Animal Skin and Allergy Clinic Blog

If your pet appears to be the absolute picture of health, drawing and testing their blood may seem unnecessary. However, information that is gained at peak health (known as baseline values) can help prevent future health problems. Comparing and contrasting veterinary bloodwork with earlier baseline values can go a long way to protect your pet’s long-term health and vitality. 

No one likes being in pain, including our pets. Fortunately, veterinary medicine has come a long way in regards to understanding and managing pain in animals. It’s well known that pets feel pain in much the same way as humans, and that chronic pain can impede healing and affect their quality of life.

Our pets may not have the words to express how they’re feeling, but there are plenty of ways an astute pet owner can tell if their pet is in pain. 

A reverse sneeze may sound like something of a myth, but if you have ever encountered it, it’s unmistakable. It’s true that our dogs make weird noises, but the reverse sneeze is quite distinct. That “honk” and “wheeze” that comes on suddenly can cause great worry in a loving pet owner. It sounds, in fact, like your pet is gasping for air or having a seizure.

While it can be frightening to witness, in most cases the reverse sneeze is harmless. The team at the Animal Skin and Allergy Clinic takes a closer look at the reverse sneeze in dogs and what you can do to help your four-legged friend.

It certainly is a little alarming to see color changes to your dog’s skin. Pigment changes in people can be caused by things like cancer, so when your little white dog starts developing dark skin, it is only natural to be concerned. 

At the Animal Skin and Allergy Clinic, knowing a pet’s skin is our job. Hyperpigmentation in dogs is something that we see frequently, and we are happy to help pet owners understand.

Pigmentary Primer

Just like with our skin, dark pigment in a dog’s skin is the result of melanin production. It is normal for dogs to have more melanin in certain areas of their skin. Generally, darker areas of skin produce darker fur. Some breeds, such as the arctic breeds, have dark skin as well.

Your pet’s paws are more than just adorable. They are what allows for those romps in the fields, a good swimming session, digging in the dirt, and even some special bonding moments. Who can resist that gentle paw in your lap when you least expect it?

Paws are certainly tough, but they also take a beating. Paws come into close contact with the world around them, and are constantly exposed to moisture, allergens, irritants, and other dangers. It’s no wonder that paw problems in pets aren’t uncommon.

For the most part, dogs are incredibly charming. They snuggle with us, make us laugh, and keep us company when we’re lonely. In short, owning a dog is great for human health. However, dogs can display some truly questionable antics that aren’t always easy to explain.

To help you sort things out, we’ve compiled a list of some weird dog behaviors and what might be driving them.

“Why do my pet’s paws smell like Fritos?” This is a surprisingly common question that we get here at Animal Skin and Allergy Clinic. No, you aren’t imagining things and, no, your dog isn’t getting into your stash of salty treats (at least, we hope not!).

We believe strongly in empowering pet owners with as much knowledge as possible about their pets. Whether it helps identify a future health problem or is just a fun bit of party trivia, finding out why your pet’s paws smell like Fritos is worth the effort!