Allergies in pets

Did you know pets are just as prone to allergies as humans? There are five known types of allergies in pets: contact, flea, food, bacterial, and inhalant. Allergies have many signs and symptoms and trying to pinpoint exactly what your pet is suffering from can sometimes be trial and error. There are three ways in which allergies usually manifest. The most common presentment is itching and chewing of the skin, either in one local area or over the entire body. Another manifestation involves the respiratory system resulting in coughing, sneezing, and wheezing sometimes associated with nasal or eye discharge. Lastly, the digestive system can be affected, causing vomiting and diarrhea. There is no cure for allergies but with proper diagnosis and treatment, they can be efficiently managed.

Contact Allergy

Contact allergy is the least common and can usually be remedied quite easily. It is caused by direct contact with an irritant to the animal’s skin such as: collars, types of bedding, rubber bowls, topical sprays and shampoos, and some surfaces causing an allergic reaction. Finding the actual contact irritant can be the tricky part, but once found and removed no further problems persist.

Flea Allergy

Flea allergy is fairly common. It is the direct result of a flea biting an animal and injecting its saliva under the skin causing an itch reaction. This sometimes results in: chewing, scratching, hair loss, and/or rash. The best treatment is ultimately prevention. Visit your vet to find out the best products for your pet and household.

Bacterial Allergy

Bacterial allergy is commonly caused by staph; normal bacteria found on the skin. In a healthy animal with a normal immune system it causes no problems, however some dogs develop an allergic reaction to the bacteria causing hair loss and lesions. This can be treated with a course of antibiotics, but can sometimes require long term medications to help.

Inhalant Allergy

The most common allergy is the inhalant allergy. There are many inhalant allergens pets can have reactions to; things they are exposed to daily such as: pollen, trees, grass, weeds, molds, mildew, and household dust mites, to name a few. Usually it can cause: itching, chewing, sneezing, coughing, runny eyes, and nasal discharge. Many times these allergies are seasonal, but sometimes can be year round. Getting proper testing done to see exactly what your pet is having reactions to will help with treatment. Omega 3 fatty acids, anti- inflammatory drugs also known as steroids, and/or antihistamines such as Benadryl are most commonly used to help with itching and discomfort. Sometimes just rinsing the allergens off your dog daily with cool water will help.

Food Allergy

Food allergies are not something pets are born with, rather, they develop over a period of time from eating certain food products. The allergy usually develops in response to the main protein component of the food, for example beef, pork, chicken, or turkey. Food allergies can have all the same signs and symptoms as discussed previously. Testing or food trials are usually best for diagnosis. A minimum 4-6 week food trial is required for proper response because it takes up to 6 weeks for other food products to leave the system and it has to be a hypoallergenic food (not to be confused with a grain free diet). Testing will allow a full breakdown of all ingredients your pet may be allergic to. With a well-managed diet pets tend to recover well from this allergy.

While there is nothing you can do to prevent your pet from getting allergies, there are plenty of treatments available to help maintain your pets health and keep them happy. Allergies can be frustrating for you as well as your pet, so be sure to consult with your veterinarian and have your pet examined if you notice any signs or symptoms of allergies.

By Crystal Lujan

Many of you ask the question… “Can I get health insurance for my pet?” Yes you can! But be aware that they will not pay your veterinary bill at the time services are rendered. Pet health plans require you to pay your bill in full when your pet receives treatment and will reimburse you a certain percentage after you send in your claim. Most of them also require you to pay a deductible. Some pet insurance companies can pay your veterinarian directly so that you may avoid out of pocket expenses, but that can be a difficult process for you the owner and the veterinary office, therefore your veterinarian may not be willing to do it. There is one plan that most veterinary hospitals will have you apply for called Care Credit. It works like a credit card and you can use it at most medical, dental and veterinary offices. It has many different payment plans to choose from. The only downside is that just like a credit card you must be credit approved.

We all love our pets but don’t think about what we would do if something were to happen to them. That is why it is very important to be financially prepared in the event of an emergency with your beloved pet. The best thing to do is start a savings account for your pet. SERIOUSLY! You can always make payments to have a credit on your account at your veterinarian too. Also if you’re not already, you should establish yourself and your pet with a veterinarian to save time and paperwork if you do have an emergency. Veterinary hospitals constantly see emergencies like poisoning, hit by car, dog fights, and unexpected illnesses that owners aren’t prepared for financially and didn’t expect to happen. Most veterinary hospitals do not accept payment plans and owners are left with very few choices on how to pay for their pet’s treatment. Veterinarians and staff have a moral obligation to stabilize a pet in the event of an emergency but do not have to go any further if the owner does not have the financed to pay for their pet’s treatment. It is very hard for us and the owners but you must understand the veterinary hospitals position. If a veterinary hospital did everything for charity or took someone’s word that they would pay and they didn’t, they could not continue operating. They would not be able to pay their employees or pay for supplies and medications.

