Lacey’s Story: Flea
Allergy Dermaitis – Diagnosis and Treatment Options
 |
| BEFORE |
 |
| AFTER |
Diagnostics:
Physical exam:
Reveals a pattern consistent with flea allergy dermatitis and secondary
pyoderma (skin infection).
Skin Cytology: Reveals
overgrowth of cocci bacteria, rare yeast
Skin Scrape: No
mites are found (ectopic mites can cause lesions similar to flea allergy and are
treated differently, thus they must be ruled out)
Blood screening –
baseline: Reveals an increase in eosinophils (a specific white blood cell)
supporting the diagnosis of flea allergy dermatitis. This panel also allows the
Doctor to determine if steroid therapy is a safe option for your pet by giving
us a good idea of internal organ status, specifically the liver and kidneys.
Treatments:
àKills
fleas and each dose prevents fleas for 1 month. The best treatment for flea allergy and flea dermatitis is prevention!
Antibiotic: Amoxicillin
or Simplicef
à
Treats secondary skin infection due to bacterial overgrowth
Steroid
Anti-inflammatory: Dexamethasone Injection or Natural Hydrocortisone
Capsules
à
Provides comfort by decreasing inflammation and calming down the
hypersensitivity reaction. **Steroid anti-inflammatories are used with extreme
caution at Lombard Animal Hospital. Each
patient is assessed as an individual to determine if the benefits of steroid
therapy outweigh the risk of side effects.
Patients at Lombard Animal Hospital must be current on lab screening of a
complete blood count, liver and renal values before receiving steroid therapy.
Medicated Shampoo:
Epi-soothe and/or Shampoo with Chlorhexidine Shampoo
à
Provides topical comfort and Chlorhexidine decreases the number of bacteria
Omega Acid
Supplementation: OFA granules
à
Provides comfort and prevention by supporting the integrity of the skin layers
and decreasing reactivity. Speeds healing.
Improves haircoat.
Nutritional
Supplement: Immune Support or Dermal Support by Standard Process
àProvides
“food” for the immune system and skin. Speeds healing. Balances the body.
Specialty Services offered at Lombard Animal
Hospital
Acupuncture and
Chinese Herbal Medicine, Western Herbal Medicine:
àIdentifies
and treats both the acute “excess” problem of heat and irritation as well as
the underlying pattern of immune system imbalance and deficiency.
àHelps
the body to process pharmaceutical treatments.
àReduces
the chance of recurrence
Food Therapy and
Nutritional Consulting:
à
Provides a cost effective, DIY option (home cooked toppings) to compliment the
above treatment options and/or a change in formulated diets as many pets do
much better on specific meat choices and specific formulas. Yes, food is medicine!
à
Brings the body back into balance so that the chance of recurrence is greatly
reduce.
Yes, you
are what you eat!
If you would like to
schedule an appointment for your itchy pet or prevent your pet’s next itchy
episode, please call Lombard Animal Hospital at 503.285.2337.
We are located at 607
NE Lombard Street in beautiful Northeast Portland, Oregon
Allergies are
frustrating. Let us help!
--Preston Turano, DVM
--Nell Ostermeier, DVM, IVAS CVA (Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist)
--The Team at Lombard Animal Hospital
Our mission is to improve the lives of pets and their people through education, nutrition and wellness!
