Hair Coat | Treaschwig Veterinary Clinic

Tips to Winterize your Pet

February 4, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

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Cold weather is tough on pets. The following recommendations can provide your pet with a much better “quality of life” through the wintertime months:

1) Update all vaccinations. Increased stress of cold weather lowers the resistance to disease. Your pet needs more than just a Rabies vaccination. Dogs should have DHLPP (Distemper, Adenovirus/infectious canine hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza), and Bordetella boosters each year. Cats should receive FVRCP and Feline Leukemia boosters every year.

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2)   Heartworm preventive should be given year-round. The medication kills certain immature stages of the heartworm throughout its journey through the body before it actually reaches the heart. The medication ought to be supplied all year long to make certain all immature heartworms are killed once they get to the stage of susceptibility to the medication.
3)   Internal Parasite Examinations insure your pet is “worm-free”. Internal parasites drain your pet’s blood, protein, and energy.
4)   Feed premium quality diet to fulfill the increased nutritional demands for the duration of cold weather. You get what you pay for in pet foods. “High Protein” labels don’t mean it is “digestible protein”. Pets kept outside should be fed more food to meet their requirements through the winter. Fresh water should always be obtainable. Be sure to provide UNFROZEN water at least twice daily during zero weather. Porcelain bowls will prevent tongues from sticking to it. Steer clear of metal bowls for this reason.There are also heated bowls available to keep the water thawed.
5)   Vitamin supplements, such as Nutrical®,may help increase your pet’s resistance to the effects of cold weather and provide required nutritional elements that often deteriorate once a bag of food has been opened.

6)   Brush your pet every day to maintain its hair coat. Heat in your house may dry the skin. Moisturizers , such as Dermal Soothe Anti-Itch Spray for Dogs & Cats, are available to maintain a healthy coat.
7)   Provide adequate shelter. Supplying adequate shelter from the elements is the key to a healthy outdoor pet. The pet that has a cozy refuge where he can seek shelter from the cold wind, driving rain, sleet, and snow will be much better able to tolerate the cold temperatures. Pet shelters should be tightly constructed and no larger than three times the size of the pet. The doorway should be just large sufficient for the pet to enter and positioned away from the prevailing wind direction. Building the shelter off the ground a couple of inches and adding insulation underneath will significantly add to the pet’s comfort. Be sure all insulation is sealed away from the pet. Position the shelter where it’ll get the most sunlight in the winter. Cedar shavings make the very best bedding. No pet should be out in zero or sub-zero weather for more than a few minutes without adequate shelter. Winter is no time to Begin keeping a pet outside. Acclimatization should begin in warm weather, permitting gradual improve in hair growth as temperatures turn out to be cooler.The best thing to do for your pet is to keep them indoors.
8)   Other Suggestions:
a.   Antifreeze can be deadly. It’s sweet tasting to your pet. Always clean up any spills in the garage or driveway. Contact your veterinarian right away if you suspect even a “few licks” by the pet.
b.   Cats like to sleep close to warm car engines. Know where your cat is and honk your horn before beginning the automobile to make sure no neighborhood cats are taking a snooze under the hood.
c.   Chocolate may be fatal. Keep those giant chocolate kisses and other sweets out of reach from your pet.
d.   Salt can hurt paws. Clean the foot pads instantly when coming back inside.There are dog booties available for your pooch.
e. Heated pet beds may help with your pet’s arthritis and keep the chill off.
f. Sweaters and coats can also help dogs maintain their body temperature better.
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Filed Under: Featured Dog Articles, Pet Health Tagged With: Blood Protein, Bordetella, Cold Weather, Feline Leukemia, Hair Coat, Heartworms, High Protein, Immature Stages, Infectious Canine Hepatitis, Internal Parasite, Internal Parasites, Metal Bowls, Nutritional Demands, Nutritional Elements, Parainfluenza, Parasite Worm, Parvovirus, Porcelain Bowls, Quality Diet, Rabies Vaccination Dogs, Unfrozen Water, Vitamin Supplements

Furminator: The Terminator Of Pet Hair

May 23, 2009 By heather Leave a Comment

Terminate pet hair and dander floating around your home by grooming your pet with the Furminator! Long haired or short haired, cats or dogs, you will be amazed at the amount of hair the Furminator removes from your pets. This truly amazing tool was developed by a professional groomer and now it is available for us “at-home groomers.” Removing more than 90% of your pet’s loose hair, the Furminator will help the pet lover’s with allergies by reducing the number of allergens released.

