What is a hotspot?

Question

My dog was recently diagnosed with a "hotspot." Can you tell me more about this skin condition?

Answer

“Hotspot” is a general term used to describe the angry reaction that your pet’s skin is displaying. It may also be referred to as “acute moist dermatitis.”
Hotspots have many causes, but are usually the result of self trauma and subsequent infection that occurs as your pet tries to relieve himself from a pain or itch. An underlying allergy is most often the cause of the pain or itch. Some breeds are more prone to seasonal allergies, so you may see hotspots at the same time each year.
There are three types of allergies that may lead to hotspots:

• Inhaled allergy (pollens, dust, molds)
• Insect allergy (fleas, bee sting, spider bite)
• Ingested allergy (food)

Please discuss treatment options, which may include thorough cleaning, antibiotics and anti-inflammatory agents, with your veterinarian.
For more information, see Library Articles Skin Problems in Pets, Allergies and Spring Allergies.

Originally published on Healthy Pet.

Why Do They Do That?: CLIENT EDUCATION SEMINAR

Ever wonder that your pet is thinking? 

To find out, attend our CLIENT EDUCATION SEMINAR! 

Thursday October 10th

6pm - 7pm FELINE BEHAVIOR

7pm - 8pm CANINE BEHAVIOR 

Held at the Brookfield Library Community Room. 

Light refreshments provided 

Speaker: Peter Borchelt, PhD, Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB)

Dr. Borchelt will help answer questions we all have about dog and cat behavior such as:
What is my dog or cat's body language saying to me?
What is dog "dominance?"
Is it okay for my dog to say "no" to me?
Why don't cats always get along?
How can I enrich my cat's life and make it more entertaining?

WITH GREATER UNDERSTANDING OF OUR PET, COMES EVEN GREATER LOVE.

Even Great Danes are tiny when they’re babies!

Make Sure They Can Get Home: Check Your Pet's Microchip

Is your pet's microchip up-to-date? If your pet were lost, would an animal hospital or shelter be able to contact you once your pet was found?

It's important to get your pet microchipped; but it's just as important to make sure that microchip contains the correct information in order for your four-legged friend to get home.

That's why the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) are teaming up to encourage pet owners to update their pet's microchip information on National Check the Chip Day, Aug. 15.

Almost 9.6 million pets are euthanized every year because their owners can't be found, according to the American Humane Association. While tags and collars are important, microchipping is a valuable method because the microchip won't wear out, tear, slip off or become lost.

How does a microchip work?
The microchip, which is about the size of a grain of rice, is injected by a veterinarian or veterinary technician just beneath your pet's skin in the area between the shoulder blades. This is usually done without anesthesia, and the experience can be compared to getting a vaccination.

Each microchip has a unique registration number that is entered into a database or registry, and is associated with your name and contact information. If your lost dog or cat is found by an animal hospital, shelter or humane society, they will use a microchip scanner to read the number and contact the registry to get your information.

Make sure you can be found, too
While it may be comforting to know the microchip won't get lost or damaged, and that it will probably last the pet's lifetime, the microchip is useless if you're not updating your contact information with the registry. If your pet has been microchipped, keep the documentation paperwork so you can find the contact information for the registry. If you don't have the documentation paperwork, contact the veterinarian or shelter where the chip was implanted.

Keep in mind there are more than a dozen companies that maintain databases of chip ID numbers in the U.S. By using AAHA's Universal Pet Microchip Lookup at petmicrochiplookup.org, you can locate the registry for your chip by entering the microchip ID number. If you don't have your pet's microchip ID number, have a veterinarian scan it and give it to you.

Only about 17% of lost dogs and 2% of lost cats ever find their way back to their owners. Prevent the heartache and ensure your pet has an up-to-date microchip.

Originally published by Healthy Pet.

"Biggest Loser" Contest!

Brookfield Animal Hospital is proud to announce its first ever "Biggest Loser" Contest for its patients!

The 2012 National Pet Obesity Survey, published by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, revealed that 53% of dogs and 58% of cats in the U.S. are overweight or obese.. Excess weight can lead to diabetes, osteoarthritis, respiratory disease, hypertension, and cancers. Pets may live longer and more comfortable lives if kept closer to their optimal weight. Together, we can help your pet be healthier and happier.

• All entries, if desired, will receive a free weight loss consultation with one of our doctors.
• The grand prize winner will receive $100.00 account credit toward veterinary services at our hospital.
• Runners-up will receive a $25 gift certificate to Layla’s Bakery in Brookfield.
• Brookfield Animal Hospital will also help out less fortunate animals by donating money to The Connecticut Humane Society for every pet entered.

Contest Guidelines: Contest starts immediately, pets must enter before August 15, 2013.  Bring your pet in to Brookfield Animal Hospital for an official weigh-in and again three months later for a final weight.  Call to schedule your pet's complimentary weight loss consultation with our doctors or you can simply stop by during our normal business hours and have any one of our staff members notate your pets’ weight.  The pets with the largest percentage of weight loss will be our "Biggest Loser" winners!
With our contest, you, your pet, and the community can benefit from your pet achieving a healthy weight!

Pet of the Month: Buddy

Congratulations to Buddy! He is the June Winner of our Pet Photo Contest. A $10 credit has been added to his account. Way to go, Buddy! Submit your pet photos to myvet@brookfieldanimalhospital.com

National Pet Preparedness Month

This month is National Pet Preparedness Month. In order to be sure your pet is prepared for a disaster, make sure your safety kit includes food, water, leash and collar, bowls, pet ID, medications, immunization records, pet carrier, first aid kit, and a contact list for all pet emergency contacts.