Before we focus on some miscellaneous skin disorders, allow me to mention an “aside”, within the context of ensuring that this column reflects more than “Pet Care”. Rather, our objective is also to share interesting oddities in the animal kingdom.
The Guyana Times has a daily insert called “Ripley’s Believe It or Not”. Last week, on March 19th, there was a piece about Tapirs having multiple hooves. Let me share with you the following:
A Tapir is a very interesting animal. It looks like a pig; Guyanese called it a “Bush Cow”; but in fact, even though it has multiple hooves on each foot, it is more associated with a horse.
Scientists have recognized that Tapirs have not changed much in over 50 million years. The Malayan Tapir is black and white, but the Amazon jungle Tapir is dark-brown/ black. There used to be a Wool Tapir in the highlands of Mexico, but this type might well be extinct by now.
Now comes, for me, the interesting part. Tapirs have been found in Asia (Malaysia) and in (Central)/ South America – but nowhere else; not in Africa; not in Europe; not in North America. How basically the same animal is in Asia and South America, but nowhere else? What “migration bridge” did this animal use? Enough. Go figure. Oh, by the way, the Tapir is Guyana’s largest mammal.
Now, let us return to a few other (assorted) skin ailments afflicting our companion animals.
FLEA ALLERGY DERMATITIS (FAD)
Q: What is FAD?
A: As the name suggests, FAD is an allergic reaction to fleas, or to be more exact, a reaction to flea saliva.
Fleas love dogs and cats. Unfortunately, it is not a symbiotic relationship. Cats and dogs hate fleas and begin to exhibit a skin rash when they acquire a flea burden. This much the scientists have established: It is the flea saliva to which some dogs and cats are allergic, and which causes the skin rash. The hypersensitivity itself creates an itch/scratch reaction. Interestingly, even after we have eliminated the flea infestation, the scratching continues; but it will subside within two weeks if there is no renewed flea reinfestation.
Q: Where does one look for the fleas?
A: The Fleas are mostly found crawling swiftly on the underbelly, the neck, around the area where the tail “joins” the body, and on the hind legs. By the way, fleas do not fly. They crawl and jump. Indeed, it has been calculated that if a flea had the size of an average adult man, it would be able to jump over the Empire State Building in New York.
Sometimes, it is difficult to see a black flea on a black cat or dog. I therefore advise owners (even before they bring the scratching animal to the Clinic) to place the dog or cat on an adequately sized piece of white paper, and then comb/brush the dog’s/ cat’s skin. Grains of sandy material can easily be seen on the paper; these are flea eggs and flea faeces.
Q: Treatment and Control?
A: You may find in textbooks and on internet searches that caregivers can kill the fleas by dusting the skin with insecticidal powders. I used to worry a lot in the past about recommending insecticidal powders, since – as the fleas try to escape the killing powder, they tend to burrow into the animal’s skin. This produces a heightened itch/ scratch reaction. The animal begins to gnaw/ lick the sensitized area, and easily picks up the toxic insecticide, orally, therefore poisoning itself.
Nowadays, there are many products on the market which are relatively harmless, if ingested. However, do not attack the fleas with several flea-killing chemicals simultaneously. Only recently I had a client who used an anti-flea collar, together with an insecticide powder after having bathed the dog with an anti-tick/ flea shampoo. Such therapy is overkill. Please use insecticides under veterinary advice and supervision.
It must also be emphasized that it does not make much sense getting rid of the fleas from the animals, while leaving the surrounding environment (carpets, upholstery, cat/dog beds, etc.) untreated.
Q: How can the caregiver keep the environment (especially in the home) flea-free?
A: Under veterinary advice and supervision, one can:
(i) use residue insecticides (the flea is an insect; the tick is not) that kill newly acquired (young) fleas, before they become mature and start to reproduce;
(ii) keep repeating specific Insect Growth Regulators (IGRs) on the skin and on the premises;
(iii) follow the vet’s advice relative to the choice of insecticide and the application methodology (oral, topical, injectable);
(iv) utilize the services of a professional Pest Control company, which may introduce broadcast treatments (home sprays, “bombs”, etc.).
N.B. If skin lesions (scratch sores; raw inflamed skin with a secondary infection) emerge, supportive therapy with antibiotics/ anti-inflammatories may be introduced.
SEBORRHEA
Q: What is Seborrhea?
A: I am not sure that I should list Seborrhea as a disease. There is a Primary Seborrhea, the cause of which is really unknown.
When I was practicing in Europe, an unusually high amount of Cocker and Springer Spaniels seem to be presented (at the Clinic) with a greasy skin, which was probably caused by an of skin oil (sebum). Emanating from the patient’s skin was a rancid, malodorous smell. My boss was convinced that this Primary Seborrhea (PS) stems from a hormonal (estrogen excess?) origin.
Q: What does Primary Seborrhea (PS) look like?
A:
Q: What are the signs of a Secondary Seborrhea (SS)?
A: SS is not usually considered to be a disease in itself. Instead, it is often associated with other genuine and specific ailments, for example, mange (mites).
Q: What is the treatment against Seborrhea?
A: Well, P.S. may not be easily curable, but the caregiver can manage the condition. I am a firm believer relative to the use of any shampoo containing Selenium. The frequency of shampoo baths would depend on the individual case. Once or twice a week could suffice. Leave the lather on the skin 10-15 minutes, then rinse well. The vet will advise the caregiver, especially pertaining to any supportive use of antibiotics/ anti-fungal interventions. Cortisones may be also introduced.
Enjoy Your Phagwah and Easter Celebrations, while maintaining the valid COVID-19 precautionary and protective methods !
