It’s hard to believe that summer is over, and the holidays
are fast approaching. Fall in central
In the past month, we have seen numerous pets come in with itchy, red skin. While many of them have seasonal allergies, we’ve also seen quite a few with fleas.
First, the allergy angle. Pets manifest allergy symptoms different than humans. While we humans suffer with hay fever and sinus issues, pets often become very itchy. They often chew on their legs and paws. They can be allergic to tree pollens, grasses, dust mites, etc, just like people. Often, we can give medications to alleviate the itch, but the allergies simply have to go away by themselves. Some pets are put on an oral antihistamine to help with the itching. Other times, your pet may need a short course of steroids. Many dogs are able to take a medication called Apoquel. Apoquel tells the brain’s itch center to stop.
It’s important to remember that we are not ‘curing’ the itch with these medications. We are simply trying to relieve your pet of the annoying itch factor associated with allergies and keep him or her from causing self trauma or infection of the skin. Unfortunately, we simply have to wait for the allergens to go away.
Another reason a pet will be itchy is fleas. And yes, we DO see FLEAS in the winter months! Everyone looks forward to the good, hard frosts when it comes to killing off allergens and insects. But this is also the time that fleas take the opportunity to come indoors. Even indoor only pets can have fleas (yes, my indoor cats have had fleas this year!!). Fleas will jump on you from your yard, from another person, from the stray cat walking the sidewalk (who also dumps them in your yard), from your friend’s home or pet, from your walk in the woods….anywhere. These pesky little opportunists look for the perfect host and the perfect home-usually that is your pet and your home.
Continue giving your flea prevention until at least (and including) December. If you travel for the holidays, have guests over, or your pet must board, continue to treat your pet for fleas.
If your pet is itching, the first thing we recommend is to apply appropriate flea treatment (Feline Revolution*, Feline Advantge Multi* or Feline Advantage for Cats, or for dogs, Canine Vectra/Vectra 3D, Canine Advantage/Advantix, Canine Advantage Multi*, Canine Revolution*, or the oral Canine Nexgard** or Canine Trifexis*). {Products marked with an * also contain heartworm prevention and are prescription only. Products marked with an ** are also prescription only.}
Often it takes only 1 flea, whether seen or not seen, to make a pet extremely itchy. So by applying flea treatment, we are either taking care of the problem or at least ruling it out. If you are seeing live fleas, or at the least, flea dirt (pepper like flakes on bedding or your pet’s hair coat), you must treat all pets, inside and outside, for fleas for a minimum of 3 consecutive months. You should also wash all bedding in hot, soapy water (yours and your pets’), and vacuum all carpeting, upholstery, and area rugs (take the canister outside to empty it). You’ll need a flea spray containing an Insect Growth Regulator (IGR). Spray all carpeting, upholstery (try a small area first to be sure it won’t stain), under furniture, around baseboards, cracks or lines in the flooring. Those are all places where fleas will hide and lay their eggs. Do NOT vacuum immediately following the spray as it will have some residual effect. Please keep in mind you will likely need to treat your home 2-3 times to completely eradicate the fleas.
Fleas can make a pet extremely itchy and cause them to chew and scratch themselves to a skin infection, just like season allergies can. Don’t ignore an itchy pet-contact your veterinarian and ask about medication to help the itch. Your vet will most likely require a doctor visit to ensure there is not also a skin infection.
Stay on top of your itchy pet! He or she will thank you!