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.

Reasons why a pet becomes obese:

• Excessive calorie intake (over-eating)
• Lower metabolic rate due to neutering.
• Inappropriate use of snacks, treats and supplements (human treats and snacks)
• Lack of exercise
• Appetite-stimulating drug therapy ( e.g. steroid treatments)
• Social factors (e.g. multi-pet households)
• Decreased energy requirements e.g. Hypothyroid disease

The effects of Obesity:

Obesity decreases your pets quality of life and puts your pet at risk of one or more of the following:

• Shorter life span!
• Diabetes Mellitus
• Cardiovascular Disease – heart disease
• Degenerative Joint & Orthopaedic Disease (DJD)
• Joint Stress/musculoskeletal Pain
• Exercise intolerance
• Insulin resistance
• Glucose intolerance
• Increased surgical and anaesthetic complications
• Neurological disorders
• Respiratory problems
• Cancer and tumors
• Skin problems
• Premature aging
• Heat Intolerance
• Hypertension -high blood pressure
• Reproductive disorders
• Decreased quality of life
• Susceptibility to infections

 Does your pet have a weight problem?

If you answer ‘yes’ to any of the questions below, or if you think your pet is not at its optimum body condition, you may want to talk to us about a weight management program.

1. Do you have difficulty feeling your pet’s ribs?
2. Is there little or no ‘waist’?
3. Do you give your pet table scraps or leftovers?
4. Is your pet reluctant to exercise?
5. Does your pet seem to tire easily with activity?
6. Does your pet waddle when it walks?
7. Does your pet keep eating so long as there is food in the bowl?
8. Have you been told your pet is overweight?

Healthy snacks for your pet:

• Carrots (contain Beta-carotene and aid in weight loss in dogs)
• Cucumbers
• Celery
• Ice cubes (on a hot day)

Unhealthy snacks for your pet:

What a treat for your dog would be equivalent to in human snack terms!

July Pet of the Month

Sheeba has been through a lot with us here at The Animal Hospital in her 18 years of life. In recent years, she has suffered greatly with arthritis, common in older animals. She is also on medication for her kidneys. Her loving owner takes very good care of her, making sure she has a good quality of life. We regularly see Sheeba and her owner for check ups. She has had a few bad times but has always pulled through them. She’s a little fighter! She has been awarded July Pet of the Month.

Patch and Butch

Patch -Tortoise shell – 1^st vaccination, wormed, full vet check over, female, 10 weeks old.

Butch -Black/white – 1^st vaccination, wormed, full vet check over, male, 10 weeks old.

Please call us on 01-4515930 if you would like to come and meet them!