What to Do when You're Allergic to Dogs

The term "hypoallergenic" was first used in reference to cosmetics in the 1950s. It refers to something being less likely to provoke an allergic reaction, not something totally non-allergenic. There are no known dog breeds that are guaranteed not to cause allergic reactions in humans; but there are breeds and methods available that make it possible for an allergic person to live with a dog.

It's Not the Hair

People often think they are allergic to dog hair, and thus, breeds touted as "hypoallergenic" shed less. Allergic responses to animals are actually caused by dander, microscopic skin flakes, and proteins found in the animals' saliva and urine. (This is why some people get hives when a dog licks them.)

It is true, however, that dog hair carries these allergens around the house and aids in the distribution and dissemination of the allergens. This is why breeds that shed less or have a single coat (versus a thick-haired dog with an undercoat) are often called "hypoallergenic." It has little to do with the actual length of the dog's hair.

Which Breeds Are Considered Hypoallergenic?

Examples of breeds that tend to be considered hypoallergenic are:

- Maltese
- Poodle and poodle hybrid
- Terrier
- Bichon-Frise
- Greyhound
- Chinese Crested and other hairless breeds (although their skin is entirely exposed, hairless breeds shed fewer skin cells than fur-covered dogs)
- Portuguese Water Dog and other curly-haired breeds

But what if you already have a dog, and it is causing you allergic misery? There are some things you can do to make living with a dog more comfortable if you have allergies.

* Bathe the dog once a week. This removes proteins, dust, and skin flakes from the dog and prevents them from flaking off into the air you breathe.

* Brush the dog often, and do so outdoors, where it is less likely to bring on an allergic reaction. You can also wear a dust mask when you groom your dog.

* Do not allow your dog into your bedroom. You spend a third of your life in the bedroom sleeping, and that is a time for your body to recover and rest from allergens. You can also run an air purifier in your bedroom.

* Consider letting your dog spend more time outside - but not all the time. Build a run or fence in an area where the dog can be comfortable and happy, and let him spend a few hours out there each day, weather permitting.

* Feed the dog a healthy diet high in essential fatty acids. Omega-3s and Omega-6s are necessary for a healthy skin and coat, and help prevent abnormal shedding.

There is no such thing as an allergy-proof dog, but there are certainly enough choices out there that allergic individuals can consider the joys and rewards of dog ownership.

Emotional Advantages of Owning a Pet

If you own a pet, you probably think of that pet as a family member. You care for it, nurture it, and love it - but did you know that your pet is giving you emotional health? Research shows that pets bring emotional well-being to their owners, and the benefits of pet ownership extend to children. Following are some of the characteristics exhibited by children who have a pet in the home, and other advantages to owning a pet.

- High Self-Esteem

Having a pet can help children with self-esteem - an animal is non-judgmental and loves its owner no matter what. Your dog will greet you at the door and your cat will love your warm lap no matter what other people may think of you. Children especially benefit from this unconditional love.

- Language Proficiency

Children with pets are more proficient in spoken and written language than children in non-pet owning families. Adults who have a hard time getting a child to open up and communicate in writing or speech have found that asking such a child about his or her pet results in expansive communication.

In other words, if a child will not talk about anything else, he or she will talk about his or her pet. Children love to write poems and stories and draw pictures of their pets, too, opening the door for creative expression which is therapeutic in itself.

- Social Skills

Children with pets tend to have better social skills, which could be due in part to the enhanced communication noted above. Also, as children come to a point developmentally where more social skills are needed, having a pet in the home tends to bring out those skills in a no-pressure environment. Pets make children surer of themselves, which makes socializing easier and more natural.

- Physical and Emotional Health

Let's not forget that physical health enhances emotional health. Having a dog means walking it, playing with it, taking it on hikes, and so forth. That kind of physical activity gets you and your children away from the TV and the video games and outside exercising. A dog's enjoyment of the outdoors gives its child owner an appreciation of the natural world and bridges the gap between people and nature.

Cats, too, can provide incentive to move - energetic play with your cat is every bit as entertaining as TV, but with the added benefits of interaction and exercise. Children love to run through the house dragging a piece of string with the cat in hot pursuit. Exercise and loving interaction benefit body, mind, and spirit.

- Depression

There is nothing like fur therapy when it comes to depression. Studies show that pet ownership or interaction with a visiting animal can greatly reduce depression and induce feelings of well-being. This is why there are therapy animals that visit nursing homes and the children's wing of the hospital, and why there are successful programs for troubled children that involve caring for animals as part of their therapy.

Owning a pet forces a depressed person to think about someone other than him or herself, and breaks destructive thinking patterns. Children who struggle with emotional troubles often find solace in the company of animals.