Pets are cute, fun and will be a very rewarding addition to your family. They mean the world to us and we want to do everything we can to make them healthy and happy. Make sure to vaccinate your pets, especially puppies. They need more than just one vaccine at the start of their life. They can start being vaccinated as early as 6 weeks of age. Take your pets to your veterinarian annually for checkups to detect health risks before they get too far along. Take care of your pet’s teeth, they need dental care too! Feed your pets a good quality food. Don’t let your pet become overweight; this may cause many health problems too. Bottom line… take care of your pets like you would yourself or your children. Always remember, in the long run prevention is key. If you are not financially secure, start a savings account just for your pet for those unexpected emergencies. Please contact your veterinarian if you have questions or concerns.

By Fran Frei

Did You Know? A Thing or Two About Rabbits and Guinea Pigs

• Guinea pigs are aslo called cavies
• Rabbits are in heat every 3 days and only take 32 days to have their babies (called kits).
• Rabbits and guinea pigs can be spayed & neutered
• Guinea pigs cannot produce their own vitamin C and must be supplemented and also be fed a good quality pellet specifically for guinea pigs. They also love citrus!
• Rabbits are not rodents, they are lagamorphs and have a second set of incissirs behind their 2 large upper teeth.
• Rabbits should be fed a good quality rabbit pellet in limited amounts and hay (preferably grass) daily as a source of fiber to help them from getting hair balls.
• Guinea pigs must have their 1st litter by 9 -12 months of age or else their pelvis will fuse and they will not be able to have the babies without a c-section.
• Guinea pig babies are born with their eyes eyes open and fully furred.
• Rabbits are intolerant of temps above 90 degrees and guinea pigs don't do well in the cold.
• No vaccines are necessary  for rabbits and guinea pigs.
• Rabbits can be easliy litter box trained.
• Guinea pigs should never be given any antibiotics related to penicillin.
• There are 47 breeds of domestic rabbits and 13 breeds of guinea pigs.
• If rabbits teeth don't align properly they may need regular tooth trimmings.

By Dr. Kristin Bell

You Have to Have a Lot of Something , A dedication to "Judd"

I have heard so many people say "I would love to be a veterinary technician!" Well... I love animals too but you have to have a lot of something to do this job. I don't mind cleaning up poop and vomit, I don't mind getting bit, scratched or growled at and I don’t mind the long days on my feet and the emotional and physical stress.

The best days are everyday, when you send a patient home happy and wagging his tail or purring. The best days are when you and your team save the life of a patient that didn't seem like he was going to make it. Those are the days you go home with a smile!

The worst days are the ones where you work with a patient non stop doing everything you can, looking at every angle to find out what is wrong with him and how to save him. You’re screaming in your head "I wish you could just tell us what hurts, what you did, what you ate, who hurt you, why won't you get better?!"  But he can't, and you get angry because you have become attached. You know what is going to happen and there is nothing more you can do except pray and hope for the best. You try to comfort him and his owners but you can't help but think the worst.

Those are the days that are the worst. Those are the days you get angry, stressed to the max, and sick to your stomach. Those are the days you take your work home with you, you cry, you get headaches and you hug your pets and tell yourself how lucky you are to have them no matter how short a time it’s for.

You have to have a lot of something to do this job. Every scar, every bruise, every smell, every tear and every day is worth every moment.

Francis Frei
Veterinary Technician
Alta Sierra Veterinary Hospital

6 year old Female Lab was brought in after the owner noticed a large laceration on the patient's right side. The owner was unsure as to what exactly happened and had said that the patient was running outside that morning and came home with it. The patient was bright, alert and not acting in pain, just walking a little uncomfortably. Dr. Bell had palpated and had felt a large, long foreign body. After sedation and clipping and cleaning the area, Dr. Bell made an incision and pulled out an 8 inch long stick about 1/2 -1 inch in diameter from under skin and deep into the thigh muscle along with several small splinters. The patient went home with a drain and several sutures. On a call back the owner notified us that the patient was doing ok!