Veterinarian, Speaker & Author
In inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), an allergic reaction in the walls of the intestines causes inflammation that interferes with the normal function of the gastro-intestinal system. Treatment centers around removing the cause of the allergic reaction and suppressing the immune system. In addition, some veterinarians like to add a broad spectrum antibiotic to the treatment …
Continue reading “The Controversy Over Antibiotics For Cats With Inflammatory Bowel Disease”
Inflammatory bowel disease is cats is a frustrating problem characterized by vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss and anorexia. Since other problems such as parasites, pancreatitis or cancer may cause the same clinical signs, a biopsy of the intestinal wall provides the definitive diagnosis. Patients with inflammatory bowel disease are reacting to something in their intestinal tract. …
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Inflammatory bowel disease can make the cat miserable and challenge their veterinarian to find a treatment protocol that works. Cats with this disease suffer an inflammatory reaction in the walls of their intestines that causes vomiting, diarrhea and weight loss. These cats seem painful when I palpate their abdomens. The inflammation occurs when the cat develops antibodies …
Continue reading “Diet Recommendations For Cats With Inflammatory Bowel Disease”
One of the most overlooked aspects of allergy treatment for dogs is removing allergens from the animal’s environment. We spend so much time treating the dog that we sometimes forget to treat the environment in a way that will minimize allergens. The following is a list of recommendations I make to my clients who live with allergic …
Have you ever brought your cat home from the veterinary clinic and found your other cats hissing at them or worse yet, attacking them? Unfortunately, this is a common response when one member of a cat family comes home wearing scents from the hospital. The cats who stayed home pick up the smell of antiseptics, other animals …
There are numerous products including shampoos, rinses, sprays, lotions, creams and leave-on conditioners designed to help dogs with allergies. These topicals contain anti-inflammatory ingredients (steroids, antihistamines, colloidal oatmeal, fatty acids, capsaicin and aloe vera) to make the patient more comfortable. In my experience, the response to each is highly individualistic. I see the best response in patients who have localized disease and owner’s …
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Fatty acids come in two varieties, omega-6 and omega-3. Omega-6 fatty acids are contained in vegetable oils. They are generally used to correct defects in the lipid barrier of skin damaged by allergies. Omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil and flaxseed, are best known for their anti-inflammatory effects. Since most dogs with allergies can benefit from both, I …
Antihistamines are a class of drug that decrease inflammation by inhibiting histamine release. There are many drugs in this class including diphenhydramine (Benadryl), hydroxyzine (Atarax), chlorpheniramine (Chlortrimeton) and cetirizine (Zyrtec). The most common side effect is sedation, dogs sleep more than normal. This effect usually improves after a few days of therapy. In rare individuals, the opposite …
Cyclosporine is an immunossupresant drug that is commonly used in allergic dogs. Although the exact mechanism of action is not understood, it appears to decrease allergy symptoms by dampening the cell-mediated immune response. The trade name for the veterinary version of the drug is Atopica. I usually start therapy with a daily dose for 30 days …
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The best treatment for an allergic dog is to identify the cause and remove it from the environment. I remember testing one Golden retriever and learning he was allergic to wool. The owner got rid of the wool carpeting and wool blanket on his bed and he was cured. Unfortunately, not all allergens can be removed. …
Continue reading “Dog Allergies – Allergen Specific Immunotherapy (Allergy Shots)”