Is Cortisone cream safe for my dog?

There's nothing worse than seeing your dog itch and scratch.  Depending on the underlying causes, it could be a mild occasional itch to a full blown case where your dog cannot be left alone unsupervised for fear of them scratching too much and hurting themselves.  

It's natural for us as humans to say ... well I've got a medicine cabinet full of treatments, which one can I use for my dog or cat?

The most common anti itch product is Cortizone.  It comes in a  red and white tube, and although it's spelled with the  "z" the active ingredient is cortisone.

Not FDA approved for pets   

The quick and easy answer is that it's not approved for pet use.  Creams that contain hydrocortisone are steroid based formulations that can cause increased thirst and urination, panting, vomiting and diarrhea.  

For whatever reason, dogs and even cats, enjoy licking lotions and other types of potions off their skin.   

Applying Cortizone would put your pet at risk for ingesting something that is not approved and can cause them to be ill.  

Additionally, this anti itch cream is a temporary solution (for humans) and never addresses what is causing the itching.  

Call the vet

Well meaning pet parents will ask their friends off-line and online, what to do with an itchy dog.  If you pose this question in an active Facebook group you'll receive anywhere from 150 to 250 different recommendations.  But none of these come from a vet.

Vets go to school and study to take care of our animals.  They are the most qualified in diagnosing and treating why your dog is itchy.  

Prevent your dog from scratching themselves 

A good non intrusive way to prevent your dog from mindlessly scratching it to put a collar on them.   The type of collar will vary depending on the location of the itch.  You want to prevent them from using their mouths to scratch or their legs from doing the scratching.  

We offer a variety of collars and if you're uncertain of which is the best out - simply contact us and we will assist you with your selection.  

 

 

I’m sure you will agree that you’ve seen the “Cone of Shame” and agreed with it’s name. Most dogs that are wearing the very plain plastic E-collar always look sad and depressed.

There’s several reasons we conclude this occurs.
1. The majority of pet parents do not even think about the recovery collar until they go to pick up their dog and see them wearing this collar. Pet parents accept this as part of the recovery and go home.
2. The dog who is under anesthesia wakes up with this foreign plastic encumbrance which feels awkward and adds to their anxiety.
3. Not only is it not comfortable for the dog, their vision is impaired.
4. To make things worse, the funnel shape of the “cone” basically amplifies all sound back to their ears.

In essence we have imposed a non ideal way for your dog to recover.

With a little planning, you can help alleviate your dog’s stress and provide a more humane way for them to recover.

SELECTING TWO COLLARS IN ADVANCE

We offer nine different recovery collars simply because we know that not one size fits all. And we know that each dog is unique in size and recovery needs.

We recommend pet parents have one of each type of collar on hand. A “cone” structure collar when you need maximum protection, and then the “inflatable” style collar for minor recovery needs.

WEARING THEM IN ADVANCE TO DESENSITIZE YOUR DOGS TO THE COLLARS

Anxiety is alleviated with familiarity. We recommend that the collars are on hand at least 3 weeks prior to surgery. This way you can start to have your dog practice wearing them.

Start off with 10 minutes at a time, every day and extend that period of time so that your dog can wear them for a few hours each day. Please do this under your supervision so you can monitor how they fare during these “dress rehearsals”.

Escape artists tend to start to accept the collars when they have practiced wearing them prior to surgery. The “ambition to take the collar off” occurs when your dog is trying to take off the collar they have never worn before.

HOW TO SELECT THE COLLARS

1. Consider your dog’s muzzle length, body shape, location of recovery area and dog’s ambition in escaping the collar. The inflatable collars are for those dogs that need to limit their movement to access shoulders or their backs. Sometimes this is enough of a deterrent to stop dogs from reaching to incision points in their bellies or if they have bandages on their feet.

When you need more protection, we have “cone” shaped collars that radiate out further than your dog’s muzzle which in essence protects any incisions that need recovery time. The only drawback is the cone will limit vision which might add to your dog’s anxiety.