I first saw the Furminator used by a local groomer and could not believe the amount of hair that he had removed from one small dog! This unique tool efficiently removes the loose undercoat without harming the top coat of hair. When using the Furminator, circulation and hair growth are stimulated giving your pet a genuinely healthy hair coat. A remarkable tool, the Furminator is guaranteed to work better than any rake, comb, or brush. Use the Furminator on your cat to help eliminate the amount of hairballs she leaves for you to find. Use it on your dog and greatly reduce the amount of hair on your furniture.

The Furminator is available in small, medium and large sizes, and now there is even one available to use on your horse. How small or large your pet may be, there is a Furminator waiting for you.

If you are ready to terminate the pet hair and dander that is drifting through your home, try the Furminator; you won’t be disappointed.

Filed Under: Pet Health Tagged With: Allergens, Allergies, Cats Dogs, Cats Or Dogs, Circulation, Comb, Dander, Dogs, Furminator, Hair Coat, Hair Growth, Hairballs, Healthy Hair, Loose Hair, Pet Dander, Pet Hair, Pet Lover, Professional Groomer, Rake, Remarkable Tool, Short Haired Cats, Terminator, Undercoat

Hypoallergenic Shampoos–Bath Your Pet And Reduce Allergies

May 3, 2009 By heather Leave a Comment

Bathing your pet with a hypoallergenic shampoo can reduce your allergies. With many different hypoallergenic shampoos available on the market today, you are sure to find the right one for you and your pet. With all the shampoos available, let’s just take a minute to look at a few different kinds.

Allergroom is a good hypoallergenic shampoo that can be used on dogs or cats of any age. Allergroom is a restoring shampoo for dry or normal skin, and is soap-free. It has been tested safe to use with Advantage flea control as well.

DVM Tearless Shampoo is another soap free, hypoallergenic shampoo and like the name, it is tearless, meaning it won’t irritate your pet’s eyes. It is gentle enough for pets of all ages.

Hair coats that need to be repaired may benefit from Douxo, a shampoo used for maintenance of the hair coat that both moisturizes and conditions the coats on both dogs and cats. This hypoallergenic shampoo has a nice green tea fragrance.

A shampoo using emollients for hydrating and proteins for conditioning is Calm Coat EFA. This shampoo provides essential fatty acids which nourish the skin, controlling the flaking and itching and is gentle enough on your pet to use often.

All of the above listed shampoos and many more hypoallergenic shampoos can be found at www.luvurdog.com. So the next time you bath your dog, why not use a hypoallergenic shampoo to cleanse him with, reducing your allergies and nourishing his hair coat as well.

Filed Under: Pet Health Tagged With: Advantage Flea Control, Allergies, Allergroom, Calm Coat, Coats, Different Kinds, Dogs And Cats, Dogs Cats, Dogs Or Cats, Emollients, Essential Fatty Acids, Free Shampoo, Green Tea, Hair Coat, Hypoallergenic Shampoo, Hypoallergenic Shampoos, Pet Allergies, Pet Shampoo, Pets, Proteins, Soap, Tea Fragrance

Allergies in Cats

July 28, 2008 By admin Leave a Comment

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Allergies are a major cause of skin disease, discomfort and distress in cats. Pruritis, or intense itching, is the most characteristic sign of allergies. This itching is caused by the release of histamines from mast cells located throughout the body. Hair loss, redness and skin infections may result secondary to the allergy. Over time, the hair coat may become stained from excessive licking and the skin may become dark and thickened. Ear infections may also result from allergic conditions. The two most common types of allergic conditions exhibited by cats are those of inhalant allergies and food allergies.

allergiescat Allergies in Cats

The treatment of allergies can be achieved by using three methods; removal of the allergen source, suppression of the itch with antihistamines, or corticosteroid administration and gradual desensitization of the immune system to the specific allergens affecting the pet. The removal of the offending substance is appropriate if the allergen source is a food item, flea saliva or something that is easy to remove from the environment. Elimination of certain diets and food trials are often implemented if food allergies are suspected. If flea bites are the problem, it will be necessary to eliminate fleas on the cat. Your veterinarian will suggest the appropriate flea treatment for your cat. Many allergens, however, are difficult or impossible to remove, such as pollen in the air or dust in the home.

The use of antihistamines or corticosteroids is the second method. Antihistamines act by reducing the release of histamine by the mast cells and are often very effective in controlling allergy symptoms. Corticosteroids act in many ways to suppress the allergic reaction before and after the allergy develops. Steroids are very effective, but must be used with caution. If used excessively, adverse effects can be seen. Because of the often-extensive self-trauma associated with allergic conditions, antibiotics are often administered to control the secondary infections that are frequently present.

