Can Dogs Be Allergic To Cats? Signs & Treatment

Dogs and cats have historically never been the best of friends when it comes to getting along with each other.

The majority of dogs and cats keep a distance from each other. However, there are a few exceptions in some households, especially when the dogs and cats have grown up together from a very young age. 

Dog Allergic to Cat

But can dogs be allergic to cats and develop allergic reactions?

It may surprise you to know that in the rarest of cases, this is actually true! How is it possible you might be thinking.

It is extremely unlikely, but there is a slight chance that you may end up in a situation where your dog is allergic to cats and develops itches, red eyes and keeps sneezing as soon as a cat is near him or her.

To read more on this story, click here: Can Dogs Be Allergic To Cats? Signs & Treatment

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Dog Health: Diseases, Symptoms and Treatments

Like human health problems, some dog diseases, injuries and physical ailments are serious while others are not. Fortunately, the vast majority of health problems that dogs commonly experience can be successfully treated with medications, physical therapy, surgery, or other types of medical treatments.

Unfortunately, since animals can’t talk, it’s often very difficult to detect what type health problems dogs may be experiencing. We have, however, compiled the following list of common healthcare problems to help you detect and better understand possible problems that could affect your dog’s health and overall wellness.

If your dog is showing any of the symptoms that we have described for the various diseases and physical abnormalities listed below, it’s very important that you take your dog to see its vet at the earliest possible time. Early treatment will not only greatly improve your dog’s chances for a quick and complete recovery, but it could very well save your dog’s life.

To read more on this story, click here: Dog Health: Diseases, Symptoms and Treatments


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Just Like People, Dogs Can be Allergic to a Wide Range of Things - Does Your Dog Have Allergies?

The most widespread allergy symptom that dogs manifest is scratching. Because constant scratching can result in open sores, raised welts, and even loss of hair, dog owners have to be careful when it comes to feeding and exposing their pets. Dog owners have to educate themselves about the symptoms and treatment options of dog allergy in order to keep their best friend as comfortable as possible.

Understanding the Basics

There are several types of allergies: the airborne, food, flea, and contact. All dogs are prone to one or a combination of these allergies. It usually affects them when they are a couple years of age; though some cases report that even dogs as young as five months have already suffered from it. Dogs that have been affected by allergies frequently suffer all throughout their lives, and the symptoms usually become worse as they age.

Common Allergy Symptoms
You should suspect your dog is having allergies if he relentlessly:

1.     Scratches his ears
2.     Licks or chews his feet or other parts of body
3.     Rubs his face against the floor or furniture
4.     Sneezes or has a runny nose
5.     Vomits or has diarrhea
6.     Coughs or wheezes
7.     Has a rash, pimples, bumps, or open sores
8.     Has a reddish hair discoloration on the paws or between his toes
9.     Has red or watery eyes
10.   Has ear infections

Diagnosing Dog Allergies

Once you suspect your dog is suffering from allergies, you should immediately see your vet. Veterinarians will oftentimes make a preliminary diagnosis as well as treatment plan based on several data. These include the season of the year when the dog manifest the most allergy symptoms, the specific body locations that are found to be the most itchy, and the response of the itches to particular medications such as shampoos, steroids, and antihistamines.

If the initial treatment plan does not offer your dog relief, your vet will likely recommend a more specific allergy testing. This procedure is commonly done either by taking a blood test or by performing intra-dermal skin testing. The blood tests are reliable for airborne allergy detection, but not as good when it comes to identifying food or contact allergies. Skin tests, nonetheless, are considered to be more accurate as it involves shaving a small patch of hair on the dog’s side, and then injecting a minimal amount of allergens underneath his skin.

Just like people, dogs can be allergic to a wide range of things like pollen and grasses, certain foods, even cats! Working closely with your vet to diagnose an allergy and treat it will make your dog much more comfortable.

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Dog Nearly Died Because the Veterinarians at Animal Clinic Botched His Treatment: New Lawsuit Charges

Andrew Sachs, a Manhattan lawyer, says he brought his dog, Mimosa, to a Manhattan animal clinic because of allergies, and the dog nearly died because the veterinarians there botched his treatment, a new lawsuit charges.

Andrew Sachs, a Manhattan lawyer, says in the suit that in 2012 vets at BluePearl New York on West 55th Street gave his then-6-year-old half Shih Tzu, half toy poodle named Mimosa a nearly lethal mixture of prescription pills.

They then provided subpar and overpriced treatment for more than a week as the poor pup got sicker and sicker, the suit charges.

