How to prevent heartworm in dogs and cats

ARLINGTON, Va. (WJLA) – As autumn sets in and temperatures cool around the D.C. area, veterinarians are cautioning pet owners to keep their animals treated for heartworm year round.

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Heartworm, a parasite that grows and lives in the hearts of animals, is spread through mosquitoes and mostly affects dogs.

In an appearance Friday on Let’s Talk Live on NewsChannel 8, though, veterinarian Dr. Katy Nelson says that owners of both dogs and cats need to be aware of the persistent risk of the deadly disorder.

“We have to think about D.C. and the heat islands we have here,” Dr. Nelson said. “If you have a potted plant in your home that stays warm, a mosquito can lay its eggs there.”

Heartworm isn’t just a concern for dogs, Dr. Nelson said. Cats can be even more susceptible to sudden death when they contract ringworm.

Nelson says that all it takes is one or two worms living in a cat’s heart for it to prove fatal.

“It’s very difficult to test for and treat cats,” she said. “We were seeing for years all these cats with sudden death and no explained reason for it.

“Now, looking back, we’ve started to believe that it was due to heartworm disease.”

Dogs and cats should be treated, either via pill or topical cream, year round, no matter whether pets spend most of their time indoors or outdoors.

“All it takes is one bite, and all (prevention) takes is one pill,” Nelson said.

For more advice and information on how to keep your pets healthy, you can watch The Pet Show with Dr. Katy every Saturday at 11 a.m. on NewsChannel 8.

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Article source: http://www.wjla.com/articles/2013/09/how-to-prevent-heartworm-in-dogs-and-cats-93699.html

How to Prevent Ringworm in Dogs

Ringworm is a fungus that causes red, scaly patches, broken hair and hair loss and lesions with a ring-like appearance on you dog’s skin. It is most common in young dogs and puppies but can also affect older dogs. While ringworm usually heals itself, even without treatment, it can be spread to humans and other animals. One of the best ways to deal with it is to prevent it in the first place.

Instructions

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Keep pet areas clean. Be fastidious about the housekeeping of your dog’s crate, kennel, play area, bed and other places he likes to frequent. The ringworm fungus thrives in dark, damp places where there are piles of hair and other debris.




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Research your groomer. One of the most common ways for the ringworm fungus to be transmitted is through grooming clippers and other supplies. Make sure your groomer sterilizes any tools between clients and keeps the salon clean.




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Research your doggie daycare center. Make sure the dog hotel or daycare you use is also clean, regularly disinfected and has a good reputation. One of the best ways to find both a groomer and daycare is through word of mouth, through your veterinarian or through other dog owners who have had good results.




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Watch for other infected pets. Contact with other infected dogs, cats or other animals is a surefire way for ringworm to infect your own dog. Use cation when bringing your dog to public parks, kennels, dog runs, dog shows, animal fairs and other areas where infected pets may have been. If you see an infected pet, remove your dog immediately and check for signs of the disease to treat it immediately. Vets can scan your pet with an ultraviolet light to catch the early stages of ringworm if you are worried about a potential infection.




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Stop the digging. Infected soil and rodents are other common ways dogs can pick up ringworm. If your dog has a penchant for digging, break him of the habit. Every time he starts to dig, firmly reprimand him with a curt “No” then distract him with a new toy or game.




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Quarantine any new animals. If you have pets and are bringing a new dog or puppy into the home, separate the new animal in its own area for about a week to make sure the new pet is not infected.

How to Prevent Scalp Fungus in your Hair

What causes scalp fungus? This contagious fungal infection is more common in children than adults. Not only can it be picked up from other people, it can be transferred from animals. Many dogs and cats carry ringworm, so if your pet has bald spots in its fur, it’s possible that it has the infection and can pass it along to you and your family. This, however, is not the most common way of contracting scalp fungus. It’s much more likely to get it from another person. This can happen when you use someone else’s hat, scarf, brush, comb or hair accessory, where the fungus can survive for months.

There are ways to prevent scalp fungus — or, at least, reduce your chances of getting it:

Monitor your pet’s coat. Seek veterinary evaluation and treatment for it if you notice bald spots.
Avoid using another person’s hats, scarves, brushes, combs and hair accessories — even if that person’s scalp looks normal.
Wash sweat out of your hair after a workout. Fungus thrives in damp, moist areas.
Make sure you immediately treat any scrapes or cuts on your scalp.

Scalp fungus can be difficult to treat — even more so than other ringworm-related conditions. However, if you find yourself with the infection, see a doctor right away. To completely eliminate the fungus, you’ll need to take a prescribed antifungal medication. Antifungal shampoos are another recommended treatment for scalp fungus, but alone, they’re not strong enough to conquer the infection. However, the shampoo may be a good preventive treatment if you think you’ve been exposed to ringworm but haven’t yet acquired scalp fungus. -Continue reading….

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How To Help Your Dog Prevent Hair Loss

Many dogs lose their hair on a regular basis. If you are dog owner, you may find the occasional clump of hair on the sofa or carpet. With double-coated breeds, this is especially true. Examples of breeds with a double-coat are German Shepherds, Collies, Husky and Welsh corgi.

Seasonal hair loss is known as “blowing coat” or “shedding.” Some dogs also lose a lot of hair when they are getting rid of their puppy hair and developing their adult fur.

Here are some tips to deal with your dog’s hair loss:

· Brush your dog daily
· Always brush your dog in the same direction the hair is growing
· Feed your dog the best dog food
· Do not feed your dog from the table
If a dog is going through excessive fur loss, there may be some underlying problems. Here are some possible causes of canine hair loss, and their symptoms:
· Your dog may have seasonal allergies
· Your dog may be allergic to his food
· Your dog may be allergic to household chemicals
· Your dog may be extra sensitive to flea or mosquito bites
· Hormonal diseases such as hypothyroidism or Cushing’s disease can cause your dog to lose hair in tufts
· Ringworm may be the cause, also known as sarcoptic mange
· Anesthesia or surgery can cause a sudden loss of hair in a dog

Keep in mind that canine hair loss is normal and just a part of owning a dog. If there seems to be an excessive problem, it would be wise to consult a veterinarian.