Veterinarians now have more medications and topical treatments to help reduce the itch in pets with allergies or other skin disease

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

It’s Itchy Pet Awareness Month. Yes, that’s a thing. And if you’ve ever had a severe itch, whether from mosquito bites or an allergic reaction to a medication, you understand just how uncomfortable an itch can be.

Allergies are the primary cause of itchiness in dogs and cats. Approximately 10% of dogs and cats experience environmental or food allergies that activate the itch-scratch cycle. Skin barrier defects can cause skin to become dry, another reason for itchiness. Secondary bacterial or yeast infections from scratching- and biting-induced abrasions contribute as well. And of course bites from fleas cause itchiness.

The good news is that better oral and topical preventives have reduced itchiness from fleas. There are fewer pets with flea allergies, and those cases tend to be less severe.

But if your pet is keeping you awake at night or disturbing you during the day with frantic and frequent biting and scratching at her skin, you and your veterinarian have good options to help your pet ditch that itch.

Your veterinarian will start by taking a thorough history: frequency of itching, when you first noticed it, what time of year it occurs or whether it’s year-round, what you’ve tried for it, what your pet eats, where on the body itching occurs, and much more. The goal is to determine if it’s an allergy and what might be causing it.

If a food allergy is suspected, your veterinarian may recommend an exclusionary diet trial. Your pet will eat a food that contains a protein he’s never had before -- think kangaroo or whitefish -- or one with hydrolyzed protein. To be successful, a diet trial must continue for eight weeks or longer, with no sneaking your pet table food or treats.

For environmental allergies, such as those to pollens, molds, grasses or other animals (my greyhound was diagnosed with an allergy to cats), allergy testing can help your veterinarian or a dermatology specialist determine which allergens to incorporate into an allergy vaccine or immunotherapy program.

Immunotherapy can be a good long-term management approach, but medications to help reduce itchiness are also available. They include Atopica (cyclosporine), Apoquel and Cytopoint.

“Those are all drugs that have made managing allergic itchy skin disease so much easier,” says veterinary dermatologist Wayne Rosenkrantz, DVM, at Animal Dermatology Clinic in Tustin, California. “Not that all dogs respond to them, but they are nice options to systemic steroids or cortisone.”

Topical treatments such as shampoos, creme rinses, sprays and wipes are also important management tools for itchy skin disease. For pets with barrier defects, meaning the skin is less able to repel invading pathogens and allergens, moisturizing shampoos and other topical agents can help to improve moisture content and barrier function.

Like many skin products for humans, they may contain ceramides, skin barrier lipids that aid moisture retention and protect against environmental irritants. But don’t go using your Olay on your pet; her skin pH isn’t the same as yours.

Products containing chlorhexidine may be prescribed for pets with staphylococcal, yeast or Malassezia infections.

Don’t expect a quick fix with a prescription for systemic antimicrobials. Frequent use of antibiotics -- in humans and animals -- has caused a surge of methicillin and other types of resistant infections. Unless a pet isn’t responding to topicals or other treatments, antimicrobials tend to be a treatment of last resort.

Finally, don’t fear frequent bathing, not only to remove allergens but also because it can be soothing and moisturizing. Bathing with an emollient shampoo or rinse helps skin retain moisture, and tepid or cool water can be soothing to itchy skin. That’s something we can all appreciate!

Q&A

Kids and dogs:

Building friendship

Q: We have a new dog and we’re trying to teach our 5-year-old daughter not to get in his face. Do you have any tips?

A: You are so smart to be working on that! Dogs are far more comfortable being able to approach a person, even a little one, on their own terms rather than having people approach them and get into their personal bubble.

Make a game out of teaching your daughter to learn to “read” body language so she knows what your dog is telling her. Signs of stress: whale eye (whites of the eyes showing), shaking off, frequently looking away, stress lines on the face, licking the lips, yawning, moving the body away to politely ask for the contact to end, stiffness in the body and pretending to sleep. Signs of happiness: gentle eyes, relaxed ears, a smile (mouth open with corners turned up and tongue showing), a wiggly body and a broadly wagging tail.

Encourage petting in places he enjoys, such as the side or shoulders. Ask her to pet him on the side where she’s standing instead of reaching over his head or body.

Instead of walking up to or kneeling in front of your dog, ask your daughter to invite your dog to approach by standing a few feet away and signaling or patting her leg for the dog to come close. She can also sit cross-legged to reduce the likelihood that she’ll lean into your dog’s face. Remind her that it’s OK for her dog to decide to move away when he’s ready for some time to himself. Make sure your dog has spaces he can go that are off-limits to kids. -- Mikkel Becker

Do you have a pet question? Send it to askpetconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker.

