Category: Ask the Vet

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How Long Should I Treat Coccidia in Dogs? Vet-Explained Diagnosis, Treatment & Prevention

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Duration of Coccidia Treatment
Understanding Coccidia
Diagnosis
Retesting for Coccidia
Prevention Tips
Treatment

Your puppy has vomiting and diarrhea, so you schedule a visit to the veterinarian’s office. After a physical exam, your vet recommends an intestinal parasite exam. After patiently waiting, you get the results: your puppy has coccidia. What is this intestinal parasite, and how do you eliminate it?

Answering the principal question, the typical treatment for coccidia would around 5 to 10 days.

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How Long Should I Treat My Dog’s Coccidia?

The first thing to understand is that not all cases of coccidia need to be treated. Many healthy dogs and cats will clear the infection on their own over several weeks.

If your puppy has signs of a coccidial infection, like vomiting or diarrhea, your veterinarian will usually recommend treating the coccidia. Typical treatment lasts for 5 to 10 days. The vet might also suggest treating your dog if they are immunocompromised or have a heavy load of this protozoa on the fecal exam.

sick dog in vet clinic
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What Is Coccidia?

Several species of coccidia exist, and they tend to be species-specific. For example, cats can be infected with Isospora felis, while dogs could be affected by Isospora canis. Sometimes, your veterinary team will find Eimeria, but this coccidial species is not pathogenic or disease-causing in dogs and cats.

Coccidia are intestinal protozoa that affect the intestinal tract. They typically cause disease in younger, immunocompromised animals. Owners will usually see diarrhea, but they might also see vomiting, lethargy, weight loss, and dehydration.

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Diagnosing Coccidia

Your veterinarian will need to perform a fecal exam to diagnose coccidia in your dog. The most common way to perform this test is fecal floatation, where a stool sample is usually centrifuged in a particular solution.

The veterinary team then allows the solution to sit, and the parasite eggs or oocysts float to the surface. A microscope slide enables the veterinarian to visualize the eggs and diagnose the presence of parasites.

When Should You Retest Your Dog for Coccidia?

To ensure your dog’s coccidial infection is cleared, your veterinarian must retest a fresh stool sample at least 1 to 2 weeks after the initial treatment. Based on these results, your dog might need a second round of treatment.

Veterinarian Petting a Noble Golden Retriever Dog
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Preventing Coccidiosis in Dogs

Coccidia is mainly preventable. If you pick up your dog’s stool regularly, you’ll significantly decrease the likelihood of your pup getting reinfected with coccidia. If you bring a new pet home, ensure they have a fecal exam and veterinary visit as soon as possible.

Avoid dog parks and other high-traffic areas to reduce your dog’s exposure to intestinal parasites. If you need to board your dog, ensure the facility thoroughly disinfects between pets.

To help prevent reinfection, you’ll want to bathe your dog after the treatment to remove any oocysts on their coat, especially around their back end, tail, and paws.

Treatment Options for Coccidia

In the United States, sulfadimethoxine is the only FDA-approved medication for treating coccidial infections. This medication comes in a liquid under the brand Albon and tablets. While Albon is highly effective as a coccidiostat medication, other options, such as ponazuril, can be used off-label for coccidial infections.

Some pets with coccidia are very sick when they are diagnosed, especially if they’ve had prolonged vomiting and diarrhea. Your veterinarian might recommend supportive care, including anti-nausea medication and fluid therapy.

Side Effects of Albon When Treating Coccidia

Gastrointestinal signs are the most common side effects in dogs given Albon.

These side effects include:
  • Inappetance
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea

While the medication can be given with or without food, if your dog experiences any of these GI signs on an empty stomach, consider giving the medication with a meal.

Sulfadimethoxine is a sulfa antibiotic. It can decrease your dog’s tear production and lead to dry eyes. For most dogs, the tear production will return to normal shortly after the sulfadimethoxine is discontinued, but it could be a lifelong condition.

Less common but severe potential side effects include:
  • Blood cell issues leading to disproportionate numbers of red or white blood cells
  • Joint inflammation
  • Rashes

Some breeds seem to be more at risk for sensitivities to sulfadimethoxine.

