Dealing with Itchy Itches: Not so Innocent

It often starts with a simple itch!  An irritation that has to be nibbled at and licked until, before you know it, your pet’s itchy spot has turned into an oozing, red, painful patch of bare skin. Quick to develop, hot spots are a nuisance!

Acute Moist Dermatitis, commonly referred to as a Hot Spot, and is also known as a type of pyoderma, is a localized skin infection that can occur anywhere on the body and often in more than one area. Hot spots are often triggered by scratching, licking, or chewing the affected area. The resulting trauma to the skin causes inflammation and secondary bacterial infections. Unfortunately, this self-trauma only makes the area itchier, which causes a self-perpetuating cycle of itching and scratching.  While warm and humid weather seems to be the catalyst, any time of the year a hot spot can appear if your pet constantly licks and chews at their skin.

In small animal veterinary practices, pyoderma is one of the leading reasons for a Veterinarian to prescribe systemic antimicrobial agents.1 Pyoderma in dogs is most commonly caused by Staphylococcus pseudintermedius with other staphylococci being involved in less than 10% of cases.2,3 These superficial infections are rarely life-threatening but can significantly increase canine morbidity, leading to decreases in quality of life through subsequent pain, inflammation and pruritus.

CAUSES OF HOT SPOTS

The underlying cause of a hot spot can be anything that triggers an itch. If the itching turns into severe scratching and chewing, the resulting damage to the surface of the skin will prompt rapid bacterial growth. The more damage, the more bacteria, and the greater the itch. Further scratching helps to progressively worsen the hot spot, and the affected area will enlarge quickly. It is a painful cycle for your pet.

Possible causes of hot spots, include: 

• Skin parasites, such as fleas and mites
• Allergies, including food, contact, and airborne
• Insect bites or stings
• Ear infections
• Grooming problems, including hair that is matted or tangled or skin that is dirty
• Psychological issues, such as boredom, anxiety, or depression
• Medical conditions resulting in pain that causes the animal to lick and bite an area.

Hot spots can be found on any dog or cat, but the following dog breeds seem more susceptible: Newfoundlands, Pyrenees, and Golden Retrievers or any other dog that have heavy and hairy ears or animals with thick coats and long hair.

SYMPTOMS OF HOT SPOTS

A hot spot can often begin as a small red area that you may mistake for an insect bite. But unlike an insect bite, a hot spot will rapidly worsen and spread, developing into a hot, red, oozing, and painful lesion. Hot spots are very painful, and may cause the animal to be easily irritated or lash out uncharacteristically. 

The signs of hot spots include:

• Intense itching
• Sudden onset of a warm, painful and swollen patch of skin that enlarges quickly
• Lesion that exudes pus and has a foul smell
• Rapid loss of hair in the area of the lesion.

How to Treat a Hot Spot or Bacterial Skin Infection

The steps to treat an animal with a hot spot typically involve the following:

• Clip any hair that is over the hot spot. Trimming the hair back will let air reach the area to dry it out and also expose the entire surface area of the hot spot lesion
• Clean the lesion with a mild antiseptic wash. Washing with a mild antiseptic will help to clear the infection from the lesion by removing any surface bacteria and discharge
•  Allow the skin to dry thoroughly
• Apply a topical antibiotic/anti-inflammatory ointment, such as an antibiotic steroid cream or powder. Antibiotics will reach the infection in the deeper skin layers. The anti-inflammatory most often prescribed is cortisone, which reduces the itching and discomfort, and stops the animal from scratching and causing further damage to its skin
• If the animal continues to traumatize the area, the veterinarian may prescribe an Elizabethan collar

Research Shows that One Product is Better than the rest

The increasing phenomenon of antimicrobial resistance has been documented in the veterinary literature, prompting the need for alternative therapies to systemic drugs.4–6

To avoid contributing to antimicrobial resistance, Research suggests a shift away from systemic antibiotic use, which can be associated with bacterial resistance, towards the use of topical antiseptics that have different modes of action.

Previous studies have evaluated the antimicrobial effects of topical sprays and shampoos; however, these products are not always practical for owners to apply, especially if the dog has a very long or dense coat. As a result, alternative application formats such as mousses have been developed.