THE BUZZ

Biobank builds

sample base

-- A partnership between the Cornell Veterinary Biobank and the Dog Aging Project will bank thousands of canine blood, hair, urine and fecal samples in support of the DAP’s massive national study of aging in dogs and humans. The biological data gathered will aid researchers in their knowledge of aging in both species. Dogs and humans share many of the same age-related diseases, such as diabetes, arthritis and cancer, and what is learned about them in dogs can benefit humans as well. And because dogs share the same environment, lifestyle and often food as their owners, they are better models for study of those diseases.

-- Why would a cat under attack who can’t flee or bluff his way out of a fight roll over and expose his belly? It’s a worthy feline fighting stance. A cat in danger knows instinctively to engage his powerful rear legs and sharp claws in a raking motion designed to tear into the vulnerable belly of an attacker. Think of it as inflicting eight knife wounds simultaneously and repeatedly. Toss in those sharp fangs and the front claws going for the opponent’s face, and you can see that the cat is the ultimate ninja warrior.

-- A rarely seen cousin of the Irish setter is the Irish red and white setter, which has, yes, a red and white coat instead of the solid red of the Irish setter. Other minor differences include ears set a little bit higher on the head; less profuse feathering on the chest, legs, belly and tail; and a body that’s slightly shorter and sturdier. In temperament, the two breeds share the same joyous exuberance. Red-and-whites are said to be “thinking” dogs who will study you before offering a paw of friendship. They are favorites with hunters who prize their stamina. -- Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet care experts headed by “The Dr. Oz Show” veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker, founder of the Fear Free organization and author of many best-selling pet care books, and award-winning journalist Kim Campbell Thornton. Joining them is behavior consultant and lead animal trainer for Fear Free Pets Mikkel Becker. Dr. Becker can be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker. Kim Campbell Thornton is at Facebook.com/KimCampbellThornton and on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.

When death, injury or illness come calling, sometimes the love of a pet is all that can heal the pain

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

My father died last month, and less than a week later, my stepmother fell and broke her wrist and kneecap. In her grief and pain, she has had one lifeline to cling to: her love for her toy poodle, Spike, and her cat, Daisy.

When Ann realized that she was facing up to two months away from home in a rehab facility to regain her strength and mobility, she balked. Spike is 16 years old, and she feared that with so long an absence, he might die without her ever being able to see him again. It was an uphill struggle to persuade her that if she didn’t get the intensive and long-term physical therapy she needed, she might never be able to care for either of her beloved pets again on her own.

When we are facing emotional loss and physical or emotional pain, sometimes our dogs, cats or other pets are the only motivation we have to keep going. And during the COVID pandemic, they may be even more important. While interactions with other people are limited right now, our pets can be with us with no restrictions. Their presence is a comfort in many ways.

“Pets mitigate grief, sorrow and pain, both physiologically and psychologically,” says Lois Abrams, Ph.D. “It is a scientific fact that petting a furry animal releases endorphins for humans. These are calming and relaxing hormones. Psychologically, our pets divert sad and uncomfortable feelings and thoughts. They provide a distraction that allows the individual suffering to focus on another being rather than one’s pain and sorrow. Our pets are our comfort.”

When the hospital social worker and I were unable to persuade Ann of the need for a stay at the rehab hospital, we put our heads together. The next day, with a friend driving, Spike rode in my lap to the hospital. I’d tried to bring him there the day before, but he was terrified of being in the car -- so fearful that we didn’t even make it out of the neighborhood before I turned around and headed back to the house.

“He likes to have someone hold him,” Ann said. That did the trick. If it hadn’t, I would have tried Fear Free lead trainer Mikkel Becker’s suggestion of some calming natural treats to help reduce his anxiety, but being in my arms was enough to calm him.

Ann’s face lit up when I walked into her hospital room carrying Spike. I placed him on the bed with her, and he gently licked away her tears of happiness. You could tell that Spike was just as happy to see her. The visit helped her to accept the need for physical therapy so she could return to Spike and Daisy.

Ann has a long road to recovery ahead of her. She’s also facing the loneliness of life without my father. With COVID restrictions and my return soon to California, it may be more difficult to bring Spike to her for a visit. But I’m planning to work with her great-granddaughter, Tia, who’s taking over the pet sitting after I return home, to ensure that Ann gets plenty of opportunities to “see” him and Daisy, whether that’s through FaceTime calls, texted photos or even bringing Spike to the window of her room so she can wave at him with what I hope will soon be a more mobile and less painful arm and hand.

Now go scratch your pets’ ears and give your parents and other loved ones a call. You never know when it might be the last time.

Q&A

How to choose

pet products

Q: There are so many options regarding what to feed my dog or use for parasite control. How can I make an educated choice?

A: The choice of pet food you put in your cart (in store or online) has largely been driven by marketing, packaging and store employee recommendations. A pet store or farm and garden store employee’s recommendation is often based on what pet food line representative was just there presenting information about their company’s products, or sometimes they’re incentivized to sell a certain brand of food.