These breeds include:

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Conclusion

If your dog has diarrhea or vomiting, your veterinarian must run a fecal parasite test. If coccidia are detected, your veterinarian will usually prescribe sulfadimethoxine or a similar medication. Typically, dogs are treated for between 5 and 10 days.

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Why Does My Dog Sleep On Me And Not My Husband? 10 Vet-Reviewed Reasons

There’s something so comforting about having your dog curl up, snuggle, or drape themselves over you. Even when it’s not all that convenient, having your dog treat you as their safe place is undeniably special. So it can be a point of contention between couples when a canine family member is showing favoritism towards one person, leaving many to ask why does my dog sleep on me and not my husband?

It might be tempting to simply assert that your dog prefers your company to your husband’s, but it’s often not quite that straightforward. In fact, we’re going to take a look at 10 possible reasons why a dog may choose one half of a couple over another, and discuss why your husband shouldn’t necessarily feel rejected, or try to upset the status quo.

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The 10 Reasons Your Dog Sleeps on You and Not Your Husband

1. You are the primary caregiver.

Even in the most equal of households, it’s normal for there to be one person who tends to do more of the feeding, walking, letting out to the toilet etc. If that person is you, then there’s a good chance that your dog will see you in more of a maternal role (whether you are male, female, or anything in between). Your dog almost certainly loves your husband just as much, but your differing roles and actions will impact how your dog sees and interacts with you.

woman bringing a bowl of food for her dog
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2. You have a more calm energy.

Some people naturally exude a calming energy on those around them, while others are more on edge, nervous, or energetic. Perhaps your husband is ‘the fun one’ that plays, wrestles, and throws the ball, while you are the person who makes your dog feel settled and sleepy.

3. You smell better.

To your dog at least. Dogs experience so much of their world through their sense of smell, with scents and pheromones having a huge impact on their mood, behavior, and experience. You might have a natural scent, wear a perfume, or work with something that smells good to your dog, or creates a sense of calm and wellbeing, so it’s only natural that they would want to snuggle up to you.

4. They smell worse.

No judgment here! If your husband spends the day with chemicals, animals, or anything else that might be unpleasant to your dog’s sensitive olfactory senses, they are going to be less inclined to cuddle up and fall asleep with them. This could also include a cologne, body spray, or deodorant that might smell great to us, but repel your dog.

beagle dog sniffing the hand
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5. Your routines are in sync.

Dogs are creatures of habit and take comfort in having a routine. If your bedtime, tv time, or relaxing times are more consistent, your dog may prefer to schedule their naps to coincide with your timetable.

6. You give them more attention and affection.

If you are constantly stroking your dog, tickling their ears, or rubbing their belly, this sort of attention will not go unnoticed. When a dog’s basic needs of food, shelter, and safety have been provided, the next thing they will be on the lookout for is pleasure and company. If you are able to provide both, then you will be the one they gravitate towards.

7. Your position in the ‘pack’.

Although the idea of the canine dominance hierarchy is not as widely accepted as it used to be, we still recognize that there are specific roles and relationships within a pack that will impact how individuals will interact with one another. For example, a dog that has more of a leadership role is unlikely to find itself at the bottom of the sleeping pile, while a youngster is not going to be taking the top spot. If your husband is seen by your dog as a stronger leader, your dog may not feel that it is appropriate to sleep on top of them.

This doesn’t mean that sleeping on you is a sign of disrespect, just that they may see you more as a nurturer than a leader.

young man petting his small dog
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8. You are under their protection.

As mentioned above, dogs tend to fulfill different roles within their pack or family group, and one of those is of guard or protector. If your dog has taken on this sort of responsibility in your home, they may simply be affording you their top level of defense. This could be because they see you as being of higher value than your husband, or in need of a greater level of protection – we’ll leave that to you to figure out!

9. You spoil them.

Admit it: are you sneaking your dog extra treats in exchange for affection? There’s no shame in it, unless your pampered pooch is packing on the extra pounds. If you are seen as the ‘soft touch’ in the house, your dog is obviously going to want to stay close, and that includes falling asleep on you too.