As an alternative the Kong Cushion inflatable collar radiates out far enough for most dog breeds. And because it’s inflatable it allows for full vision for your dog.

WHEN TO USE THE COLLARS

1. Consider the phase of recovery: Your dog will be given anesthesia so that they can be asleep during surgery. After the surgery is done, the vet medical staff will move your dog to a quite room and placed in a crate for observation. Imagine this critical time when your dog first opens their eyes. They will be confused and in a small space. As such, we recommend the Kong Cushion so that their vision is not impaired but yet they have a collar that radiates out far enough to protect any areas in the upper or lower bodies. In addition this collar is made of a hygienic plastic which is ideal post surgery. This is the collar to bring to the vet so that your dog can wake up in comfort post surgery.
2. Once your dog is home: They can continue to wear the inflatable Kong Cushion. However as the anesthesia wears off, they might want to lick their incision wounds. In this case, if the Kong Cushion is not enough protection, you may want to switch out to the cone or the EZ Calmer for the next few days of recovery. 

TIPS FOR A SAFE AND COMFORTABLE RECOVERY

- Provide a soft, nice and quiet place for your dog to recover indoors. If you have other dogs or cats, keep them away until your dog feels better.
- The first 24 hours will be a very mellow period. Your dog will sleep a lot and might even whimper while they sleep. Stay close and comfort them to let them know you are present. Keep them hydrated and offer their meal however note that they probably will have a small appetite that first day.
- A two week low activity rest is recommended. Don’t let your dog jump and run until they have fully recovered (typically two weeks).
- No baths until after two weeks.
- Check the incision site twice a day (in the morning and night) to confirm it is healing properly. Call your vet if it is has discharge or is swelling.
- Make sure you clearly understand the recovery plan from your vet and call them if you are concerned at any time during the recovery.

 

 

It all started with my boxer Mitzi

My boxer Mitzi was often having mast cell tumors removed.  The vet would send her home with a plastic "cone of shame".   Mitzi was miserable in that cone and I wanted her to be more comfortable.

So I created a prototype and went to China to have them made.  The photos below are of the very first prototypes designed for Mitzi.  These were meant to be worn indoors while she was recovering.  This design is what became the first BooBooLoon which evolved to inspire the Cushion.

I was deeply affected by her condition and I loved her so much I wanted her to have a better solution.  And that's how the premium pet recovery collars were born.

~ Marcy Colangelo: Owner and Inventor of the first premium pet recovery collars

 

You have an alternative to the plastic cone of shame

Our Instagram friend @doberman_khaleesi was spotted wearing the Kong Collar around town.  A reporter from the Wall Street Journal heard about this and called to learn more. 

Upon the interview they also produced a video.  Excerpts from the Wall Street Journal Article (published June 16, 2017) and the link to the article are as follows:

Excerpt: 

"Khaleesi cried and couldn’t venture out into her kingdom for days.

The 6-month-old Doberman was wearing a hard plastic recovery collar prescribed by her veterinarian after being spayed. The cone-shaped device was to keep Khaleesi—who is named after a character on the popular HBO series “Game of Thrones"—from tearing her stitches out. 

“Her face looked so pitiful,” Ms. Vandenberg said. Unable to take her dog’s whimpering, she purchased a bright blue inflatable recovery collar to replace the veterinary cone.

Across America, many pet owners are doing the same. The new collars—some made with velvety fabric and plush cushioning—more closely resemble travel pillows."

Article link: https://www.wsj.com/articles/guilt-wracked-pet-owners-try-making-the-cone-of-shame-more-comfortable-1497626019

And the video featured in the article is:

 

FUN FACT: That last pad up high on your dog's front paws ... is known as the carpal pad. Sometimes referred to as the stopper pads.

What's the function of the Carpal Pad

Their function is to act as the brake system when your dog canters. There's a brief moment when the carpal pad makes contact with the ground as the rear legs get ready for the next stride.

During this time - should your dog decide to make a quick turn or stop abruptly, the carpal pad, along with its associated dewclaw-, provides extra traction, and should the dog decide to stop, it'll work as a braking device. Hence the stopper pad.

