A neoplasm is a mass with abnormal tissue. It can be benign (slow growing and noninvasive) or malignant (rapid growth with spread to other tissues). It may be cancerous or noncancerous.

Overall, lumps and bumps tend to be solid tissue masses, but a bump like a superficial abscess may have pus as well as some solid tissues.

Should You Worry About a Lump?

Most benign growths are superficial. They are only in the outermost layers of the skin, so they are movable and not firmly attached to the body and underlying tissues. They are not usually red or inflamed or painful. Most develop slowly.

If you notice any growths on your dog, track the location and size. Checking once a month is a good recommendation. If things change, contact your veterinarian for an exam. Your chart of the growth’s history will be helpful.

If your veterinarian has any concerns, the first step is generally a needle aspiration, which is done without any anesthesia and provides your veterinarian with cells to examine under the microscope.

Common Types of Lumps, Cysts, and Tumors

Cysts: Some skin cysts have a clear, thin layer of tissue. Your veterinarian can drain a cyst, but without removal of the capsule, it will often refill.

Sebaceous cysts: These cysts tend to be firm and white or gray in color. They do not drain easily and may rupture and become infected.

Skin tags: Small skin tags and wart-like growths tend to be benign but may irritate your dog due to their location. If they’re irritating, you can discuss removal with your veterinarian.

Lipomas: Lipomas are fatty neoplasms that tend to be smooth, often round, and benign. They can be moved around in the skin a bit and you can usually feel underneath them. Some of these can get quite big and may not be as movable then.

Hives and welts: Hives, welts, and allergic reactions can crop up very quickly. My shorthaired Cirnecho dell Etna was “popping up” hives as we watched during one very buggy night at training class. These lumps disappeared quickly with a dose of antihistamine.

Mast cell tumors: These tricky skin growths usually appear benign, somewhat superficial and with no inflammation. Often, if they are rubbed, they will have a temporary increase in size, the skin will get red and warm, and your dog may bite or itch at them. This is all due to histamine release from the irritated mast cells. Mast cells growths require veterinary intervention.

Just like us, our dogs can have a variety of skin tags, growths, lumps, bumps, and cysts—and hygromas. Most of these are benign, but some can indicate other problems or even cancer. Erring on the side of caution with a veterinarian appointment is wise. Everything is easier to handle when caught earlier.

The post Is That a Cyst or a Tumor? appeared first on Whole Dog Journal.

Controlling the Itch

Generally, the three primary reasons a dog might be itchy are:

• External parasitism (fleas, mites, etc.)
• Airborne allergies (atopic dermatitis)
• Dietary sensitivity (allergic dermatitis)

Prior to the release of Apoquel, treating an itchy dog was difficult and largely disappointing. Typical treatments included:

• Control of external parasites (spot-on topicals, flea/tick collars, oral medications, lime-sulfur dips)
• Steroids (these had multiple side effects, including excessive drinking, urination, and appetite)
• Modified cyclosporine (cost-prohibitive for many dog owners)
• Hyposensitization therapy (injectable or sublingual, which can take months to years to have an effect, only 60% to 70% success rate),
• Strict dietary therapy with a prescription diet (hydrolyzed or novel protein/novel carbohydrate)
• Medicated baths
• Oral antihistamines
• Omega-3 fatty acid supplements

Enter Apoquel for Dogs

Apoquel is an immunomodulator (JAK inhibitor) that inhibits cytokines involved in the itch and inflammation pathways. Onset to relief is as soon as four hours. The approved dose of Apoquel is 0.18 to 0.27 mg oclacitinib/lb (0.4 to 0.6 mg clacitinib/kg) body weight, administered orally, twice daily for up to 14 days, and then administered once daily for maintenance therapy. Apoquel can be used seasonally, or throughout the year. Apoquel can be given with or without food. Apoquel is available in 3.6 mg, 5.4 mg, and 16 mg tablets and is a prescription medication. Follow your prescriber’s recommendation for dosages, but you can access the Zoetis dosing chart here.

Cautions With Apoquel

Apoquel should not be used in dogs less than 12 months old, dogs who are breeding, pregnant or nursing, or dogs who have severe infections. Apoquel can make a dog more susceptible to infection, including demodicosis (overgrowth of Demodex mite) or severe cancerous conditions. Dogs on Apoquel should be monitored for these potential conditions.

