Animal Skin and Allergy Clinic Blog

Skin problems can happen any time of the year, but our veterinarians at Animal Skin and Allergy Clinic tend to see more of them during the warmer months of the year. Learn what skin issues might plague your pooch this season, what to do about them, and in some cases, how to prevent them.

Just like your laptop or vehicle, sometimes the body has a malfunction. It’s a little bit embarrassing, though, when the part of the body not doing what it is supposed to is part of the reproductive system.

Paraphimosis in dogs is not an uncommon occurrence. This is the medical term for when the penis becomes stuck out. When this happens it can be uncomfortable and lead to complications. Animal Skin and Allergy Clinic wants pet owners to know how to recognize paraphimosis in dogs and what to do when it happens. 

Winter can be rough. Fewer hours of sunlight, unpredictable weather conditions, and a post-holiday lull definitely impact our moods, and the same can happen to our pets. If you want to ensure that your pets are getting exercise and mental stimulation even in the months when it seems like winter will never end, we are here to help.

Ear infections can cause a lot of discomfort for dogs, and if not addressed by a veterinarian, the infection could spread to the inner parts of the ear and lead to bigger health issues. The team at Animal Skin and Allergy Clinic wants to help you learn the signs of ear infections so you can get your dog quick treatment and relief:

Dogs of any age bring love and joy into a home. Unfortunately, many people are only looking for younger dogs as they walk through the halls of an animal shelter and older dogs who are just as deserving of a good home are overlooked. If you are thinking about adding a senior dog to your family, your friends at Animal Skin and Allergy Clinic want to help you know what to expect:

Dogs and drool are kind of an iconic pairing. From Turner and Hooch to Beethoven, the topic of dog slobber is often breached in the media. 

While some canine companions are a little more, er, moist, than others, drool is not necessarily a bad thing. Animal Skin and Allergy Clinic wants our clientele to understand that dog slobber is actually pretty important and doesn’t have to be a deal-breaker for dog lovers. 

Just as humans do, many dogs suffer from allergies that can cause an array of symptoms and secondary health problems. Dogs develop allergies to a wide range of allergens like food ingredients and pollen from plants and trees. Allergy symptoms present differently in dogs, though, and might confuse a well-meaning pet owner on the hunt for human-related symptoms like watery eyes and sneezes.

To better understand the common allergies among dogs, the team at the Animal Skin and Allergy Clinic is here to provide more information and to help give your fur friend some relief.

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.