When the overnight temperatures drop below 600F, furnaces across the country get turned on. By day 3 of heated air, indoor humidity has often fallen by 20 or more percent signaling a change in skin care needs for ourselves and our pets. Conditions we’ve ignored or accepted during the humid summer months exacerbate.
Approximately 10 percent of cats and dogs suffer from some type of allergy, shares Kim Campbell Thornton. Allergic dermatitis was the most common health issue last year among dogs insured with Nationwide, with more than 223,000 individual claims averaging $293 per dog. In the same dataset, this condition ranked ninth for cats.
Treatments for itchy skin haven’t changed, but the approach has, says Thornton. The rise of antimicrobial resistance over the last several decades has veterinarians taking a second look at how and when they use antibiotics. She presents topicals a first line therapies.
Source: Veterinary Practice News, October 7, 2020. Link.
Allergic animals with mild to moderate infections who are otherwise healthy can respond completely to topical therapy—but only with good owner compliance
INSIGHTS: This article is worthy of veterinary team discussions, especially since we have the options associated with virtual care not only to screen pets, but to conduct video follow-up to ensure compliance to topical treatments and therapies. For salespersons, skin care is a viable topic to every clinic. Distributor representatives can provide valuable comparison information across the range of products they offer.