Allergies

• Animal Care Clinic

  Animal Care Clinic: Can you give a dog Claratin for allergies?

  

  Posted 12:05 PM 5/22/2012 by Bonnie Markoff, DVM, ABVP

  Can you give your dog Claratin for allergies? That's what one viewer asked our veterinary expert Animal Care Clinic last week:

  The use of antihistamines for pet's allergies depends on many things.

  First - I am assuming Buster has skin problems. Runny eyes and noses are rarely (More)

  
  

• Animal Care Clinic

  Fish Oil

  Posted 11:32 AM 5/22/2012 by Bonnie Markoff, DVM, ABVP

  You may have heard people talking about the benefits of fish oil or flax seed oil. These products contain omega-3 fatty acids, abbreviated EPA and DHA. Animals, including people, dogs, cats and the red meats we eat are made mainly from omega-6 fatty acids. Chemically, these molecules are quite (More)

  
  

• ANIMAL CARE CLINIC TIPS

  It's Not a Hairball

  

  Posted 10:05 AM 1/10/2012 by Bonnie Markoff

  One of my favorite scenes in any movie is from Shrek 2: Puss In Boots hacking up a hairball. Wouldn't you love to see the actual footage of Antonio Banderas as he voiced over that scene?! Those of you with vomiting cats would surely rather watch the movie version than see your own cat vomiting (More)

  
  

• ANIMAL CARE CLINIC TIPS

  My dog won't stop scratching

  

  Posted 3:59 PM 10/7/2011 by Bonnie Markoff, DVM, ABVP

  Q: How can I get my dog to stop scratching, when he has no fleas or hot spots? I think he is either OCD and does it out of habit, or doesn't even realize he does it.

  A: Itchiness may be the most common reason we see pets at Animal Care Clinic - and it can be the most frustrating problem to (More)

  
  

• ANIMAL CARE CLINIC TIPS

  Handling allergies in our pets

  

  Posted 2:35 PM 7/11/2011 by Bonnie Markoff, DVM, ABVP

  Q: My dog keeps tearing up the side of her face. I know its an allergy, but I dont know to what. We have tried process of elemination: It is only certain parts of the year, so we figured pollen, so we did the shots. It stopped for a while then returned. Her food does not change ... I dont know (More)

  
  

• ANIMAL CARE CLINIC TIPS

  Why does my cat pull his hair out at night?

  

  Posted 10:28 AM 7/1/2011 by Bonnie Markoff, DVM, ABVP Animal Care Clinic, San Luis Obispo

  Q: Why does my cat pull his hair out at night. He is clean and brushed, but every morning he has plucked out some hair.

  A: This one is going to require a trip to the vet. The most common causes of this are fleas (which you may never see on your cat), inhaled allergies like hayfever, and (More)

  
  

• ANIMAL CARE CLINIC TIPS

  Itch, Scratch, Lick and Chew!

  

  Posted 4:19 PM 12/8/2010 by Bonnie Markoff, DVM

  Both Rachel and Jennie have asked about itchy pets recently.

  Rachel has three Pugs that are so itchy that they scoot, chase their tails and are even aggressive towards each other.

  Jennie's kitty, Dobbie, has dandruff and is itchy enough that it seems to hurt when she scratches his (More)

  
  

• Animal Care Clinic Tips

  Ask the Expert: Itching and skin diseases

  

  Posted 10:28 AM 7/29/2010 by Dr. Bonnie Markoff

  Dear Jackie,

  I am so sorry Baby is so miserable with this itching. Skin disease can be very simple or very complicated. If it gets complicated, it can be expensive to diagnose and to treat. Let's hope Baby's condition has a simple answer.

  The most common causes of hairloss and (More)

  
  

• Animal Care Clinic Tips

  Ask the Expert: Vomiting after meals

  

  Posted 10:17 AM 7/29/2010 by Dr. Bonnie Markoff

  Dear Anna,

  Thank you for telling us about Asia. Vomiting after meals is a common problem and can be very disconcerting (let alone messy!) Luckily, there is much that can be done to help Asia to be happier and healthier. There is no doubt that vomiting after every meal is not normal.

  (More)
  

• Animal Care Clinic Tips

  Fleas

  

  Posted 3:11 PM 11/23/2009 by By Bonnie Markoff, DVM, ABVP

  One of the drawbacks to the wonderful weather here on the Central Coast is that we have fleas all year ‘round.

  Fleas enjoy (More)

  
  

• Animal Care Clinic Tips

  Food Allergies

  

  Posted 3:08 PM 11/23/2009 by By Bonnie Markoff, DVM, ABVP

  Many owners feel that food is the cause of their pet's skin problems, but it is not the most common cause of itching, hair loss or even intestinal disease.

  (More)

  
  

• Animal Care Clinic Tips

  Itching and Scratching

  

  Posted 3:05 PM 11/23/2009 by By Bonnie Markoff, DVM, ABVP

  As I write this, we are enjoying another predictable "Indian Summer" - it is 80 degrees in November!

  Whenever we start off the fall with (More)