Are You Allergic To Your Pet?

Breathe easy! 

You can still keep your animal companion!

Although more and more people are discovering the beneficial effects of owning a furry bundle of joy, the fact remains that roughly 15 to 20 percent of the population is allergic to animals. The result? Countless owners in unhappy, unhealthy situations—and their beloved pets are the cause! Allergen is the medical term for the actual substance that causes an allergic reaction. Touching or inhaling allergens leads to reactions in allergic individuals. Symptoms can include red, itchy, watery eyes and nose; sneezing; coughing; scratchy or sore throat; itchy skin, and most serious of all, difficulty breathing.

The most common pet allergens are proteins found in their dander (scales of old skin that are constantly shed by an animal), saliva, urine and sebaceous cells. Any animal can trigger an allergic response, but cats are the most common culprits. People can also become allergic to the urine, dander and saliva of exotic pets such as ferrets, guinea pigs, birds, rabbits and rodents. There is no species or breed to which humans cannot develop allergies. Fur length and type will not affect or prevent allergies. Certain pets can be less irritating than others to those who suffer from allergies, but that is strictly on an individual basis and cannot be predicted.

Once the diagnosis of a pet allergy is made, a physician will often recommend eliminating the companion animal from the surroundings. Heartbreaking? Yes. Absolutely necessary? Not always. Keep in mind that most people are allergic to several things besides pets, such as dust mites, molds and pollens, all of which can be found in the home. Allergic symptoms result from the total cumulative allergen load. That means that if you eliminate some of the other allergens, you may not have to get rid of your pet. (Conversely, should you decide to remove your pet from your home, this may not immediately solve your problems.) You must also be prepared to invest the time and effort needed to decontaminate your home environment, limit future exposure to allergens and find a physician who will work with you. Our three-part program follows:

Improving the Immediate Environment

1. Create an allergen-free room. A bedroom is often the best and most practical choice. By preventing your pet from entering this room, you can ensure at least eight hours of freedom from allergens every night. It's a good idea to use hypoallergenic bedding and pillow materials.
2. Limit fabrics. Allergens collect in rugs, drapes and upholstery, so do your best to limit or eliminate them from your home. If you choose to keep some fabrics, steam-clean them regularly. Cotton-covered furniture is the smartest choice, and washable blinds or shades make good window treatments.
3. Vacuum frequently using a vacuum equipped with a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate arresting) filter or a disposable electrostatic bag. Other kinds of bags will permit allergens to blow back out of the vacuum.
4. Install an air purifier fitted with a HEPA filter. Our modern, energy-efficient homes lock in air that is loaded with allergens, so it’s smart to let in some fresh air daily.
5. Use anti-allergen room sprays. These sprays deactivate allergens, rendering them harmless. Ask your allergist for a product recommendation.
6. Clean the litter box frequently. Use lowdust, perfume-free filler. Clumping litter is a good choice.
7. Dust regularly. Wiping down the walls will also cut down on allergens.
8. Invest in washable pet bedding and cages that can be cleaned often and easily.

Decontaminating Your Pet

1. Bathe your pet at least once a week. Your veterinarian can recommend a shampoo that won't dry out his skin. Bathing works to wash off the allergens that accumulate in an animal’s fur.
2. Wipe your pet with a product formulated to prevent dander from building up and flaking off into the environment. Ask your veterinarian to suggest one that is safe to use on animals who groom themselves.
3. Note any symptoms of dermatitis exhibited by your companion animal. Dermatitis often leads to accelerated skin and fur shedding, which will up your allergen exposure.
4. Brush or comb your pet frequently. It’s best to do this outdoors, if possible. (The ASPCA does not recommend keeping cats outdoors, so make sure your feline is leashed if you take him outside.)