It can be the same routine regarding parasite control products for preventing or treating fleas, ticks, mosquitos and internal parasites such as roundworms and hookworms. The recommendation winds shift based on manufacturer sales materials or the uninformed employee simply recommending the product they use or that sells best.

My father used to tell me that when you want to buy a new washer or dryer, ask appliance repair people what brand they use in their own home. Similarly, ask car mechanics what brand of oil they used in their vehicles. Experts know how well a product is made, how reliably it works and whether it’s a value. Nobody knows pet foods and parasite control products as well as veterinarians.

We have extensive training in animal nutrition and parasitology. We attend conferences or online webinars to learn more about these issues. Plus, we’ve seen real-world evidence of how these products work with pets.

The way to make an educated choice of what product is best for your pet is to simply ask the veterinarian or veterinary nurse, “What do you feed your pets?” or “What parasite control products do you use with your pets?” Once they tell you, ask, “Do you think that is the best food/parasite control product for my cat(s)/dog(s)?” -- Dr. Marty Becker

Do you have a pet question? Send it to askpetconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker.

THE BUZZ

Rescuers turn tables,

save Saint Bernard

-- Normally, Saint Bernards are the rescuers, according to the history of the Swiss breed, developed to help find lost travelers in the frigid Alps. But 16 volunteers from the Wasdale mountain rescue team returned the favor to the breed, carrying 121-pound Daisy down from Scafell Pike, England’s highest peak at 3,209 feet (there are taller peaks in Scotland and Wales). Daisy had been hiking with her people when she collapsed with signs of pain in her legs as they were descending the mountain. The Mountain Rescue Team consulted a veterinarian, gave Daisy pain relief and some treats, and adjusted their stretcher to make it more dog-friendly. The trip down took five hours, and Daisy is expected to recover.

-- A lucky cat named Spooky took an unplanned ride of 491 miles in the engine bay of a Peterbilt semi, driven by trucker Jack Shao. Unaware that he had a stowaway, Shao headed from Canada to the United States. He discovered the black cat during a routine engine check in North Dakota and called the phone number on Spooky’s collar, which connected him to the cat’s veterinarian. The kind-hearted trucker returned Spooky on his way back, with the cat riding more comfortably in the cab with his benefactor.

-- If you have a new puppy, you may be wondering how you can socialize him when training classes and public outings are curtailed. Never fear! Taking him for walks and car rides will allow him to see people, places and things from a distance. Spend time at home teaching him to love his carrier; gently handle his paws, ears and other body parts to prepare him for veterinary visits; and set and maintain a routine he can stick to even if your schedule changes. You can find more on practical home training at fearfreehappyhomes.com/blog. -- Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet care experts headed by “The Dr. Oz Show” veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker, founder of the Fear Free organization and author of many best-selling pet care books, and award-winning journalist Kim Campbell Thornton. Joining them is behavior consultant and lead animal trainer for Fear Free Pets Mikkel Becker. Dr. Becker can be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker. Kim Campbell Thornton is at Facebook.com/KimCampbellThornton and on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.

8 things to know about caring for these prickly pets

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

Hedgehogs are crazy cute. That's probably the main reason people get them as pets. And they are unique. It's not everyone who can say that his roommate is an African pygmy hedgehog.

"They're just cool," says veterinarian Scott Weldy of Serrano Animal and Bird Hospital in Lake Forest, California, who keeps two hedgehogs. He says it's fun to watch and interact with them, especially when they roll over to show their cute bellies and tiny feet.

Not surprisingly, though, these bristly little critters have some special needs. Read on to see if a hedgehog is a good match for you.

-- Hedgehogs are not always legal pets. In California, for instance, only people with permits can keep them. Other states and some cities have similar laws. Check before you buy. That said, even if you own one illegally, don't hesitate to take him to the veterinarian for care. In all likelihood, your veterinarian is not required to turn you in or to confiscate your pet.

-- Hedgehogs are insectivores. Dr. Weldy recommends feeding a commercial insectivore diet rather than trying to come up with a homemade diet of mealworms.

-- Hedgehogs like warmth. It's important not to let them get cold, so keep your hedgehog indoors.

-- Hedgehogs need socialization. Handle your hedgehog frequently so you don't find yourself caring for a living pincushion. A hedgehog doesn't have good eyesight, so let him sniff you before you pick him up so he knows who you are.

Another reason for handling a hedgehog on a regular basis is to make it easy for your veterinarian to examine him. If he curls up in a ball every time he's touched, your veterinarian will have to administer gas anesthesia to get him to relax enough for an exam, which increases the cost of the exam.

-- Hedgehogs are nocturnal. That makes them good pets for people who work during the day or school-age kids. They are usually less cranky than hamsters if awakened during the day, however.