While Apoquel is not likely to increase the risk of new cancers, it can make pre-existing cancer worse. In other words, a pre-existing tumor may get bigger. Apoquel can be given with antibiotics and vaccines. According to Zoetis, Apoquel has not been evaluated for use in conjunction with steroids, cyclosporine, or other systemic immunosuppressive agents.

Apoquel Side Effects

The most commonly reported side effects in the post-approval period include vomiting, lethargy, inappetence, and diarrhea.

In the itchy dog, external parasites and infections will still need to be treated, as these disease states can cause more problems than just itching.

There are dogs whose itch cannot be fully controlled using Apoquel, and for those cases, a discussion with the dog’s veterinarian or a veterinary dermatologist is recommended for additional or replacement therapies.

The post Apoquel Quickly Addresses Itchy Skin appeared first on Whole Dog Journal.

Symptoms of Cat Allergies in Dogs

Dogs that are allergic to cat dander may have symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis. These symptoms include redness of the inner eyelids and whites of the eyes, squinting, rubbing the eyes, and ocular discharge. Ocular discharge may be clear or white but may also be yellow or green.

Other symptoms of a cat dander allergy in dogs include itchy skin, coughing, sneezing, and runny discharge from the nose. Dogs with itchy skin will incessantly scratch and lick at their paws, face, ears, tailbase, and the underside of their body.

Dogs with a cat dander allergy are often allergic to other things in their environment. Your veterinarian may recommend allergy testing to determine which allergens are the most troublesome for your dog.

Treating Dog Allergy Symptoms

One aspect of treating a cat dander allergy and other environmental allergies is relieving the symptoms of the allergy. This may include antihistamines, eye drops for allergic conjunctivitis, and shampoo or other topicals to alleviate itchy skin.

The other part of treatment is modulating the immune system’s response to specific allergens. This may include medications—such as steroids, cyclosporine, Apoquel, or Cytopoint. This may also include allergy hyposensitization therapy—also known as allergy injections.

Additional Considerations

There are many other illnesses that can cause the same symptoms as allergic conjunctivitis. Your veterinarian will conduct a complete eye exam with an ophthalmoscope. She may recommend testing your dog’s tear production with a Schirmer tear test, determining your dog’s ocular pressures with a tonometry device, and staining the surface of your dog’s eyes with fluorescein to look for corneal ulcers.

With apropriate treatment, allergic conjunctivitis due to a cat dander allergy can be managed, leaving your dog with more comfortable eyes.

The post Can Dogs be Allergic to Cats? appeared first on Whole Dog Journal.

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera, known for its ability to soothe sunburns, rashes, and other skin conditions, is widely sold and considered safe for topical use with pets. Aloe vera juice or gel (ideally a single-ingredient product made without additives) is easy to apply where its anti-inflammatory properties can reduce redness, cool hot skin, and speed the healing of minor abrasions. Simply work aloe vera into your dog’s skin with your fingers or a rubber bath brush and let the coat dry.

Herbal Teas

Popular skin-soothing herbal teas include chamomile, calendula, comfrey, lavender, St. John’s wort, and green tea. Peppermint is a cooling herb, so in addition to smelling good, it helps take the heat out of any itch that feels warm to the touch. These herbs are widely sold in natural food stores, online, and in some supermarkets. They are compatible with one another, so you can use them in any combination.

To make an effective herbal rinse or skin spray, place 6 teabags or 6 teaspoons of dried herbs in a 1-quart glass jar. Fill the jar with boiling water, close the lid, and let the tea stand until it cools to room temperature. Alternatively, place the herbs in a 1-quart ceramic tea pot, fill it with boiling water, and leave its lid on until the tea cools.

Strain the tea and use it as a final rinse after bathing or spray it onto your dog’s wet or dry coat, working it in well so it reaches the skin. Let the coat air dry, then gently brush your dog.

My favorite herbal tea for rinsing dark-colored dogs like my black Lab contains equal parts calendula, comfrey, and St. John’s wort. Chamomile tea is recommended for dogs with brown, beige, or red coats. Because herbal teas can stain light or white coats, try a different method for your light-colored pup.

Oatmeal Baths

By far the most recommended home treatment for a dog’s itchy skin is an oatmeal bath. To try this traditional remedy, pulse or grind 1 cup of plain, unflavored instant, quick, slow-cooking, or steel-cut oatmeal in a blender, coffee grinder, or food processor at the highest setting until the oats form a very fine powder.

