Pets in Winter and Fall By Donald Bramlage, DVM | August 2, 2016
Excessive Shedding in Dogs and Cats Shedding is natural, but excessive shedding is the result of allergy irritations, causing the pet to shed his summer coat quickly. Managing the shedding is best done before bath time by stripping the coat twice weekly with a deshedding tool. This is even more necessary for medium and long-haired dogs. After stripping the coat, you should wash the hair with a hypoallergenic shampoo. The allergies and the hair coat will also respond to Omegaderm-3 once a day. Omega-3 fatty acids have an anti-inflammatory effect, plus they encourage soft winter coat growth to replace the summer one. Cat and Dog Eye Irritation Fall eyes are itchy and are rubbed excessively. The result is thick tears to soothe the irritation. This results in eye junk accumulating on
Chronic conditions become dominant in the fall and can linger into winter. These “chronic” issues are not easily treated, so it’s better to take preventative steps rather than waiting for issues to arise and using chemical drug therapy to treat. Fall Allergies in Dogs and Cats Cat and dog skin problems in winter and fall are similar to what most of us have during this time – itchy eyes, bronchitis, scratchy skin, and excessive fall shedding all result from fall pollen allergies. The key is to get the allergen off the skin. Use a hypoallergenic shampoo once a week at first and then a spray like Vet Basics® ChlorConazole™ on the tummy between baths. K9 Honey is a great all-natural supplement that gives support during the long allergy season.
the eyelids. Some dogs rub excessively and hair that already wants to shed is removed around the eyes. This is unsightly and an indication you will need to help with eye irritation. Using Vetericyn® Plus Ophthalmic Gel or OptixCare® Eye Lube daily will stop the itch and quiet the rubbing. Once under control, eyes should be treated before baths to prevent issues. Daily treatment can resume if rubbing and itching resumes. Ear Care for Dogs and Cats Ears are an extension of the skin, so all the scratching and shedding often results in ear infections – usually yeast! Vet Basics® Ear Cleanser or Zymox® Otic with Hydrocortiosone before baths and daily when
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