Superstar Style: A Guide to Pet Coat and Skin Health

A pet’s coat is their finest outfit, and their skin is the foundation that holds it all together. Keeping them looking and feeling fabulous is a must, not only for the photos but primarily for their health and wellbeing. If you had to wear the same pants and shirt every day, you would probably want to look after them. To maintain their stylish and functional appearance, it is essential to groom them regularly, choose a balanced diet, and provide consistent parasite prevention. Besides looking good, a healthy coat and skin serve as a vital protective barrier against infections and harsh environmental elements.

Common Coat and Skin Ailments: The Fashion Emergencies

When your pet’s “outfit” starts looking a bit worn or they seem uncomfortable, it is usually due to one of these common skin conditions.

Fleas (The Uninvited Party Guests)

Imagine a bunch of unwashed and uninvited guests at a party on your pet’s skin. Fleas are external parasites that feed on your pet’s blood, causing intense itchiness and irritation. As your pet scratches and bites to relieve the itch, they may damage their skin, leading to red inflammation and secondary infections. To make matters worse, these guests will often make a b-line for you and your furniture. To evict these unwanted party crashers, use flea preventatives regularly and keep your pet’s living environment clean and free of potential hiding spots for eggs and larvae.

Dermatitis (The Itchy Christmas Sweater)

Dermatitis is a general term for skin inflammation often caused by allergies, infections, or irritants. Think of it like a red, itchy Christmas sweater your nan bought you—except you cannot take it off. That is dermatitis. It makes your pet’s skin irritated and inflamed, which is not fashionable at all. When the skin’s protective barrier is compromised, it becomes susceptible to further infection. To soothe this itchy “sweater,” a vet will help identify and eliminate the underlying cause and provide treatment such as medicated shampoos, soothing creams, or oral medications.

Mange (The Microscopic Squatters)

Mange is a skin condition caused by microscopic mites that burrow into the skin, leading to hair loss, redness, and intense itching. These tiny critters move into your pet’s fur like microscopic squatters, which is hardly runway material. There are two main types: sarcoptic mange (scabies) and demodectic mange. Each type is caused by a different mite and requires specific treatment. Sometimes, these mites are also a sign that a pup may have an underlying immune condition. To evict these unwelcome tenants, consult a veterinarian for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate medicated baths or parasite prevention tutorials.

The Secrets to a Runway-Ready Coat

Maintaining that superstar glow requires a holistic approach that goes deeper than just the surface of the fur.

• Nutrition from Within: A shiny coat starts in the kitchen. Diets rich in Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids act as natural conditioners, keeping the skin supple and the fur glossy. Look for ingredients like fish oil or flaxseed to give that extra boost of radiance.

• The Power of the Brush: Regular grooming is not just about removing tangles. Brushing stimulates the skin’s natural oils and spreads them across the coat, providing a natural shine. It also serves as a great “daily inspection” where you can spot any new lumps, bumps, or parasites before they become a major problem.

• Hydration for Skin Elasticity: Just like humans, dehydrated pets can end up with dry, flaky skin. Ensure fresh water is always available to keep their skin hydrated and resilient against irritants.

Proactive Protection and Maintenance

Roll out the red carpet and give your pets the superstar treatment they deserve with these daily habits.

• Seasonal Awareness: Be aware that your pet’s skin needs change with the weather. Winter air can be drying, while summer humidity can lead to “hot spots” or fungal issues. Adjust your grooming routine accordingly to keep them comfortable.

• Safe Bathing Practices: While cleanliness is key, over-bathing can strip away essential oils and lead to itchy, dry skin. Always use a soap-free shampoo specifically formulated for the pH level of a pet’s skin rather than using human products.

• Environment Control: Keep the “runway” clean by vacuuming regularly and washing pet bedding in hot water. This prevents the buildup of dust mites and dander that can trigger allergic dermatitis.

By staying vigilant and prioritizing skin health, you ensure your pet doesn’t just look like a superstar—they feel like one too. 

The Basics of Heartworm

In today’s blog we will go over the basics of heartworm. What it is, how to prevent it and what to do if you suspect your pet has been infected.

What is heartworm?

Heartworm, or dirofilaria immitis, is a parasitic worm that lives in the blood vessels of your pet. Like their heart, arteries and lungs where they feed on blood and can grow up to 12 inches long! The heartworm’s life cycle starts with an infected mosquito biting a dog or cat and then introducing larvae into their bodies via the mosquito’s saliva. There are some other common ways pets contract heartworm besides mosquitoes. They include heartworm larvae in the rain, coming into contact with other infected pets or even fleas that carry heartworms.

Heartworm larvae can stay in a pet’s body for up to a year before reaching adulthood and moving on to the heart where they will reside, mate and produce more heartworm larvae. Even though cases are far more common on the east coast, the best way to think about heartworm is, “if you have ever seen a mosquito where you live, your pet is at risk of heartworm.”

What can it do to my pet?

Heartworm is very serious business! It can cause severe damage or even death if not treated in time. Some of the problems heartworms may cause are; heart disease, severe lung disease, potential organ damage, fluid build-up around the abdomen (peritonitis) and death if left untreated. Initially, you’re going to see not much, which is a problem because there’s a bit of lead time between the infection and an owner noticing the dogs got a problem; it can even be up to a couple of years. All the while this crawly bugger is doing damage to your pet.

Difference between cats and dogs.