Taking Care of Yourself

1. If possible, have someone other than yourself do the housecleaning, litter box work and pet washing, wiping and brushing. If you must clean the house or change the litter, be sure to wear a dust mask.
2. Wash your hands after handling your companion animal and before touching your face. The areas around your nose and eyes are particularly sensitive to allergens.
3. Designate a “pet outfit” from among your most easily washed clothes. Wear it when playing or cuddling with your companion, and you’ll leave other clothing uncontaminated.
4. Find a physician, preferably an allergy specialist, who will make sure that your pet is the cause of your allergies and will help alleviate your symptoms. Medications and immunotherapy (desensitizing shots) can often allow you and your companion animal to remain together happily ever after. 

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/pet-care-tips/allergic.aspx

Saturday is Responsible Dog Ownership Day

Saturday is the American Kennel Club’s “Responsible Dog Ownership Day,” designed to remind us to take excellent care of our four-legged friends. We encourage all pet owners to do something good for your pet today, whether that means schedul

ing their next physical, getting them microchipped, brushing their teeth, or just taking them outside to get some exercise. Remember, our pets depend on us for everything, so it’s our job to give them a good life.

Snowshoe: Rare Cat Breed

Plants Poisonous to Cats

Did you know that there are tons of plants that could be poisonous to our cats? It’s hard to keep them away from everything that’s dangerous, but a good rule of thumb is keeping these dangerous plants out of your yard and especially out of your home. Keeping our pets safe should be of utmost importance in the homes of all pet owners. For a comprehensive list of these dangerous plants, we invite you to visit the ASPCA page for more information!

September is Senior Pet Month

At Arroyo Veterinary Clinic, we are focusing on senior pets this September! We are providing clients with 3 options for their senior pets this September.

1. Comprehensive Senior Wellness Test

2. Senior Wellness Visit

**Both the above options include discount packaged office visit, lab work and in-house testing  at a discounted price.

3. For reluctant clients, we are still offering FREE office visit as a YELP.com Check-In Offer.

We offer senior pet health care to help your pet live a long, healthy life. We recommend senior pets to come in for wellness exam every six months, due to changes that come with age.

These six-month wellness visits can be offered as first visit for vaccines, parasite screening and prevention. We will evaluate risk for infectious diseases and either increase interval between vaccines  or discontinue some vaccines based on risk assessment. The second visit is recommended 6 months after first visit.

The focus during senior pet visits is to address old age concerns like arthritis, kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, cancer, glaucoma, hypertension etc. The lab work is recommended to provide us with baseline when the pet is well. Also in some cases it may help us identify certain conditions before disease signs are seen. With kidney disease, for example, by the time you see changes in the blood chemistries, 75 percent to 85 percent of the pet's kidneys could be gone, and, like people, pets need at least 50 percent to function. Now, if annual urinalysis is performed we can catch kidney disease at 65 percent and place the pet on a special diet or supplements to curb the problem.

Dog Age (years)	Wt:0-20 lb.	Wt:20-50 lb.	Wt:50-90 lb.	Wt.>90 lb.
6	40	42	45	49
7	44	47	50	56
8	48	51	55	64
9	52	56	61	71
10	56	60	66	78
11	60	65	72	86
12	64	69	77	93
13	68	74	82	101
14	72	78	88	108
15	76	83	93	115
16	80	87	99	123
17	84	92	104	131
18	88	96	109	139
19	92	101	115	-
20	96	105	120	-

Use this table to determine the “true” age of a dog or cat:

(Senior years are highlighted in red font.)

Cat Age (years)	Weight: 0-20 lb.
8	48
9	52
10	56
11	60
12	64
13	68
14	72
15	76
16	80
17	84
18	88
19	92
20	96

Autumn Road Trip with Pets

Going on an adventure with your family this fall? If you’re bringing your pet, make sure you go fully prepared! Bring the appropriate amount of food for the length of your trip, make sure your contact information is updated on your pet’s microchip, and your pet is up-to-date on flea, tick, and heartworm preventatives. Strange pests and illnesses can be contracted in new places, so it’s important to make sure that your pet is protected at all times.