Certainly owning a pet is a big responsibility, and should not be undertaken without careful consideration. But among those considerations should be the emotional advantages.

Scratching the surface of canine allergies

(ARA) - Most people consider their dog to be more than just a pet. Dogs are true members of the family. So when your dog is itching uncontrollably, it is frustrating not to know what’s wrong. Once owners rule out the possibility of fleas, they are often left with questions unanswered. One problem frequently overlooked is a skin disease caused by environmental allergies.

Like humans, dogs can be hypersensitive to common airborne allergens such as pollen, mold and dust mites. But instead of showing symptoms such as sneezing, watery eyes and a runny nose, dogs present symptoms on the skin that they try to relieve through constant scratching, licking and gnawing. These symptoms are typically signs of an allergic skin disease known as canine atopic dermatitis.

More than an itch

According to Kadence Research, canine atopic dermatitis affects about 16 percent of the canine population. As with human allergies, symptoms are often seasonal but can develop into a year-round problem if not properly treated. Dogs with atopic dermatitis usually start showing signs of the disease between the ages of 6 months and 3 years old, but some will show signs later due to changes in their environment.

Atopic dermatitis is characterized by intense scratching or chewing of the skin, hair loss and a foul odor resulting from the nonstop chewing and licking. The continual scratching can be bothersome to owners when their dogs are restlessly itching. It can also make the dog lethargic because they are unable to sleep due to constant irritation.

“Sam has had allergies for five or six years,” said Marj Voorhees, owner of Sam the Siberian husky. “He was doing lots of scratching, licking and itching. He lost a lot of hair around his face, eyes and ears.”

Voorhees tried using traditional medications and shampoos, as well as immunotherapy and zinc supplements in attempts to end Sam’s suffering. Sam’s therapy made him hungrier than normal and he gained 20 pounds. He also continued to itch.

There are numerous methods used to try to control the symptoms of canine atopic dermatitis. Veterinarians regularly try everything from antihistamines to steroid injections to keep their clients’ dogs from itching.

“Symptoms range from mild to severe,” said Steve Milden, VMD. “But the quality of life for a dog with atopic dermatitis can be diminished if the symptoms go untreated.”

Without a proper diagnosis and treatment plan, dogs with atopic dermatitis will continue to live in pain and discomfort; they won’t simply “grow out of it.” Anyone with active allergies can attest to how miserable life can be with an itchy throat, clogged sinuses and red eyes, so one can only imagine how unhappy dogs are when they have unstoppable itching. Luckily for dogs and their owners, there is a solution for the symptoms of atopic dermatitis.

Not your average backscratcher

The solution for dogs with atopic dermatitis comes in the form of a prescription product called Atopica (Cyclosporine capsules, USP) MODIFIED that specifically targets the immune cells involved in the allergic reaction. Similar to humans taking allergy medicine year-round to prevent flare-ups and misery, the same concept can be applied to treating dog allergies.

“I’ve been prescribing Atopica to dogs for about five years,” said Milden. “My clients couldn’t be more pleased. Their dogs seem to be happier now that they don’t itch all the time and their owners are thankful to have finally found relief for their best friend.”

Like Milden’s clients, Voorhees was able to find relief for her dog. Once Voorhees’ veterinarian prescribed Atopica, Sam was completely different.

“It made a tremendous difference almost immediately,” said Voorhees. “All of his hair grew back. It took care of the itching, too. He’s noticeably more comfortable.”

Owners should speak to their veterinarians if they think their dog may be suffering from allergies. The veterinarian will be able to answer questions and recommend a proper treatment. For more information on canine atopic dermatitis and ways to treat the disease, visit www.atopica.novartis.us or the Novartis Animal Health home page at www.petwellness.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Dealing With Cat Allergies

Cats are one of the most loved pets in the world, no question about it. More than 50% of all households in the United States own dogs and cats. Although cats are loved animals, cat allergies are one of the common forms of allergies. Statistics in the past have shown that over 10 million people in the U.S. alone have allergic reactions to cats - especially their fur.

The biggest cause of cat allergies is dander. The dander, is dust that is produced by the body of the cat. Dander is basically shed skin that comes off of cats, normally in the form of small flakes. Although dander can irritate your skin, it can also get into your immune system as well, resulting in a variety of symptoms and almost immediate allergic reactions.

The dander, once in the immune system, is perceived to be a threat. Even though it isn’t classified as a disease, it’s more of a reflex by your body and your immune system. Cat allergies occur quite often due to cats having allergens that are spread throughout their blood, urine, and saliva. Although a cat may not be present at the time, the excretions probably still are.

