Just like people, pets can suffer from allergies. Check out below to see what kinds of allergies are most common, what symptoms to look for and what you can do about them.

Types of Allergies

There are several different ways your pet can be allergic; the most common types are caused by food, parasite, contact and inhalant allergens. The last type, which is the most common cause of “seasonal” allergies, usually affects pets most during certain seasons (usually spring and fall), but, in severe cases, can cause problems all year round. The most common inhaled allergens are from trees, grasses, weed pollens, molds and even dust! (You know, all the stuff they like to roll around in!)

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of allergies in our pets are usually related to skin; chewing at their paws, rubbing their face/ears and scratching their bodies. Excessive chewing, scratching and rubbing can often lead to secondary skin, ear and eye infections. In severe cases respiratory problems, vomiting, diarrhea, bumps and scabs on the neck, lip ulcers and even enlargement of lymph nodes can be seen! (Not fun stuff!)

Treatments

Holistic Supplements: Essential fatty acids (e.g. fish oils which contain Omega-3 compounds), vitamins A& E, and zinc in conjunction with natural anti-inflammatory such as bioflavinoids can sometimes help alleviate symptoms by increasing overall skin health.

Topical medications: Some veterinary recommended sprays and ointments can offer relief in mild cases.

Antihistamines: Some lucky allergic pets can control their symptoms with antihsitamines. Unfortunately, these don’t tend to be as effective as they are in people.

Shampoo: Using medicated shampoos that add protective layers or even anti-inflammatory compounds to the skin can really help to reduce some pets’ discomfort.

Desensitization injections: Much like human dermatologists, veterinary skin specialists can determine what the triggers are for your pet’s allergies and formulate desensitization injections for specific irritants. Repeated injections are  given to help reprogram the body’s immune system. While this can be costly, it can be a great way to give them relief without resorting to long term medication.

Medications: Your veterinarian may prescribe anti-inflammatories and antibiotics during severe outbreaks but these are not medications that should be used long-term. For very badly affected pets there some long-term immunosuppressant medications that can be used; your veterinarian will be able to tell you if these are appropriate for your pet.

*As always, consult your veterinarian before giving your pet any medication.

TIPS TO HELP DECREASE YOUR PETS EXPOSURE TO ALLERGINS:

•Bathe your pet once or twice a week with a veterinary recommended medicated shampoo
•Restrict pets to uncarpeted rooms
•Vacuum with a vacuum cleaner that has a HEPA filter
•Use an air purifier with a HEPA filter
•Wash bedding often
•Replace air conditioner/heater vent filters

Announcing the winners of the May Healthy Paws newsletter. Hoping that they will inspire you to find new ways of keeping your pets healthy!

Winning entry #1 - A play date a day

Ensure you’re welcome before you go:

Call the friend you plan on visiting or the hotel that you plan on staying in to make sure that your furry friend is welcome. If you’re not planning any trips, check out this site to see where you’ll be greeted with a pat on the head and a fresh water bowl:

http://www.tripswithpets.com/

Call your vet before you go:

Make sure that your pet is up-to-date on all of their shots. And while you’re on the phone with them you might want to ask if they think a sedative would be a good idea.

Do a trial run before you go:

With cats it’s particularly important to test their ability to travel. So try putting them in their carrier for increasingly longer periods of time to see how they hold up.

Give it a jingle before you go:

Make sure that your cat and dog are outfitted with identification tags, just in case they decide that it’s time to go home before you do. Making sure that your pet is safe is a priority for us here at Petplan, which is why we give a discount for all microchipped pets. (Learn more about microchipping here.)

Pack it up before you go:

-dishes for food and water

-(for cat) litter and litter pan

- (for dog) waste disposal bags

-toys

-bedding (if necessary)

-food

-bottle of water for the car

-leash

And as we all know, even the most well planned trips run into snags, and making sure that your pet is protected from any accidents and illnesses with Petplan pet insurance will give you even more peace of mind. So go ahead, let him put his head out the window (kidding, it’s bad for his eyes).