10. You move around less.

Perhaps you tend to stay settled in one place, make fewer trips to the bathroom or kitchen, or fidget less, allowing your dog to stay comfortable and sleep. It doesn’t take long for dogs to work out whose lap gives them a better quality snooze!

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How Can I Get My Dog To Sleep On My Husband More?

If you’re wanting to encourage your dog to spend more time snoozing on your significant other, whether it’s because they are feeling neglected or you want a break from constantly being under your dog, there are some things you can do to make this happen. However, make sure you’re doing it for the right reasons.

Changing your dog’s routine and relationships within the home can be stressful, especially if we change the rules frequently. If your husband would like to have more snuggle time with your dog, the simplest way to approach this is to look at the 10 reasons above, and see which ones you might tweak in their favor. You won’t be able to manipulate them all, but there are some that your husband can work on.

For example, they can:

  • Become the primary caregiver – if they aren’t doing much of the day-to-day canine care, they can make a point of taking over some of these responsibilities. You might divide them into morning and evening feeding roles, or have one person in charge of meals while the other takes care of walks.
  • Become more calm and still – this might not be as easy as it sounds, but it also might benefit them in more ways than one! Get them to take some time out each day to properly relax, practice mindfulness or meditation, put down their phone, and focus on sitting still.
  • Be more attentive – when the dog is with them, make sure they are being generous with their affection, always keeping one hand stroking them.
  • Hit the shower – whether it’s something they might be exposed to at work, or an objectionable aftershave, a thorough wash with plain soap might increase their nose-appeal.
  • Take over as treat giver – we don’t want to overload your dog with snacks, so if you would like your husband to enjoy more time with your sleeping dog, allow him to be the main provider of treats for a while.
man cuddling with his dog
Image Credit: asia.marangio, Shutterstock

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Final Thoughts

If your dog sleeps on you and not your husband, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they prefer you over him (although it might!). Most of the time it is a reflection of the different roles and relationships you have in the home, the way in which you interact and relax with your dog, and the vibes you give off when your dog is ready for a nap.

You shouldn’t force your dog to do anything that will cause them stress or worry, and if you’re happy to have them sleeping on you, then enjoy the warmth and affection. But if your husband is feeling left out in the cold, or you are needing a break, you can try some of the changes above to encourage your dog to see your husband as a soft place to sleep as well.

Featured Image Credit: Elena Shvetsova, Shutterstock

The post Why Does My Dog Sleep On Me And Not My Husband? 10 Vet-Reviewed Reasons appeared first on PangoVet.

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My Dog Is Constantly Biting and Scratching But Has No Fleas: Our Vet Explains What to Do

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What to Do
Potential Causes
Vet Treatment

Whether you’ve been woken up by the constant jingle of your dog’s ID tags rattling together or your pup ignores your call for dinner because they’re too busy nibbling their hind leg, your pet’s constant itching and scratching can be annoying—for you. For your dog, it can become more of a way of life. While most owners’ first assumption is that the scratching is due to fleas, that’s not always the case. Itchy skin in canines can actually be a rather complex issue. We’re here to help you figure out what’s causing your dog’s constant biting and scratching so both of you can rest.

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Here’s What to Do

Severe itchiness is typically an issue that should be brought to your veterinarian, but you can do a bit of investigating before making your way to the clinic.

1. Check for Fleas Again

Maybe you’ve already checked your pup for creepy crawlies, or perhaps they’re on a monthly flea preventative. Either way, if the itchiness continues, it might be worth a second look. Severe flea infestations will often be quite visible, with adult fleas popping up when you brush your dog’s hair backward. However, less severe infestations can be trickier to detect.

You may be lucky enough to locate a few adults by running a flea comb through your pup’s coat. Pay particular attention to the base of the tail, as this is a favorite hangout for fleas.

