How Do I Stop Pet Hair Shedding?

             A recent occurrence prompted me to write about pet shedding, a normal but annoying part of pet ownership.  We were getting ready for church last Sunday, when suddenly Brian felt something rubbing his back.  “I’m swiffering your shirt, Daddy!”, proclaimed our two year old son, Owen, and he proudly held up the dirty, hair laden Swiffer.  Hair patrol is a daily event at our house, with our two canine companions, Lea the Australian Shepherd, and Sierra the Lab.

Every dog sheds hair, although some breeds shed much less and are considered “non-shedding” breeds.  Examples are Poodles and Schnauzers.  These breeds need regular grooming as their hair continuously grows.  Some dogs with double coats shed most in the spring and fall, as they have different coat types to keep them cool in the summer and warm in the winter.  Examples are Collies and Huskies.  German Shepherds and Labradors tend to shed year round.  Dogs with short hair shed, too; however, it’s not as noticeable. 

Regular brushing can minimize the amount of hair shed on your furniture and carpet, but nothing can stop the process.  Ask your veterinarian or groomer what tools they recommend to best keep shedding at bay.  I have found the Furminator to be helpful for Labs and Shepherds with seemingly unending mounds of fur – it is a blade designed to pull out loose hair as it is raked over the coat, but must be used with caution.  Dogs with short, prickly hairs can be groomed with a fine toothed flea comb, or a brush with rubber bristles. 

Keep an eye on your dog’s regular shedding pattern.  If it seems like the fur is thinner than usual, or if you notice bald patches, itching, or scabs, there may be a skin problem causing excessive shedding.  The most common problems are parasites such as fleas or mange, allergies, and poor nutrition.  Excessive hairballs in cats could indicate an itchy skin condition.  Likewise, failure of dogs to shed at regular times could indicate problems such as hypothyroidism.

No product that promises to “stop shedding” will actually live up to the claim.  Feeding your pet a high quality diet and grooming regularly are keys to keep the excess hair... out of your hair!

(Pictured is late Lima Police Dog "Argo", a handsome German Shepherd!)

Author: Sara Smith, DVM

Do Not Use Chlorine Bleach to Treat Parvo

Recently, my husband Brian and I were able to get away to Columbus for a veterinary conference, and enjoy some cable TV (a luxury we don’t have at home).  Brian told me about an episode of “Yukon Men” he saw, in which sled dog pups in Alaska were being treated for Parvo virus by their owners, due to the scarcity of veterinary care in the region.  I was very disturbed by the method of treatment – adding dilute chlorine bleach water to the puppy food, in hopes that ingestion of the bleach would kill the virus! 

Parvo virus treatment is a difficult topic in veterinary medicine, due to the poor prognosis without treatment, and the cost of treatment at a veterinary clinic.  The disease is easily preventable with a series of vaccinations; however, many times when there are financial concerns, vaccinations are not completed.  Parvo, a highly contagious virus, is passed through the stool of infected dogs and causes vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, and can attack the immune system.  The likelihood of survival increases greatly with treatment, including fluids, antibiotics, antinausea medications. 

There are many places on the internet (much to my horror!) to find “at home” Parvo remedies… including how to mix chlorine bleach with water to give to your dog orally.  Chlorine bleach is NOT a Parvo treatment or prevention, and it may cause great harm or death to a dog or puppy.  True, bleach kills Parvo virus on surfaces, but those surfaces must be cleaned before the bleach is used.  Contact with organic material (i.e. a puddle of feces, or a bowl of dog food) makes the bleach less active.  Bleach is a strong base and is very caustic to mucous membranes in the mouth, esophagus, and stomach. 

If you are concerned about a sick puppy, call your veterinarian to discuss examination and treatment options, and financial concerns if applicable.  We would not want anyone to harm a beloved pet!  Visit our clinic website to learn more about parvovirus, or visit www.veterinarypartner.com to search for reliable information about pet diseases.

Author: Dr. Sara Smith