Wrinkly dogs like Pugs are so cute. What’s not so cute? The skin disease that can result from improper care of the skin in those wrinkles. Skin fold dermatitis is a skin condition most common in breeds with pronounced facial, tail, and vulvar folds, though any deep skin fold anywhere in the body can be susceptible to skin fold dermatitis.
This condition occurs when skin folds are deep, causing abnormal rubbing and retaining moisture in an area that’s both warm and not well aerated. These conditions are ideal for the overgrowth of normal skin inhabitants like yeast and bacteria. The resulting skin inflammation, called dermatitis, typically leads to a skin infection called pyoderma. Chronic pyoderma is typical in cases of skin fold dermatitis.
Though not a genetic disease, per se, skin characteristics that include wrinkles and deep skin folds are more common in certain breeds. In pets already predisposed to skin fold dermatitis, obesity can exacerbate the condition. Underlying skin disease (such as allergic skin disease) will also aggravate the condition, often severely.
Signs and Identification
Skin fold dermatitis is easily identified as typically hairless (alopecic), reddened, and malodorous areas of folded skin or creases/wrinkles. In the case of deep facial folds (typical of brachycephalic dogs and cats), brown staining of facial fur (secondary to components in tears) can make these folds look more pronounced.
Tail fold dermatitis (typical to dogs with corkscrew tails), when especially severe, can lead to deep, severe infections. These deep tail folds are typically identified by probing the tail base with a cotton-tipped swab to determine its depth.
Vulvar tail fold dermatitis can occur in female dogs that have excess skin folds around their private area. Urinary tract infection can occur as a consequence of vulvar skin fold pyoderma.
Affected Breeds
All brachycephalic (short-headed, flat-nosed) breeds that have facial folds are similarly predisposed to skin fold dermatitis of this area (Bulldogs,Pugs, Shih Tzus, etc). “Wrinkly” dogs like Shar-Peis and bloodhounds are also affected. Likewise, dogs with corkscrew tails, English bulldogs for example, can be affected.
Cats that have facial folds, such as Persians, or are overweight (creating more skin folds) are also at risk.
Treatment
Treatment for skin fold dermatitis involves cleaning of the affected areas and frequent use of topical or systemic (oral or injectable) antimicrobial medications to manage the resulting pyodermas.
Surgical intervention may be recommended for moderate to severely affected animals. Removing the abnormal skin folds will, in many cases, yield a complete cure.
Treating any underlying skin disease and maintaining a healthy body weight can reduce the severity or even eliminate skin fold dermatitis.
Prevention
To help keep your pet free of skin fold dermatitis, watch your pet’s weight, and carefully clean the skin folds regularly; be sure to used products that are approved for pets and (if facial folds are present) are safe to use around the eyes and face. Also, work with your vet on treating any skin conditions.
This blog was written by McQueen Animal Hospital, an animal clinic (vet hospital/vet clinic) in Brampton committed to providing only the highest level of veterinary care to our beloved pets.
Ear infections are usually secondary to inflammation of the external ear canals (the tube-shaped part of the ear visible under the ear flap). Inflammation of the canals leads to the reproduction of normal bacteria and yeast that live in the ear to the point where the body is unable to control their numbers (called overgrowth). Other bacteria can also take advantage of the inflammation and unhealthy environment inside the ear to establish an infection. The overgrowth of these organisms causes more inflammation. Inflammation of the ear canal causes swelling, making the tube narrower than usual. Inflammation also causes an increase in the production of wax. The ears become very itchy and painful. Severe ear infections can lead to eardrum rupture and middle and inner ear infections. Deep infections can lead to deafness and neurologic signs.
Certain disorders or diseases may be the primary reason ear infections develop. These conditions include:
Allergies (environmental and food)
Ear mites
Foreign bodies
Skin disorders (like seborrhea)
Thyroid disease (in dogs)
Tumors or polyps in the ear
Ear infections may recur because of the inability to control the original infection or treat the underlying cause. Chronic changes lead to future infections, and scar tissue and permanent narrowing of the ear canals can make future infections difficult to treat.
What Are the Signs of an Ear Infection?
