Breast cancer is one of the most common tumors that can streak dogs and cats. According to recent statistics, they are the first most common cancer in female dogs and third in female cats.

Animals which are not castrated between the ages of 6 and 12 years old, are more likely to get a cancer. Almost all the cases of breast tumors have a hormonal change reason behind them. Once your pet starts to produce the useful hormones for pregnancy, and start their period, the chances of getting a tumor are more elevated.

According to some previous studies on the matter, it is proven that castrating your pet prematurely (before the first menstrual cycle), decreases the chances of getting a breast cancer. The percentage of risk of cancer in prematurely sterilized dogs and cats is situated close to zero, so it has almost no risk. Chances of getting a cancer will increase to 8% once the first period starts and up to 26% after the second one and so on.

What is breast cancer

A tumor can be defined as the presence of unstable and crazy cells in the organism. All of the organs and structures in our body, including skin, bones and muscles are made up of cells. These cells multiply constantly, following the same features and scheme, almost as if they had an identical print as a reference.

Some factors might interfere with the multiplication of cells, drastically changing the characteristic of the new cells. These cells will be produced in an altered form.

In breasts, this can also happen. Cells in the breast can be produced in a different way than the usual form they should have. In this case, there will be nodules formed inside of the breast.

These nodules can be easily identified by touching the area. There can be just one of them or multiple of them with variable dimensions. They can affect either breast or just one of them.

Breast tumors can have very different features. One of the main criteria to take into consideration is the examination of the tumor to identify if it is a good or bad tumor in the organism.

Good tumors have a slower progression and do not give metastasis (in other words, they do not diffuse in other parts of the body). On the other hand, bad tumors expand rapidly and grow in other parts of the body as well. They especially tend to expand in the lungs.

We must consider the fact that a good tumor might also degenerate into a bad one.

Fatal consequences are the most important aspect of tumors in our pets. A good tumor will not be extracted through a surgery. Instead, it will grow until it might produce some wounds on the skin and you might even notice some pus and blood coming out. A bad tumor is much more dangerous as it will expand in other organs. For example, if the tumor expands to the lungs, the animal will not be able to breathe any more.

Diagnosis process

We can easily identify a tumor in out pet by simply touching the area and noticing a nodule or lump under the skin. When we are trying to look for the tumor, we must be accurate and check all of the areas. If we come across some wounds or lumps that seem unusual and not normal, we should definitely go the vet to confirm or deny the presence. Besides that, you will not be able to identify the type of tumor just by touching. In this case, the vet will proceed with some deeper exams and tests.

The typical tests your vet will do to identify the type of tumor your pet is experiencing are:

• Rib cage x-ray: especially useful to identify the presence of metastasis in lungs;
• abdominal ultrasound:  evaluates the presence of tumors in the area inferior to the breasts;
• blood test:  identifies some potential other malfunctioning in other organs;
• Biopsy:  after removing the tumor, a section of the material extracted will be sent to a lab to have an insight of the cell types.

How do we treat it

In case of a tumor in your pet, the first thing that your vet will recommend is to intervene with a surgery to remove it. The removal of the infected breasts must be immediate in case it’s too late.

In case of metastasis, the situation would be more complex as it is impossible to remove the tumorous tissue completely.

In pets where the risk of damaging tissue due to metastasis is elevated, your vet will recommend proceeding with chemotherapy.

How do we prevent cancer in our pet?

The best tip to prevent cancer is to sterilize your animal as soon as possible. The ideal period is around 6 months, preferably before the beginning of the first menstrual period.

Besides all of the ethics behind not wanting to sterilize your animal, if you have no intention whatsoever of mating your pet or induce pregnancy, a useless period multiple times will be counterproductive.

We must also keep an eye on our pet’s breast and belly to be sure if we notice some anomalies.

Make sure to remember that prevention is the first step to avoid the risk of tumors in your animal.

The TTouch method, initially seen as a rather bizarre theory of approaching the behaviour of animals, over the years has managed to establish itself more and more, adapting it not only to the world of horses, as originally, but also to dogs and cats.