The purpose in one study, was to evaluate the residual antibacterial activity of five different mousse products against S. pseudintermedius (the most common bacterial infection with hot spots) in vitro after in vivo application on canine hairs. In this study Researchers found that treating dogs with the 5 different mousses had surprising results. Some mousses had no effect on the dog’s skin bacterial count and others had some decrease but only ONE had the best results even after 14 days compared to the dog’s skin before treatment.  So, what was the best product:

DOUXO Chlorhexidine PS Plus Climbazole Mousse 200 ml

Click here to learn more: https://vetapprovedrx.pharmacy/douxo-chlorhexidine-ps-plus-climbazole-mousse-200-ml.html

PREVENTION

The following information may help your pet from experiencing the discomfort of hot spots:

• When the weather is hot and humid, thoroughly dry the coat of your pet after they have had a bath or have been swimming
• Good grooming practices should be followed. For example:
  • Comb and brush coat regularly to remove tangles, prevent matting, and get rid of any foreign debris that may cause an irritation to the skin
  • A simple solution, bathe your pet when dirty
• Use flea and tick control preventives regularly
• Routinely wash bedding
• Deter your pet from licking.

Licking an itch seems like a harmless thing to let your pet do, after all we as humans are known to scratch at an itch too. We can relate. But when a pet repeatedly licks and scratches the same area they are prone to painful, swollen and sometimes infected skin areas as a consequence. Hot spots are an itchy and painful problem for your dog or cat, and may become a recurring issue if the underlying condition is not addressed. So it is best to discuss with and bring to the attention of your Veterinarian any area of skin you feel your pet can not stop itching, biting or scratching. Fortunately, with good management, your dog’s hot spot will resolve quickly and will not result in any permanent damage.

To your pet’s good health,

Dr. Barry

Sources

http://www.akc.org/content/health/articles/treating-and-preventing-hot-spots-on-dogs/

http://www.wideopenpets.com/3-common-skin-parasites-dogs-cats/ 

Residual antibacterial activity of canine hair treated with five mousse products against Staphylococcus pseudintermedius in vitro Sara J. Ramos* , Michelle Woodward*, Sarrah M. Hopp

https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/treating-and-preventing-hot-spots-on-dogs/

If you have ever had a puppy you know they are curious and you know they looooove to chew. Which can be a dangerous combination. They will chew everything from shoes, paper, socks, food wrappers and just about anything from a garbage can. Their urge to chew can be explained by teething, as new teeth grow in, or because your puppy just has a natural tendency to chew on things. It  is during these younger years that we have to be careful of the things that are in our homes that pose a potential danger to them.  Somethings we can understand why they chew them other things just aren't that understandable. Electric cords happen to be one of those things we ask ourselves, WHY?. Why, would a puppy want to chew something that doesn't smell good, taste good or isn't even something that draws there attention.

Electrocution from chewing on an electrical cord is the single most common type of electrical injury for household pets. These types of injuries can result in burns to the surrounding areas (e.g., mouth, hair), or because the current alters the electrical conduction in the heart, muscles, and other tissues. Possible complications of electric cord bite injuries are fluid accumulation in the lungs and high blood pressure in the arteries near the lungs.  Additionally, there have been reports of animals developing cataracts – an eye abnormality - after such injuries.1.

I hope my video blog has been helpful, but most of all I hope that by you watching my video it will prevent one more puppy from falling victim to electrocution.

To Your Pet's Good Health,

Dr. Barry

Resources:

1. https://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/cardiovascular/c_dg_electric_cord_bite

Feline Itchy Skin, Help!

In our house it's usually easy to find Bear,our dog, she is usually close by but if not a quick call brings her running.  Dogs are normally more responsive to being called.   Finding Boo,our Cat, is a little trickier. Cats are normally much quieter so Boo can be anywhere in the house and it can take us a long time to find him.  Of course, we have a unique built-in cat finder, our dog Bear is 100% in love with Boo and if we want to know where the cat is all we have to do is let Bear loose and within minutes Bear is making happy noises that she has found her true love. Not all houses have this feature and we truly appreciate having it.

Finding your cat is, unfortunately, easier if they are scratching, which has its own identifiable noise and is often accompanied by a thumping noise as their foot repeatedly hits the floor. Sounds innocent but when your cat is bothered by constant or frequent itching, it can be hard to listen to day after day.

Is your feline constantly scratching, licking, biting at the skin, or rubbing up against objects? If so, they could be suffering from an itchy skin disease, a very common problem found in felines and characterized by behaviors focused on relieving the itch. If your feline friend is itching, the first step to take is to carefully look at the skin and the hair coat.  

A feline’s skin and hair coat can tell a great deal about their general health and condition.

What are the basic functions of the skin?

Because felines are such curious creatures they often find themselves in situations where they are at risk of injury or exposure to noxious chemicals or harmful environmental conditions. The cat’s skin provides a barrier that helps to keep bacteria, microorganisms, and foreign elements from entering the body, and protects the internal tissues from dehydration and loss of body heat by insulating against conditions of extreme heat and cold. The skin also acts as a receptor for the awareness of touch, temperature, pressure, and pain.

