Animal Skin and Allergy Clinic Blog

The holiday season is upon us, and it is time for fun and sharing with family and friends. The Animal Skin and Allergy Clinic knows that your loved ones likely include those with more than two legs. Be sure that your holiday meals are happy ones by knowing what Thanksgiving food for pets is safe and what to avoid.

It’s typical to see your cat or dog scratch their ears and shake their heads. Bugs, dust, and even gusts of wind can cause a tickle. If your pet does this more than usual, however, it might mean there’s a bigger issue at play, like ear mites. Not all mite infestations are a cause for concern, but some might result in skin irritation and more serious skin diseases. 

You know your pet better than anyone, and when something changes, you are likely the first to notice. Changes are particularly obvious when they involve things that you can see in your pet’s external appearance. Issues like skin problems can happen anytime, but the summer months may bring an increase in skin allergies or infections. 

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. 

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:

It only seems natural that those who love animals might also enjoy some greenery in their lives. Caring for plants has many similarities to caring for pets, and many people enjoy nurturing both. 

When bringing plants into a home inhabited by pets, though, Animal Skin and Allergy Clinic wants to be sure that our animal-loving clientele realizes that not all plants and pets get along. If you are strategic, though, there are many pet-safe houseplants you can add to your home without worry. 

Slowly but surely, the world is opening back up again, and we are seeing more and more people itching to get on the road again with pets in tow. To celebrate this, the Animal Skin and Allergy Clinic wants to share our top pet travel safety tips to ensure a fun and successful venture.

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. 

No one likes to wait, and yet, our lives are simply full of waiting. Sometimes, the result of waiting has a sweet or satisfying reward, but generally speaking, waiting can be stressful.

When pets are forced into their carriers or coerced on their leashes to attend an appointment, nerves in our veterinary waiting room can be palpably felt. With a little extra consideration and emotional management, there are ways to reduce anxiety and improve not only your pet’s experience – but that of other waiting pets, too!

Spring is just around the corner! You and your pet may be heartily anticipating longer days, but more outside time can increase exposure to potential threats. This begs the question: is your backyard free of hazards? 

Beyond potentially poisonous chemicals like bait, fertilizers or pesticides, the plants about to pop through top soil could result in a pet poisoning. To create an environment that ensures their well-being (and all but guarantees spring pet safety), we must establish a proactive approach to dangerous springtime plants.