PET OF THE MONTH
Tyson
Tyson is a very sweet 3.5-year-old Labrador Retriever who came into the clinic in November of 2007.
Tyson was incredibly itchy, and had horrific hair loss over nearly his entire body. At this time, there was evidence of fleas and we suspected flea allergy dermatitis (FAD). He was sent home with Advantage and treated for a skin infection due the severe damage Tyson had caused his skin from constant scratching. Tyson’s owners had purchased an over-the-counter flea control from a local store and noted that the severity of his itching began after the initial treatment.
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These photos show the damage that was caused within a few days of Tyson’s itching. As you can see, in each photo he is either shaking, scratching, or licking at himself. Notice he’s never wagging his tail, or even holding it high in the air? |
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Within 5 days of treatment Tyson began to look and feel like normal again, within one-month Tyson’s hair began to grow in beautifully and he was on the quick road to recovery.
Although the treatment was not the cause, 2.5 months later Tyson looked worse than he had looked at the previous visit, and was missing even more hair than ever. He again had gotten those terribly annoying little black bugs (fleas)… And despite being treated with advantage, Tyson seemed to continue to itch constantly. Knowing that this time, it was not the FAD causing Tyson to continue to itch, he was sent home with a light steroid to break the itch cycle.
Notice the hair loss and scratch marks over Tyson’s shoulder and neck area.
Tyson went the entire summer without having any itching issues. He was swimming, playing outdoors and acting the way a 2-year-old dog should act.
Then suddenly in November 2008 (one year following the initial visit) Tyson returned to the clinic with all the same symptoms. He seemed to be growing into many allergies as the months passed. It would appear that he was having seasonal allergies in the spring and fall, flea allergies, as well as the possibility of food allergies. At this visit, Tyson was treated with Revolution (in case of external parasites), Antibiotics for a skin infection, as well as the light steroid to break the itch cycle and offer Tyson some relief.
At this visit it was decided that Tyson’s owners would begin to cook a home made meal for him of strictly Fish in an attempt to stop the itching. Tyson’s owners hoped that he had a food allergy to meat by-products or wheat, so that they could make Tyson’s life more comfortable and enjoyable.
Within one month his owners noticed a difference in Tyson’s attitude, he seemed to be more eager to do things with the family, and was getting a full night sleep.
His owners were very strict with his diet, and were very successful until the energetic Retriever managed to steal a pizza crust from the counter. Within one day following the pizza crust incident, Tyson began to itch and scratch all over again. At this time it was decided that Tyson definitely had a food allergy to wheat, which unfortunately is an ingredient in most dog food diets. Apprehensive to try any other kind of food, (due to the reaction from the pizza crust) Tyson’s owners have stuck to a homemade diet of salmon, trout, tuna, vitamins, etc.
These photos are Tyson today, a very |
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If you are someone who loves to fish, but doesn’t always eat your catch, please think of Tyson before you throw away a good meal. His owners would be greatful if you could donate even a small amount (freezerburn welcome!).
>Click here for more information on Flea allergy dermatitis, Food allergies, and seasonal allergies.