While primarily affecting dogs it is now quite common in Australian cats too. However, how they will affect your pet is very different.
Dogs –  The dog is what’s called a natural host for heartworms, meaning the entire life cycle is undertaken in a dog. If untreated, their numbers can increase, and dogs have been known to harbor several hundred worms in their bodies. Heartworm disease causes lasting damage to the heart, lungs and arteries, and can affect the dog’s health and quality of life long after the parasites are gone. For this reason, prevention is by far the best option, and treatment—when needed—should be administered as early in the course of the disease as possible.

Cats

Heartworm disease in cats is not the same as dogs. The cat is an atypical host for heartworms, and most worms in cats do not survive to the adult stage. Cats with adult heartworms typically have just one to three worms, and many cats affected by heartworms have no adults. While this means heartworm disease often goes undiagnosed in cats, it’s important to understand that even immature worms cause real damage in the form of a condition known as heartworm associated respiratory disease (HARD). Moreover, the medication used to treat heartworm infections in dogs cannot be used in cats, so prevention is the only means of protecting cats from the effects of heartworm disease so is wildly important.

What should I look out for?

Signs of heartworm disease in dogs may include a mild persistent cough, reluctance to exercise, fatigue after moderate activity, decreased appetite, and weight loss. For cats it’s very hard to see any signs of heartworm infection on the outside, blood is causing havoc internally.

As heartworm disease progresses, pets may develop heart failure and the appearance of a swollen belly due to excess fluid in the abdomen. Dogs with large numbers of heartworms can develop a sudden blockages of blood flow within the heart leading to a life-threatening form of cardiovascular collapse. This is called caval syndrome, and is marked by a sudden onset of laboured breathing, pale gums, and dark bloody or coffee-coloured urine. Without prompt surgical removal of the heartworm blockage, few dogs survive.

So, what should you do if you suspect your pet is suffering from heartworm?

There are quick and easy heartworm tests you can have your veterinarian run. They do this by taking a blood sample and checking it for heartworm antibodies. As I’m sure you can tell (or know) these tests aren’t always cheap. The best (and cheapest) way to fight heartworm is with preventative medications.

Prevention is key!

The takeaways from all of this?

 1. Cats, once infected with heartworm, unfortunately cannot be cured as the medication we use to kill adult heartworm is poisonous to cats. 2. Heartworm treatment for a dog is incredibly expensive, very long-term (generally daily medical treatments for months) and, for dogs with adult heartworm, surgical intervention is generally needed. This is why prevention for heartworm is exceedingly important.

As we know parasites are always around, regardless of the season, which is why it’s important to keep your pet on regular heartworm prevention medications throughout the year. The best way to prevent heartworm is by giving your pet regular preventative treatments. This can be done at a vet clinic where they will administer heartworm prevention medication as an injection, heartworm control spot-ons or chews.

This is done to prevent heartworms from developing in your pet’s system. Thankfully we can handle all this for you. We offer heartworm prevention in a monthly chew form for dogs and a spot on for cats. It is easy to give to your furry friend and allows you one less thing to worry about when it comes to your pet’s health!

There may be a lot of information to digest in this blog, but it’s important to know because heartworm is not something you want your pet to get.

Despite these threats, our knowledge of Australian ticks and tick-borne diseases is actually in its infancy.

Paralysis tick

Even though there are many species, Australia has (as it always does) one particular species of tick that is 100 times worse than any of the others.
The paralysis tick, Ixodes holocyclus, is a species of tick that lives on the East Coast of Australia, from the tip of North Qld all the way down around to Geelong. Side note – These paralysis tick maps you find on Google are actually very old, very outdated and in no way correct. Now, thanks to climate change and urban spread, paralysis ticks have even been found affecting dogs ,cats and kids in Tasmania.  As the name states, this species of tick secretes a toxin in its saliva that causes muscle paralysis in mammals which can lead to respiratory arrest and eventually, death.

They grow from an egg to a larva (about 1mm long and brown) and then to a nymph (about 2mm long and pale brown). They also don’t fly or jump but crawl up grass or twigs then drop onto passing animals or humans, attaching themselves to the soft skin to feed on blood to grow. Once they have attached, they inject a chemical to stop the blood clotting so they can feed for days.

What are the signs of Paralysis Tick envenomation?

One of the first things an owner will notice is a change to their pet’s vocalisation (meow or bark), especially in dogs. The tick’s venom generally affects the vocal chords which can make the pet “sound funny” (kinda like when your voice broke as you were growing up). Another tell-tale sign (no pun intended) is a limp or lax tail.  If you notice any of these signs in your pet, it’s best to get them to a vet immediately to have a thorough check and to maybe administer antiserum.

What can I do to reduce risk?

Two things that I think are really important to talk about. One, not everybody lives in a paralysis tick zone and has to have tick protection and even those on monthly preventatives should still check their dog or cat for ticks daily, especially if they are outside pets. Don’t worry though, a tick check is very simple, only takes about 1 minute and you don’t need any special devices to find them. It’s basically a glorified pat so your pet will generally be happy to oblige.

When your pet has returned from a walk or simply been outside, is the best time to check them over. It’s best to start at one end and work your way down so you don’t miss anything.   Simply running your hands all over your pet (the glorified pat) and feeling for any small lumps or bumps is the easiest way to start. Ticks tend to be found around the head, neck, ears, underarms, groin and feet. These places are generally a little damper and warmer so ticks love them. Make sure you check inside the ears as well as between the toes. Daily grooming with a good brush can also help to remove any ticks from your pet’s fur as well.

By following these simple steps you can have your dog or cat live happier, healthier lives. All day, every day!

Important:

One way for you to protect your pet is to make sure they are treated all year round. FleaMail will help you to keep up to date on your pets treatments each month with zero hassle. Get FleaMail today! Click the link below for more!