Fill a tub or sink with warm (not hot) water to a level that will be comfortable for your dog. Add the oat powder to running water while the tub is filling and stir well to disperse it. With your dog in the tub, use a cup or small bucket to pour the bath water over his body, massaging it into his skin. If possible, keep him soaking for 5 to 10 minutes.

If a tub doesn’t work, loosely wrap your dog in a towel, gauze fabric, or T-shirt that you soak with oatmeal bath water. Let the fabric stay in place for as long as possible while pouring oatmeal water over it to keep it wet. Rinse your dog well with warm water, then dry your dog with towels and, when the coat is completely dry, gently brush it.

Herbal Oatmeal Variations

Any of the dry herbs mentioned above can be combined with oatmeal to add anti-itch benefits to the bath. For example, to 1 cup of raw oats you could add 1/4 cup of dried lavender blossoms, then grind, blend, or process the combination to a fine powder. Follow the instructions for giving an oatmeal bath.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar or ACV contains a dark, cloudy substance that resembles dusty cobwebs. Called the “mother,” this substance contains naturally occurring pectin and apple residues that form strand-like chains. Raw and unfiltered, cider vinegar is usually beige or brown in color. It can be diluted half-and-half with water or, if stronger measures are needed, applied full-strength to itchy dogs.

Apple cider vinegar cools the skin when applied to burns, wounds, hot spots, and itchy areas. It can be sponged onto a dog’s coat after a bath to remove soap residues and improve hair condition. Raw apple cider vinegar’s acidity and live enzymes are said to kill bacteria that cause dander and other flaking skin conditions. Soak the coat to the skin and let it air-dry. This same treatment is said to repel fleas and ticks.  Please note that apple cider vinegar will stain the coats of lightly colored dogs, so for white dogs, substitute distilled white vinegar.

If your dog has sensitive skin, test a square inch of bare skin by applying a small amount of vinegar. Check the area every few hours for up to 24 hours. If redness or irritation develops, dilute the vinegar and try again or discontinue use. This type of patch test is not necessary when applying vinegar that will be washed or rinsed off within a few minutes.

Vinegar/Herbal Tinctures

You can combine treatments by mixing apple cider vinegar with dried herbs to create a tincture, which is a concentrated herbal extract. A simple way to do this is to place 1 cup of dried herbs, such as any combination of chamomile, calendula, comfrey, lavender, St. John’s wort, or green tea, in a 1-quart glass jar. Fill the jar with apple cider vinegar and leave it in a warm, dark location, such as a kitchen cupboard, for at least two weeks. Shake the jar or turn it upside down every day to distribute its contents. When ready to use, filter the tincture through cheesecloth or gauze and store in a cool, dark location.

To use an herbal tincture on your itchy dog, dilute 1/4 cup tincture in 1 cup water and apply it to your dog’s wet or dry coat. Work it in with your fingers or a rubber bath brush, let it dry, then brush your dog.

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Astringent Healing Skin Rinse

Here is a recipe from herbalist Gregory Tilford, co-author of the book Herbs for Pets: The Natural Way to Enhance Your Pet’s Life  for an effective skin rinse.

Combine equal parts juniper leaf or uva-ursi leaf, calendula flowers, and peppermint leaf in a glass or stainless-steel pot. Cover the herbs with water and bring it to a gentle boil over moderate heat. Simmer for 10 minutes, then remove from heat and allow it to stand until cool. Strain the cooled fluid through a sieve, then soak the dog’s skin and coat and let the dog drip-dry.

Add Essential Oils

In her book Holistic Aromatherapy for Animals, Kristen Leigh Bell recommends German chamomile essential oil (also called blue chamomile) for its skin-soothing, anti-inflammatory effects on allergic reactions and skin irritations; lavender essential oil for its gentle, anti-itch and relaxing effects; and peppermint for its relief of pain and itching.

Essential oils are not water-soluble, so they float to the surface of water or vinegar, but you can dissolve them with a small amount of alcohol. Don’t use isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol for this purpose but rather vodka or another neutral distilled spirit. For example, add 4 to 6 drops of lavender, German chamomile, or peppermint essential oil to 1 tablespoon vodka, then add that combination to 1 cup of herbal tea rinse, apple cider vinegar, or diluted vinegar tincture.