What to do if their Carpal Pad becomes injured?

Our soft #coneoflove premium #petrecoverycollars were designed FOR the dog by humans. We consulted with veterinarians and behavior specialists simply because we did not want to put the plastic #coneofshame on our own dog Mitzi

And so our first collars were born and now we carry 9 different varieties because ... each dog and cat is shaped differently and have unique recovery needs.

When your dog injures their pad, protecting it from your dog licking it so that it can heal is a priority.  A soft collar can help during these few days like the one Lottie in the photo above is wearing. 

There are approximately 89.7 million dogs living with families in the US as pets.  This year dog ownership shifted and more millennials own dogs than baby boomers do.  With this shift is a cultural movement recognizing how integral dogs are to the family.   If you're looking to move or see where your city stacks up - we've got the list for you.

Top 5 according to overall Pet Health and Wellness

1. Scottsdale, AZ
2. Phoenix, AZ
3. Tampa, FL
4. San Diego, CA;
5. Orlando, FL

Top 5 according to overall "Outdoor Pet Friendliness Rank".

1. San Francisco, CA
2. Scottsdale, AZ
3. Irvine, CA
4. Los Angeles, CA;
5. Henderson NV.

Top 5 Cities with the Worst Dog Friendly Restaurants

1. Detroit, MI
2. San Bernardino, CA
3. North Las Vegas, NV
4. Toledo, OH
5. Omaha, NE.  

Top 5 Most expensive Vet Expenses

1. Charlotte, NC
2. Portland, OR
3. Newark, NJ
4. New York, NY
5. Washington DC, DE 

You can see a full report and read about the methodology via this link or as well as look at the list below:

2017 Ultimate Top 100 List of Dog Friendly Cities

 

 

Is Betadine safe for dogs?

There are simple home remedies you can use to treat minor infections prior to going to the vet.

What is betadine?

Povidone-iodine - also known as iodopovidone, is an antiseptic used for skin disinfection before and after surgery. 

What can you used it for?

In Dr. Karen Becker’s article, she states that Betadine can be used for skin abrasions, cuts, hot spots and minor infections. 

How does it work?

Betadine is an antiseptic and it kills 90% of germs within the first two minutes of application.   It is potent and there are a few things you need to consider:

• Purchase the one designed for animal use.  If you search for it with the terms “Betadine Solution 5% Povidine-iodine Antiseptic Microbicide for Animal Use” you will be able to find it at various online retailers.  Certain speciality pet stores carry it too.
• ALWAYS dilute it until it’s a weaker tea color.  Typically it’s approximately a rate of one part to 10 parts water.
• Test a diluted portion on your dog first to make sure they are not allergic to iodine.
• What about hydrogen peroxide?  It’s not the best idea to use this because its not only isn’t an antiseptic it also kills healthy tissues which is why it foams. 
• What about alcohol?  We don’t recommend alcohol because it burns and it is drying and may delay the healing process. 

How do you apply it?

After you dilute it, you can take a washcloth to apply it to the affected area.  The video below from Dr. Karen Becker provides an overview of how she uses it for her dog’s infection.

The solution also takes care of staph, yeast, and pretty much other common bacteria.  The good thing is that it doesn’t sting or irritate the dog’s skin and it’s safe if dogs lick the areas after cleaning. 

How long does it take for the infection to subside.

For most mild cases … you will see an improvement after the third day.  If the area you are treating is getting worse, call your vet immediately to schedule an appointment. 

An extra step you can take after cleaning your dog.

If your dog won’t leave the area you just treated alone, as an added measure you can have them wear a recovery collar for a day or two until after the infections have subsided. 

 

Do any of these questions sound familiar?

 

• My dog has itchy skin but I can’t find any fleas?”
• “We’ve out ruled that my dog has a food allergy but she still scratches, what’s wrong?”
• “I applied flea preventative medication so it can't be fleas ... or can it?”

