Tips on getting the right care.
A ghost from Christmas past
A recent post talked about our dog’s encounter with ticks and Lyme exposure after an unseasonably warm Christmastime walk in the woods abutting the Potomac. (My husband later corrected me; technically, we were next to the Occoquan River, a Potomac tributary.)
Anyway, a course of antibiotics took care of the Lyme. But a few days into the regimen, our 8-year-old baby Bruno was burdened with itching that kept him (and us) awake at night.
We resorted to visiting the vet again, wondering whether the itching was a coincidence or a consequence of the antibiotic.
The vet didn’t fault the antibiotic specifically. But she said that dogs as they age become more prone to allergic reactions to anything new. Switching dog foods or treats can easily upset their chemistry (at any age, actually).
A course of antibiotics took care of tick bites and potential Lyme. But a few days into the regimen, our 8-year-old baby Bruno was burdened with itching that kept him (and us) awake at night.
She prescribed a cortisol derivative, Prednisolone, to relieve Bruno of the itching. She also suggested we give him a bath in case he had a brush with any noxious weeds or other allergens, recommending a fancy dog shampoo called Douxo, a chlorhexidine formula for sensitive/irritated skin. We knew it would be expensive when we saw it was translated in to French. Nonetheless, we sprung for the $20.50 bottle of “solution moussante” at our vet’s office and treated Bruno to an unwanted spa day when we got home. The itching almost immediately relented.
Soon after ingesting each dose of steroids for his itching, Bruno was beset by uncontrollable urges to urinate.
So we could only sigh and laugh bitterly when the steroid, in turn, triggered sudden-onset incontinence. Soon after ingesting each dose, Bruno was beset by uncontrollable urges to urinate.
More than once, Bruno desperately dashed into the study where my husband was working, as if to sound the alarm, but too late. As soon as he entered the room, the floodgate would open. Adding insult to his incontinence, Bruno then would try to run away from his problem, dribbling a trail the length of the hallway.
We read that this reaction represents a classical side effect of Prednisone/Prednisolone use: excessive thirst and excessive urination.
Which reinforces our original conclusion: Do not take a dog into the woods in warm weather (anywhere above 40 degrees) without dosing with Frontline or Advantix first, unless you care to trade in your own spa day for your dog’s, while you play Cinderella scrubbing the floor.
In the greater New York City / Long Island area, one may contact American Dog Club for these and other remedies for all of your dog or puppy’s health care needs. Every American Dog Club puppy comes with a free comprehensive veterinary package to ensure your new puppy receives the highest level of preventive care and medical service. Our total commitment will not end when you bring home your new family member. Central Veterinary Associates and American Dog Cub are proud to offer you our Elite Medical services 24 hours a day 7 days a week at Central Veterinary Associates Main Hospital and 5 additional veterinary medical offices in our group. No other kennel provides this level of Free Health Care Protection and services as we do at American Dog Club.
By Wendy Donahue, for American Dog Club
About American Dog Club: Our mission is to provide world class puppies that set the standard of excellence. We are passionate about our obligation to our puppies and customers. Our goal is to help you connect with the right special puppy. All our puppies are selected personally from our experienced puppy specialist to insure health, temperament and quality. All of our puppies will be AKC registered at time of purchase and a free vet package is provided. Each and every potential parent must receive a 45 minute orientation on the care, feeding and housebreaking of your new baby. We offer support and training to properly care for your new family member. American Dog Club does not support puppy mills, hobby or back yard breeders.