The final treatment option is the process of desensitizing the patient over time. This densensitization process begins by identifying the allergens that the cat is sensitive to through specialized intra-dermal tests or blood evaluation. Once the allergens are identified, specialized mixtures of these substances are combined into an injectable form that is given at regular intervals. With time, the cats immune system response to these allergens diminishes and many cat owners note measurable improvement in their pets.

When ingestion or food allergies are suspected, a food trial lasting 6-12 weeks may be done. This involves changing the diet in an effort to eliminate possible allergens that may be present in the current diet. Complete compliance to the trial diet is needed for the trial to be of any value. Your veterinarian will likely be assessing your cats allergy symptoms and will form a therapeutic plan that suits your cats needs. A combination of the different therapies discussed is often needed. The management of highly allergic pets can be a very challenging undertaking, but the results obtained dramatically improve the quality of life for both you and your cat.

Filed Under: Featured Cat Articles Tagged With: Allergens, Allergic Conditions, Allergy Symptoms, Body Hair Loss, Corticosteroid, Corticosteroids, Desensitization, Ear Infections, Flea Bites, Flea Treatment, Food Allergies, Hair Coat, Histamine, Histamines, Inhalant Allergies, Mast Cells, Pruritis, Puritis, Secondary Infections, Skin Disease, Skin Infections, Treatment Of Allergies, Tvet

Parasites on Your Cat

July 22, 2008 By admin Leave a Comment

Fleas%2c%20Ticks%2c%20and%20Other%20Parasites Parasites on Your Cat Parasites are organisms that live in or on your cat, causing harm. Minimizing parasites is an important part of keeping your pet healthy. Some pet parasites can cause problems for people too, so keeping them out of your home is also good for you and your family.

External parasites are insects or arachnids that live on the skin or in the ears, feeding on blood or cell fluids. Most are large enough to be visible, but its easy to miss them on a furry pet. Your veterinarian can tell you about parasite control products that are safe, convenient, and effective.

Fleas
Fleas are about twice the size of the head of a pin and are brown in color. They scurry rapidly through your cats hair coat and can jump several feet. Fleas can be detected by combing your pet with a fine-toothed flea comb. The presence of flea droppings is another sign. Flea droppings look like black sand. A good trick for differentiating flea droppings from dirt is to add a drop or two of water. Flea droppings contain partially digested blood, and will produce a red color when wet.

Fleas cause severe skin irritation and allergies. Your cat may scratch so much that he creates raw spots, which can become infected. Severe infestations can cause anemia. Fleas are also the carriers of tapeworms. Although fleas prefer furry creatures, they can cause itchy bites on people.

There are many products available for flea control. The newest, safest, and most effective are available from your veterinarian. These products are also very convenient, requiring only a few drops of liquid applied once a month. You may still notice a few fleas occasionally. Sprays for the home and garden can minimize this problem. Make sure to read and follow label directions on all flea products. Some products can be dangerous to you or your cat if they are used improperly.

Lice
Lice are whitish insects that are smaller than fleas. Their eggs, or nits, can be detected on the hair shafts. In cats, lice are much less common than fleas. Lice can cause skin irritation and anemia. Insecticidal shampoos and other products can be used to treat lice, but it is very important to treat the bedding as well. Although people get lice, they are a different type, so you dont have to worry about getting lice from your pet. Lyme%20Disease Parasites on Your Cat

Ticks
Ticks are arachnids, relatives of spiders. Their size varies tremendously, depending on the type, age, sex, and whether the tick has fed on blood. Larval ticks may be smaller than the head of a pin, whereas some adult ticks are larger than a corn kernel. Ticks are detected by careful examination of your pets skin and ears.

Ticks can cause anemia and are carriers of many serious diseases, including Lyme disease and Ehrlichia. They can also bite people.

Some of the topical flea products available from your veterinarian for flea control are also effective for ticks. In addition, powerful tick-specific products may be recommended. Many tick control products are safe for dogs only, so read all labels carefully before using a product on your cat. earmites Parasites on Your Cat

Mites
Mites, like ticks, are arachnids, but they are much smaller. Many mites are difficult or impossible to see without magnification. Ear mites can be detected by your veterinarian during a physical examination. Skin mites usually require a skin scraping test. Symptoms vary depending on the type of mite, but can include itching, irritation, and hair loss. Skin mites are the cause of mange. Effective mite treatments are available by prescription. The treatment often takes several weeks.