Cat dander, urine, and saliva, are found throughout the home of cat owners. Cats constantly groom themselves, which involves rubbing their saliva into their fur. When they do this, they spread their dander and allergens around. Although you may try, there is really nothing that you can do about it. Cats have a natural instinct to groom or bathe themselves, no matter how many baths you give them, you simply won’t stop them from grooming.

Normally, when someone is taking an allergic reaction to cats, he or she will wheeze, cough, sneeze, itch, have watery eyes, or a difficult time in breathing. Different people react different ways to cat allergens, meaning that some symptoms may not occur at all. Fever and chills is very rare, although it can happen. If someone who has cat allergies comes down with fever and chills, you should contact a doctor immediately. Chances are, it isn’t an allergic reaction to cats, but instead another type of disease that a doctor will need to identify.

Cat allergies are normally treated with antihistamines and decongestants. Those that experience asthma attacks or other forms of allergies, normally take antihistamines. Decongestants on the other hand, are normally used to cure coughs and swollen nasal passages. Sometimes, doctors will recommend allergy shots as well. Allergy shots can help to prevent the attack, especially if someone is really allergic to cats. They are a good form of treatment and prevention, and they can also help to decrease the risk of allergies affecting the individual.

If you suspect that you have cat allergies, you should always make it a point to visit your doctor. He will be able to further diagnose your situation, and give you the best options available for treatment. If you do indeed suffer from cat allergies, the best way to stop the attacks is to get rid of your cat.

Getting rid of a cat can be a very tough thing to do. If you have become allergic to your cat’s fur, there may be no other way to prevent attacks than to get rid of him. Although doctors can give you medicine and shots, it will only do so much. Cat allergens are no fun, especially if you develop them years after owning your cat. Cats are great animals to own - although cat allergies are something we could all live without.

Top 10 Spring Tips for Pet Owners

(ARA) – Planting a garden, spring cleaning, fertilizing the lawn -- we all have lots of work to do with the coming of spring. But pets also have health and safety needs this time of year that their owners should know about.

“I see it all the time in my clinic in the springtime. Animals get into fertilizers and pesticides, those used on a home or on a farm, and it makes the animals sick,” says Dr. James Cook, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association. “People need to be aware of these potential hazards. Along with better weather, the spring brings with it the use of a number of common lawn chemicals and the blooming of plants that can be hazardous to pets.”

Here are the AVMA’s top 10 spring hints for pet owners:

*Fleas and ticks

They can be tiny, little more than a pinhead in some instances, but they grow and spread quickly once they find a host. The preventative treatments that you may have discontinued in the winter should start early in the spring to keep your pet’s coat, and your home, free of pests.

*Lawn fertilizers

Lawn fertilizers are very toxic to pets. Store fertilizers in a place far from where your dog or cat -- and children-- can get at it. After applying it to your lawn, follow manufacturer instructions on how long you should wait before allowing your pet into the area. If you see a sign posted on a lawn that tells you to keep your pets off, abide by it.

*Pesticides and herbicides

It’s probably not surprising that these chemicals can be toxic to your pets, but, even when they’re not lethal, there are some long-term health concerns. Studies indicate the use of pesticides and herbicides may be tied to increased rates of specific forms of cancer in dogs. If your pet is exposed, wash them with soap and water immediately and call your veterinarian.

*Cocoa bean mulch

It’s becoming common to mulch a garden with the fragrant spent shells of cocoa beans. But just like chocolate, dogs like to eat them and they are toxic.

*Lilies

Lilies are a flower common in the spring, and they are very, very toxic to cats. Cats will often chew them, and even small amounts can lead to kidney failure and death.

*Rhubarb leaves

Rhubarb makes a fine pie and it’s a staple in many vegetable gardens, but the leaves are poisonous and can cause kidney failure. For a complete list of plants and plantings that can be dangerous to pets, visit www.avma.org.

*Rat and mouse poisons

Controlling vermin becomes an issue again in the spring. Be aware that the same properties of common rat and mouse poisons that make them irresistible to pests will also attract your pet. If consumed, these can be fatal to your animal.

*Cleaning products

Spring cleaning is an annual tradition in many households, but make sure the cleaning products don’t hurt your animals. If the label states “keep pets and children away from area until dry” follow those instructions carefully, and store all chemicals out of reach of children and pets.

*Paint and paint thinners

If you’re putting a fresh coat of paint on the house, keep the pets away. Paint thinners, mineral spirits and other solvents can cause severe irritation or chemical burns if swallowed or even if they come in contact with your pet's skin. Latex house paints typically produce a minor stomach upset, but some specialty paints may contain heavy metals or volatile substances that could be harmful if ingested.