An external ear infection first shows signs of local inflammation (redness, discharge). Pets may shake their heads, scratch their ears, or rub their ears against furniture or the floor. Some pets with severe infections may cry or groan as they rub and scratch their ears. Some pets scratch so severely that their nails create wounds on the skin around their face, neck, and ears.
External ear infections may progress to involve the middle and inner ear, leading to more serious signs of disease:
External ear infection (otitis externa)
Itchy or painful ears
Head shaking
Discharge and odor from the ears
Narrowing or even closing of the canals
Middle ear infection (otitis media)
Paralysis of the nerves in the face
Dry eye
Hearing loss
Abnormal pupil size
Inner ear infection (otitis interna)
Inability to keep balance, stand, or walk
Nausea
Head tilt
How Is an Ear Infection Diagnosed and Treated?
During a physical examination, your veterinarian will look in the ear for the presence of inflammation, redness, discharge, growths, or other findings that may indicate an ear infection. Sometimes, a cotton swab is used to collect debris from the ear. This material can be placed on a slide and examined under a microscope to determine if the infection is due to yeast, bacteria, or mites. Your veterinarian may also collect a sample of ear debris for culture and sensitivity testing, which identifies the exact organisms present and helps your veterinarian select the best antibiotic to use.
In severe cases, or if the animal is in too much pain to permit an examination of the ears, sedation may be needed to evaluate the ears, collect samples of discharge, clean the ears, and initiate treatment. With the pet sedated, the ears can be gently flushed to remove debris and facilitate better examination of the ear. Radiographs (X-rays) and other diagnostic tests can be performed while the pet is sedated to determine if the middle or inner ear are also involved.
Once the infection has been identified, most animals with chronic ear infections can be treated at home. Ear mites are relatively easy to treat with medication placed directly into the ear or applied topically between the shoulder blades. Most yeast and bacterial infections can be treated with regular cleanings and topical or oral medication. When inflammation is severe, a steroid may be needed to give comfort to your pet and decrease the swelling around the ear canals.
If there are underlying problems such as thyroid disease or seborrhea, these must also be addressed to clear the infection and reduce the chances of recurrence.
If the ear canals have been permanently narrowed or damage is otherwise severe, surgery may be recommended to allow for drainage and application of medication. In other cases, more extensive surgery may be recommended to prevent the pet from being in chronic pain due to a permanently deformed, infected ear.
How Can Ear Infections Be Prevented?
Once an infection has been cleared, maintaining a healthy ear environment with regular cleaning helps prevent recurrence. Unfortunately, regular cleaning isn’t always enough. Underlying diseases such as allergies and skin disorders must be identified and resolved in order to help avoid future infections.
This blog was written by McQueen Animal Hospital, an animal clinic (vet hospital/vet clinic) in Brampton committed to providing only the highest level of veterinary care to our beloved pets.
Cool, crisp weather brings the potential for new toxins for your pets to encounter. Let’s briefly review some of the seasonal risks you need to be aware of in order to keep your pets safe.
Rodenticides
As the weather cools down, vegetation dies off and crops are harvested, mice and rats will often come inside structures looking for food and warmth. This in turn leads most homeowners to look for ways to “disinvite” these unwelcome visitors! If you need to use a rodenticide, use it with extreme care and keep it as far away from your pets as possible. Many of the most commonly used rodenticides can be fatal if ingested, even in very small amounts. Rodenticides often come formulated in grain-based pellets or wax blocks and can smell enticing to pets, especially dogs. Ensure that any rodenticide found in the house are enclosed in a pet-proof bait station and is secured in a place pets can’t access. Be aware, however, that some determined pets may attempt to ferret out these stations and that some may be able to chew through supposedly “pet-proof” boxes and covers. Do not allow pets to roam your neighborhood unsupervised, because while you may take care to secure your bait stations, neighbors or business areas may not be as careful.
If you do need to use one of these products, it is absolutely essential to keep any packaging that the substance came in so that if your pet does accidentally ingest the poison, your veterinarian will know what kind it is and how to treat it. If the rodenticide is being supplied by a professional exterminator, ask for a copy of the packaging and any supporting safety information. Rodenticide is a common cause of poisoning in pets, and snap traps or live bait traps may be the safest option to consider for rodent control if you have animals in your home.
