Proper treatment can be started once an allergy is clearly diagnosed, but prevention is still better than cure. There are several ways that you can do to save your dog from the different allergies he can get during spring time. For example, simply washing away the offending allergens off your dog is often the best form of defense. Washing your dog’s paws after spending time outdoors or bathing him regularly is highly recommended. However, if your dog already has allergy, oral supplements and medications can provide relief, although some medicines with fatty acid may take months to become fully effective.

Also, over-the-counter antihistamines for humans can provide relief in some cases. But refrain from giving your dog any medication without the vet’s prescription. Keep in mind that these medicines may contain other ingredients that can be deadly for dogs, such as do-ephedrine, ibuprofen or acetaminophen.

Contact allergies, on the other hand, can be treated by applying topical creams and giving your dog antihistamines as prescribed by his vet. For inhalant allergy, treatments include antihistamine medication, Omega-3 fatty acids and immunotherapy.  Respiratory problems that include wheezing and coughing have no available treatment.  For flea allergy, treatment includes flea baths that will kill the fleas. Moreover, your home must also be treated as fleas can reside in the carpet and re-infect the dog upon contact.

If you suspect that your pet dog is suffering from spring allergies, please visit your vet as soon as possible. Keep in mind that careful observation and a trip to your veterinarian are the first steps in helping your dog get rid of any spring allergy.

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Did you know that the allergens that cause spring allergies in humans can also affect animals? Trees, grasses, weeds, dust mites, molds and insects are just some of the allergens that can cause skin infections, itching, sneezing and other reactions to your pet dog.

Constant paw licking, body rubbing and excessive scratching are all signs that your dog has an allergy. Hair loss, bad odour, rashes, flaky or greasy coat are some of the other symptoms that can manifest on your dog’s skin. Itching may also be caused by contagious mites, fungal infections, and other skin diseases.

Symptoms of airborne allergies are most often observed when dogs are between six months and four years old. In fact, these symptoms tend to become more severe as they age. Dogs often show symptoms at the same time every year, for instance, during spring. This usually happens when the seasons change. Here are some of the causes, signs and other symptoms that can manifest on your dog during spring:

1. Contact Allergy – this spring allergy is caused when the dog’s skin has an allergic reaction to pollen that can trigger swelling and itching. As a result, your dog’s skin will become flaky and dry, and your dog will begin to scratch the area excessively. Also, your dog’s feet are especially sensitive and he may  begin licking or chewing on the pads to reduce the pain and itching.

2. Inhalant Allergy – this spring allergy is caused when the dog breathes in tree, grass and weed pollens that can lead to itching and respiratory problems. This type of dog allergy commonly causes the dog to feel itchy all over his body.

3. Flea Allergy – although fleas often lie dormant during the winter, they re-emerge during spring. When a dog is allergic to fleas, one bite can cause severe itching and swelling of the affected area. The dog may scratch, lick or chew the bites, often resulting in open sores and the loss of hair in that area.

Knowing above signs and symptoms can help you easily identify if your dog is suffering from allergy. If you see some of these signs on your dog, take him to the vet right away for proper treatment and medication.

Siamese cats with their distinct colour point patterns is one of the most popular breeds of domesticated cats in the world. Not only are they very loving, active companions, these cats along with their unique feature and appearance also have a very unique personality. They are intelligent and are very people oriented and enjoy their human companion all the time.

One of the best traits of Siamese cats is that they have a surprising tendency to “talk” to people whom they are affectionate with. One of the most obvious traits is their voice. They can at times be extremely loud, sounding like a crying baby. Many have very harsh squeaky voices while others may have a soft meow. Some may be constant non-stop talkers, while others talk only if they have something important to say.

Siamese cats are also very considerate with small children. Normally when they have had enough of small children, they will simply make themselves unavailable. They also have great temperament with elders and makes wonderful companions and lap cats.

In terms of health, it is important to know that the Siamese cats possess a heat-sensitive gene. Siamese cats living in warmer regions have pale coloured coats while their counterparts in colder regions show darker colours. They are very vigorous and healthy cats that live on the average 15 to 20 years, and over 20 is pretty common. For grooming, Siamese cats need to scratch to trim their nails, so providing a cat scratch post and teaching them to use it properly is a must to prevent them from destroying your furniture.

This unusual breed of cat is very intelligent and is easily trained. In fact, you can always walk your pet Siamese cat with a harness and leash. When traveling, use a pet carrier for its comfort. You will be surprised you can easily teach him to use it well.

*Photo courtesy of : wikipedia.org

Similar to humans, your pet dog can also have dental problems. Therefore, as a responsible dog owner, it is your responsibility to make sure that your dog is free from any type of dental disease. The best way to prevent any dental problem with your dog is to brush and inspect your dog’s teeth daily. Keep in mind that catching possible problems early and working on prevention methods is always the best option.

But how do you know if your dog is suffering from any dental problem? Below is a list of common dental problems that your dog may experience:

1. Malocclusions – this is a common dental problem that is usually faced by puppies, which involves improper eruption of their adult teeth.

This condition happens when and adult tooth erupts directly under a baby tooth that has not yet fallen out, causing inflammation and tooth breakdown. In some cases, the adult tooth erupts in the wrong position, causing the rest of the teeth to become impacted or pushed out of position. This can be painful and if left untreated it can cause an infection. With that, it’s important to frequently check your puppy’s mouth to ensure that all teeth appear to be growing in normal condition. The most critical ages that you should monitor your puppy’s mouth are between 14 and 24 weeks old.

2. Calculus – this is a kind of dental problem that starts from a buildup of brown-coloured plaque on the dog’s teeth. This condition, which overlaps both the tooth and the gum line, is one of the most common dental problems that dogs may encounter. If left untreated, calculus can lead to abscesses and tooth loss. Moreover, an extreme case of calculus can lead to internal organ damage because bacteria can travel from the teeth into the blood stream.

3. Gingivitis – a gum disease that is caused by a bacterial build-up on the dog’s teeth. This leads to receding gums, making teeth loose. When humans lose their teeth after severe cases of gingivitis, they are fitted for dentures, however, that is not the case for dogs so gum care is very essential. With that, it is very important that you brush your dog’s teeth and gums with pet toothpaste containing calcium fluoride, silica, horsetail and dandelion for an ultimate dental care.

4. Periodontal disease – bleeding gums is a sign of periodontal disease in dogs. If you notice red spots on chew bones or bloody gums when checking your dog’s teeth, take your dog to a vet right away. When gingivitis has been left too long, a dog can develop periodontal disease or inflammation of the tooth support structures and have oral bone loss. Dogs with severe periodontal disease may exhibit a pus-like discharge from their teeth and microscopic lesions on the liver, kidneys and brain.

5. Fractured dog tooth – dogs of any age can fracture a tooth. Older dogs commonly damage their mandibular canines, the maxillary fourth premolars and incisors while young dogs often fracture their deciduous canine teeth. The most common causes for fractured teeth include chewing on chain-link fences, crates and kennel doors. To avoid this condition, dogs should be supervised when playing with hard chew toys, ice cubes or with training dummies. Then, after playtime, check your dog’s teeth for cracks, chips or fractures.

As a responsible dog owner, it is your responsibility to protect your pet from any possible dental disease, that’s why it is a must that you are familiar with the types of dental problems that your dog may have.

In celebration of Pet Dental Health Month, Petitude is encouraging all pet owners to take their pets to the vets for a dental check. Find out how you can avail of a free nurse dental check for your pet this month of August!

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