severe weather and fireworks season.
 If your dog is a nervous wreck during a thunderstorm or around Independence Day, here are some tips to make your dog a bit more comfortable.
 1. Keep your dog in an inner room (without windows, if possible) in the basement or a closet. This will minimize sounds coming in from the outside. If your dog feels safe in his or her crate, place a heavy blanket or comforter over the enclosure to muffle loud sounds.
 2. Switch on the TV or a radio and play calming music. This may help cover up scary noises.
 3. Contact your veterinarian for a prescription of anti-anxiety medication. Drugs such as diazepam, alprazolam and dexmedetomidine can be very effective anxiety reducers. To be most effective, these drugs should be administered 1-2 hours ahead of, and a few hours after, the impending noise barrage. If these medications need to be given several days in a row, your veterinarian should instruct you on how to gradually step down the dose to prevent symptoms of drug withdrawal. 
 If possible, behavior modification techniques that gradually desensitize a fearful dog to scary noises can be employed. These exercises should be overseen by a veterinarian well-versed in the use of behavior medications or by a veterinary behavior specialist.
 These techniques expose the dog to low levels of the particular scary noise, the noise while rewarding calm behavior with treats. Addressing your dog's fears early is key to effectively managing this potentially debilitating condition. 
 Have a safe Independence Day!
By Jason Alberston, DVM 25 Oct, 2019
 Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a common diagnosis in dogs and cats of all ages, and is six times more likely to occur in cats than dogs.
 Kidney failure occurs when the kidneys are no longer able to perform their vital functions of waste removal, electrolyte regulation and water balance. Signs of CKD are seldom recognized until a large portion of the kidney is no longer functional. Therefore, the initiating of kidney damage is seldom determined.
 CKD is not due merely to the aging process. Unmanaged CKD causes premature death. Consequently, early diagnosis of kidney damage is essential if treatment is to be meaningful. 
 Common signs of CKD include increases in water intake and urination, decreased appetite, weight-loss, vomiting and lethargy. Blood tests can show increases in renaly-excreted waste products, anemia, low proteins and electrolyte imbalances.
 A new test, SDMA, has been developed which shows signs of elevation much earlier in the course of CKD than other test parameters, and is helpful in revealing kidney damage at earlier stages. Urine tests often reveal inability to recycle body water and proteins being abnormally excreted into the urine. Blood and urine tests should be performed starting when your pet is apparently healthy, and repeated at least annually to detect disease early, and so that negative trends in the lab values can be identified prior to the onset of signs of disease. 
 Once diagnosed, your veterinarian may recommend other blood tests to identify underlying disease, blood pressure testing, radiographs, and/or ultra-sound examination of the kidneys. CKD is managed primarily with prescription diets that limit protein and phosphorus intake, blood pressure medications and certain dietary supplements.
 While CKD cannot be cured, it can be effectively managed for a time. Have your veterinarian perform lab testing early. 
By Jason Alberston, DVM 25 Oct, 2019
 Last month we discussed heartworm disease. Flea infestations deserve equal attention. 
 Fleas are external parasites that spend their entire adult life on the host. Female fleas lay up to 50 eggs per day, which fall off into hosts' environments. 
 Within a few days a larva, which resembles a maggot, emerges from the egg and begins scurrying around seeking organic debris to eat, and cover, such as grass, mulch, fabric, furniture, carpet or crevices in the flooring.
 Within a few days to weeks, the flea maggot spins a silk cocoon and transforms itself into the adult flea. The time from egg to adult ranges from six weeks to six months. 
 The pre-emerged adult flea senses a potential host nearby, emerges from its cocoon, hops aboard and begins feeding on the host's blood. Within a few days, the female flea begins laying eggs, and the cycle continues. Because the immature fleas can overwinter in the house, the flea season is year-round. Not only do fleas deprive their host of blood, they can also transmit diseases such as feline infectious anemia (a blood parasite) and plague.
 In years past, flea control using flea sprays, collars, shampoos, dips and powders was complicated and largely ineffective. Topical flea control agents such as Frontline Plus and Advantage represented a huge step in that these products were safe, reasonably effective in killing fleas and provided residual activity. After about 25 years of use, these products are not as effective, as flea populations are developing resistance. Systemic medications, such as Nexgard, Simparica and Credelio are monthly tablets that achieve 100 percent flea control.
 Recently, Seresto collars were introduced. Seresto collars control fleas and ticks for 8 months. These products are prescription items and are available through your veterinarian. 
 The time to begin flea control is now. 
By Jason Alberston, DVM 25 Oct, 2019
 Wichitans are looking forward to the approaching warm weather (as am I!). 
 With warmer weather, detestable creatures like mosquitoes become active and multiply. Mosquitoes are the means of canine and feline heartworm transmission.