What is the TTouch Method?

It has been nearly 40 years since Linda Tellington-Jones began to develop a revolutionary new method for the education of horses. In that period, Linda was able to approach the study of the Feldenkrais Method, based on the principle according to which the movement of the body would be an indispensable way to improve and alleviate many physical, but also emotional problems.

Fascinated by this theory, Linda decided to extend it to her area of ​​expertise: the rehabilitation of "difficult" horses. Thus was born the TTEAM - Tellington-Touch Equine Awareness Method, which will also be extended to the field of companion animals, in particular dogs and cats.

The TTouch Method arises essentially from the roots of the principles of Moshe Feldenkrais. According to its creator, the TTouch Method would be able to help horses, dogs and cats to acquire greater stability and emotional serenity, starting from their own body.

The classic example, often used by Linda, is that of the dog pulling on a leash. The reasons of this behaviour may be different, but the result will always be a great pain in the neck, shoulders and back, due to the urgency to pull harder, to counter the owner's command. A dog in pain will inevitably feel frustrated and continue to engage in the wrong behavior, thus fueling an endless vicious circle.

The task of owners and educators, on the other hand, should be to pay attention not only to improve the animal’s behaviour but to also think about their physical well-being. The body is nothing more than the key to access the delicate inner world of each animal.

What is the TTouch Method

The Method, as the name suggests, involves a series of light touches and movements that must be performed directly on the animal's body, with very precise manoeuvres developed by its creator. The touches, called TTouches, stimulate the nerve endings located in every part of the body, triggering a response from the animal. What may seem like simple caresses, are used to relax the dog or cat's mind and to improve communication with the owner and to relieve physical pain and negative emotions.

Touching the animal is not the only method expected to achieve the goal. The TTouch Method, in fact, also includes a series of exercises to be done on a leash. For example, you can ask the dog to move around a rather intricate maze. To find the way out, the animal will necessarily have to make unusual movements, articulating the body in different directions. By doing this, he will be able to train his body movements and at the same time stimulate concentration and confidence in his abilities.

Another tool developed by Linda Tellington-Jones is the bandage. The animal's body is covered with elastic and soft bands, without restricting in any way the ability to move. The gentle pressure and support of the bands gives the particularly fearful animal greater security, also helping it to breathe properly.

Recommendation

This method is particularly useful for "difficult" animals. We are talking above all about dogs and cats that have suffered serious trauma or mistreatment, but also for those less inclined to traditional educational methods.

Through touch, it is possible to remove fear, anger, anxiety and all negative emotions that can affect both the relationship with people and the health of the animal. Stress can cause a lot of damage to the mental and physical balance of our animals.

For example, we can take advantage of the benefits of touching in typical situations of stress and discomfort, such as the vet's waiting room. Most animals will either stay paralysed with fear or will make every effort to escape. By applying precise movements on the animal's ears, we will be able to reduce the level of tension, making it feel more relaxed and confident.

Likewise, the Method is also great for dogs and cats with health problems. Let's think, for example, of the typical case of arthritis. An animal with joint pain will feel frustrated, unable to run, move and play as its fellow friends normally do. Just by touching a specific area or by applying targeted exercises, you will be able to relieve pain, without giving up movement and making the animal feel more confident. Of course, in these cases the TTouch Method represents an just an effective support in addition to the care of the vet.

 Cystitis is inflammation of the bladder. It is a very underestimated pathology by owners, and even if it may seem strange it can also lead to death.

In this article, we will try to understand what the causes of this situation are, but above all how to recognize the problem as soon as we see that our animal is sick. We will then be able to  take him to the vet as soon as possible. Waiting for too long could be fatal for them. 

Let's start immediately by saying that this situation affects cats much more than dogs, and males much more than females. If you have a male cat, perhaps castrated, you must be particularly careful.

What is cystitis?

Cystitis is inflammation of the bladder, as we said earlier. The bladder is a "reserve" organ, which is used to collect urine coming from the kidneys, and then expel them all together at the right times. The functioning is very similar to our human bladder.