What are the functions of the hair coat?

The hair coat also has specific useful functions. The outer coat is made up of primary hair, which grows from its own individual root. Connected to these roots are tiny muscles that enable a feline to fluff out its coat trapping warm air creating a form of insulation. Secondary hair, or the undercoat, is more abundant and also functions to provide added warmth and protection. Tactile hairs include the whiskers, eyebrows, chin hairs and the hairs found on the backs of the front legs. Tactile hairs are specially modified to provide detailed information about anything that they touch which gives important sensory information to the cat. Whiskers are longer, thicker, and stiffer than normal hairs and a feline can fan them out, and rotate them forwards or backward. The nerve endings in whiskers are clustered and help to supply a feline with detailed information about air currents, air pressure, or objects close to their face. This information helps to supplement the feline’s other senses of smell, sight, and hearing and are useful when investigating objects nearby.

What does healthy cat’s skin and hair coat look like?

Different breeds have different hair – short, medium, or long and fine, medium or coarse, but all healthy felines should have shiny and mat-free coats. A feline with dull fur that breaks easily or has bald spots may indicate that there is a health issue and your veterinarian should be consulted.

How to examine the skin and hair coat of a feline:          

• Run a comb or bristle brush against the lay of the hair to expose the skin
• Check the appearance of the skin
• Look to see if there is any residue on the comb or brush.

What am I looking for?

• Redness
• Swelling
• Rash
• Bumps
• Flea detritus
• Insects
• Scabs
• Scaly flakes

After looking at my cat’s skin, I believe they have a problem, What could be causing it?

Here is a short list of itchy skin diseases and their characteristics:

• Allergic contact dermatitis: Red and itchy bumps, inflamed skin at the site of contact, a rash that may spread beyond the area of contact
• Chiggers: Itching with skin irritation between toes, around ears and mouth
• Contact dermatitis: Red, itchy bumps, inflamed skin at site of contact, may be caused by rubber or plastic food dishes
• Ear mites: Head tilting and shaking, scratching at the ears, brown, waxy material in ear canals
• Flea allergy dermatitis: Red, itchy bumps over the base of tail, back of rear legs and inner thighs, itching continues after fleas have been killed
• Fleas: Itching and scratching along the back, around tail and hindquarters, may see fleas, flea feces, and eggs
• Food allergy dermatitis: Severe itching over the head, neck, and back, swelling of eyelids, reddened ears, possible hair loss and oozing sores
• Inhalant allergy: Small bumps and crusts around the head, neck, and back beneath hair coat, may have symmetrical hair loss over body
• Lice: Look for nits that look like white grains of sandy material attached to the hair, may have bare spots where hair has been rubbed off
• Maggots: Soft-bodied, legless fly larvae found in matted fur or open wounds
• Scabies: Intense itching around the head, face, neck, and edges of the ears, hair is rubbed off, typical thick gray to yellow crusts on skin
• Ticks: Often found around the ears, along the back, between the toes
• Walking dandruff: Large amounts of dry, scaly, flaky skin over the neck, back, and sides, mild itching

This partial list shows feline skin ailments can be caused by allergies, parasites, irritations, or internal diseases. Your veterinarian is trained to recognize the symptoms and diagnose a remedy that will relieve the itchiness before the cat suffers hair loss, wounds, or bacterial infections.  

What you can do:

Once the cause of the skin irritation has been identified, steps should be taken to prevent the animal from further exposure. Bathing the animal right away may help to minimize or eliminate the discomfort. 
The following treatments will not cure the problem but will help to control the symptoms by reducing the itching and soothing the inflammation. Such treatments include the use of:

• Topical or oral corticosteroids
• Antihistamines
• Allergy shots
• Immune therapy

To Your Pet’s Good Health,

Dr. Barry

Source:
http://www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/skin/c_ct_contact_dermatitis

The answer is Yes!

If you didn't know that answer please know you are not alone.

Novartis Animal Health, conducted research that found over half of pet owners aren't aware their pets can also spend the spring season feeling miserable thanks to pollens and other environmental allergens.

If you have ever experienced seasonal allergies you wouldn't wish it on any one, especially your pet!

Unfortunately changing seasons will often cause allergies to flare up and for some dogs, this also means the start of feeling absolutely miserable.

Seasonal allergies in dogs are referred to as Canine Atopic Dermatitis, or Canine Atopy, and make up one of the most common allergic skin diseases, second only to flea allergy dermatitis. This chronic skin disease is associated with an inflammatory allergic reaction that can be extremely uncomfortable to a dog and also alarming to its owner. It must be so frustrating for them, as a pet, to not be able to tell you.