Carbonated Water

Here’s something even simpler. According to Karen Becker, DVM, in her book The Forever Dog Life, plain carbonated water can be an effective remedy for itchy skin because it increases blood flow without negatively affecting any skin functions. Just apply and let dry.

Baking Soda Paste

Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, can be mixed with an equal quantity of water to create a paste. Apply the paste to itchy areas, let it stand for 15 minutes, and then rinse. For extra moisturization, replace the water in this formula with aloe vera juice or gel. Baking soda isn’t toxic in small quantities, but preventing your dog from licking it is a good idea.

Helping Your Dog Feel Better

Dry skin in dogs contributes to dull coats, dander, hair loss, skin odor, and injuries that result from excessive scratching. Simple, effective home remedies can help itchy dogs of all ages look and feel better.

The post Home Remedies for Itchy Dogs appeared first on Whole Dog Journal.

At-Home Simple Remedies

It makes sense with any skin condition to begin with basic treatment options, like parasite control if you see fleas. Medicated shampoos, mousses, and creams can help provide many dogs with comfort to relieve itching and act as therapy as well.

If you don’t see immediate results and these simple treatments don’t help, it’s time to bring in the veterinarian—the longer you wait, the more out of control the skin condition may become.

When you get to the veterinarian’s office, be prepared to give as thorough a history as you can, including when and where you think the problem started and any changes in your dog’s life that might help your veterinarian narrow things down to the most likely causes first.

In many cases, skin scrapes and fungal cultures are done. If necessary, antibiotics or antifungals may be prescribed. For difficult cases, cytology, biopsy, and/or bloodwork (for endocrinopathies, more on that below) may be suggested.

Corticosteroids or NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) may be used, at least initially, to provide your dog some relief, especially if he is highly pruritic (extremely itchy). While some skin problems aren’t curable, most can be managed to provide a reasonable quality of life for your dog.

Fleas First

The first step is to rule out external parasites. William Miller, Jr., VMD, emeritus professor of dermatology at Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, says he has seen that most hair loss in dogs is related to biting, itching, and chewing due to parasites such as fleas and mites.

Some dogs will do minor biting and licking, primarily around the tailhead and in the groin area with a flea infestation, but dogs with a flea allergy will dramatically “go to town” and end up with bare, oozing patches of inflamed skin from even one flea bite. Crusty patches follow as the skin secretions dry up.

How to Check for Fleas

To check for fleas, look deep into the dog’s coat for small, brown fast-running insects. They can most easily be seen if you roll your dog over and look at the relatively hairless groin area. You can also scruff the hair over your dog’s back while standing on a white sheet of paper or other light-colored surface. Flea dirt, a mixture of flea poop and flea eggs, looks like salt and pepper and feels a bit gritty. If you add a drop of water, it will turn pink from the blood in the flea poop.

Be sure to check all the pets in the household as they can all share fleas. You will need to treat all the pets and the house and will want to consider using a flea preventative.

Mites on Dogs

Detecting mites usually requires a visit to your veterinarian for skin scrapings to locate the mites imbedded in the skin. Sarcoptic mange mites cause intense itching but are difficult to find even with a skin scrape. Mites are contagious, so multiple pets may be itching.

If your veterinarian strongly suspects sarcoptic mange, which is caused by mites, he or she may dispense treatment even if no mite is found. Topical treatments have now pretty much replaced the old sulfur baths and dips.

Bacterial Infections

Staphylococcus species of bacteria are the most common bacterial skin infections. These can cause patchy crusts and itching on their own or occur secondary after damage from your dog traumatizing his skin. While bacterial infections do respond to antibiotics, the rise of antibiotic-resistant staph species has led to an increased interest in handling these infections with topical therapy, such as medicated baths.

Depending on the severity of the skin condition and if your dog has other health problems, you may need to do both oral antibiotics and baths to get rid of the bacterial infection. A culture to isolate the exact bacterial species involved and determine which antibiotics it is susceptible to may be recommended, especially for severe or recurrent cases.

Fungal Infections

Fungal infections include both ringworm and yeast. Classic ringworm causes round, patchy areas of hair loss, often with dry crusts. (Cats are more susceptible to ringworm than dogs, so check your cats too.) Your veterinarian may use a special light to look for fluorescence and do a culture from a hair in the affected area to make the diagnosis.

