• For local areas of irritation, topical creams may be soothing. Again, ask your veterinarian. Also, sometimes local areas can become infected and may benefit from either topical or oral antibiotics.
• Some animals do well when oil-based products high in Omega-3/Omega-6 fatty acids are used to supplement their diet. Again, discuss this with your veterinarian.
• At times when the skin is really irritated, a cool bath using a colloidal oatmeal rinse (e.g., Aveeno) may be comforting.
• For some dogs, the pruritus is so severe that a stronger medication (e.g., prednisone) is required during peak allergy season to control the symptoms. Again, this should be discussed with your veterinarian.
Hope this helps!
Poison advisory - ASPCA warns about the potential health hazards of cocoa bean mulch for dog owners
With spring comes yard work that includes tending to our gardens. Cocoa bean mulch has become a commonly used product in landscaping, principally in gardens to choke out weeds and retain ground moisture. However, cocoa bean mulch is a by-product of chocolate production, and like chocolate, contains methylxanthines, the same ingredient that can has been implicated in chocolate toxicity in dog. Common symptoms include vomiting and muscle tremors. Many dogs enjoy the taste and readily consume the cocoa bean mulch. Therefore, caution or avoidance should be used for dogs that are commonly left in the yard unsupervised or have indiscriminate eating habits.
Page 2 of 2 -- On page 1, learn how to help a dog suffering from seasonal allergies.
About Dr. Walt Ingwersen
Dr. Walt Ingwersen is Chief Veterinary Officer at PetCare Insurance Brokers Ltd. He is a 1982 graduate of the Ontario Veterinary College. Board certified in Internal Medicine, he has the distinction of being the first Canadian editor of the Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association, a position he currently holds.
Involved in many aspects of the national and international veterinary community, "Dr. Walt" is the recipient of the President's Award for outstanding contribution to the veterinary profession awarded by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA). He is also Chief Veterinary Officer and Chairman of the Veterinary Advisory Board at PetCare Insurance Brokers Ltd. -- Canada's leading provider of insurance for dogs and cats.