 

The sound of your dog excessively scratching and itching produces anxiety in a lot of dog parents.  Itching is a symptom of something amiss with the dog’s immune system.  Vets call itching “Pruritus”.

In the Merck Vet Manual it states: “Pruritus is defined as an unpleasant sensation within the skin that provokes the desire to scratch”.

It is common in many types of skin disorders and commonly associated with flea allergy dermatitis and other allergic skin diseases. 

Don’t rule out fleas

There is a misconception that having your pet on a flea spot on treatment program means they won’t get bit by fleas.  There are a variety of reasons that your flea treatment might not be working as well as you think.

 

• You applied it incorrectly.
• Dry and unhealthy skin can affect how well spot on treatments work. 
• 90% of the fleas lives not on your dog but in your yard and maybe in your house.

 

So you’ve applied flea treatment on your dog but that’s just address  potentially 10% of the problem.  The other 90% could be out in your yard.   

Eliminating the possibility of fleas helps your dog stop itching if they are allergic to fleas.

Just like humans will react to ant or mosquito bites, dogs react to flea bites.  So even if they have the spot on treatment, if they go outside and get bit by a flea, one flea bite can cause a lot of havoc.  Some dogs even break out in an allergic rash from that one bite.

Get rid of fleas naturally in your yard

First identify where the fleas could be.  They like warm, shady and moist areas.  They tend to avoid direct sunlight and open grass. 

Think about where your dog likes to hang out.  Inspect areas around the garden furniture, trees and fences.  If you do this while wearing white socks, watch to see if fleas jump up on your socks.  They also tend to like debris so if you have piles of organic leaves and material, bag and rake those areas up.

Now that you are ready to address the yard, here are the ways you can approach it.

1. Flood the yard with water.  Flea larvae and flea eggs cannot survive a flooded lawn.  The easiest and most natural way to eliminate them is to flood all the grass with water.
2. Use cedar chips to keep the fleas out of your yard.  Fleas hate the smell of cedar chips and you can use this to your advantage by covering the areas you have found fleas with cedar wood chips. 
3. use nematodes to get rid of fleas.  A nematode called Steinerma carpocapsae is a parasite of fleas. It is known to effectively kill adult fleas as well as their larvae and pupa in grass and soil. Dog owners with large backyards can spray treat their gardens with a beneficial nematode solution to keep their dogss safe from flea menace in the summer months. Beneficial nematodes are environmentally safe, so they do not damage crops and gardens. Studies have shown that these ‘non-toxic pest control operators’ can eliminate more than 90% of flea larvae within 24 hours of the first application.

Once you’ve comfortably addressed the flea problem look at your dog’s skin.

Is your dog’s skin dry?

Does your dog have a dry, brittle or thin coat?  If so consult with your vet.  it may be a symptom of a nutritional deficiency.  Other reasons leading to a dry coat is that you might be using the wrong shampoos.

Dog skin has a different pH balance than human skin.  It also is the largest organ in their body.  We previously wrote about the pH balance on dog skin HERE.

Another often overlooked reason for a dry coat is under grooming the dog.  Dogs need to be brushed on a regular basis to eliminate that dead skin and fur.  A quick grooming sessions daily or 3 to four times a week will help your dog.

Assuming that you’ve addressed nutrition, are using the right shampoo and grooming your dog regularly you could also try:

Dry coat home remedies

1. Add Omega 3 fatty acids.  Don’t add too much and try to add it from whole food sources.  Walmart carries sardines packed in water which you can add 3 to four times a week.  You can also research various Omega 3 fatty acid supplements that are tailored for dog consumption.
2. Apply natural topical oils.  Another approach is to put a small amount of olive oil directly onto your dog’s skin once a day. 
3. Increase humidity in the air.  Use humidifiers that can add moisture to the air. 

Protect your dog by using a premium pet recovery collar

Lastly we recommend using one of our recovery collars to prevent your dog from gnawing away at their itchy spots. 

Depending on the location of the affected area, the Kong Cushion or the EZ Calmer are ideal for them to wear during their itchy periods.

