Search Results for: blog inflammatory bowel disease in pets

Probiotics for Pets?

Doggie digestion is a subject near and dear to my heart — thanks to my dog Moose and his very sensitive stomach. According to a recent article in Scientific American, GI issues are one of the top problems dog owners bring to the vet’s office (skin issues are tops on the list, according to a professor from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine in Gainesville). I can believe it! There’s a wide range of stuff that can cause gastrointestinal distress — everything from “garbage gut” (getting sick after eating stuff they shouldn’t) to parasites to infection and more. … Continue reading →

Treating Flatulence in Pets

For the last week or so, my German shepherd mix Moose has been extremely gassy. I used to think my dog Miko had bad gas (he would toot when he was nervous — even the vet had to open a window) but this is pretty awful. In Moose’s case, I don’t think nerves are the problem. He’s a pretty laid-back dog most of the time. Since his encounter with Giardia over the summer, he’s been a little more sensitive in the stomach. I wonder if the irritation hasn’t developed into some form of inflammatory bowel disease. The first thing I’m … Continue reading →

Treating Chin Acne in Pets

Don’t stress too much if your pet develops chin acne — it’s a relatively common problem in dogs and cats! One of the most common causes for chin acne is allergies. A pet may be allergic to fleas, foods, plastic in bowls, or inhaled particles like pollen and mold spores. Dealing with the allergy can make a big difference in many cases of chin acne. Treat your pet with a monthly flea/tick preventative like Frontline, Advantage, Sentinel, or Revolution. Spray your home and yard to clear up flea infestations if one is present or suspected. Eliminate plastic food and water … Continue reading →

Ask a Pets Blogger: Mucus in Stool

First off, I’m sorry that this is such a gross question! I’ve noticed lately that there seems to be a lot of mucus in my dog’s stool. He doesn’t seem sick otherwise. Should I be worried? No need to apologize — owning pets often means you deal with a lot of gross things. (So says the woman with the dog who eats cat poop and barfs green grass in the living room.) Your problem is one that I’m actually familiar with. Moose (he who eats “kitty roca”) has experienced this in the past. Mucus in the stool can be a … Continue reading →

The Pets Blog Week in Review for July 21-27

What did Aimee and I write about during the last full week of July? In case you’re wondering because summer vacation plans kept you away from the computer, here’s the Week in Review recap. Monday, July 21 Just how much does your pet influence your lifestyle? Do you even know? Or are you well aware of their impact? Because of Aimee’s experiences with her own dogs, she learned about inflammatory bowel disease in pets and passed her knowledge on to us. Tuesday, July 22 I explained why I am absolutely loving “The Greatest American Dog!” Apparently Aimee’s become the crazy … Continue reading →

Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Pets

After my dogs’ recent struggles with upset stomachs, I started looking into possible causes. Moose had been scrounging abandoned food (like chicken bones) around the parking lot. Maybe they changed the recipe on our dog food. The neighbors have a new puppy, could Moose and Lally have caught something from an unvaccinated dog? In my research, I came across information about inflammatory bowel disease. Inflammatory bowel disease can appear in both dogs and cats, and it thought to be a type of allergic reaction to certain foods. The main symptom is pudding-like diarrhea that lasts for weeks or even months … Continue reading →

Drawing the Line: At-Home Care or the Vet’s Office?

Moose’s recent illness has had me thinking a lot about my judgement as a pet owner. Because Moose often has a sensitive stomach, I often end up treating him at home. This last time, we needed the vet. But did I call for help quickly enough? Could I have saved him (and me) some suffering by calling the vet in sooner? Between writing about pets for more than three years, working at the cats-only boarding and vet, and reading a lot of pet health books, I feel like I have a pretty good grasp of what’s an emergency and what … Continue reading →

Demodex Mange

Just thinking about microscopic creepy crawlies makes me itchy all over! But when my dog Lally was having her most recent allergy attack, one of the causes I feared was demodex mange. Demodex is a skin infection caused by a microscopic mite. Symptoms can include: Red, itchy skin Bald, weepy patches — especially around the eyes and mouth Lesions on legs and body Leathery skin Thick ear discharge (especially in cats) With Lally’s itching — especially around the eyes — maybe you can see why I was concerned. The demodex mite is fairly common — most dogs and cats carry … Continue reading →

Weekly Pet Health Checklist

We spend a lot of time with our pets — after all, we share the same living space! But frequent contact can make it easy to miss subtle changes in health or behavior. This weekly health checklist can help you keep on top of your pet’s well being. A weekly health check is also a good way to get your pet used to being handled regularly! Is your pet acting “normal” — are they active and in general good spirits? Is your pet sleeping as much as he usually does? Does your pet move without stiffness, pain, or limping? Is … Continue reading →

Pet Chin Acne

A few years ago, I discovered that Lally had a plastic allergy when I saw pet chin acne. She started breaking out in little red bumps all over her muzzle. After ruling out a food allergy, the vet suggested that she might be allergic to the plastic in her bowl. We switched to a ceramic bowl and she hasn’t had any trouble since! Acne is a relatively common skin problem in cats and dogs. The problem can start at any age, and looks a lot like acne in humans — red bumps, often on the chin and lower lip. The … Continue reading →