Yeast Skin Infections

Yeast infections tend to be moist, oozing patches that rapidly expand. Crusts are soft and easily displaced. Typical “hot spots” (moist eczema) are most common in hot, humid weather, often a combination of bacterial and yeast infections. Treatment for yeast and fungal infections generally starts with topicals such as medicated baths, but some dogs will require oral antifungal medications as well.

Seborrhea In Dogs

Seborrhea can be the bane of existence for some dogs, just as it is in some people. In dogs, there are two versions of seborrhea. One is primary and has no treatment but can be managed medically. The other is secondary to a different primary skin problem. Once the primary problem is resolved, the seborrhea will clear as well.

Sometimes seborrhea is oily, due to the overproduction of sebum by skin sebaceous glands. In this case, your dog has flaky skin with soft crusts. The hair coat can feel oily when you pet your dog. Dry seborrhea is like dandruff in people with lots of dry skin flakes and crusts. Seborrhea often responds to medicated shampoos.

Infections in Otherwise Normal Skin

Some canine skin conditions come with what appears to be normal skin. In other words, no rash, oozing areas, or itching noticed. Dr. Miller says dysplasia of the hair follicles and endocrinopathies such as Cushing’s disease and hypothyroidism as possible causes of these problems.

Black-hair follicle dysplasia is noted in a wide range of breeds. As expected from its name, it primarily affects black hair. Signs may be evident as early as 4 weeks of age. This is an autosomal recessive genetic trait, meaning it can occur in males and females and both parents, while appearing normal, are carriers of the defect. Other dogs can manifest different variations of hair follicle dysplasia, usually starting slightly older, around 2 to 4 years of age. Unfortunately, there is no treatment for inherited skin problems beyond simply medical management.

Dogs with diseases of the endocrine glands like the thyroid or pancreas that cause hair loss and crusts often require skin biopsies and bloodwork for a definitive diagnosis. These problems can be medically managed, and your dog may return to a normal, or nearly normal appearance. Auto-immune problems can also cause skin eruptions.

As stated earlier, the sooner you get any abnormality on your dog’s skin or hair treated, the better. These infections can spread quickly, and your dog—and you!—will both be miserable.

The post How to Handle Dog Skin Conditions appeared first on Whole Dog Journal.

Pruritus due to hives and insect bite hypersensitivity are caused by the release of histamine and other inflammatory mediators. Over-the-counter dog allergy medications like antihistamines are typically effective at relieving this form of itchiness. More severe cases may require the addition of a glucocorticoid to reduce inflammation.

Allergic rhinitis and bronchitis may be responsive to the antihistamine cetirizine (commonly known as Zyrtec). Coughing due to allergic bronchitis may require an antihistamine and glucocorticoid combination, such as trimeprazine and prednisolone (Temaril-P).

Itchy skin associated with atopic and flea allergy dermatitis is not always responsive to antihistamines. Medications that target specific itch receptors in the skin may provide dogs with more complete relief from their pruritus than antihistamines. See the article “Allergies in Dogs” (WDJ website) for more information on other treatments that may help your dog.

The following is an information guide to many of the common medications that are used to treat allergy symptoms in dogs.

The post A Guide to Dog Allergy Medications appeared first on Whole Dog Journal.

What Causes Acral Lick Granuloma in Dogs?

Acral lick dermatitis is a secondary problem that usually starts because of another health problem. The primary health condition causes pain, irritation, or itchiness, which causes the dog to lick, and over time the licking causes more irritation which makes the dog lick even more. Sometimes we’re not sure why the dog is licking, but we do know it can be difficult to break this cycle.

The first thing your veterinarian will do is try to figure out why your dog is fixating on a specific spot and licking that area so much. Underlying conditions that can lead to acral lick dermatitis include:

• Osteoarthritis
• Allergies to environmental allergens, food, or fleas
• Parasites such as fleas or mites
• Fungal infection
• Bacterial infection
• Obsessive compulsive disorder
• Anxiety
• Cancer

Sometimes it is obvious why your dog has developed acral lick dermatitis, other times it may take a couple rounds of testing to pinpoint the cause. For example, if your dog has severe osteoarthritis visible on X-ray right under the spot that he licks, the licking is probably an attempt to relieve pain. Behavioral causes and infections can take longer to determine.

Your dog may also have multiple things going on; for example, skin inflammation from allergies often leads to secondary bacterial infections.

