FAQs and Images
SACDERMVET
7465 Rush River Drive Suite 830
Sacramento CA 95831
916 234 5722
Adult fleas live on dogs and cats (and possums) and bite to take blood. Some animals are very reactive to flea saliva. Fleas do not change host once they start feeding but lay 30 to 40 eggs per day that fall off, hatch into a larvae and go down and away from light. These stages can last many weeks and continue to hatch out for up to 8 weeks.
Treat all the dogs and cats in the household with a product from your veterinarian year round. Most are monthly but read the label carefully.
Wash and dry bedding and vacuum floors and furniture daily.
Staphylococcus pseudintermedius is the most common bacteria we find on the skin of dogs. These infections are almost always secondary, most commonly to allergies, adrenal, thyroid or immune problems. We need to treat until they have fully resolved to try to prevent recurrence and to assess the underlying problem. Bacterial infection makes many skin and ear problems worse creating a cycle.
Repeated use of antibiotics can lead to antibiotic resistance which makes cases more difficult and expensive to treat.
Topical therapy such as bathing with medicated shampoo is also important. Many shampoos available in pet stores or online seem to have the same ingredients but are not as effective.
Malassezia pachydermatitis is a yeast commonly found on the skin and in the ears of dogs and sometimes cats. It grows well in warm moist places and often gives a corn chip odour. It is different to Candida or thrush of humans and like bacterial infection is usually a complication of some other skin condition.
We may treat this topically and in some cases we need to use oral medications but there are some precautions for antifungal drugs.
Demodex canis adult
