Summer Skincare For Dogs and Cats

Posted on July 9, 2018 by Holly

Summer is a great time to enjoy the backyard, or take our pets with us for a variety of exciting excursions, from camping and hiking, to boating and swimming. You may take extra steps to keep your skin protected when the weather gets hot, like sunscreen, bug spray, or protective clothing, but our pets have some skincare needs too. Summer is a prime allergy season and bugs can easily make their way inside to the air conditioning. We’ve put together some summer skincare tips to help out!

Mosquitoes, Bugs, and Parasites, Oh My!

Ticks, fleas, mosquitoes, flies, gnats, and other insects are out in full swing during the summer months. If you are getting bit and itching, chances are your pet is too. Talk to your veterinarian about how you can keep your dog or cat protected from bites. There are many products available such as collars, topicals, sprays, shampoos, and dips. Try these tips for keeping critters away.

Seasonal Allergies

Just like us, dogs and cats can develop allergies and sensitivities to things in the environment like pollens, molds, grasses, trees, or bites from fleas or bugs. These allergens are very common during the summer. Allergies cause excessive scratching, biting, licking chewing, rubbing, sneezing, foot chewing and redness of the skin. If you notice changes in the skin or your pet is constantly itching, contact your veterinarian for treatment options and to determine the cause. You may also ask your veterinarian about whether your pet would benefit from an antihistamine or other medication.

Grooming & Bathing

If your pet spends a lot of time outdoors, you may need to up the bath time, especially if they like swimming. Bathing helps physically remove dirt, debris, allergens, and parasites from your dog or cats’ haircoat. You can also try using waterless shampoo to help reduce time in the tub. Aside from controlling shedding and making them look good, regular brushing also helps encourage blood circulation and distributes natural oils to help moisturize the skin. Check out the new Furbliss grooming brush.

Protect Paw Pads

Have you ever walked barefoot outside in the summer? HOT! Pavement, sidewalks, sand, and natural surfaces heat up quickly from the sun and can cause burns when dogs touch them. Try checking the temperature of the pavement before going for a walk. If it’s too hot for your hand, then it’s too hot for paws. You can also try walking your dog in the morning or at night when it’s cooler outside. Apply a thin layer of BioBalm on all four paws before any outdoor activities or walks.

VetRxDirect offers a variety of products to meet your pet’s skincare needs in every season. What is your favorite summer activity with your pet?

Dogs Find Relief From Allergies And Itching With Apoquel

Posted on June 1, 2017 by Holly

Does your dog always have that itch that he can’t quite scratch? Do they have allergies that cause them to constantly lick and chew with no relief? It’s normal to have an itch here and a scratch there, but if your dog has never ending problems with itching, it might be time to look into it. Just like us, dogs can develop allergies and sensitivities to certain foods or things in the environment like pollen, mold, types of grass and trees. They can also become allergic to the saliva of fleas when they bite, a condition known as flea allergy dermatitis (FAD), and have reactions with only one or two fleas on their body. Dogs can also come in contact with other parasites like lice and mites, or irritants like shampoo and medications. The common signs that your dog has itching or irritation include excessive scratching, biting, licking chewing, rubbing, scooting, foot chewing and redness of the skin. If you notice changes in the skin or your dog is starting to cause damage to their skin, contact your veterinarian for treatment options and to determine the cause. Chronic scratching that causes skin damage can also be a sign of a more serious skin disease or infection and should be discussed with your veterinarian.

Medications like steroids, antihistamines, and medicated shampoos, creams, and sprays are usually prescribed to help dogs and their owners deal with the itching but recently a medication called Apoquel was brought back because of popular demand.

Apoquel helps relieve itching and inflammation caused by allergies or skin conditions. Apoquel is not a steroid or an antihistamine, it’s a different kind of medication that stops the itch at its source. It contains oclacitinib that works by blocking certain chemical substances produced by the body, called cytokines, which trigger the itching sensation, inflammation, and some allergic responses. In some dogs, it may start providing relief in as little as 4 hours with complete relief within 24 hours. Apoquel is labeled for short and long term use in dogs that are over 1 year of age. Before using, talk with your veterinarian about Apoquel and discuss your dog’s treatment options. See what other vets are saying about Apoquel.