Pet Related Questions Commonly Asked
While it is important to ask the veterinarian
about any specific veterinary questions that may
arise with your pet, here are some answers to
common animal and veterinarian questions to help
you learn more about a problem that might be
plaguing your animal. It should be emphasized
that there is no substitute for veterinary help
or expertise, and you should always ask a vet
about particular issues to ensure the health of
your pet. However, we hope this free veterinary
advice may assist you in understanding a little
bit more about some common health concerns for
pet owners.
Scratching / Itching / Fleas:
Although many people assume that their pet is
scratching because he or she has fleas, this is
not always the case, veterinarians warn. Fleas
can cause skin redness, biting, itching,
crustiness, chewing, and even an odor on some
pets. However, fleas are not as common in places
that are either cold or very dry. Thus, fleas may
not be the culprit when it comes to your pet's
itching and biting issues. Only your pet vet can
tell you exactly what the problem is and give you
accurate medical advice. However, here are some
other possibilities. First, pets can get
allergies that have nothing to do with fleas.
They can be allergic to grasses or pollens, just
like humans. Or, they can be allergic to a
particular shampoo or food. In addition, the
itching and redness may be a result of other
parasites, including ticks or mites. Finally,
pets can get skin infections that come as a
result of their biting and scratching or because
their skin came into contact with an allergen or
parasite. It is important not to give your pet a
flea treatment or use flea shampoo until you know
for certain that your pet has a flea problem. Flea
treatments can aggravate an existing skin
condition and can even be dangerous to your pet.
Baldness / Alopecia
If you suspect your cat or dog is suffering
from alopecia, or baldness, be sure to ask a
veterinarian and seek out vet advice before
attempting to resolve the problem on your own.
Alopecia is not common in animals, unless they
are bred to be hairless in the first place. As
soon as you notice a persistent bald spot, you
should immediately ask the vet to take a look.
Alopecia can be caused by excessive itchiness and
a pet's natural response of biting, chewing, and
scratching the affected area. In other places,
where the skin looks unaffected and not itchy,
you should still seek veterinarian advice. Ask
the vet if the baldness was caused by a hormonal
imbalance, ringworm, or an allergic condition. In
cats, baldness can be caused by what is known as
feline psychogenic alopecia. Feline psychogenic
alopecia is a type of obsessive compulsive
disorder that causes a cat to "over groom" an
area, possibly as a result of stress.
Dietary Supplements
To control itching and scratching, there are
some worthy dietary supplements on the market.
These supplements are designed to reduce
itchiness from allergies and keep your pet's skin
and coat in the best condition. Dietary
supplements take approximately two months to
work, and you should contact a veterinarian
clinic to get vet help before choosing a
supplement for your pet.
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