The clinic was more concerned with making money than providing quality care, charging $2,000 a day while withholding news about the dog’s worsening condition, according to the lawsuit.

“Throughout the whole experience you’re giving [BluePearl] the benefit of the doubt. I don’t know anything about veterinary medicine. They’re the experts,” Sachs told The Post, calling his now-traumatized dog a “member of the family.”

BluePearl defended their treatment of Mimosa, but told The Post they are taking Sachs’ allegations very seriously.

“We are aware of the facts of this case and the concerns expressed by Mimosa’s owner. But we feel confident in the treatment provided to Mimosa by our skilled veterinarians,” Dr. Jennifer Welser, chief medical officer for BluePearl, said.

Sachs originally brought Mimosa to BluePearl back in March 2012 in hopes that a specialist could help alleviate the dog’s chronic allergies, the suit says.

But the clinic was disorganized from the beginning — Jill Abraham, the vet who administered the toxic mixture of prescription drugs, was “very late” to the appointment and then made excuses, saying, “I’m doing more then I am supposed to be doing,” according to the lawsuit.

Mimosa was eventually transferred the to a Pennsylvania clinic, where the dog was saved.

Since the traumatic treatment at BluePearl more than two years ago, the apricot-colored pup has needed home-cooked meals and daily meds to deal with his trauma, the suit says.
“Ever since this, she’s a little high-strung and snaps at people,” Sachs said. “She’s very defensive now.”

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7 Myths About Dog Care - (Written by a Dog)

Hi my human friends, my name is Skai Wantstofly and my dad, Dr. D., is a vet. Dad  says that I am the ambassador of natural healing.  I am not sure what it means exactly but I know that it is about feeling good and making us, dogs better without chemicals, vaccines and drugs.

I have always loved the number 7 because it looks a little bit like a stick and I looove sticks. So today, I have seven myths to many humans still believe

To read more on this story, click here: 7 Myths About Dog Care - (Written by a Dog)

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Does Your Dog Have "Dog Shaking Head Syndrome"? It Typically Means One Thing, There is Something Affecting its Ears, Causing Him Discomfort and Possibly Pain

If your canine displays "dog shaking head syndrome," it typically means one thing: there is something affecting its ears, causing him discomfort and possibly pain. If you know what to look for, you can diagnose your dog's head shaking rather quickly--therefore, you are able to treat the problem fast.

Does your dog have any evidence of an ear infection?

Dog ear problems are easy to spot, but you must be able to differentiate between them to determine the best treatment. Floppy-eared dogs are more vulnerable to ear problems, but a dog ear problem can affect any dog.

The 7 most common reasons of a dog's ear problems are:

Allergies: The most common cause of dog ear problems is an allergic reaction of some sort. Allergies can be caused by food ingredients or environmental irritants such as pollen or dust. Itchy, inflamed ears and paws are symptoms of an allergy. Switch to a low-allergen food that does not contain wheat, soy or corn. Often, switching to a higher quality dog food reduces allergic reaction ear problems. Keep the environment as dust free and clean as possible.

Ear Infections: If you have a drop-eared dog, ear infection may be on ongoing problem. The warm, moist environment created by the fold in the ear flap is ideal for bacterial growth. Yeast and bacterial growth will cause odor in the ears. If the infection is confined to one ear, your dog may tilt her head in an attempt to equalize pressure. The ears may feel warm to the touch.

Debris in ears: Foxtails, plant awns and other debris can get inside a dog ear. Look inside your dog's ear with a flashlight; debris can wedge itself quite deeply. Do not insert anything inside your dog's ear-you may cause further damage.

Parasites: Ear pain and itching associated with parasites can cause ear problems in your dog; tick bites, mites and fleas can cause swelling, hair loss and crusty skin.

Trauma: An ear injury can cause swelling or a dog ear hematoma. An animal bite or other trauma can allow blood and fluid to accumulate between the cartilage and the skin of the ear flap. Even vigorous scratching or head shaking can cause this condition. The ear will become swollen and disfigured. An ear hematoma should be drained and surgically corrected. If untreated, the ear will be permanently disfigured.

Hormone Disorders: Certain hormonal conditions such as hypothyroidism and adrenal malfunctions can cause ear problems. You may notice poor coat quality, behavioral changes and hair loss in addition to itchy, reddened skin around the ears.

Other Causes: In rare cases, ear problems are the result of a hereditary disorder such as dermatomyositis (a connective tissue disorder in Collies and Shelties) or seborrhea which causes hair loss and scaly skin. Cancerous condition such squamous cell carcinoma or malignant melanoma may also affect the ears; check for darkened or scaly patches of hairless skin.

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