Page 9 - Martin Downs Bulletin - November '20

Martin Downs, Page 9

tip of the tail

The Dreaded Allergies Canine food hypersensitivity is an adverse reaction to a itch effectively and can be given long-term with minimal
food or food additive. Beef and chicken account for about side effects. Topical treatments with medicated shampoos
95 percent of food allergies. It can occur at any age, from weekly along with oral fatty acid supplements will also
puppies to elderly dogs that have been eating the same dog help manage atopy. It is important to remember that there
food for years. Most dogs diagnosed with a food allergy can be “flare ups” when the allergen in the environment
are under 2 to 3 years old. Symptoms are nonseasonal and overwhelms the medications. It is also important to
may not respond to corticosteroids as most allergies will. remember that this is a long-term and often lifelong
Pets may be very itchy and develop secondary infections condition. It can be easy to become frustrated if this is
or they can only be itchy when secondary infections are not understood.
present. The skin will be red and inflamed. Food allergies In general dealing with allergies in dogs can be very
often involve the skin in the ventral body, under the tail, frustrating. There are frequent trips to the veterinarian
and the ears. Diagnosing food allergy can be difficult. and costs of testing and medications. Some pets can
The only reliable way is to put a pet on an elimination even have all three allergies (fleas, food and atopy). It is
diet trial. This involves feeding the pet a prescription diet important to work with your veterinarian. As a team, we
created for this purpose such as a hydrolyzed diet. This can get you and your pet where you need to be with time
type of diet is created by breaking the proteins down to and patience! Hang in there, we are here to help!
make them unrecognizable by the body as an allergen. Established in 1981, Palm City Animal Medical
There are three common allergies in dogs: flea allergy Prescription diets that are novel protein or contain only Center is dedicated to providing the best possible care
dermatitis, canine food hypersensitivity and canine atopy vegetable protein can also be used. It is important not to for your pets. With focuses on compassionate care in
(atopic dermatitis, environmental, pollen allergies). Here feed something the pet has had before. The pet cannot surgery, physical therapy and rehabilitation, preventative
in Florida’s tropical climate we have near constant pollen receive any other foods or treats while on this diet. The medicine, extensive diagnostics, and emergency service,
production and fleas year-round. As a result, many dogs elimination trial should last 8 to 12 weeks. If symptoms Palm City Animal Medical Center combines exceptional
in Florida suffer from canine atopy and flea allergy improve or resolve then food allergy is the possible medical care with a caring philosophy for pets and their
dermatitis. Food allergies are much less common and can diagnosis. We then feed the old food and if the symptoms owners. For more information, call (772) 283-0920, visit
be seen less in younger dogs than the other allergies. return in a few days, we know it as a food allergy. www.palmcityanimalmedicalcenter.com or find us on
Flea allergy dermatitis is the most common cause of Canine atopy is a hypersensitivity reaction to inhaled Facebook at www.facebook.com/PalmCityAnimalClinic.
dermatitis in dogs. Dogs that are allergic to fleas develop or cutaneously absorbed environmental allergens. The
hair loss and sores along the back, around the tail and back dog’s immune system becomes stimulated in response
legs. These pets will be very itchy. Live fleas are most to the allergen which leads to inflammation of the skin
often seen on the pet but sometimes only flea feces will and ears and to itching. The feet and ears are the common
be visible. Treatment includes killing the adult fleas on sites of the inflammation. The normal protective defenses
the pet and also eliminating them from the environment. of the skin and ears become lost due to the inflammation.
Pets must be kept on a monthly flea preventative. The Once this occurs, the bacteria and yeast that normally live
best flea control would be to use a product that sterilizes on the skin and in ears can overgrow and cause infection.
the flea eggs combined with a product that kills the adult Canine atopy can start as a seasonal problem but over
fleas as well. This approach will eliminate fleas from the time can progress into a year-round issue. Diagnosis of
environment over a few months and any fleas around will atopy is made by ruling out other allergies such as flea
die once on the pet. All pets in the environment must be allergic dermatitis and food hypersensitivity. When we
on flea prevention for the products to work, otherwise the treat canine atopy, we are treating both the secondary
fleas will live on those pets. If there is a flea infestation infections and the inflammation/allergy response. As
in the area, it may take 2 to 3 months to eliminate the we know allergies are not curable. Luckily we now have
fleas. multiple medications that will treat the inflammation and
Pet Matters

