Dr. D. Lee Pickett
Q: I matured with dogs, however my spouse wasn’t as lucky. We now have a dog — and a young child who likes to hug him and bury her face in his fur. My spouse frets that this is unhygienic, while I state it’s great due to the fact that our dog is healthy, takes month-to-month antiparasitic medication and sees his vet frequently. Can you help?
A: Researchers did an interesting research study that must help your spouse feel comfy with your child’s love for her dog.
They recognized germs on the neck fur of 30 dogs of numerous types and compared them with germs on the beards of guys varying in age from 18 to 76.
They discovered germs that trigger human infection on just 13% of dogs’ fur compared to 39% of guys’s beards. Total bacterial counts were substantially lower on dogs’ fur than guys’s beards.
Bacterial tasting of the individuals’ mouths likewise revealed substantially lower bacterial counts in dogs’ mouths than in the guys’s mouths.
If your spouse has facial hair, his beard most likely brings more germs than your dog’s fur. Even if he has no beard, he must feel assured letting your child hug her healthy, well looked after dog.
Q: Sassafras, my indoor cat, established a fat upper lip today. Her vet identified a rodent ulcer and recommended a steroid. What triggers rodent ulcers? Could Sassy have consumed a mouse?
A: Rodent ulcers are called for the look of the cat’s lips. One or both upper lips end up being exceedingly thick, like rodent lips, and often ulcerated.
A rodent ulcer, likewise called an indolent ulcer, is one symptom of feline eosinophilic granuloma complex, or EGC, an expensive name for skin sores which contain leukocyte called eosinophils, or “eos,” which belong to the body immune system.
Eos are connected with allergic reaction and parasites, so it must come as not a surprise that rodent ulcers and other kinds of EGC frequently are brought on by allergic reactions, not by consuming rodents.
Sassy is most likely adverse flea saliva, pollens or perhaps some component in her food. Steroids obstruct the allergic action and efficiently treat rodent ulcers.
But, you’ll likewise require to resolve the reason for her allergic reaction. Often it’s fleas, though you most likely won’t discover any on Sassy if she eliminates them as she grooms. Nevertheless, flea bites can set off allergic reactions, so utilize a flea control item throughout the year.
Q: Bear, my Labrador retriever, almost had an encounter with a porcupine while I was training him in the field. What do I do if he’s ever harpooned by porcupine quills?
A: Rush him to a veterinary emergency situation center. If there are quills in or near his eyes, have somebody limit him while you’re driving so he doesn’t do more damage.
Quills are loosely connected to the porcupine’s body, so they launch quickly when the dog touches the porcupine. Each quill is covered by what appear like fish scales that are created to help the quill operate in much deeper, making elimination tough.
If a porcupine quill breaks off near the surface area of the dog’s skin, it can move through the body. If it reaches a joint, the quill will trigger discomfort and hopping. If it winds up in the heart, brain or other important organ, it can eliminate.
Because the quill scales are created to dig in, quill elimination hurts and for that reason finest done while Bear is anesthetized. After the treatment, the vet will send out Bear home with discomfort medication.
Unfortunately, quilled dogs hardly ever learn their lesson. Most continue to assault porcupines and get quilled once again. If Bear has this experience, you may reevaluate his function as a hunting dog.
Lee Pickett, VMD, practices buddy animal medication in North Carolina. Visit https://askthevet.pet to purchase the Ask the Vet books.