There are many reasons your dog could be scratching.  Be sure to consult with your vet to make a correct diagnosis and prescribe a proper cause of treatment to resolve the true cause of the skin disease.

 

Sources:

1. Merk Veterinary Manual: http://www.merckvetmanual.com/integumentary-system/integumentary-system-introduction/pruritus
2. Fleabites - how to get rid of fleas naturally: http://www.fleabites.net/how-to-get-rid-of-fleas-in-the-yard-5-effective-ways/
3. Nematodes: http://www.fleabites.net/beneficial-nematodes-for-fleas-how-they-work/
4. Dog Dry Skin Knowledge: http://www.dog-care-knowledge.com/dog-dry-skin.html
5. Vet advice for your dog’s itchy skin: http://thebark.com/content/vet-advice-relief-your-dogs-itchy-skin

It's one of the most overlooked items post recovery

Every day dogs and cats go are admitted into veterinary hospitals around the country for surgical procedures ranging from spay and neuter, luxating patella or other.

The focus leading up to surgery morning is to prep the pet for the big day.  Standard instructions from the vet include fasting prior to the event.  

And once surgery is completed you get a call from the vet, you breath a sigh of relief and pick up your pet (dog or cat).  

If the surgical area needs to be protected, its standard procedure to pick up your dog or cat already wearing a dog cone or cat cone.  These plastic rigid devices are stocked as a standard at any animal medical facility.   They are often called the "cone of shame" because of how despondent the pet looks while they are wearing it.

It starts off while they are waking up from being under

One of the reasons why dogs and cats dislike this cone so much is the unpleasant experience they will have with it from the second they realize they are wearing it.  If it's a major surgery the pet will be put under anaesthesia.  As they wake up they will be groggy, confused and naturally trying to stand up. 

Imagine for one moment how distressing these initial seconds are.  They might bump into the edges of the crate, and they are probably looking for you.  Everything smells differently and everything sounds LOUD.  The reason for this is the rigid cone acts as a speaker amplifying sound back into your dog or cat's ears.  They do calm down with the help of an animal professional who stays on close watch as they start their journey to recovery.

That's why we invented our collars - because we care

Our first design was for our own Boxer.  We wanted a better solution than what we could find in the shops.  We've evolved from that first first prototype and worked with veterinarians and animal behaviorists whose feedback we listened to when we came up with our final designs.

Kong Cushion for Post Surgery

The first premium pet recovery collar we recommend for all pets (dogs and cats and rabbits too if needed) would be our inflatable Kong Company Kong Cushion.  It's soft design minimizes any jarring as your dog or cat starts to wake up from anaesthesia.  Additional thought went into the colors of the product because these are the colors they can see and are soothing.  The collar comes in five sizes and adjustable around the neck.  It allows for maximum visibility and it doesn't amplify sound back into their ears.

We show a photo of a dog wearing one from our Instagram page below:

 

A post shared by Dog And Cat Cone Of Love (@petrecoverycollars) on Apr 18, 2017 at 1:32pm PDT

 

Why we recommend having a second collar on hand

After you check out and settle your bill with the vet you are sent home with your very groggy dog or cat, and a sheet of post recovery instructions plus and meds they have to take.

You'll find the first few hours to be un-eventful as your dog or cat wears off the anesthesia and starts to become more alert.  This is where the secondary collar comes in.

Depending on the location of the surgical spot, and the intensity of your dog or cat trying to get to their stitches, they might need an actual cone for their own protection and allow them to heal.

The Calmer™ is a brilliant evolution in recovery collars. 

Made out of fabric with three adjustable velcro strips, this caring alternative to the plastic cone is our next most popular pet recovery collar.   It allows you to have peace of mind that your dog or cat is wearing a collar that doesn't cause them distress.  It's soft and malleable design doesn't impact their quality of life.  You can see this collar below.  

Another reason we recommend a second collar in your first aid kit is due to the fact that you don't know how your dog or cat will react to the cone or inflatable pillow.  Having options allows you to try different ones that they will tolerate and not try to take off.