A bite from an affected mosquito injects a heartworm larva under the skin. This larva enters the bloodstream, goes through several lifestage changes and within seven months attaches to the pulmonary artery (main artery between the heart and lungs). In canine heartworm disease, the lining of the pulmonary artery thickens around the attachment site over time. This results in right-sided heart failure and eventual death of the infected dog.
 The disease process in cats causes asthma-like disease that is equally as deadly. Heartworm treatment in dogs is lengthy and expensive. 
 The drug that kills heartworms contains arsenic, which can cause a number of unpleasant side-effects. A better option to heartworm disease treatment is simply preventing the infection in the first place. A blood test is performed to insure the disease is not present. Once a negative test is confirmed, your veterinarian will recommend a prevention program. In most cases, a product that is administered monthly is prescribed. Heartworm tablets or chews eliminate the early stages of heartworm prior to their maturation.
 Consistent treatment year-round is very important to insure your dog or cat does not contract heartworm disease. Missed doses can result in infection.
 Recently, an injectable heartworm prevention has become available that prevents canine heartworm infusion for six months. It is important that your veterinarian repeat this treatment consistently. Feline heartworm is preventable with a monthly chewable or a monthly topical that prevents flea infestations as well. 
 Heartworm is deadly - prevention is key.  
By Jason Alberston, DVM 25 Oct, 2019
 The anatomy and physiology of the oral cavity of dogs and cats is essentially like humans, so it should be no surprise that our pets suffer from dental conditions the same as people do.
 Lack of adequate home care will result in development of periodontal disease. Bacteria colonize the space between the teeth and gums and produce plaque that coats the tooth surface. Over time, plaque mineralizes into tartar. 
 Bacteria and their byproducts, along with pet's immune -response causes gum and supporting bone recession away from the tooth root. This ultimately results in tooth mobility and eventual loss.
 Bacteria make their way into the bloodstream, causing inflammation in the vital organs such as kidneys, liver, lungs and heart valves. Pus pockets at the root tips are very painful. Your pet can be very uncomfortable, feel ill, and will have a decreased life-span due to dental disease. 
 Periodontal disease is treated by thoroughly cleaning the space between teeth and gums using both hands in ultrasonic instruments. Radiographs are obtained to view the root structures below the gumline. 
 Significant bone loss or abscess formation can be treated with advanced procedures such as periodontal surgery, root canal therapy, and a specialist can restore fractured teeth with stainless steel crowns. Advanced periodontal disease is routinely encountered and, unfortunately, diseased teeth often require extraction.
 The procedures can require significant time to perform, general and local anesthesia, antibiotics and pain relievers. Quality, skilled dental work is expensive, too. 
 Teeth cleaning prior to development can often save teeth, so you don't wait to schedule dentistry if your veterinarian expresses concern with the condition of your pet's teeth. Good oral hygiene, such as teeth brushing, special diets, and medicated chews can help to prevent disease. 
 With the help of your vet you should develop a good dental preventive health program. 
By Jason Albertson, DVM 25 Oct, 2019
 Urinary tract disease is commonly encountered in feline veterinary practice. 
 Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) describes the following group of signs, regardless of the cause: bloody urine, straining to urinate, urinating in the improper locations, urinary blockage, and painful urination. A cat may suffer from one or all of these signs. Bladder stones, infection, and urinary tumors may be responsible for FLUTD.
 However, a majority of cases of cats under 5 years of age do not have an identifiable underlying cause. Cats over the age of 10 years often have infection and/or some degree of kidney disease. Feline Idiopathic Cystitis (FIC) is bladder inflammation with no readily identifiable cause which represents a large percentage of younger cats with urinary tract disease.
 Common tests that may be ordered by your veterinarian include urinalysis, bladder radiographs or ultrasonography, urine culture, and blood tests to assess for concurrent dieease. The current theory among experts is that stress plays a significant role in the development and recurrence of FIC episodes. 
 There is no agreed-upon therapy for cats with FIC, although pain medications, stress-relieving pheromones, anti-anxiety drugs, nutritional supplements, high-moisture canned food, and therapeutic diets are often recommended to relieve the discomfort of an inflamed bladder. Many experts advocate environmental enrichment to reduce stress.
 The truth is that a majority of cases will resolve without treatment within 5-7 days. Owners of cats suffering from FIC can become frustrated by their cat's lack of response to treatment and/or frequent recurrence of signs. It may be of some comfort to understand that this condition is rarely life-threatening unless accompanied by urethral blockage.
 This is characterized by the inability to pass urine despite intense straining to urinate, and occurs primarily in neutered male cats. This is am emergency.
 More information is available from your veterinarian and www.veterinarypartner.com  (feline idiopathic cystitis) 
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