If a flea comb doesn’t expose a problem, try dampening a paper towel, and then rubbing it down your dog’s back to the base of their tail a few times. Check the paper towel for brown spots that turn reddish and spread when they get wet. This could be flea dirt, which means your initial flea assumption is correct. See your vet for proper treatment.

close up of a flea
Image Credit: Vera Larina, Shutterstock

2. Get to Know Their Skin

If your extensive flea checking came up negative, look more closely at your dog’s skin. Are you seeing dandruff, redness, scabs, or thinning hair? These things can indicate allergies, infections, parasites, and other issues. If your dog’s skin is irritated in any way, it’s time to involve your veterinarian.

3. Recall Your Dog’s History

If your dog is having skin issues, try to recall when the itching started. Had they just had a bath? Did the seasons change? Did you switch foods or treats? Is anything else in their environment different, such as a new family member, a house move, or a schedule change? The answers to these questions may help you uncover the source of your dog’s scratching woes. For example, a change in diet can lead to food allergies, which can lead to intense itching, red and scabby skin, and chronic ear infections. These are also questions that a vet is going to ask, so try to think about them beforehand.

dog in a bath
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4. Try a Soothing Bath

If your skin examination comes up clear, a soothing bath may be just what your pup needs. Sometimes, dry skin or other irritants can lead to constant biting and scratching and can often be helped with a bit of pampering. Try an oatmeal shampoo followed by a conditioner to give your pet’s skin the moisture that it needs to decrease itching and increase softness.

Just remember that baths themselves can be a cause of dry skin, so avoid bathing your dog too frequently and with shampoos that are overly harsh or not meant for pets.

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5. See Your Vet

This should be your first step if you notice any abnormalities, but if your dog’s skin looks normal and they’re still scratching, it’s time to take professional action. Your vet can check your dog for the common causes of itchy skin and pick up on the things that you didn’t see. Sometimes, constant biting and scratching can be the manifestation of stress and anxiety. Some dogs may develop a compulsive behavior of licking or scratching when things in their environment are particularly difficult.

It can also be a sign of boredom. Dogs need exercise and engagement to fill their days, and if they don’t get these, they may resort to biting and scratching. Also, certain health issues aren’t directly related to the skin but can affect the whole body. Hormonal imbalances due to things like Cushing’s disease or hypothyroidism may also lead to hair loss and sometimes, itchiness.

vet cheking a shih tzu dog at the clinic
Image Credit: KongNoi, Shutterstock

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Potential Causes of Constant Biting and Scratching in Dogs

Keep in mind that many of these causes need a veterinary diagnosis and treatment, so it’s always best to seek professional help first.

The causes of biting and scratching can include:
  • Parasites (fleas, ticks, mites)
  • Allergies (environmental, food)
  • Dry skin (over-bathing, chemicals, poor diet)
  • Infections
  • Boredom
  • Stress/anxiety
  • Pain
  • Health issues (Cushing’s disease, hypothyroidism)

A wide range of issues may make a dog bite or scratch to the point that it takes up most of their free time. Some of these issues are easily remedied, while others require a more in-depth approach.

How Vets Treat Constant Biting and Scratching in Canines

An exam for itchy skin can be rather complicated because your vet will have to look in to many types of causes. They will often start with questions about when the itching started and any changes that may be happening in your dog’s life. They may also ask if your pet is showing any other abnormal behaviors that could indicate that they are stressed or anxious.

They will then thoroughly examine your pup to check for any skin abnormalities, such as redness, scabs, oozing, hair loss, and parasites. This may include taking a skin scraping or other samples to get a better idea of what they’re dealing with. If allergies are suspected, allergy testing may come next.

Once a diagnosis is made, treatment can begin. This may include medications, diet changes, schedule or environmental alterations, or topical treatments. Keep in mind that some of these treatments may be lifelong, depending on the cause.

male-veterinarian-touching-cute-sick-purebred-dachshund
Image Credit: SeventyFour, Shutterstock

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Conclusion

Constant biting or scratching by your canine companion may be bothersome for you, but it can be an absolute energy drain on them. If your pup is having this issue, try following these steps to see if you can get to the root of the problem. Be sure to consult your veterinarian for further diagnosis and treatment.

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Featured Image Credit: Julija Kumpinovica, Shutterstock

The post My Dog Is Constantly Biting and Scratching But Has No Fleas: Our Vet Explains What to Do appeared first on PangoVet.