*Preventative medications

Consult with your veterinarian about seasonal medications to keep your pet healthy. For example, in many parts of the country, heartworm medications for dogs are often discontinued in the winter. Springtime is the season to restart this medication to keep your dog free of this parasite. But keep in mind that manufacturer’s instructions warn that heartworm medications should not be given without first visiting your veterinarian to ensure that your pet has not developed the heartworm parasite. A simple blood test will give you that peace of mind.


For more information, visit www.avma.org. For a full-length video on common household poisons and hazards, visit www.avmatv.org.



Courtesy of ARAcontent

Protect Pets with Smart, Safe Pesticide Use

(ARA) - Millions of pet owners are eagerly anticipating the warmer days and evenings ahead, especially knowing how much their furry friends enjoy a romp in the backyard or getting out for a longer walk in the park or around the neighborhood. People start thinking about what they will need to keep their pets safe during these and other activities.

This time of the year is also when insects and other pests become more active and bothersome to animals, so our pets need to be protected from the threats posed by fleas, ticks, rodents and stinging insects.

Pet owners especially rely on pesticides both inside and outside their homes to help protect against harmful pests. While pesticide products are beneficial for controlling parasites and other common pet-related dangers, the proper application, use and storage of these products is vital to protecting the health of dogs, cats and pets of all kinds.

“We rely on pesticide products like insecticides, flea collars and heartworm pills for our pet’s safety almost every day without thinking twice,” says Allen James, president of RISE (Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment), a national organization representing the manufacturers, formulators and distributors of pesticide and fertilizer products. “It’s our responsibility to read and follow the label instructions regarding use and storage of all the pesticide products we choose to use so we get the positive benefits they can provide without any unnecessary, avoidable issues.”

By law, all pet, lawn and garden pesticide products must be registered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) before they can be sold in the United States. This extensive registration process often takes between eight and 10 years, costs hundreds of millions of dollars, and consists of tests evaluating potential short-term and long-term impacts on humans, pets and the environment in which they are meant to be used.

By the time a pesticide or a lawn and garden product makes it to the shelves in local stores, it has been registered, had its label approved by EPA, and is deemed not to pose any unnecessary risks to people, pets or local eco-systems when used according to label directions.

“When it comes to pesticides, it’s important to remember the label is the law,” James says. “These products can provide a world of advantages and protection that would be almost impossible to fathom without them, but they should be used and stored exactly as directed by the product label.”

After applying lawn and garden fertilizers and chemicals, keep pets out of the application area for the amount of time that may be specified on product label directions or until the spray has dried or the dust has settled. Giving them the time they need to dry and work properly can save accidental and costly risks to naturally curious and determined pets. Once these products are applied, it is important to store any remainder in areas inaccessible to pets such as high shelves in closed storage units and garages to avoid improper exposure.

If it is suspected a pet has been overexposed to a lawn and garden product, consult a local veterinarian, contact the manufacturer’s hotline on the product label, or call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4335.

“Our yards are places for fun and relaxation with family, friends and our pets,” James says. “With just a little bit of basic knowledge, care and attention to directions, pet owners can ensure that their healthy lawn is also a healthy environment for all.”

To learn more about how to keep pets safe and healthy, go to www.pestfacts.org

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Keep Your Doggy Warm by Buying Him a Sweater

In wintertime, your pooch may get cold. Most people don't like to see their pets shiver, so they're looking for ways to keep them warm. And bless you for doing so, as this will be beneficial to your pet's health. With all the love your doggy gives you, you owe him this at the very least!

One good way of keeping your doggy warm on cold autumn and winter nights, is by buying him a trendy pooch sweater. There are a lot of choices when it comes to dog sweaters nowadays.

One of the more popular dog sweaters is a pooch sweater with a hood. These come in many styles, such as fleece, knit and cotton blends. Plenty of choice to go around, so there's no reason for your doggy not to own one! Next to keeping your pet warm, they also them him look much cuter than he already is. So that's two reasons to buy your doggy a sweater.

Next to different materials, dog sweaters also come in many shapes. We're talking v-necks and turtle necks here. There's almost as much choice in dog sweaters as there is in people sweaters, if not more!

You can find a lot of dog sweaters online by using the search engines. If you look closely, you will see that many come with discounts as well. Especially if you buy a few of them at a time. You can save a lot of money by shopping smart.

Shopping for dog sweaters online not only gets you discounts, it also saves you time and gasoline. Talk about double savings!

When it comes to dog sweaters, you can find the very largest selections online with a few clicks of the mouse.

So when you are looking to make your doggy the most fashionable pooch on the block, fire up your browser and start searching!

Looking for more information on dogs? Come visit http://thedoggyblog.net for daily dog updates!

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