Our three dogs got out two weeks ago and wandered the
neighborhood for a few hours before we were able to round them up.
Now all three of them have lost some fur on their face and neck.
One has a bald spot on his right shoulder as well.
Q: Our three dogs got out two weeks ago and wandered the neighborhood for a few hours before we were able to round them up. Now all three of them have lost some fur on their face and neck. One has a bald spot on his right shoulder as well. I’m most concerned now because my son has a light rash on his wrist and forearm. Is this scabies? I looked up that disease and now I’m worried.
A:
Scabies, or sarcoptic mange, could be the problem. This is a condition caused by a mite (sarcoptes scabiei) that burrows under the skin. It’s easily passed from animals to people, and typically, it causes an intense itch. In dogs, we usually see a flaky rash that spreads quickly across the body.
It’s also possible that your wandering canines have brought home a fungal infection, better known as ringworm. There are many different fungi that can cause this condition, and most are easily passed to people. Children are always more susceptible than their adult counterparts.
There are also several other less-likely causes for this dermatological dilemma. Because of that, you should take the dogs to their veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment. All these different diseases require unique medication. And some skin problems, particularly scabies, can get much worse very quickly. Your vet will probably run a few tests, including a skin scraping to see if mites are visible under a microscope. A fungal culture will help determine if ringworm is the culprit.
The good news is that these are all treatable. And with time, life will return to normal, at least for the dogs. But if your son’s skin condition persists or gets worse, a trip to the doctor will be a good idea. You don’t want a small rash to become a big problem.
Q:
Can dogs catch lyme disease? If so, can they pass it on to their owners?
A:
Dogs are, indeed, susceptible to lyme disease. Veterinarians don’t see many patients with lyme, but this is an insidious disease. Its symptoms are subtle and nonspecific. Initially, a dog may just be slightly lethargic, so no one in the family worries too much. Sometimes it may be a week or more before he starts to become a little painful or loses his appetite. Because of this, some patients are not diagnosed until the disease is in an advanced stage. Our awareness is much higher than it was two or three decades ago, when hardly anyone ever discussed lyme disease in pets. Now, if a dog has an unexplained fever and pain, or other unexplained symptoms, a blood test is usually run by the veterinarian.
The only way to acquire this disease is through the bite of a tick. If a dog with lyme disease is in close contact (in the home) with people, he cannot pass the disease directly to them.
Q:
How often should we clip our dog’s toenails? Bruno has one nail that grows crooked and can get really long if we don’t cut it. I like to do this every two to three weeks, and my husband says I should do all his nails at the same time. But I’m afraid I might hurt him, because his nails are already very short. He’s an active dog, on the run all the time. So how often should I cut his other nails?
A:
This is a great question. Truth is, the answer depends on how active Bruno is, and how well he keeps those nails short with his regular activity. Many dogs never require a pedicure until they become old and sedentary. Normal activity keeps their toenails nice and short. But dogs that are less active need a regular toenail trim. It sounds as though Bruno doesn’t need any more attention than what you do for his crooked nail. So keep up the good work and only do the rest of his toes if they need it.
Q:
Can a cat’s eyes change color? Missy used to have green eyes. But now they have become more grey in color. She feels fine and eats and plays normally for a cat that is 14 years old. But I’m worried that there is something wrong with her.
A:
A change in eye color might be insignificant, but it could indicate a medical problem that needs attention. Pigment change in the iris is not common, even in older kitties. Missy may be the exception to the rule, but this could signal that there’s an infection or something more serious. Have her veterinarian look at those eyes so that you won’t be wondering and worrying any longer. Whatever the case, you’ll feel better knowing if there is a problem and if so, what you can do to treat it.
