I spent the last few days with my weed whacker clearing out
foxtails in our yard. It’s a crummy task; I hate it when those
stickers fly into my face and down my shirt and into my shoes. But
I do this job anyway every year. And so should everyone else who
has pets.
I spent the last few days with my weed whacker clearing out foxtails in our yard. It’s a crummy task; I hate it when those stickers fly into my face and down my shirt and into my shoes. But I do this job anyway every year. And so should everyone else who has pets.
Foxtails are those sticker-like seeds that get into your socks and shoes when you walk across weedy open spaces. They’re obnoxious, to say the least. But they’re also dangerous to your pets and expensive to your pocketbook if your dog or cat gets one of these in his eyes, ears or skin. Veterinarians spend a lot of time in the spring and summer treating foxtail problems. And people spend a lot of money that could otherwise be saved if they would only clear their property of these pesky weeds. Hey, the weather’s warming up. Spring is here. So tell yourself it’s time for that annual ritual. Clear the yard of foxtails and your pets will have a healthier summer.
A story on the newswires recently reported complaints to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) about topical flea medications. These are the so-called “spot-on pesticides”; the ones that give monthly protection against fleas and ticks. If you believe the media reports, it seems that more and more dogs and cats are getting sick, exhibiting rashes and other reactions after these medications were applied to their skin. This news is somewhat surprising, since these products have been on the market for many years now. But more pet owners are now using flea control. And the chance for an allergic reaction is always possible when any medication is administered to a pet or a person.
The bottom line is this. All pets need to be protected from these parasites. And there are many different monthly spot-on products available. Some are effective and some aren’t. Some are safe and some aren’t. Beware of some over-the-counter store medications. And ask your pet’s vet which flea control is the best for your situation.
And finally, here’s another item in the news: A story that PETA (People for Ethical Treatment of Animals) has requested that the ’80’s band Pet Shop Boys change their name. They say it would be for a good cause; to raise awareness against puppy mills and dog abuse. Their recommendation? The “Rescue Shelter Boys.” Imagine this: “Ladies and gentlemen, put your hands together for the Rescue Shelter Boys!”
But there’s more. When this story broke, another list emerged, supposedly with politically correct names that PETA might have suggested for other bands. Remember the band Meat Loaf? How does “Lentil Loaf” sound? Would Stray Cats be the same if they were the “Spayed Cats”? Somehow, I don’t reckon any of those would work … And now on to this week’s question.
Q:
Our boxer, Xavier, has a thin patch of hair over his side that the vet tells us is a seasonal problem. The rest of his coat looks great and he’s healthy otherwise. He had this last year, but this time, he’s had this bald patch for more than nine months. The vet tells us that some dogs never grow their fur back in these spots. I can’t remember what he called this condition. It had something to do with spring. Is there any treatment for this condition?
A:
Xavier’s problem sounds like seasonal flank alopecia. But this is one of those problems whose name is deceptive. Alopecia is a descriptive term meaning hair loss. But the hair loss here can be almost anywhere along the sides of the abdomen or chest, just like Xavier’s thin patch. The skin may look a little dark, almost overly pigmented. The good news is that dogs with this condition usually aren’t itchy. And eventually in most cases, the hair grows back. Problem is, many of these patients don’t have a seasonal recurrence of their problem. While it may come and go each year, some dogs may have this thin spot for much longer. It just won’t go away.
In addition, there are other conditions that can look similar. Hypothyroid disease is one of these. Xavier’s vet probably ran a few blood tests to rule out anything else.
So what can you do? You might ask his vet about melatonin treatment. There’s some question amongst veterinary dermatologists as to whether or not this is effective. But it’s relatively safe and it just might speed up Xavier’s return to that shiny coat he once had. Otherwise, you’ll just have to wait and see when he can grow back is lost fur.
