An Itchy Dog May Mean Allergies...

Just like people, dogs may have allergies to trees, grasses, weeds, molds, dust, and many other

Image via Wikipedia - House Dust Mite

Image via Wikipedia - dog's allergy skin test

things. Allergies can present seasonally, Spring and Fall, or year-round depending on the allergen. While a few dogs show the typical runny eyes, runny nose, and sneezing like a person with “hay fever,” most dogs will just itch. The dog may rub its face and ears, lick its feet or groin area, or scratch its armpits. Allergies are common in all breeds of dogs and usually manifest themselves when a dog is between one and three years of age. Diagnosis is based on the presence of clinical signs and by ruling out other causes of itching. There are two types of allergy testing that also may be used for diagnosis. The traditional allergy test is called an intra-dermal test and is done by injecting small amounts of allergens into the skin and observing for reactions. The second test uses a blood sample to detect the presence of immune cells against specific allergens. Once diagnosed, allergies can be treated a number of ways. Antihistamines and corticosteroids can be used to relieve itching, but do not solve the underlying allergy. Medicated shampoos and certain omega fatty acids may also help to control clinical signs. “Allergy injections” are based on allergy testing results and can be given at specific intervals in an attempt at desensitization. Desensitization is designed to reduce or eliminate the body’s response to an allergen and may provide a “cure” for your dog’s allergies. If your dog seems a little more “itchy” than usual, help may be available. Talk to your veterinarian today.
~Chad Smith, D.V.M.

Think Spring, Think Parasite Protection

As we begin to see the light at end of the long tunnel of winter lots of
sleeping creatures awake. Many of these creatures are very tiny and are
just waiting to hitch a ride on or in your pet’s body for a nice summer
vacation. Of course, we are reminding you about pet parasites. Now is the
time of year to start thinking about them and how you will best protect your
pet and your home against these little freeloaders.
There are three classes of parasites we have to address each year.
Those parasites that live on your pet are called ectoparasites. Those that
live inside your pet are called endoparasites. The endoparasites are broken
down into two groups; some actually live in the blood and some that live in
the intestinal tract.
Your veterinarian can help you detect or test for each type of
parasite. The parasites on the skin can be found during a physical exam.
The doctor may just comb through your pet thoroughly to find them, may swab the ears or may need to do what is called a skin scraping to find them. Intestinal parasites are detected by evaluating a stool sample for the worm eggs or the actual worm may be seen on the stool or around the anal area.
Parasites in the blood such as heartworm are found by testing a blood
sample.
Preventing parasites from hitching a ride on your pet and into your home has never been easier. The veterinary products used today do a very thorough job of protecting your pet and are easy to use. The days of baths and dips and fogging your home are all but gone except in very extreme cases. Protecting your pet and preventing a big infestation can be as easy as a once a month tablet or pouring a few drops of liquid on the skin once a month. The important thing is to find a quality veterinary product and to follow through with your veterinarian’s instructions carefully to achieve maximum protection. Don’t be fooled by imitation discount products, as you
are guaranteed to regret using them by August!
If you have questions, just call your veterinarian.
Elizabeth Bixby, DVM

When a Dog Becomes a Scaredy Cat

When a Dog Becomes a Scaredy Cat

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If your dog dives under the bed, crawls into the bathtub, or refuses to leave your side when a storm approaches, there is a reason. Storm phobias are one of the most common behavioral problems dog owners face. Some owners are willing to simply put up with symptoms like hiding, trembling, whining, drooling, and pacing, but in more severe cases, panicked dogs may chew furniture, tear drapes, and even break windows during a thunderstorm. In either case, the behaviors displayed are signs of a terrified, unhappy dog.

Behaviorists are not yet sure what part of the storm frightens dogs the most. It may be that they are reacting to lightning flashes, the sound of thunder, wind blowing around the house, or the sound of rain on the roof. Some dogs even start to pace and whine half an hour or more before a storm. They may be acting in response to a rapidly falling barometric pressure or the electrical charge of the air.

An article in the July/August 2001 issue of the Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association describes an Internet survey of the owners of storm-phobic dogs. The authors discovered that some breeds may be predisposed to a fear of storms. Herding dogs, such as collies and German shepherds, and hounds, such as beagles and basset hounds, seem to be more likely to develop a storm phobia than other dogs. The phobia is also common in sporting and working breeds. The study also showed that rescued dogs (dogs adopted from shelters or rescue organizations) may also be more likely to develop storm phobias.