Treating Acral Lick Dermatitis

The treatment for your dog’s acral lick granuloma will depend on his unique case. The three primary prongs of treatment are preventing further licking, treating any existing infection, and addressing the underlying cause.

Breaking the lick cycle is critical. Your dog may need to wear a cone or have a light bandage to prevent him from continuing to lick the area and make it worse. Bitter sprays may help too.

Medications that your dog may receive include antibiotics, pain medications, mite and flea treatments, or anti-anxiety drugs depending on your dog’s case. Veterinarians often use a combination of topical meds that you can apply directly to the sore and systemic medications that your dog takes by mouth. Acupuncture can be helpful.

In some cases, your veterinarian may recommend surgery to remove the damaged skin, close the wound, and give your dog a fresh start.

Patience Is Key

Treating acral lick dermatitis takes time and persistence. It can take weeks or months for the skin to heal and hair to grow back. Licking the same spot also can become a habit for the dog even after the initial cause is addressed. Be relentless about preventing your dog from continuing to lick.

With time, persistence, and some trial and error, you and your veterinarian will find the ideal treatment plan for your dog and break the itch-lick cycle.

The post Acral Lick Dermatitis in Dogs appeared first on Whole Dog Journal.

Other potential causes of a dog licking the base of the tail include fleas in the area, hot spots, perianal fistulas, and perianal tumors. If your dog is licking back there a lot, take a good look at the general area yourself.

The dog’s licking implies something is uncomfortable. The sooner you get a veterinary diagnosis and appropriate treatment the sooner your best friend and companion is feeling better and can get back to living his best life.

Anal Gland Inflammation

The anal glands are two natural scent glands that sit at approximately 4 o’clock and 8 o’clock, if the anus was a clock face. Each time the dog has a bowel movement, a little of the anal gland secretions are squeezed out, keeping the glands from uncomfortably overfilling. Some dogs, depending on how the gland and its opening are anatomically situated, are unable to achieve this natural anal gland expression.

These dogs will either scoot on their behinds or lick obsessively at the area to try and relieve the uncomfortable pressure. For these dogs, routine manual anal gland expression is usually recommended to keep them comfortable. In addition to overfilling, anal glands can become inflamed, impacted, or infected.

For these dogs, working with your veterinarian is critical to getting the problem diagnosed and controlled. Additionally, your dog may need to have his inflamed anal glands flushed and an anti-inflammatory ointment infused into the gland. Impacted anal glands require manual expression by your veterinarian. Infected anal glands are usually treated with a flush, oral antibiotics, oral anti-inflammatory medications, and warm water soaks or sitz baths to encourage draining.

Allergies and Inflammation

Dogs with allergies lick and scratch a lot, sometimes all over, sometimes only in certain areas, such as around the base of the tail. If your dog is licking or chewing a lot back near the tail, the first thing to do is check for fleas, and if he is not on an effective flea control product, get him on one. Itching, licking, and chewing in the rump area, where the tail is, is frequently due to flea allergy dermatitis (FAD).

Licking under the base of tail and around the sides is often associated with food allergy. Your veterinarian will likely recommend a special diet trial to see if the urge to lick goes away while on a hypoallergenic food. If it does, keeping your dog on that food should resolve the licking.

The post Why Your Dog is Licking Their Back Near the Tail appeared first on Whole Dog Journal.

Multi-Species Mites

A few types of mites will cross species and can cause problems even in healthy people and animals. The mite behind sarcoptic mange, Sarcoptes scabiei, is one of them. This particular mite is comfortable living on a number of hosts. Have you noticed any basically naked, but otherwise healthy, squirrels in your neighborhood? They probably have sarcoptic mange. Spot a sickly, scruffy looking fox? He probably has sarcoptic mange as well and, unfortunately, it is a serious problem for fox.

Mange Is Itchy

Dogs with sarcoptic mange are extremely pruritic (itchy). These mites burrow into the skin and cause itching, rubbing, chewing, and rolling. Dogs with sarcoptic mange are uncomfortable. Even just a few mites can make a dog miserable. With time, the damaged skin is prone to secondary infections, which only add to the overall discomfort.

Is It Really Mange?

A diagnosis requires demonstrating mites are present, if possible. Since these mites burrow into the skin, multiple skin scrapes are attempted. If your veterinarian does not come up with a mite, but still feels sarcoptic mange is a possibility, she might recommend treatment anyway.

