Holly is a 2 and a half year old cavachon.

At around 6 months old Holly started scratching excessively. So much so that she regularly caused her skin to bleed and become infected.
A change of food for a few weeks made no difference so blood samples were taken for skin allergy testing.

Results confirmed that Holly is extemely sensitive as to what she eats – she is allergic to beef,chicken, lamb, turkey and amazingly not to pork. The indoor allergy tests confirmed her intolernce to house dust mites.
Treatment has vastly improved Hollys itchiness but has not cured it.
This is what we regularly find at The Animal Hosptal, Tallght – we can manage but not cure skin allergies.

The main treatment that Holly is getting – on an ongoing basis – is a special low allergy food. Her owner has also purchased a high powered Dyson Pet hoover to keep dust mites to a minimum.

TIP – if your dog is scratching excessively from a young age – initially try a food change to see if that helps.

In December 2016 Bobby started drinking and urinating a lot. He also started eating much more food. Blood tests were taken over several weeks and confirmed that Bobby is a diabetic.
Diabetes in dogs is very common, although definitely more common in the female !! The most common clinical signs are excess drinking and urnation. It is really easy to rule it out by a simple in-house blood test.
Bobby is now getting insulin injections morning and evening and in great form – as you can see from todays picture of him.

TIP – if you have a diabetic dog be aware they can get LOW blood sugar when receiving insulin. Weakness and lethargy is usually the main signs. A couple of spoons of honey by mouth will usually sort the problem

Does your pet have bad breath?

This isn’t just unpleasant for you – it can be unhealthy for them. Up to 80% of dogs and 70% of cats that do not receive proper dental care, may show signs of dental disease by the age of 3.

Signs include

• Bad breath
• Red gums
• Problems eating/ picking up toys
• Excess salivation
• tooth decay/ tooth loss
• Pawing at the month

To avoid your pet having to have a dental at the vets, which involves a full general anesthetic please read out tips

• Take advantage of food, treats and toys – look for specially formulated foods and treats for dental care. Chewing is a national way to remove tartar from the teeth. 
• Check your pets mouth weekly for any of the signs of dental disease.
• Brush your pets teeth – at least once or twice weekly. This should be park of your dogs routine. Only use specific animal toothpaste and never human paste.
• Ideally start young, get your pet used to it before they are 6 months old.

1. 1.       Be sharp-eyed. Now is the time to keep an eye on what your pet is eating. Sneaky feeds from the kids can help your pet pile on the pounds without realising it. Not to mention not knowing what human foods can be dangerous. Letting your children know why overfeeding can become a problem for your pet; will help them watch the amount they give during the course of the day.

1. 2.       Get them on the move. The festive season was all about staying in and enjoying family time. The New Year is all about getting out with the family, which includes your pet. Don’t let the cold scare you back inside, having longer walks, or playing in the park for a couple more minutes helps you both burn off a few extra calories!

1. 3.       Keeping count. It isn’t as tedious as it sounds. If your furry friend is eating a full daily calorie allowance in kibbles, plus getting another round of calories in treats, snacks and goodies, it ends up being too much food. By simply adjusting amounts as needed, can be one of the simple fixes you use to help manage your pet’s weight loss.

1. 4.       Portion control. When it comes to food, try to measure the correct amount of daily kibbles according to the package instructions, size, age and lifestyle. If they are a bit on the chubby side, just measure out slightly less. Instead of feeding it all at once, break it up into breakfast, dinner and post play treats or treats here and there. They won’t even notice your managing their food portion.

1. 5.       Attention doesn’t mean feed them. Just because they look like they’re begging for your food, doesn’t mean they want it. Most of the time, your pet just really wants your tender loving care and attention. So instead of giving your pet some of your dinner- especially if they have just been fed- try a pat on the belly, or scratch behind the ear. Even a little indoor play time wouldn’t hurt.

If you have any concerns about your pet’s health or are worried that they are severely overweight, always seek veterinary advice before starting a weight loss programme.

For more about Hill’s Pet Nutrition and how they can help you manage your pet’s weight through their food range speak to your vet, or you can also visit www.hillspet.ie.