Wet Weather Means Health Problems for Some Animals

By the time you read this, let’s hope the persistent rains of
March and early April have ended. We’ve set new weather records in
Northern California, most of which we’d rather not see. And we know
it will end, we just don’t know when.
By the time you read this, let’s hope the persistent rains of March and early April have ended. We’ve set new weather records in Northern California, most of which we’d rather not see. And we know it will end, we just don’t know when.

The rains affect animals as well. Wild critters have a tough time foraging or hunting as the wet days pile up, one on top of another. And people’s pets? Well, they also feel the affects of wet weather. Fewer outside walks mean a lot of pent-up energy. Spring will be a very welcome sight for many.

Farm animals are susceptible to certain health problems when the weather stays moist and cool. Foot infections and skin problems top the list of their maladies. Perhaps the most interesting of these is a skin disease in horses appropriately called “rain rot.” It’s caused by a bacterium (dermatophilus congolensis) that acts a little like a fungus. And once it gets a foothold in the skin, it can be difficult to eliminate until the weather warms.

Rain rot lesions look like crusty scabs beneath small, matted tufts of hair. There are usually lots of these scabs stuck to embedded hair that can be easily scraped off. At first, the skin is usually pink, then it turns gray as it dries and heals. It can be hard to differentiate rain rot from some other skin conditions, so a vet’s exam is often necessary.

Dermatophilus is more common in areas of high humidity and moisture, like the deep southern United States. But this year, our weather has been less “Californian” and more “Floridian”, making this a good year for this bug right here in South County. By the way, rain rot is contagious. It can be spread by shared blankets, combs and brushes.

If you have a horse, it’s easy to avoid this problem. Horses protected from the weather in a barn rarely suffer from this condition. If your horse is outside, don’t leave a wet blanket on him or her for any extended time. The trapped moisture provides a perfect environment for rain rot or other skin diseases.

Fortunately, this condition is treatable. In fact, many cases clear spontaneously when the skin dries out. Some infections require antibiotic treatment. But more often than not, warm sunshine will help eliminate this nagging infection.

So, March and April showers can bring more than May flowers. And for some critters, the sunshine of spring can’t come soon enough. 

Q: Our dog’s vet has refused to give us any more medication for his liver disease. He says he has to examine Puddles before he can give us any more refills. Puddles is very old, and we don’t want to take him in to the clinic. This seems unfair. Why should we have to go in any more?

A: Many people don’t realize that the veterinary profession is regulated. Much of what your pet’s veterinarian does is performed within certain guidelines set out in a document called the Veterinary Practice Act. This is a “rulebook” for our profession. It sets standards for practice. And it protects pets and their owners by helping to assure that the best quality care is given by veterinary professionals. Veterinarians are licensed by the Veterinary Medical Board (VMB), part of the California Department of Consumer Affairs. The VMB is responsible for monitoring and enforcing the standards of the Practice Act.

Among those standards is a requirement for regularly updated evaluations of a patient. Typically, a pet needs an annual examination to allow his vet a chance to assess whether he needs adjustment or change to his medication and treatment. And if there are changes in a pet’s condition, he should be examined before new medications are used. To prescribe medication, your pet’s vet must maintain records of necessary exams and treatments. If Puddles hasn’t been evaluated recently, he may need an adjustment to his medication.

The other day, a client came in and asked us for some medication to treat his dog’s anxiety. We had seen the dog 8 months ago, so we dispensed appropriate sedatives.

That same day another client came in for medication for his dog’s allergies. When I asked a few pertinent questions, he told me his dog had diarrhea. I declined to dispense the meds without an exam. This dog was showing signs of a new illness. And even though these symptoms were mild, I had to be conservative. If I dispensed medication for his allergies that exacerbated his intestinal problem, I could be liable for malpractice and questioned by the Board. It didn’t make good sense to just give him some prescription medications. So I explained to this client that we should evaluate his pooch. He declined and asked if there were any over-the-counter medications that he could try. I gave him some suggestions, but he really wasn’t happy with me. He felt his dog was fine and just needed some prescription allergy pills. My explanation didn’t help him at all.

Sometimes, the practice of medicine isn’t so easy.

Q: Why is it that some dogs live so much longer than others? I heard of a chihuahua that was 20 years old. But our neighbor’s great dane died on his eighth birthday. Why is there such a difference?

A: In a word, genetics. Certain breeds of dogs and cats live longer than others. And there may be many possible reasons for that chihuahua’s longevity, but all of them relate to his genetic makeup. One thing we do know for certain: larger dogs, especially the giant breeds like danes, newfoundlands, great pyrenees and saint bernards, live a shorter life. Smaller breeds, especially the toy breeds, tend to live longer.

I once had a neighbor whose Manchester terrier lived 21 years. Leo was quite a guy, but he lost his hearing and eventually his eyesight as he aged. Sometimes I wondered how happy he was those in last few years. But he remained faithful to his companion who carried him everywhere until the end.

Pete Keesling is a veterinarian at San Martin Veterinary Hospital and co-hosts “Petpourri,” a weekly show about pet health on KTEH in San Jose. He writes a bi-weekly column for South Valley Newspapers. If you have any questions about pet care, please mail them to Vets, 30 E. Third St., Morgan Hill, Calif., 95037.