Treating Mange in Dogs

Mange treatment requires topical therapy such as baths and dips to start with and then follow up with topical or oral medications. Revolution and Advantage Multi are examples of topical treatments that will kill sarcoptic mites. Oral medications that have shown to be effective include Interceptor, Sentinel, NexGard, Bravecto, and Simparica. Not all fhese drugs are specifically approved for the treatment of sarcoptic mange, but they are effective and can be prescribed by your veterinarian for off label use.

Human Mange

You can get sarcoptic mange from your dog. This requires close contact as the mites don’t run and jump like fleas. If you develop an intensely itchy rash just like your dog, you might have mange. The canine variant of the sarcoptic mange mite can’t fully reproduce in people, so symptoms will fade in 4 or 5 days.

People do have their own variant of this mite that can be transferred to dogs. Again, it can’t reproduce so signs fade quickly. If you develop an itchy rash which last longer than a couple of days, you should see your physician.

The post Dog Mange Mites on Humans appeared first on Whole Dog Journal.

1. He raided your stash and ate all your chips.
2. His feet just smell that way.
3. He has a bacterial or fungal infection on his paws, ears, or skin like pseudomonas or proteus.

Dog Frito Feet and Ears

Dogs naturally have a variety of bacteria and yeast living on their skin. Under normal conditions, these microbes live in harmony with your pup and don’t cause any trouble. If your dog’s feet have a slight eau de corn chip, don’t worry. This smell is just from the normal bacteria that end up on dog feet throughout daily life.

These “Frito feet dogs” will often have a reddish tinge to the skin and hair on their paws from licking and may have a greasy discharge. More extreme cases may also show swelling and flakey skin.

Ears are the other common site for yeast and bacterial infections. Ear infections can have a discharge ranging from oily black to flakey beige and everything in between. Along with the discharge and odor, your dog’s ears may also be red and irritated and you may notice frequent scratching and head shaking.

Home Remedies for Frito Feet Dogs

As long as there are no symptoms of infection, you can leave your pup be or just wipe his paws clean with a damp cloth and then dry them thoroughly.

But if your dog’s feet also show signs of irritation or you notice your dog is licking his feet a lot, something is amiss. Home remedies for dog Frito feet, such as mixing baking soda and apple cider vinegar with water for a foot bath, might help with the smell but will not necessarily address the underlying infection.

Instead, be smart. Schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. Paw and ear infections are not an emergency, so you can wait for an appointment in regular business hours. Your veterinarian will take a swab of any discharge to look at under a microscope and identify the cause of the infection.

You will likely be sent home with topical medications to target your dog’s type of infection, like ear meds for ear infections and/or ointments or perhaps a medicated shampoo for paw infections. Systemic oral meds are reserved for chronic or severe cases. If your dog is prone to these infections, your veterinarian will also discuss strategies for preventing them, including routine ear washes or medicated wipes for paws.

Remember, a little dog Frito feet smell isn’t necessary a worry. The problems start when an infectious type of microbe moves in, or a health condition such as allergies or skin irritation allows normally harmless microbes to grow out of control.

When too many microbes build up in an area, however, they can cause irritation, discharge, and an unusual odor. Yeast and certain types of bacteria (including Pseudomonas and Proteus) can cause a distinctive odor that smells just like the beloved Fritos corn chips.

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Pixel, my sister’s dog, was just diagnosed with a gastrointestinal disease that was causing inflammation of her intestinal tract and malabsorption of food. Fortunately, this condition was quickly resolved by changing Pixel’s diet to a novel protein and eliminating any foods with beef, pork, or chicken and she is now thriving. Then it became time to administer her monthly chewable heartworm preventative. My sister hesitated: The chewable preventative medication that she ordinarily used to protect Pixel was flavored with chicken, which Pixel couldn’t have. Fortunately, there are alternatives, and Pixel’s veterinarian was happy to change Pixel’s prescription to one of these.

Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially fatal condition caused by Dirofilaria immitis, a parasitic roundworm that is transmitted to dogs through the bite of a mosquito. Unfortunately, canines are natural hosts for the parasite, and once it infects a dog’s body, the larvae mature into adults, mate and reproduce, with the adult forms of the heartworm residing in the heart, lungs, and associated blood vessels. Heartworm disease can cause lasting damage to a dog’s body and have a long term effect on health and quality of life. Heartworm disease has been diagnosed in all 50 states; risk levels for contracting the disease vary and are difficult to assess. Accordingly, prevention is usually necessary in most areas. Heartworm medications do not actually prevent the transmission of the heartworm, but rather they act to destroy the larval stages of the parasite, preventing the development of the larvae into adult heartworms. 