Debra Garrison, DVM

Filed Under: Cat Health Tagged With: Arachnids, Black Sand, Cat Parasites, Debra Garrison, Ear Mites, External Parasites, Flea Comb, Flea Control, Flea Products, Fleas, Furry Creatures, Hair Coat, Hair Shafts, Head Of A Pin, Infestations, Label Directions, Lice, Nits, Parasite Control, Skin Irritation, Tapeworms, Water Flea

Worms and Parasites in Dogs

July 11, 2008 By admin Leave a Comment

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Worms%20and%20Internal%20Problems Worms and Parasites in Dogs The Parasite Problem
Parasites are organisms that live in or on your dog, causing harm. Minimizing parasites is an important part of keeping your pet healthy. Some pet parasites can cause problems for people too, so keeping them out of your home is also good for you and your family.

The most common internal parasites of dogs live in the gastrointestinal tract. You may see some of these organisms in your pets feces, but a fecal analysis by your veterinarian is more reliable. Some parasites live in the bloodstream or other parts of the body. Blood tests may be required to detect these. Most internal parasites can be treated with medication available from your veterinarian.

Roundworms Almost all puppies acquire roundworms from their mothers. The worms look like curly pieces of spaghetti and may be several inches long. Heavy infestation with roundworms may cause a dull hair coat and pot-bellied appearance. Roundworms can also cause disease in children, so all puppies should be routinely tested and treated. The treatment is a simple oral medication, but it must be repeated two or more times. It is important to follow label directions exactly. You can help prevent the spread of roundworms by cleaning up animal feces as soon as possible, especially in your yard.

Tapeworms Tapeworms are one type of worm you may very likely see in your pets stool. The worms are long and flat (like a narrow piece of tape), but you will rarely see the entire worm. Small segments, resembling grains of rice or sesame seeds, break off periodically and appear in the feces or on the hair around your pets anus. Tapeworms are spread when your pet swallows an infected flea while grooming himself, or when he eats an infected animal, such as a mouse. Tapeworms may cause anal irritation, and some types can cause problems in children. You can prevent your pet from being exposed to tapeworms by controlling fleas and discouraging hunting. Your dog can be treated for tapeworms with an oral or injectable medication.

Hookworms Hookworms look similar to roundworms, but are smaller. Hookworms live in the small intestine where they feed on blood. They can cause severe anemia and even death in puppies. Hookworm larvae live in the soil, especially in warm, humid areas. They can cause skin infections in humans. Hookworms can be treated with an oral medication. Picking up animal feces immediately can also help with prevention.

Whipworms Whipworms get their name because part of the worm is short and thick, like the handle of a whip, while the rest is long and slender, like the lash. They are common in dogs. Whipworms can cause diarrhea and colitis. Treatment and prevention are similar to that for roundworms and hookworms.

Protozoa Protozoan parasites of the intestine include Giardia and Coccidia. All are microscopic. Giardia and Coccidia often cause diarrhea in puppies. Giardia can be spread to humans as well. Oral medications are available to treat for these organisms.

Heartworm Heartworms are worms that look very similar 213266 f520 Worms and Parasites in Dogs to roundworms, but live in the heart. Their microscopic larvae circulate in the blood and are spread by mosquitoes. Heartworms are common in dogs. Without treatment, heartworm infection causes damage to the heart and lungs and is often fatal. Therefore, prevention is crucial. A variety of convenient preventive medications are available from your veterinarian. Routine blood tests are recommended annually or more often if preventive treatment has been interrupted. Once infected, dogs can be successfully treated for heartworms, but the treatment is much more involved than that for intestinal worms.

Filed Under: Dog Health, Featured Dog Articles Tagged With: Animal Feces, Blood Tests, Bloodstream, Dull Hair, Fecal Analysis, Fleas, Gastrointestinal, Gastrointestinal Tract, Grains Of Rice, Hair Coat, Internal Parasites, Label Directions, Oral Medication, Organisms, Parasite Problem, Parasites In Dogs, Puppies, Sesame Seeds, Several Inches, Spaghetti, Veterinarian

Parasites on Your Dog

June 15, 2008 By admin Leave a Comment

Fleas%2c%20Ticks%2c%20and%20Other%20Parasites Parasites on Your Dog
Parasites are organisms that live in or on your dog, causing harm. Minimizing parasites is an important part of keeping your pet healthy. Some pet parasites can cause problems for people too, so keeping them out of your home is also good for you and your family.

Fleas
Fleas are about twice the size of the head of a pin and are brown in color. They scurry rapidly through your dogs hair coat and can jump several feet. Fleas can be detected by combing your pet with a fine-toothed flea comb. The presence of flea droppings is another sign. Flea droppings look like black sand. A good trick for differentiating flea droppings from dirt is to add a drop or two of water. Flea droppings contain partially digested blood, and will produce a red color when wet.