Antifreeze
When the temperature starts to dip below freezing, many people add antifreeze to their cars. While this can be a lifesaver in terms of keeping a vehicle running properly in cold weather, it can be deadly for your pet. Antifreeze contains a toxic substance, ethylene glycol, which is an odorless, sweet-tasting chemical that causes kidney failure, seizures and death. Just a teaspoon or tablespoonful can be fatal to a small pet.
Pets are often poisoned when they lick up spills in the driveway or garage. For this reason, be very careful when filling up your car. Makes sure none of the substance is leaking out of your car’s cooling system, and be sure to promptly clean up any spills. Store partially used containers out of the reach of pets and children.
Initial signs of antifreeze ingestion include the animal appearing to be “drunk.” Other signs include nausea, vomiting and tremors. If you think there is a chance your animal has ingested antifreeze, see your veterinarian immediately. The sooner that care can be initiated, the better the prognosis.
Cold and Flu Medications
While I know you know better than to give human medications to your pet without consulting with your veterinarian, fall and winter are cold and flu season for humans, and it’s important to be on guard. If you are feeling under the weather, take care not to leave any of your human medications out in places where your pets could accidentally ingest them. Many dogs love to rip apart packaging and can accidentally ingest the pills inside the bottle or box. This is bad, because our pets do not tolerate many common cold medications. Acetaminophen can cause liver failure in animals and change the composition of your pet’s blood so it can no longer carry oxygen. Decongestants often act like stimulants, causing elevated heart rates and blood pressure and leading to seizures.
Potpourri
The scent of potpourri in the air, especially at this time of year, can be soothing to us. Keep in mind, however, that those holiday scents may also seem pretty inviting to a food-driven pet. Be careful if using any liquid-type potpourri, such as that found in potpourri pots or warmers, to scent your house. The liquid is typically a mixture of essential oils and cationic detergents. If ingested, the cationic detergents can cause severe chemical burns to the mouth and stomach.Other signs of ingestion include drooling and vomiting. Cats are particularly prone to coming into contact with potpourri burners and holders when they jump up on a counter to investigate. Many cats will knock over these containers, getting the potpourri oil on their coats and paws. They then ingest the chemical during grooming. While dried potpourri scented with essential oils is not as big of a concern, some pets may be attracted to chewing on or eating attractive-smelling pine cones, dried flowers or other plant material. Keep in mind that some of these flowers and plant materials may themselves be toxic to pets. It’s a good idea to keep all such items secured away from pets.
Batteries
As we proceed through the fall and winter holiday season, decorative items, seasonal novelties and toys powered by small disc batteries seem to become more prevalent throughout the house. Pets may consider these loose batteries play items, and because of their small size, they may be able to consume or accidentally inhale them. You need to know that batteries are filled with alkaline substances that can cause oral, esophageal and stomach ulcers. If ingested, larger batteries can cause an obstruction. The small disc batteries in particular have other dangers as well. First, they can be inhaled into the lungs. Second, if they get stuck halfway down the esophagus, the two sides of the esophagus can touch the disc battery and form an electrical current. This can cause a severe esophageal burn. The administration of tap water every 15 minutes can stop this current from being created until you can get to your veterinarian.
If you suspect your pet has ingested a battery, you will need to see your veterinarian in order to have your pet radiographed. If the battery has been punctured, you do not want to induce vomiting, as this only creates the potential for more burns. Punctured batteries can be seen on radiographs if the battery is in pieces. Oral or esophageal burns are also another clear indicator that the substance has leaked out of the battery. Burns may be visible in the mouth area or, in other cases, your pet’s discomfort may be the tip-off.
This blog was written by McQueen Animal Hospital, an animal clinic (vet hospital/vet clinic) in Brampton committed to providing only the highest level of veterinary care to our beloved pets.
Wrinkly dogs like Pugs are so cute. What’s not so cute? The skin disease that can result from improper care of the skin in those wrinkles. Skin fold dermatitis is a skin condition most common in breeds with pronounced facial, tail, and vulvar folds, though any deep skin fold anywhere in the body can be susceptible to skin fold dermatitis.