Prevention of heartworm disease is usually achieved by the monthly oral administration of a flavored chew, which is highly effective when administered correctly. Most oral heartworm preventives, however, contain a protein-based component for flavoring, usually pork, soy, beef, or chicken, in their formulation. Because many dogs suffer from food allergies and sensitivities or are undergoing food elimination trials (and flavorings can interfere with and affect the success of the trial), heartworm prevention in these cases should be changed to a non-flavored oral formula or topically applied product. 

The monthly heartworm preventive HEARTGARD® (ivermectin) is available in an unflavored tablet form and does not include any food ingredients that may trigger an allergic reaction. A topical (applied externally to the body) heartworm preventative, such as Advantage Multi, Revolution, or Selarid, is another option, especially as this form completely bypasses the gastrointestinal tract. 

There is a third option: ProHeart 6 and ProHeart 12 take the form of sustained released injections of moxidectin (this ingredient is also available as a topical) and provide protection from heartworm infection for six months and twelve months respectively. Its use in the U.S., however, still draws controversy over concerns regarding adverse effects (ProHeart 6 was taken off the market in 2004 because of safety concerns, but it was reformulated and returned in 2008; ProHeart 12 was approved for the first time by the FDA for use in the U.S. in July 2019). In other countries, both products remain on the market and are in use.

As always, consult with your veterinarian about your dog’s prescription heartworm preventative.

Featured photo: Jasmina007/Getty Images

Read Next: Are Heartworms Developing Resistance to Preventatives?

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So Tea Tree Oil is Completely Dangerous to Dogs?

Some dogs are safely treated topically with tea tree oil for skin conditions. The toxin found in tea tree oil is metabolized by the liver, making diluted tea tree oil safe for topical use on most dogs – but always consult your veterinarian before exposing your dog to it. Cats, on the other hand, have less of the liver enzyme necessary to metabolizing tea tree and should never be exposed to the oil in any form. (Birds are especially sensitive and should never be exposed to essential oils; these toxic effects extendeven to fish, reptiles and rodents.)

According to a recent report published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, there have been numerous instances of tea tree oil toxicity in dogs and cats from a decade of data collected from the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.

Owners should always exercise caution when using 100 percent essential oils either on themselves or in the home. Essential oils should never be left out or open when there are pets in the house. If used on dogs topically, essential oils must be diluted to be safe.

If you choose to diffuse essential oils with dogs in the house, do so only for short periods of time and in a room where the dogs do not have direct exposure. Be sure to keep the oils and diffusers out of reach even when they’re not in use. Open windows when you’re done and take your dog outside frequently during and after diffusing tea tree oil. Never leave your dog in the house unattended with an essential oil diffuser on. Different dogs may have different reactions to inhaling any concentrated oil. Monitor your dog closely.

Topical Tea Tree Oil Uses for Dogs

Because tea tree oil is effective in treating certain human skin conditions, some dog owners have used it to treat similar maladies in their dogs. Skin allergies and hot spots are two of the more common conditions, as are ear infections and yeast infections. Tea tree oil shampoo for dogs is believed to provide a variety of benefits for coat and skin health, as well.

However, you should never apply essential oils to your dog without the advice and direction of your veterinarian, and be sure to inform your veterinarian of any other pets living in your home. It’s important to purchase a high quality essential oil and not look for a bargain, which will likely be an inferior (and perhaps dangerous) product.

Signs of essential-oil poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, depression, lethargy, weakness, wobbliness, tremors and abnormal behavior. There’s a direct correlation between the severity of illness and the dog’s weight and age. The smaller and younger a dog is, the sicker they are likely to get.The same applies to dogs with liver disease.

Essential Oils Most Toxic to Dogs

• Tea tree oil
• Citrus
• Oil of cinnamon
• Peppermint
• Pennyroyal oil
• Sweet birch
• Ylang ylang
• Wintergreen
• Pine oils

If you suspect that your dog may have ingested or inhaled a toxic essential oil, promptly call your veterinarian, a veterinary emergency room or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435.

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