The first step in helping your dog overcome a storm phobia is to talk to your veterinarian. He or she can help you develop a program to gradually retrain your dog by using the behavior modification techniques of desensitization and counter conditioning. These techniques work by exposing the storm-phobic dog to some gentle reminders of a thunderstorm, such as a very soft tape recording of thunder or a flashing light, and then rewarding the dog with lots of treats, attention, and other positive reinforcement only if there's no evidence of anxiety. Over time, the intensity of the stimulus is increased, and it is important to remember that only calm behavior is rewarded. You should get professional guidance, either from a veterinarian or a veterinary behavior specialist, before you begin this process as introducing frightening stimuli too quickly or not recognizing fear in your dog could make the phobia worse.

If behavior modification alone doesn't solve the problem, there are some medications that can help. Your veterinarian can prescribe one of several anti-anxiety or antidepressant medications to help your dog remain calm during storms. It is also beneficial to have a “safe place” for your dog to retreat to when the weather gets scary. This could be a crate or a certain room in the house where your dog feels protected.

The most important thing to remember is to treat your dog gently and kindly when he is afraid. Don't cuddle and reassure him though, because that will reward his “panicked” behavior, but definitely don't punish him for it either. Instead, just be calm and provide him with a safe, familiar place where he can feel secure and ride out the storm.

Chad Smith, D.V.M.

Taylor Veterinary Hospital's Legacy

Did you know that Taylor Veterinary Hospital is Iowa's oldest, continuously operating small animal hospital? The building first was a printing company that was built in 1875 which Dr. Bacon renovated to become his home and office in 1917. He sold it to Dr. Lloyd Boxwell in 1943. Dr. Boxwell did some more renovations and in 1981 sold it to Dr. Jim Taylor. In 1991 Dr. Taylor and his wife, Pam did more major remodeling and currently the clinic has 6,000 square feet of space. There are 4 exam rooms, a large waiting and reception area, offices for the 3 doctors and office manager. The in house laboratory, pharmacy and x-ray all help the doctors provide the best quality care for pets. There is also a treatment area, and a modern surgical suite which is used for almost any kind of surgery. They have large dog runs and an area for boarding cats and small dogs. There is even a tunnel that runs underground to connect different parts of the unique building. The upstairs holds an apartment, a large storage space and a room that is used for staff meetings. Taylor Veterinary Hospital loves its location in Downtown Cedar Falls and hopes that you will come and check us out!

Questions from the Exam Room

"Aren't all pet foods with corn in them bad foods?"~ A client asked me, "aren't all pet foods with corn in them bad foods?" That got me to thinking how to discuss nutrition in an easy to understand, short answer. This is what I came up with...
Food is composed of five items: protein, fat, starch, vitamins, minerals and some water. Minerals, vitamins and starch are non-changeable - either you have them or you don't. All reputable foods have enough of these for your pet. Fat, with some minor variations, is just fat. Some foods have more of the special fats, such as fish oils. These special oils help the coat and control some types of inflammation, such as arthritis.
People seem to have more problems with understanding protein and what source is the best. American culture suggests that the more meat you eat the better off you are. The most important thing is to give food that matches the animal's needs. For instance, a cow should be fed mostly hay, as it is an herbivore. Lions, tigers and domestic cats are true carnivores and need mostly a meat diet. People, bears and dogs are omnivores as they an get their nutritional needs from many sources.
The problem is which protein source is the best. The answer lies in what makes up a protein. Protein is made up of building blocks called amino acids. There are 23 amino acids, eleven of these have to come from the diet and are called "essential" amino acids. The other twelve can be made by the body. So the question becomes "Are amino acids from meat protein better than the amino acids from plant protein?" The answer is a resounding "NO!" Ask any of your friends who are vegetarians if they get enough protein with the correct building blocks of amino acids. They do get a good diet. So does your pet when you feed a good food. So, to answer the opening question, dog foods with corn in them are not bad food, as long as they are a BALANCED diet.
Dr. T. James Taylor March 5, 2010

March 2010 Pet of the Month

Ozzie Bartlett is the 7 year old Maltese dog of Luke and Becky Bartlett. He is named after Ozzie Smith of the St. Louis Cardinals which is Luke's favorite baseball team. Ozzie tells his people that he has to go outside by ringing a bell. In addition to being very smart, he has an amazing memory. His favorite time of the year is Christmas. When he sees the boxes of Christmas decorations come out, he immediately finds his stocking. He loves presents and loves to help everyone else open their presents. Ozzie is a great friend to Luke and Becky's two young sons and enjoys their attention. He also loves to chase their remote controlled car. He has been helped out a few times by the doctors at Taylor Vet when he has been sick. He is a very important part of the Bartlett family.