Today there are more and more travel sites that focus on pet-friendly travel options. And there are more and more hotels and resorts that are going out of their way to make your four-legged friend’s stay comfortable. Some more extravagant examples are; The Beverly Hills Hotel, where dogs get their own pink bungalows, pink tennis balls and personalized cookies. The Omni in San Diego, has in-room doggy movies (for when you’re off seeing the sites). And the St. Regis Monarch Beach provides personalized food and water bowls, an issue of Hollywood Dog and toys from Bark Jacobs and Jimmie Chew. (Really, we’re not making this up.)

So, as you book your trip for this coming summer, consider taking your pet along. You’ll feel better not putting them in a kennel and they’ll feel better, well, just because they’re with you. And, with Petplan Pet Insurance no matter where you go, you’re covered.

Here are a few sites to help you find the perfect place that’s also pet friendly:

For hotels and homes for rent by city (U.S., Canada and Mexico):

http://www.petfriendlytravel.com/

Choose from Bed and Breakfasts, Beach rentals, International Listings and more:

http://www.petswelcome.com/

Not just where to stay but what you can do while you’re there (with your dog, of course):

http://www.dogfriendly.com/

More like a typical travel site with destination guides and travel packages (and it says “doginmysuitcase” it’s for both dogs and cats):

http://www.doginmysuitcase.com/

Search by room availability in a specific city:

http://www.officialpethotels.com/

For the international jet set:

http://www.pettravel.com/

Suitcase musts, to help ensure your pet’s vacation is a happy and healthy one:

A Pet First Aid Kit.

This will help you both in the event of an emergency.

DogGone Songs CD.

If your dog isn’t a fan of road trips, this will help calm him.

A Life Vest.

For any boating or water activities, this is a necessity.

Disposable Litter Box.

Cats like the familiar, so even on vacation, keep your cat happy by keeping his litter in one place.

Pet Sunscreen.

Yes, animals can get too much sun too.

It’s Spring, which means it’s time to get out the spade, the shovel and the gardening gloves. A quick trip to the store for bulbs, seeds, and mulch and you’re on your way.

Just one thing though…when you buy mulch, read the ingredients. If it has Theobromine in it, put it down and back away slowly. Yes, it’s true, mulch with Theobromine, like “Cocoa Mulch”, is good for many reasons - it’s light weight, easy to spread, deters slugs and snails, looks nice and smells like chocolate.  But it’s bad for one – it can harm your pet. If eaten by a cat or dog it can lead to illness  and in extreme cases, death.

Keep your pets safe with alternatives to Cocoa Mulch like cedar chips and straw. They’re less toxic and they don’t smell quite as delicious. But, because not all accidents can be avoided (if they could, they wouldn’t be called accidents) there’s Petplan pet insurance.

"Pet owners should avoid (the) use of cocoa bean mulch in landscaping around dogs with indiscriminate eating habits," (Labrador retreiver anyone?) said the ASPCA in it’s “Cocoa Mulch Report.”

Cocoa Mulch Poisoning Facts from the ASPCA:

•50% of cases report vomiting.

•33% of cases report tremors. This was cause when the amount ingested was “large or significant”.

•17% of cases reported a rapid heart rate, hyperactivity, or diarrhea.

•Muscle tremors, seizures, and death can be caused when large amounts are consumed.

For more information on Theobromine poisoning call the ASPCA's Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435.

First thing’s First:

Show your new pet where his food and water bowl is. If it’s a pooch, show him where he’ll need to go “out” and if it’s a cat show him is litter box. (White House lawn anyone?)

Food:

Odds are your new pet has already been eating a certain kind of food, so to make his transition easier - continue with it. If you’d like to change it, make the change gradual as to not cause any stomach upset. (And perhaps let the White House chef know that scraps aren’t in order just yet.)

Sleep:

Often puppies feel safer in smaller spaces, so a crate with a blanket over it can be the most comforting. Adding a blanket or towel that has some of his mothers scent makes him feel even more at home. If you’re bringing home an older dog or a cat, then a nice new bed is in order. (Right in the middle of the Obama daughter’s room please. Thank you.)