Purchase them ahead of time so you can make sure they fit

Most recovery periods range from 1 to 4 days.  By the time you go home with the plastic "cone of shame" that the vet sends you home with and realize your dog or cat is miserable in it, you won't have enough time to order one and have it arrive in time for when you actually need it.

Shipping is free when you purchase directly from Pet Recovery Collars and we recommend you order them as soon as you know your dog or cat is going to go in for surgery.  That way you can have time to measure them and order the right size.  Ideally you would have them start to become comfortable with them prior to surgery day and actually train them to wear it for a few hours each day leading up to the big day.  That way when they come home they are already used to either of the collars you have them wear.

And if you have ANY questions at all about our products.  Feel free to call us.   We take your pet's recovery needs seriously and we want to help you select the correct collar.

Dog skin is thinner than Human Skin

The epidermis of a dog is only 3 to 5 cells thick while in humans it is at least 10 to 15 cells thick. They have less layers which is why their skin is more sensitive.  They also have more fur which for the most part protects them.

Also, the PH balance of dogs is around 7 (neutral) to 8 (slightly alkaline) versus human skin which is around 5.5 (acidic).

A quick search on the internet will report that Dog Allergies are one of the top reasons for vet visits annually.  Further digging or dog allergy remedies will give 20 or so different things to try.  

However before you rush out and experiment on your dog, become aware of what you're applying to their skin.  Dog's skin account for up to 25% of their body.  So anything you apply is going to affect them.

Acidic or Alkaline products will erode the integrity of the skin layer of your dog and make them more vulnerable to allergens

Here are 6 common holistic solutions you will find online.  And their corresponding pH levels.

• Ivory dish soap is pH 9.5
• Johnson and Johnson baby shampoo is pH 5.5
• Vinegar pH 2.2
• Scope pH 5.5
• Listerine pH 4.2
• Dr. Bronner’s castille soap 8.9

Now, when you move left or right of the pH scale, it is a change of 10 times 10 or 100 fold change.  So if you go from a 7 to a 5 that is 200 more times acidic or from a 7 to a 9 then it becomes a change of 200 times.  

Which means if you used Ivory dish soaps it's approximately 250 times more alkaline to a dog's skin and will affect the integrity of their skin layer. 

In essence, using any of those products listed above ... could potentially impact your dog's skin.  You want their skin to be healthy and strong so that they don't get yeast or bacteria or allergens to create havoc on them.  The area you will see this the most is on their bellies, flanks and ears.

Dog skin is close to human baby skin

Dog skin in pH level is very close to human baby skin.  It's very sensitive so anything you put on that is too strong will be too abrasive.

So what do you do?  

The standard protocol for Dog Allergies Remedies are to:

1.  Remove or limit exposure to allergen(s).

2.  Treat for fleas to eliminate flea bite allergies.

3.  Wash dog to remove allergens and to relieve itching.  And before you go out and start to try applying Apple Cider Vinegar, or Peroxide .... know that doing so may damage the integrity of your dog's skin.  We recommend the following when washing dogs.

• Only purchase shampoos and conditioners that are formulated for dogs. 
• Avoid products that have artificial additives and parabens. 
• Dilute the dog shampoo before you apply it.
• Simply rinsing the dog's skin and fur in-between shampoos is extremely effective.

4.  Adding Omega 3s. 

5.  Allergy immunity program.  (To be done through the advise and management of a vet dermatologist)

Most articles stop there.  But they don't address what you do to help during that period of recovery.  And the solution is quite simple:  Premium Pet Recovery Collars.

Dog cones and inflatable collars also help protect the dog from scratching

And last but not least.  Simply applying a collar or a cone to your dog will prevent them from itching or scratching at any hot spots.  You can learn more about how to fit a premium pet recovery collar VIA THIS LINK or via below:

 

Resources:

1.  Merck Veterinary Manual

2.  Itchy Dog - blog article from Maggie Loves Orbit

3.  Vet West - Skin - the difference between canine and human skin