This organ expands a lot, depending whether it is full or empty, but obviously in a limited way, so the urine, at a certain point, must be expelled.

There are two types of cystitis: the first case is caused by bacteria, similar to what we can have in any other organ. Its symptoms might be pain, irritation and urine with blood traces as the bacteria ruin the bladder wall. Fortunately, it is not obstructive. It should be treated nevertheless because it is very painful, and your vet will be able to find a solution with an antibiotic treatment.

The other type is caused by crystals. It has nothing to do with precious stones, on the contrary; we commonly refer to them as stones.

The stones are formed due to a series of predisposing factors: the first is a sedentary lifestyle, less frequent in dogs because they go for walks more often. Therefore, it is most common in cats, which are more sedentary. Castrates animals are more sedentary than whole animals which are more active.

Then there is the type of nutrition: the richer it is in minerals (in particular magnesium), the higher the risk that these substances, eliminated by the kidneys, accumulates in the urine; first it will form small conglomerates, similar to sand, then it will form real stones. 

These situations, are not complicated by bacteria, but they are dangerous because they are irritating. (imagine yourself having stones in the bladder ...) Especially in the male, where the urethra (which crosses the entire penis)  is long, narrow and curved, it can cause these pebbles (that try to get out with the urine) to get stuck causing a bladder blockage.

Bladder blockage means that urine just stops passing. The cat also strains, tries to expel it and so other stones enter the urethra, aggravating the problem. The animal might remain without urinating even for days.

Have you ever experienced the feeling of having a full bladder? perhaps because you couldn't go to the bathroom for an hour or two because you were doing something important? Remember how you felt and image what it would be like for your animal to have a blockage for two entire days.  

When you don't urinate, your bladder fills up. When it is impossible to dilate further, it does not break because it is very resistant. However, the ureters, the two tubes that connect the bladder to the kidneys, begin to fill up. Then, the urine begins to press on the kidneys, which stop working. In addition, since they are all vital organs, if they stop working they will probably lead to death.

How do we treat it?

The thing that I was most concerned about in the previous paragraph is to make you understand how serious the lack of urination can be. Obviously we will be able to realize that there is some problem through these symptoms; he looks sick, he is sitting to seek some relief, he tries to urinate but only emits a few drops (which is usually enough to dirty his hair) and can also expel blood droplets because of the stones that "scratch" the bladder.

We need to bring him to the vet as soon as possible, who will first make a catheter (a syringe in the bladder to facilitate the expulsion of urine, to give the animal some relief). Then, determine if the problem derives from bacteria (we will then proceed with an antibiotic treatment) or if it is due to the crystals, which must be removed.

We first try to push the crystals back into the bladder by pushing with a catheter if possible. If it isn't, we might have to proceed with a surgery. The important thing is that we go to the doctor immediately, because if it is too late, the kidneys could be compromised, and the situation might be irreversible. So let's be careful.

If everything works out for the best with the stones, the vet will prescribe a change of nutrition in addition to the normal medicines. The animal will get better within a few weeks, and at this point, most owners usually go back to the old diet they had before: this should not be done!

Crystals are formed because there are too many minerals in the food, and returning to the old food, which is rich in minerals instead of the new one, which clearly has less in it, could provoke the production of stones once again, returning to the original problem.

When you change your diet for this type of problem, you have to keep up with the new type of food. We do not act as "self-taught" veterinarians just because the animal is looking better, but we continue with the professionally given therapy. The animal is predisposed, and there is a chance these stones might reappear, so be careful.

 When our animals do not feel well or there is something wrong with them, they eat less or even refuse to eat at all. What are the causes of this behaviour and what can we do to help them?

The precise term with which we normally refer to this problem is lack of appetite, and it occurs when the animal does not seem to particularly appreciate the food we offer him, perhaps nibbling small amounts of food and leaving everything in his bowl. On the other hand, when a dog or a cat refuses to eat any type of food, and even stop drinking in some cases, we are talking about anorexia, a much more serious condition.