Play:

Make sure that there are plenty of things to chew on and scratch on before bringing your furry friend home, so they’re content and, well, so are you. Also, exercising them regularly whether it be chasing a ball or going to the park, you’ll bond and they’ll have less energy to get their paws into trouble. (Yes, nobody wants chew marks in the Oval Office.)

Safety:

A fenced in yard to ensure he doesn’t wander off is always a good thing. But should your dog roam or your cat decide to check out the neighborhood, make sure that they can be identified with a microchip. (Because odds are that the Secret Service isn’t going to have an eye on Bo at all times.)

Health:

Start off on the right foot with a visit to a veterinarian. And to ensure good health and happiness for a lifetime, there’s Petplan pet insurance. The only pet insurance that covers all accidents and illnesses, even hereditary ones. (Of which, Portuguese Water Dog’s are no exception. Unfortunately.)

Welcome to your new home Bo. We here at Petplan hope that the transition is as easy as rollin’ around in the sun.

Until the next time,

Woof! (wag) Meow!

In an office where pet photos cover the walls it’s easy to see how important every tail and whisker is to Petplan. Our customers are our friends and our family, even if we’ve never met (though there is nothing we enjoy more than a visit from our policyholders, four legged and otherwise) them. And, luckily, our policy holders feel the same way about us, as you can see on Pet Insurance Review (a third party pet insurance review website). So when someone loses a pet, due to illness or accident, Petplan feels it. Like in June 2008 when a Philadelphia row home caught fire taking with it the home next door and the dog that lived in that home. The firemen couldn’t get to Perky* in time and he died of smoke inhalation. Fortunately, his brother Petey*, with minor burns, survived. His treatment for minor burns and smoke inhalation at the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary Teaching Hospital was over $1,800 and Petplan pet insurance picked up the whole bill.

It’s the time of year when resolutions are made and, usually, much to the pleasure of fitness clubs around the world, they involve shedding a few pounds. (And yes, even in my own case, less cookies are indeed in order.) But not only is the first of the year a good time to think about getting out of bed before work to burn some calories, it’s the perfect time to factor your beloved cat and dog into the equation. Here are a few helpful tips to start making this newyear healthier and happier you and your four-legged friends (okay, it’s mostly for the furry ones but it probably wouldn’t hurt for you to get involved!):

First, make sure it’s safe. Talk to your vet and make sure that your animal is healthy enough for that jog or to chase that fake mouse. Also, their weight gain may be due to a medical condition, like thyroid disease. Your vet can test for and manage many conditions that can contribute to weight gain. And with pet insurance like Petplan, you’re pet is covered for all conditions, even hereditary diseases, for their whole lives.

Set a Goal. (The Association for Prevention of Pet Obesity (www.petobesityprevention.com) website features many useful and informative tools to help you set realistic goals for your pet’s weight loss; don’t expect fido to lose the weight overnight; we’re in this for the long-haul people!) Using this information or working with your vet, you can get an accurate idea of how much your pet should eat in order to lose weight.

Figure out a plan of attack. Carrots for you. Diet food for them? When you have set a daily calorie limit for your pet, you’ll have to work out exactly how much food to give them. The APOP website has some commercial food analysis figures but most commercial foods will have figures on their own websites too. However, it can often be useful to use a prescription diet food to ensure your pet is getting the right nutrients during their weight loss program. Your veterinarian can give you more information about diet foods.

No overeating. It’s all about calories, folks. That scrap left on your plate may look delicious but it’s not going to help with Rover’s waistline. No more scraps or table food. (Regardless of how much they beg.)

Get going. Every time you put on your sneakers, grab the leash and get your pooch and their paunch moving with you. Or, if it’s your cat that could use some shedding, strings and stretching go hand-in-hand. Just think, when you need some exercise, they probably do too.

