Frugality or shortsightedness? Queenie came to see us yesterday with a complaint of hair losson one toe. Several people had told her owner that it was “a fungus.” I examined Queenie thoroughly, and was unconvinced. However, I gave her master options in approaching this dermatologic abnormality. People often ask, “Dr. Randolph, if she were your [...]
Do you know the old joke about dermatologists? Why do dermatologists love their practices? Three reasons: Their patients never die, They never have emergencies, And they never get well. It’s a joke I tell almost all new clients, especially those whose pets have atopy and Flea Bite Allergy, but not to be funny. I tell [...]
Diane writes: I have 3 dogs. Two are 40 pounds each, one is 110 pounds. I always used Frontline until fleas seemed resistant. I’ve been trying others and am currently on Bio Spot [an over-the-counter Farnam product]. I just gave the 2nd treatment (in 15 days….they say that is “legal” one time only) and in [...]
Sandra writes: “But what if my dog has small ones [sebaceous cysts] that kind of pop up like black dots? I gently squeeze them, the contents come out and his skin heals just fine. Is that ok? It’s pretty much like popping a human pimple.” Just can’t resist them, can you, Sandra? I know it’s [...]
Maria has a dog with Demodicosis and has a question about her: “My Pug has been under treatment for three weeks now. I don’ t see her getting any better. On the contrary I see more patches everyday. When will I see a difference. Will she grow hair again on the patches?” Maria, Demodicosis can [...]
What is your favorite sign of Spring? Mine is the delicate pale green of brand new leaves. To me, they are like little babies, promises from God that we can have a new start after a long winter. There is a much earlier sign than those, however. Mickey Mouse hats. Well, sort of. That’s what [...]
We have previously discussed seborrhea in dogs. Seborrhea in cats is the same condition as in dogs, but usually has a different appearance and is treated differently. Like canine seborrhea, feline seborrhea may be triggered by stimulation of the oil glands of the skin from inflammatory processes such as allergies and infection. Such stimulation is most [...]
“Dr. Randolph, Hunter has been scratching a lot lately.” This is a common comment, especially here in the southeastern US, where grass, trees, flowers, fleas and mosquitos all grow in abundance thanks to a healthy combination of heat, humidity and an annual 270 days of summer. My standard list of questions in response to this [...]
It’s that time of year: Cuterebra time! We’ve written about Cuterebra larvae and flies before. Alert reader John Wycoff found a squirrel infested with multiple larvae and took some great pictures. WARNING! These photos are too much for my son/MyPetsDoctor.com business partner, Jeremy. They may be too much for you, too!
Longtime readers will recall the sad-to-happy story of Sam, the West Highland Terrier. Sam came in for a followup visit with us and we are happy to report that he looks and feels just as good as these pictures indicate: fantastic. To look back at Sam’s tale in chronological order, click on these links: Story [...]
It was a good working theory, even if it didn’t work out. On June 18, 2010, we ran a story about Annie and two other pets in her household who were itchy. That day we could find nothing on Annie’s physical examination to indicate a cause for her itchiness. She exhibited no hair loss or [...]
Dermatophytosis is a condition of dogs and cats (or people, or other animals) having skin, nails or hair infected by certain fungi. The condition is commonly called by the ancient term “ringworm,” because, centuries ago, people thought there was a worm living in the circular lesions the fungus sometimes produces. There is no worm associated [...]
Pets’ acutely-swollen feet can be a diagnostic dilemma. Little Petey Boy, shown below, was the subject of a phone call from his distressed mommy this morning, when she took him outside to use the bathroom and he hollered, then held up his left front foot. Immediately the little dog’s foot began to swell and his [...]
Atopy, Atopic Dermatitis, or Allergic Inhalant Dermatitis is a condition affecting 10% of dogs. Atopy is very much like hayfever in people. Both species inhale pollen, dust, molds, house dust mites or other allergens, then have an allergic reaction. The difference is what dermatologists call the “shock organ,” or reactive part of the body. In [...]
When I graduated from Auburn University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 1980 the syndrome was called Lick Granuloma. At some point veterinary dermatologists decided on a new name, Acral Lick Dermatitis (ALD). Lick Granuloma continues to be the most commonly-used term among general practitioners. In the 80s the leading causation theory was injury. The pathogenesis [...]
The mainland Gulf Coast of Mississippi is almost completely free of Gulf of Mexico oil spill material, tarballs and all the rest. While there has been some minimal contamination on Mississippi’s barrier islands (Horn, Petit Bois, Cat, Deer and Ship Islands, only Petit Bois and Horn have seen oil), only tiny amounts of oil have hit [...]
Recent Comments