The typical situations that can lead to appetite reduction in animals are above all health conditions or behavioural disorders.

Health problems

All conditions that cause pain are able to reduce the appetite in animals. For this reason, the owner is not always able to understand the origin of the problem, so the intervention of the veterinarian becomes necessary.

Among the situations and diseases that can cause pain in the animal or that can reduce its ability to eat we find:

•     Recent therapies or vaccinations: if the animal feels tired and debilitated, in most cases it will not have much interest in eating. In these cases the problem usually stops in a short time, so it is sufficient to continue to offer our friend his favourite foods, encouraging him to eat so he can at least get his strength back;

• Mouth or tooth problems: if our friend feels pain every time he tries to take food or chew it, he will simply refuse to eat. In these cases, he may have severe gingivitis, toothache or even small wounds inside the mouth. Try to open his mouth gently, and examine it. In these cases, you should observe some abnormalities, such as a reddish borders on the edges of the gums, broken or swinging teeth, swelling or sores on the tongue and all over the inside of the mouth;

• Gastritis: occurs when the stomach of our animal is inflamed and can produce an excess of acidic substances, which cause gastroesophageal reflux. The animal tends to avoid food because he feels nauseated and can often vomit or regurgitate a foamy and yellowish substance;

• Strong and prolonged diarrhoea: if there are intestinal parasites, infections or if the animal has ingested some toxic substance, it will probably have severe diarrhoea, which will make it feel tired and depressed, and will therefore stop eating properly;
• Fever: just like us, animals find it difficult to eat whilst having a fever;
• Problems with the urinary tract: these are typically found in cat and mainly include cystitis or urinary stones. The pain can be severe enough to prevent the cat from eating;
• Renal failure: it manifests itself with several symptoms, including periods of absolute no food intake and periods of excessive appetite, excessive thirst, vomiting and sleepiness;
• Infections;
• Tumors

•  

Behavioural related causes

Some animals may decide to avoid food for behavioural reasons. It may seem strange, but some cats can go on real hunger strikes if they don't get their usual food, precisely because by nature they are very demanding when it comes to food.

Among the main reasons that can lead the dog or cat not to eat voluntarily, we find:

• Change of food supply
• Stress
• Depression
• Anxiety and fear
• Mourning
• Moving or relocation
• Arrival of guests or babies at home
• Arrival of a new animal
• Request for attention
• Heat
• Females in heat nearby

 In some cases, lack of appetite can be caused by some typical mistakes from owners. For example, if we leave his bowl full of treats during the day and then offer him some snacks, biscuits and leftovers whilst we are eating, he will hardly be hungry at mealtimes and above all he will not want to eat his food, considering it will be less appetizing than ours.

The same goes for frequent changes in diet. If we feed the dog or cat different foods every day, he will inevitably tend to discard the ones he likes least, waiting for you to offer him something better right away.

In these cases, the only thing to do is to be rigorous. Ban snacks between meals and guarantee a correct timetable for your pets meals, hopefully the situation should return to normal. Of course, no one would want our pet to starve, so let's try to find a compromise:

• We choose a good quality food, appreciated by our friend and make sure that they can stick with that food type, without sudden changes in the diet;
• No snacks between meals;
• We always feed him at the same time;
• Remove the bowls if he has not finished all the food and try to offer it to him again during the next meal.

As for cats, on the other hand, we should try to understand which food might be the most pleasing to his fussy palate. He will not be able to eat ham all day, so we will have to find a balanced and good quality food, whether it is homemade or industrial.

The consequences of prolonged fasting can be very serious, especially for cats; their livers can quickly fill up with fat and completely damage them if the situation continues for a long time.

For this reason, if our four-legged friend stops eating, we must take him to the vet immediately. Let's observe him for about 24 hours beforehand, attempting to give them some food, afterwards we run to the vet without waiting for him to fast for days.

When the vet has eliminated the possibility of the presence of any medical condition we can begin to act accordingly if it is a behavioural problem.