Fleas cause severe skin irritation and allergies. Your dog may scratch so much that he creates raw spots, which can become infected. Severe infestations can cause anemia. Fleas are also the carriers of tapeworms. Although fleas prefer furry creatures, they can cause itchy bites on people.

Lice
Lice are whitish insects that are smaller than fleas. Their eggs, or nits, can be detected on the hair shafts. In dogs, lice are much less common than fleas. Lice can cause skin irritation and anemia. Insecticidal shampoos and other products can be used to treat lice, but it is very important to treat the bedding as well. Although people get lice, they are a different type, so you dont have to worry about getting lice from your pet.

Ehrlichiosis Parasites on Your Dog

Ticks can cause anemia and are carriers of many serious diseases, including Lyme disease and Ehrlichia. They can also bite people.

Some of the topical flea products available from your veterinarian for flea control are also effective for ticks. In addition, powerful tick-specific products may be recommended.

Mites
Mites, like ticks, are arachnids, but they are much smaller. Mites are difficult or impossible to see without magnification. Ear mites can be detected by your veterinarian during a physical examination. Skin mites usually require a skin scraping test. Symptoms vary depending on the type of mite, but can include itching, irritation, and hair loss. Skin mites are the cause of mange. Effective mite treatments are available by pres Mange%20 %20Demodectic Parasites on Your Dog cription. The treatment often takes several weeks.

Filed Under: Dog Health Tagged With: Arachnids, Array, Black Sand, Dog Parasites, External Parasites, Flea Comb, Flea Control, Flea Products, Fleas, Furry Creatures, Hair Coat, Hair Shafts, Head Of A Pin, Infestations, Label Directions, Lice, Nits, Parasite Control, Skin Irritation, Tapeworms, Water Flea

Worms and Internal Parasites in Cats

June 13, 2008 By admin Leave a Comment

The Parasite Problem
Parasites are organisms that live in or on your cat, causing harm. Minimizing parasites is an important part of keeping your pet healthy. Some pet parasites can cause problems for people too, so keeping them out of your home is also good for you and your family.

The most common internal parasites of cats live in the gastrointestinal tract. You may see some of these organisms in your pets feces, but a fecal analysis by your veterinarian is more reliable. Some parasites live in the bloodstream or other parts of the body. Blood tests may be required to detect these. Most internal parasites can be treated with medication available from your veterinarian.

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Roundworms Almost all kittens acquire roundworms from their mothers. The worms look like curly pieces of spaghetti and may be several inches long. Heavy infestation with roundworms may cause a dull hair coat and pot-bellied appearance. Roundworms can also cause disease in children, so all kittens should be routinely tested and treated. The treatment is a simple oral medication, but it must be repeated two or more times. It is important to follow label directions exactly. You can help prevent the spread of roundworms by cleaning up animal feces as soon as possible, especially in your yard.

Tapeworms Tapeworms are one type of worm you may very likely see in your pets stool. The worms are long and flat (like a narrow piece of tape), but you will rarely see the entire worm. Small segments, resembling grains of rice or sesame seeds, break off periodically and appear in the feces or on the hair around your pets anus. Tapeworms are spread when your pet swallows an infected flea while grooming himself, or when he eats an infected animal, such as a mouse. Tapeworms may cause anal irritation, and some types can cause problems in children. You can prevent your pet from being exposed to tapeworms by controlling fleas and discouraging hunting. Your cat can be treated for tapeworms with an oral or injectable medication.

Hookworms Hookworms look similar to roundworms, but are smaller. Hookworms live in the small intestine where they feed on blood. They can cause severe anemia and even death in kittens. Hookworm larvae live in the soil, especially in warm, humid areas. They can cause skin infections in humans. Hookworms can be treated with an oral medication. Picking up animal feces immediately can also help with prevention.

Whipworms Whipworms get their name because part of the worm is short and thick, like the handle of a whip, while the rest is long and slender, like the lash. They are rare in cats. Whipworms can cause diarrhea and colitis. Treatment and prevention are similar to that for roundworms and hookworms.

Protozoa Protozoan parasites of the intestine include Giardia and Coccidia. All are microscopic. Giardia and Coccidia often cause diarrhea in kittens. Giardia can be spread to humans as well. Oral medications are available to treat for these organisms.

Heartworm Heartworms are worms that look very similar to roundworms, but live in the heart. Their microscopic larvae circulate in the blood and are spread by mosquitoes. Heartworms are seen infrequently in cats. Without treatment, heartworm infection causes damage to the heart and lungs and is often fatal. Therefore, prevention is crucial. A variety of convenient preventive medications are available from your veterinarian. Routine blood tests are recommended annually or more often if preventive treatment has been interrupted.