For our pets, the holidays will often ring out with “No No No!” instead of “Ho Ho Ho!” Every holiday season cats and dogs will manage to eat, chew, scramble, climb and electrocute (!) their way into trouble. In fact, between November and January the number of emergency veterinary visits dramatically rises. Help this holiday be “full of good cheer”, not “tinged with great fear.” Just read through some of these tips to help keep your pets safe throughout the season:

Holiday treats, not so sweet

Fatty foods. OK, they taste great. A good cook will often tell you, “Cut the fat, kill the taste”. Unfortunately, NOT cutting the fat can kill the dog! Maybe that’s a little dramatic, but it’s true that high fat foods can contribute towards an acute condition called pancreatitis and this can be life-threatening. Of course, in these vain times, there’s always the waist-line to be careful of too! So, watch the turkey fat, spilled gravy and “mysteriously” dropped bits of food!

Chocolate. My personal favorite! However, it isn’t good for everyone. In fact, chocolate contains caffeine and an ingredient called theobromine, which can be very toxic to your pets. As a rule of thumb, dark chocolate is worse than milk chocolate but ingestion of any amount (by your pet) can be very bad news. My advice would be to seek veterinary care immediately and try to approximate how much and what kind of chocolate your pet ate. (Symptoms to look for: vomiting, increased thirst, diarrhea, weakness, difficulty keeping balance and hyperexcitability.)

Presents. If someone gives you a gift and your animal shows a suspicious amount of interest, ask the gift-giver if it’s perhaps food. Then put it on the counter. Out of harms way. (Or, if it’s something nice, you can send it to me…..)

Plants, the naughty and the not so naughty

Poinsettias. They get a bad (w)rap (because they’re often wrapped with ribbon? Forget it…). Many people will tell you that poinsettias are lethal to pets but, while their milky sap can be irritating, it’s not horribly toxic. Most ingestion cases will lead to an upset stomach and possibly mild vomiting.


Mistletoe. Whomever you are trying to catch under the mistletoe, try to make sure it’s not your pet. Small amounts usually just cause gastric upset but a eating a lot of mistletoe can be potentially lethal to your pet! Call a vet if you suspect any has been eaten. (Symptoms to look for: vomiting, severe diarrhea, difficulty breathing, shock within hours of ingestion.)


Christmas tree water. While I recommend my patients use their water bowl preferentially, many of them will ignore my advice and continue to seek hydration from wet pavements, muddy puddles and even, a perennial favorite, the toilet bowl. Since your Christmas tree water will exert a similar magnetic attraction on your pet, if you add a life-extending chemical to the water, make sure to read the label to see that it’s non-toxic and pet-safe.

Holly. Do NOT allow Rover to deck himself with boughs of holly. If either your cat or dog ingests holly, look for vomiting, nausea and diarrhea.

Lilies (Tiger, Asian, Japanese Show, Easter, Stargazer, and the Casa Blanca). Very pretty but very bad for your pets. Send them back to the florist. Lily ingestion can cause acute kidney failure in cats.

All that glitters is not good

Christmas trees. Good luck convincing the cat that you didn’t just go out and buy them their very own climbing frame! Trees can be knocked down, ornaments and lights can be broken; your basic Christmas nightmare. Use string or wire to secure the tree to something stable, and definitely try non-breakable ornaments with pets and children around.

Tinsel. Tinsel can be a really big problem, especially with cats. If ingested, it can get caught in the intestines and act as a “linear foreign body”, often requiring surgery to be removed. Maybe garland is the way to go...

Candles and menorahs. Your curious critters can be attracted to flames; never leave a lit candle unattended. The range of potential problems starts at minor burns but includes the possibility of a house fire!

Extension cords. Cats and dogs love them. Chewing on them, that is. Check often for bite marks and make sure that they are nowhere near sources of water. It’s also best to use grounded "3-prong" extension cords.

Batteries. Batteries are not included. Included in the list of things that should be eaten by our pets, that is. Even small batteries can cause a big problem; the corrosive chemicals can lead to ulceration or even perforation of stomach or intestines.

Friends and family

Children. Don’t assume that other people’s children know how to act around your beloved pets. So either secure the pets in another room or be there when they say “hi” for the first time.

Close the door. When there are a lot of people in one place they have a tendency to not sit still. So people go in and out, in and out and some even leave the door open. So again, either secure your pets in a room, or make sure they’re chipped, spayed, neutered and know their way home (if they can memorize the phone number, that would be useful too).