"What happened to my dog's skin and why won't they stop itching?"

Canine Atopic Dermatitis occurs when allergens are absorbed, inhaled, or ingested through the dog’s skin. Once this happens, the immune system produces an antibody that releases chemicals that cause the skin to become inflamed and itchy.

COMMON ALLERGEN SOURCES

• Animal dander
• Airborne pollens from grasses, weeds, trees, flowers
• Mold spores
• Dust mites

Since your pet is unable to tell you that they feel miserable and ask for some medicine. You will have to notice their behavioral changes and signs that they may be suffering from Atopic Dermatitis.

BEHAVIORAL SYMPTOMS OF CANINE ATOPIC DERMATITIS

Extreme itchiness, rubbing, scratching and licking of sides, belly, groin, elbows. Watery runny eyes, scratching at and rubbing ears and face against furniture, carpet, and ground. Biting at the base of their tail. Licking and chewing feet and pads. Snoring due to a swollen throat and sneezing. These signs can lead to these symptoms

1. Skin: Reddened, possibly with crusts or scales, odor
2. Haircoat: Bald spots, brown discoloration from licking
3. Ears: Waxy discharge, redness, odor
4. Face: Reddened with hair loss on muzzle, chin, and areas around eyes
5. Feet: Inflammation, redness, odor, brown discoloration from licking
6. Secondary skin infections caused as the result of chewing and scratching
7. Hair loss due to scratching and rubbing

 Do all Dog's suffer from seasonal allergies?

I have seen every type of dog experience some sort of allergy including seasonal allergies, so my answer would be any dog breed can develop allergies at any time during his life. But allergic reactions seem to be especially common in Terriers, Setters, Retrievers, and flat-faced (brachio cephalic) breeds such as Pugs, Bulldogs and Boston terriers.

Common Treatments for Canine Atopic Dermatitis

As the saying goes  "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure"

I recommend  weekly bathing to help relieve itching and remove environmental allergens and pollens from your dog’s skin. Discuss with your vet what prescription shampoos are best, as frequent bathing with the wrong product can dry out skin.  I recommend these products :Aloe and Oatmeal shampoo and conditioner,  AntiSeptic KC Shampoo, Malaseb shampoo and KetoHex Shampoo. These products may help prevent skin infection, which occurs commonly in dogs with allergies. Sprays containing oatmeal, aloe and other natural products are also available and can be helpful. 

Fatty acid supplements might help relieve your dog’s itchy skin. Such as Omega Tri V and Triglyceride Omega.

In the case of airborne allergens, your dog may benefit from Allergy Shots (Depomedrol). These will help your pet develop resistance to the offending agent, instead of just masking the itch.

On the other hand in some cases, no amount of bathing, supplements and allergy shots will cure your pet's atopic dermatitis. In these instances Veterinarian's usually recommend.

1. Corticosteroids like Prednisone, 
2. Anti Histamines, Hydroxyzine, chlorpheniramine and Benadryl, ask your veterinarian first
3. Allergy testing and immunotherapy
4. I have had great success with Apoquel and Atopica 

Why it is important to treat Atopic Dermatitis ASAP?

I know I have suffered through allergy season without really treating my symptoms, especially consistently taking allergy medicine. But here is why you should treat your dog's allergies.

Allergies in your pets can lead to skin infections, hair loss, lick granulomas and Bronchitis.

Hot Spots can develop in dogs (hot spots are rarely seen in cats). A hot spot is inflamed, infected skin that occurs when your dog's natural bacteria overwhelms an area of his skin. Typically the skin will be very red, and often there is bleeding and hair loss.

Chronic exposure to inhaled irritants (including cigarette smoke) may be a cause of bronchitis in your pet. Bronchitis is characterized by a persistent cough due to inflammation of the airway and excessive mucus production. Treatment may include medication to open breathing passages, antibiotics and anti-inflammatory agents.  Treating these can be expensive.

 As soon as you realize your pet may be suffering from allergies see your Veterinarian for a check up.  The more your pet is exposed to the allergens he's sensitive to, the more intense and long-lasting his allergic response becomes. I have seen seasonal allergies turn into year long allergies. By treating your pet's allergies early (as early as 6 months old) you reduce the risk that your pet 's immune system produces these allergy fighting antibodies for a more prolonged time. Plus your pet will feel so much better and thank you.

To your Pet's good health,

Dr. Barry

Resources:

Henry Schein Health

http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/allergies-dogs#1