"If you gently wake them up and give them a few minutes, they'll start moving around," Dr. Weldy says. "They're very food-oriented, so if you show them food, kids coming home from school can play with them until they go to bed."

-- Hedgehogs are notorious for developing tumors.

"When people come in with a sick hedgehog, that's the first thing on the list," Dr. Weldy says, "and usually the people are bringing them in on the downhill side of the disease. The spines make them look big all the time, so if you don't touch them, weigh them or get them to relax so you can palpate them, you would never know. You have to be really vigilant."

The best way to monitor your hedgehog's condition is to weigh him weekly on a kitchen scale and mark his weight on the calendar. That makes it easy to see any patterns of weight gain or loss that might indicate a health problem. You should also take your hedgehog to the veterinarian right away if he's eating or pooping less than normal.

-- Hedgehogs may also have dental problems. They can develop bone infections from infected teeth and soft-tissue tumors in their mouths. You can't really brush their teeth, but your veterinarian can perform dental cleanings just as she would on a dog, cat or ferret, as well as remove rotten teeth.

-- When buying a hedgehog, pick him up and hold him to make sure he's friendly. Go to see the hedgehog in the evening when he'll be active to get the best idea of his personality. Ask to watch him eat. Buy from someone who keeps the animals in a clean environment.

Q&A

Stiff kitty may

have arthritis

Q: My cat seems to move more slowly these days, and it looks like he's having some trouble getting in and out of his litter box. Could he have arthritis?

A: We do tend to think of cats as being the ultimate yoga masters, but they have joints, and those joints can become inflamed with age. Studies have shown that 90% of cats 10 years of age and older are likely to show signs of arthritis on radiographs (X-rays).

Because cats are so good at hiding physical problems from us, the signs of arthritis can be subtle. For instance, some cats start peeing or pooping outside the litter box because it's not so easy to climb in and out of it, as you noticed. That's often misidentified as a behavior problem instead of a pain-management issue.

Your cat may not jump as high or may prefer to stay on the floor instead of sleeping on the bed with you. He may be unable to groom himself as well as he used to, or you may notice that he shies away from being petted.

Here are some things you and your veterinarian can try to help him feel more comfortable: nutraceuticals such as glucosamine and chondroitin (Cosequin) may offer some relief. An injectable medication called Adequan seems to help as well. If your cat is overweight, talk to your veterinarian about implementing a diet and weight loss plan. Taking off some pounds will relieve pressure on his joints. Acupuncture may also be beneficial.

Environmental changes you can make include providing steps so the cat can more easily get on the sofa or bed, cutting an opening into the litter box so he can walk in and out, and providing a heated bed to soothe achy joints.

Be patient. Cats often respond better to pain therapy than dogs, but it can take four to six weeks before you start to see results. -- Dr. Marty Becker

Do you have a pet question? Send it to askpetconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker.

THE BUZZ

Cats’ eyes made for

nocturnal hunting

-- A cat's eyes adjust to different lighting conditions. Having eyes that reduce the pupils to slits rather than tiny circles gives the cat greater and more accurate control in different types of lighting; this ability is particularly important in bright sunlight. This adaptation sets domestic cats apart from their relatives the lions, which hunt by day instead of night. A lion's pupils -- like ours -- contract to tiny circles, not vertical slits.

-- Persistent gastrointestinal problems in dogs may be a sign of a type of inflammatory bowel disease called lymphocytic plasmacytic enteritis. A change in food to a more digestible diet brings a good response in up to 80% of dogs with the disease, but the optimal way to manage dogs with this disease is still unknown. A study at Cornell University Hospital for Animals is seeking answers, testing dogs’ responses to different diets. Curiously, after three months, nearly all the dogs, whether they are eating test or placebo diets, have had good responses. Researchers are continuing to analyze the dogs’ gut microbiome and metabolism with the hope of improving diagnosis and therapy. Sometimes, maybe, change is good all on its own.

-- Kentucky has joined the rest of the country in allowing veterinarians to report animal abuse. A new law lifts restrictions preventing veterinarians from notifying authorities of suspected animal abuse. Previously, Kentucky was the only state that explicitly prohibited veterinarians from alerting authorities to potential animal abuse, which often occurs in tandem with child or domestic abuse. The signing of Senate Bill 21 by Gov. Andy Beshear is a significant step forward for the state, according to the Animal Legal Defense Fund. -- Kim Campbell Thornton

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet care experts headed by “The Dr. Oz Show” veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker, founder of the Fear Free organization and author of many best-selling pet care books, and award-winning journalist Kim Campbell Thornton. Joining them is behavior consultant and lead animal trainer for Fear Free Pets Mikkel Becker. Dr. Becker can be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker. Kim Campbell Thornton is at Facebook.com/KimCampbellThornton and on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.