Animal Science

Most likely caused by eating the same food that humans somehow think is safe for huhmans but bad for animals!? What? Do you think I'm an animal? No.. don't give the dog taco Bell.. Don't give it to anyone

She's never had Taco Bell - or any other human food.

In my dog's case the condition is likely caused by getting wet and is aggravated by stress.

Did you try regular acne cream yet? Like the stuff that teenagers use.

Chocolate might work. My dogs eat chocolate and don't have zits. Must work.

That's something I hadn't thought of. I'd have to search for something safe, though, because she does lick the area.

Chocolate - no. My "hungry" beagle has eaten it a few times and those visits to the vet are not fun. Then there was the time she ate tulip bulbs and we had to do hydrogen peroxide at home. I'd rather not hear "she's going to have to vomit it up" any time soon!

You got me thinking...I know about the chocolate (nearly as bad as asparin with a cat), and had heard of a few others. Poster 'Mary' gives a fairly good listing here - not that I vouch it's veracity. Our Yorkie busts every rule in her listing, but the thing has probably just been watching my behaviour with regard to diet.

Interesting blog, Savvy.

I'm glad you liked the blog entry! (And cute dogs in your reply, below!)

It seems that most dogs (like most people) have something about themselves that they don't want messed around with. My dad has a dog that has to be muzzled to have its nails trimmed. I've got one that hates to have her feet held - or to get them wet.

A blog entry about things animals shouldn't eat is a good idea. I've written about the toxicity about cocoa mulch before, but I think that's it. A more comprehensive list would be interesting to research.

A blog entry about things animals shouldn't eat is a grea idea -

Do it !

I've a vague recollection about some plant that horses shoudn't eat, but will. In evolutionary terms, why on earth would they ? Apart from that , my knowledge is that dogs should not eat 'normal' chocolate, and Asparin is bad news for a cat.

Most CR4'ers seem to have a passion for dogs/cats/horses/assorted critters. It would be a terrific read. Plenty of stuff on the net, but CR4 might just churn up some real gems of knowledge. I suspect the list of 'bad food' may be long, so you may need to restrict it a little at start (dogs/cats). The list of creatures that people keep is endless. As ever, CR4 will draw the discussion in whatever direction.

We've considered a muzzle for the Yorkie in order to do some 'maintenance', but trip #2 would be a nightmare. The critter has a memory like a goldfish, but something like that he would not forget. I've been working on letting me touch his face, but if I produced some clippers he would go ape. Even pointing a camera freaks him. I value my fingers, so he's going to have a trip to the vet. A strange environment, plus the vet's sneaky tactic of using a slippery aluminium table will hopefully ensure the vet lives.

The topic is next on my list. I'm thinking it should be a series - one entry for each animal including dogs, cats, horses, and whatever else I find interesting.

Many plants are toxic to horses including red maple and black walnut. A few dried leaves can do them in. Some plants don't even have to be eaten - using black walnut shavings as bedding can be deadly.

The Yorkies I've known have been temperamental. My aunt's bit you if you tried to take things away from her. She was terrified of riding in the car and would hide under the seat and chew the wires. (My grandparents' seatbelt indicator no longer works.) She'd also hide under a chair if she knew a car ride was coming and you needed gloves to get her out.

Very cool - I'll keep an eye open for when you have time to kick it off. Yah, one entry per animal is probably best way to go. Based on people I know, the interest in order is something like dogs, cats (sorry about #2 Del), fish, horses, reptiles (anybody suggesting sheep should be instantly naughty-stepped ).

I'm not a horse fan, but they seem to be prone to nibbling stuff they shouldn't. I'm baffled as to why evolution has left them that way. Shall save my thoughts on various animals for what sounds to be a fascinating series of blogs .

Yes, it's a good one, Savvy. Much looking forard to it.

MIL's dog will be most appreciative of this article. It's some sort of cross/mongrol rescue dog. Lovely temprement, but a complete hound for attention. It gets a lot of skin problems which the vet doesn't seem to have sorted - your article may provide some new avenues to explore.

That is the MIL's dog, 'Scooch'.

Our own fink will not let anybody take a snap of him, but I have a few snaps, albeit from a couple of years back.

No way would he let a cat do that now. Yorkies have amazingly fine hair, it's almost baby-like. No skin probs, but he gets gunk around the eyes building up. Even Mr's K can't sort that because of his behaviour, so we may have to ask the vet for help. Mild sedative and a sponge down ? I don't regard it as my dog, so absolve myself (), but he has grown to be a right unpredictable sort. If I remember I'll try find a better pic.

My one lab us to get it on his chin. We found out it was from our other lab nipping him there then him licking it. We applied peroxide on it, he wasn't to happy but it help dry it up and reduce the infections.

I work with dogs, and have seen numerous extreme recoveries thanks to the Davis company's product Theracoat. It is a food suppliment that you have to give your dog everday (amount depending on your pup's weight). It's a really cheap product and it works. Takes about 4 to 6 weeks to metabolize and show improvement, but it is really worth it. This combined with wiping the spots with hydrogen peroxide is the thing to do from my experience. Bathing with any kind of shampoo is the worst, because the shampoo you may fail to rinse off can actually further dry and irritate the skin. Doesn't matter what kind, if it's from the vet, if it's oatmeal, etc.