 Among the most frequent problems that can occur in our animals, we certainly find dental problems at the top of the list. Dogs and cats refuse to eat due to toothache and many owners often fail to recognize and deal with this problem in the right way. Let's try to understand what are the main dental problems in dogs and cats, and what to do when they have toothache.

Causes of toothache

When our pets experience pain in the mouth, they often refuse to eat, despite still being very hungry. This behaviour can indicate the presence of many different disorders, which can affect not only the teeth but also the tongue, gums and palate.

In this article, we will only talk about problems related to the teeth of dogs and cats, certainly among the most frequent reasons why owners call vets for help.

Those of us who have had cavities at least once in our lives will surely know what it means to have a toothache. The pain can sometimes be so strong that it affects our mood and our daily activities. Anyone who thinks differently is wrong. In fact, they too can feel pain, and toothache is certainly one of the most recurrent events.

The main causes for which toothache may appear include above all:

• Poor oral hygiene;
• Diet lacking or lacking in dry food;
• Excess of sweets and "sugary" foods in the diet;
• Choice of poor quality food;
• Ingestion of bones;
• Lack of nibbling toys.

All these factors negatively affect the health of the teeth. In fact, every time we eat, the surface of our teeth and gums is covered with food residues.

If proper oral hygiene is not followed, both for us and for our animals, these residues accumulate more and more on the teeth, becoming the nourishment for bacteria, which are normally present in the mouth.

In a short time, the food residues, mixed with the substances produced by the bacteria, are transformed into plaque. This is that whitish, rough patina that forms around the teeth when they are not brushed properly and consistently.

In the long run, the plaque hardens and accumulates more and more, forming tartar, which is harder, more resistant, yellow-brown in color and very difficult to remove. In this case, in fact, the intervention by the veterinarian becomes essential.

Plaque, but especially tartar, can be easily seen in our animals. Lifting the lip, in fact, you can see a patina that begins on the edge of the gum and grows towards the tip of the teeth. The greatest risk linked to the presence of tartar mainly concerns the increase of bacteria that adheres the tooth. Over time, the tooth can become so covered by these substances, that the it begins to corrode, creating cavities.

The consequences of the presence of tartar include above all:

• Halitosis;
• Tooth decay;
• Gingivitis, inflammation of the gum;
• Bacterial infections of the gums;
• Abscesses, collections of pus in the gum;
• Spread of bacteria to the heart.

Symptoms of dental problems

The presence of dental problems can manifest itself with a number of symptoms, including:

• Bad breath;
• Ache;
• Refusing to eat;
• Constant hunger;
• The animal moves away if you touch its face;
• Sudden bleeding from the gums;
• Red edge of the gums;
• Increased salivation;
• Teeth moving as if they were about to fall off;
• Loss of teeth.

What should I do in case of toothache?

Prevention is very important in case of dental problems, but if the situation has already crossed the line, you will need to rely on your veterinarian. Tartar, in fact, cant be easily removed with a toothbrush, especially if there is already a severe inflammation.

The vet will remove it with a scaling operation, during which he will break the calculus of tartar with a special tool, and then aspirate them. The operation must be performed under general anaesthesia, to prevent the animal from feeling pain and to have safe access to the teeth.

If the situation is serious, and the tartar has been able to accumulate for a long time, bleeding from the gums may occur during the surgery, and some teeth may start to swing, once "freed" from the tartar.

Then the teeth are polished and the gums checked.

If you have bacterial infections, your vet may recommend antibiotics and pain relievers.

How to prevent dental problems

To prevent the formation of plaque and tartar, you will need to apply important tips every day. Among these, we find above all:

• Integrate the sufficient quantity of kibble, which "scratch" the surface of the teeth, stimulating the removal of food and plaque;
• Provide the dog with buffalo bones for gnawing;
• Don't give him real bones;
• Do not offer him sweets and leftovers from your meal;
• Stimulate the animal to use chewable toys;
• Replace regular premium snacks with ones enriched with cleansing enzymes;
• Get the dog and cat used to having their teeth brushed with a toothbrush every day;
• Use oral sprays to clean and refresh the mouth;
• Proceed with harmless tooth cleaning sessions.