by Pat Deshong, President of Furry Friends and not the 45 to 50 they should. We gave them soft beds
Adoption, Clinic & Ranch, November 2020 to rest on as their entire body looked skeletal with a thin
layer of fur covering their protruding bones. We offered
“ For the Love of them their first meal in weeks to months.
Animals” features real Their new names are Hope and Truman. Truman means
stories happening at Furry “loyal and faithful man” and he certainly was that, never
Friends in Jupiter. We are leaving his sister’s side. Pat Deshong commented that, “The
The Humane Society of good news is that we got them in time, I can’t imagine, in
Greater Jupiter/Tequesta another week or two they would have probably been dead.
and the only no-kill shelter They’re with Furry Friends, they’re getting the medical help
open to the public in northern they need, they’re safe, they’re getting fed and they will be Nizza came to us after a nice couple Bubba is one of our most handsome dogs
Palm Beach County. We’ve up for adoption in the near future.” Hope and Truman have found her in a car engine. She was and will make a wonderful companion
been rescuing, rehabilitating, a long road ahead of them, but they will receive the love just filthy. Once we examined for the right person. Bubba must be the
and re-homing the homeless and care they crave and deserve. her, we learned that her paw was only animal in the home as he has a
animals in our community When considering adding a furry family member to injured and she had a broken toe. strong prey drive. He can be strong on
Her injuries are healed and is now the leash when his instincts kick in so he
for more than 30 years. your family, please visit our Palm City Ranch at 4841 SW looking for her forever family. She is not suited for neighborhood walks in
Our not for profit 501c3 Zarrella Street or our new Jupiter Adoption Center at 100 is a petite girl that has a fun and a busy community with other pets going
organization consists of our Jupiter based adoption center, Capital Street in the Jupiter Commerce Park. PLEASE sassy personality. by. Therefore, this big fella would love
veterinary clinic (open to the public), thrift store, and Palm CALL 561-747-5311 PRIOR TO VISITING EITHER a home with a fenced yard with lots of
space to run and enjoy. Then after a
City Ranch. LOCATION DUE TO COVID19. good stretch outside he is happy to assist
Blessings to you for your support and faith in us… all you in watching your favorite show or
for the LOVE of animals! reading your new book.

Ways to donate (tax ID #59-2111273):
Patricia Deshong, President 1. Mail a check made payable to Furry Friends to 100 Capital
Street, Jupiter, FL 33458.
2. Visit www.furryfriendsadoption.org
Proud Nonprofits First 2020 Hats Off 3. Call us with your credit card information at 561.747.5311
“Nonprofit Executive Of The Year” and ext. 3
“Nonprofit of the Year” Nominee “Your donation creates the possibilities to make miracles
At Furry Friends, they never know what the day will happen for our Furry Friends”
bring, or what will come through the doors, but they are
always ready to help. One day in mid-October, President
Pat Deshong received a text she would not soon forget. As
she opened her messages, she was horrified at the images
of two emaciated dogs and immediately agreed to help. She
learned that an employee at a WalMart in St. Lucie County
had witnessed two sweet and incredibly neglected puppies
being abandoned near the dumpster. They immediately
called the local Animal Control, who in turn reached out
to one of our amazing rescue partners. After seeing the
extensive medical care the pair would need, she called Furry
Friends who transported them to our Jupiter facility. They
were too weak to stand and walk on their own, so we carried
them inside. The dark, brindled male laid his head on the
shoulder of one of our animal caretakers as if to show his
gratitude for being saved. They weighed 20 and 21 pounds Paid Advertisement