Basic Animal Dermatology Services
Davis Animal Hospital believes that the comfort and health of your animal companion is a top priority. Our hospital strives to establish a long relationship with their clients as they assist them to better the quality and lifespan of their pet. Have you noticed your pet chewing, biting, licking or scratching at itself? If so, then call us! We can run basic animal dermatology tests and treat with medications that can help alleviate the discomfort your pet is feeling. Common conditions may be a result of bacterial infections, allergies, autoimmune/immune-mediated skin infections, parasites, fungal infection or hypersensitivities.
The largest organ on your pets’ body, the skin, acts as a barrier between your animal’s environment and your animal. The functions that the skin serves for your pet consists of immune protection, sensory perception, vitamin D production, and thermoregulation. Most veterinarian’s see more dermatologic problems in pets than you can imagine. At Davis Animal Hospital, our veterinarians are knowledgeable in the physiology of the skin of animals and are well aware of the common dermatologic disorders that affect most cats and dogs.
Animal Allergies
Allergies in animals are caused by three different reasons:
Seasonal Allergies: Seasonal allergies are caused by the local pollen and molds that bloom during different times of the year. In humans, they cause sneezing and upper respiratory issues, but in pets, they cause itchy skin. You do see some upper respiratory issues as well in pets, but not as common.
Flea Allergies: Fleas are the number one reason a pet comes in for itchy skin. A single flea can bite a pet 50 times a day! The saliva in the fleas mouth cause a mild allergic reaction, similar to how mosquitoes cause irritation with humans. Keeping your pet on flea control every month year-round is the key to keeping this pest at bay and keeping your pet comfortable all year.
Food Allergies: Food allergies usually cause irritation in feet, ears, and rears. They can also cause gastrointestinal issues like chronic diarrhea and vomiting. We do a diet trials to help rule-out food allergies in pets.
Dermatology Services Provided at Davis Animal Hospital
Pet Allergy Serum Testing
Allergy serum testing in animals takes the blood serum of the pet and checks for specific sources of environmental allergens. Based on the results the tests, your pet will get a specific immunotherapy sublingual drop to administer to your pet to help combat the effects of the environmental allergy. These drops are used life-long in the pet, but are very effective.
Hill’s Prescription Diets
Pets are not usually allergic to grains in foods. Pets are usually allergic to the protein sources found in the food. Food trials are performed with Hill’s Prescription z/d and d/d foods. These foods are designed to see if a pet is allergic to the basic proteins like chicken, beef, and turkey. They provide a hydrolized protein source in z/d that the pet’s body cannot recognize as being an allergen. While the d/d food offers a protein source that a pet is not accustomed to such as duck, venison, and salmon. While on this 6-8 week food trial, no other food sources or flavored medications should be given to the pet. We may need to temporarily switch your oral heartworm and flea preventions to a topical version while on this trial.
Hill’s Prescription Diet Derm Defense is a dog food that helps strengthen the skin barrior to protect against environmental allergens such as pollen and mold. It helps the skin heal naturally and provides holistic long-term solution to supporting your dog’s healthy immune system. (Not available for cats at this time.)
Ear cytology and Deep Ear Flushing
Ear cytology is used to determine the types of organisms in the ear that are causing the infection. We take a sample of the debris that is in the ear and look under a microscope to look for yeast and bacteria. Depending on the amount of yeast and/or bacteria seen, we can treat the infection appropriately.
Deep ear flushing is used in removing debris, wax, and biofilms formed as a result of ear infections. In most cases, the eardrum can’t be examined until a deep ear flush has been conducted. Performing a deep ear flush alongside a video-otoscope is the best way of getting the correct prognosis and treatment of the ear.
Animal Video-Otoscopic Exam
Davis Animal Hospital has a state-of-the-art video otoscope that offers unparalleled precision and accuracy. The video otoscope consists of a tiny camera that allows easy access and high-quality visualization in the ear canal. Using this device, the doctor gets a real-time visual examination of the ear canal through a video monitor. Evaluations include checking on the integrity and nature of the tympanum, presence of tumors, debris and the inflammation or thickening of the disease.
Call us today if your pet is experiencing any of these symptoms at 850-479-9484.