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

Look familiar?

The noise and flashes of fireworks terrify many animals. Sudden bangs can cause fearful reactions such as cowering, trembling, loss of toileting habits, destructive behaviours and excessive barking.

Here is the our top ten tips to ease your pet’s stress:

1. Plan ahead and ask advice from a member of our team.
2. Make sure you pet is identified i.e. a microchip.
3. Pets should be kept indoors and where possible, in a room without windows or with curtains drawn.
4. Play a radio, CD or turn on the TV.
5. Anxiety in animals can be reduced by altering feeding regimes. Feeding later in the evening will encourage the animal to eat during anxiety-creating periods.
6. Plug in a DAP/Feliway diffuser in the room you pet will be staying. These contain naturally calming pheromones clinically proven to help anxious animals.
7. Provide elevated hiding places and liter trays for cats.
8. Do not punish your pet, however ignore fearful behaviour- this is extremely important.
9. Walk your dog early in the day, when its less likely fireworks will be going off.
10. Leave pheromones plugged in for at least a week before and after the fireworks have stopped.

Please do not hesitate to ask one of our nurses about desensitization CD’s and treatment options available for your pet.

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.