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Elvis dog lost then found
ABC Online, Australia -
Aug 15, 2007
By Allison Jess Not only is impersonator Danny
Spinosa a huge fan of Elvis Presley, he once knew the king of
rock and roll and almost lost his dog. ...
Dog Helps Searchers Find Owner Lost In Woods
Local6.com, FL -
15 hours ago
ALTON, NH -- A man who had been missing in
woods in the New Hampshire woods since Sunday was found
alive Tuesday afternoon after his dog led rescuers
near ...
New Narcotics Dog Will Patrol Schools
NewsChannel5.com, TN - 9 hours ago
Metro police will use a new narcotics
dog to keep drugs out the classrooms. Tiger-Lilly is a
9-year-old dog that can sniff out marijuana, methamphetamines,
...
Local Dog Dies After Eating Treats Made in
China
6abc.com, PA -
11 hours ago
By David Henry August 15, 2007 - A
Delaware County woman says her dog died after eating dog
treats made in China. Wal-Mart has quietly pulled a made in
...
Now for this
week's tips and advice
Have You Got The Itch? (Part
4)
So far we’ve covered Environmental, Nutritional, Parasitic and
Allergy related reasons why your pet might be itching and
scratching – this week we’ll cover the last 2 causes:
Neurogenic and Infectious.
• Environmental – part 1
• Nutritional – part 1
• Parasitic – part 2
• Allergic – part 3
• Neurogenic – part 4
• Infectious – part 4
• Neurogenic Dermatitis.
This group is also very difficult to diagnose and treat. It
may be that the vet will classify a case as “Neurogenic”
simply because they have ruled out all the other categories.
There’s nothing left but to blame the poor dog for all that
incessant licking and chewing at itself!
The most commonly seen form of Neurogenic Dermatitis is called
Acral Lick Dermatitis, Lick Granuloma or canine
neurodermatitis. What we are saying here is that the
dermatitis is caused by the way that the dog feels – ie his
neuroses!
Although rarely seen in cats, in the dog something creates an
impulse to lick at a specific area of skin. Characterized by
persistent, obsessive licking and chewing at the target area,
lick granulomas may have an unknown origin. Commonly, though,
most cases have a suspected cause such as boredom, separation
anxiety, frustration, confinement, or even a minor physical
origin such as a tiny abrasion that captivates the dog’s
interest.
The dog persists in licking or scratching the area, which is
usually confined to an easily accessible forelimb, carpus
(wrist) or ankle area, and never allows the skin to heal.
Repeated episodes of this kind of self-mutilation, partial
healing, then repeated trauma and healing, result in severe
and disfiguring scarring.
Deep bacterial infections are common and permanent skin damage
results. It may be that you will need the services of a
specialist in Dermatology and a dog Behaviorist to get to the
bottom of why your dog is suffering in this way.
Infectious Dermatitis
I’m almost glad we are back to this type of skin problem
because at least this does have a more understandable and
diagnosable cause.
Bacterial, fungal and yeast organisms can attack the dogs skin
and coat to cause dermatitis. Fungal organisms are called
dermatophytes. One type, called Microsporum canis, causes
non-itching, circular patches of hair loss, often called
ringworm. Transmissible to other dogs (and occasionally some
strains of fungi can be transmitted to humans) your vet can
diagnose and treat skin fungal infections quite easily.
Some yeasts will also attack and already diseased skin and
layer on another level of distress. Malassezia pachydermatitis,
is one such that will irritate an already diseased skin
surface. Especially notorious for creating long term,
low-grade external otitis, Malassezia does cause itching and
inflammation. Yeast infections typically create greasy,
odorous and itching signs in affected dogs.
The skin is stressed by the waste products of the organisms
and responds by releasing histamine - which triggers further
inflammation, itching and skin cell damage. If a yeast
infection is diagnosed, there’s generally something else going
on such as Hypothyroidism, chronic administration of cortisone
medication or dietary fatty acid deficiency.
Bacterial dermatitis rarely occurs without a reason. Normal
healthy skin has tremendous numbers of a variety of bacteria
present all the time – that’s completely normal. If something
upsets that balance, such as antibiotics eliminating one or
two types, the remaining types have a free-for-all. Anything
that damages the normal, healthy, intact skin will hamper the
skin’s defense mechanisms. Any Environmental Dermatitis, such
as contact with grass, plastic, an abrasion or moisture, can
adversely affect the skin’s defensive barriers and
opportunistic bacteria then have their way. Parasitic damage
to the skin will allow invasion by bacteria and trigger the
body’s healing defense mechanisms.
A common affliction of dogs, Infectious Dermatitis often is so
irritating that dogs will lick continuously at the lesion and
undo any healing that has taken place. A moist, sticky,
inflamed skin lesion along with hair loss is typical of
bacterial dermatitis. These can spread rapidly and even be
spread to other areas of the skin through biting, licking, and
scratching of previously uninfected areas.
The treatment for Infectious Dermatitis often includes
clipping the hair from the area to allow the air to assist
drying. The application of gentle medication is helpful as is
the administration of oral antibiotics to fight the organisms
that are deeply invading the skin. Yes, cortisone may assist
in alleviating the stinging or itchy sensation, but may also
suppress normal healing processes. Whenever an infection is
present, the decision to use cortisone needs to be very
carefully evaluated. A better choice may be antihistamines
orally.
Well, that’s me finished with the itching and scratching, I
only hope it helps when you need it!
