Dandruff pup needs help

Our vet works his magic on your furry friends

We have recently taken on a puppy that we think might have been bred on a puppy farm. She is a poodle cross and her coat is dirty with some dandruff. Can we use human dandruff shampoo to clean her up before she has her injections in a few weeks time?

AI do not recommend using human shampoo on puppies. Shampoos for dogs are formulated for canine skin, which human shampoos are not, and are best prescribed by a vet for a specific condition.

Also it is easier for the vet to diagnose a skin condition if useful evidence has not been washed away.

I have seen many owners, seemingly embarrassed by the poor quality of their pet’s coat, trying to improve it before seeing me, which is frustrating.

You don’t mention how old your puppy is, although her vaccinations are not due for a couple of weeks.

I wouldn’t wait, though, because dandruff is not normal in a puppy and requires prompt investigation.

Puppies that have been bred in unhygienic conditions are often carriers of parasites such as fleas, lice and mites. The first two are usually easy for a vet to spot.

The mites, however, often require sampling and examination under a microscope.

One in particular, cheyletiella, is a cause of dandruff in puppies, although dogs of any age can also be affected if no insecticides have been used recently.

In untreated pets, the mite often causes a rash to occur on the owner, which is why I recommend a consultation now.

Thorough treatment has a very good outlook though.

Q

My 10-year-old female neutered cat recently had a bout of cat flu, which caused her to stop eating for a while. Just as she was recovering she developed jaundice. My vet has diagnosed fat accumulation in the liver and is treating her, but it may take some time before she recovers. Have you seen this problem?

A

Your cat is hopefully well on the way to recovery, especially if she has started to eat again.

If she hasn’t, your vet would probably have advised admitting her for some intensive treatment.

Liver disease is common in cats and you are fortunate that your vet has diagnosed the cause, because there are many others. Liver involvement can usually be pinpointed quite quickly by measuring enzymes in the blood.

This is only a part of the diagnosis, as the underlying cause of the liver disease is needed to ensure specific treatment. Other investigations, such as ultrasound, are useful and may rule out liver cancer.

Some cases require a biopsy or a sample of liver tissue using a fine needle.

Hepatic lipidosis is an accumulation of fat cells in the liver. This usually occurs in overweight cats that have stopped eating for whatever reason. Breakdown of fat to produce energy can result in fat cells damaging the liver.

These cats develop jaundice and become ill quite quickly. As the problem is caused by not eating, hospitalisation and tube feeding may be needed.

Many cats do well – but recovery can be slow, and frequent check-ups will be necessary too.

David Grant MBE has been a vet for more than 50 years. Email questions to him at pamperedpets@people.co.uk