By following these practical tips, you will surely help your dog to have a clean and healthy mouth.

Every pet owner knows what it is like when you animal starts to shed. Sofas and clothes are covered in hair, piles of fur flying on the floor, adhesive rolls wasted on cleaning up the fabrics. When it comes to hair loss in animals, we must understand if it is a simple seasonal "moult" or a more complex dermatological problem.

The seasonal "shedding"

Hair loss in animals can be considered normal especially if it occurs during the so-called "moult. In other words, when the animal replaces its current hair with the most appropriate one for the upcoming season.

 In particular, during the spring or summer period, the animals "strip" of the thick winter undercoat, in order to tolerate the hot temperatures. Conversely, in the fall they prepare to keep warm with an additional layer of soft fur.

In most cases, the animals shed their fur mainly due to the spring moult. In this circumstance, the loss is constant and uniform for the whole body, so it is rarely possible to observe areas with bald patches or completely absent hair.

The only aspect that can be considered is a change in the texture of the coat, based on the breed and type of hair of the animal. The winter coat is warm, voluminous and fluffy. The summer one, on the other hand, is less hot and not very voluminous.

Furthermore, the shedding process can be distinguished by the fact that it starts from the posterior areas of the body, and then passes to the anterior ones.

 Other causes of hair loss

Dogs and cats can shed their hair even in the presence of certain conditions and disorders. These can manifest themselves differently depending on the type of problem, so by observing the animal's coat you can get more information.

The main skin and hair problems we might come across are:

• Fungal infections: the fungi Microsporum and Trichophyton are responsible for skin mycosis or dermatophytosis, or infections caused by fungi. The most frequent in our animals are ringworms, which manifests itself with the appearance of one or more hairless areas, usually rounded. The presence of the fungus can inflame the skin, with flaky dandruff and crusts, only in the area where the hair is missing. The animal might feel itchy. The parts of the body most affected by dermatophytosis are mainly the muzzle, neck, back and buttocks. Skin mycoses is easily transmitted from animals to humans and vice versa;
• Parasites: the animal may lose its hair due to the presence of some parasites. The most frequent are mainly fleas and ticks, which are able to trigger severe itching and causes the dog or cat to scratch himself brutally, creating wounds and tearing the hair in the affected area. Another infection caused by parasites is mange, of which there are various forms, such as sarcoptic mange or scabies, demodectic mange or demodicosis, and notoedric mange. All these infections are caused by different mites;
• Bacterial infections: pyoderma is the most common bacterial skin infection in our animals. The presence of the bacteria causes the appearance of very red, blister-like patches with a rounded shape and very itchy. If left untreated, the blisters can fill with pus and blood, often resulting in more serious problems, such as "abscesses", which are cavities that are carved into the skin;
• Food intolerances and allergies: some animals may not be able to tolerate some ingredients present in specific foods. Each time they ingest them, the body responds with inflammation, which can then create major problems around the whole body. These include mainly skin irritations and infections, which mainly manifest themselves with hair loss, dandruff and itching;
• Contact atopic allergies: these allergies occur when the animal's immune system reacts disproportionately to some harmless factors. In the case of contact allergies, these factors are some substances that come into contact with the animal's skin and create itching, redness, swelling and hair loss. Atopic allergies or atopies, on the other hand, are a separate thing, because they occur without a precise triggering cause, but based on a sudden and autonomous reaction of the immune system;
• Insect bites: bee and mosquito stings can cause severe itching, so the animal will tend to scratch and lick its fur violently, causing it to fall off;
• Unbalanced diet: the food for our animals is specially designed to ensure the right supply of all the nutrients necessary for the health of their body. For this reason, by providing them with an unbalanced or unsuitable diet according to their species, we could deny them essential substances. In particular, as regards to hair loss, this occurs above all if the animal does not take the right amount of amino acids, that is the building blocks of proteins, and also of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids which are the substances that ensure the beauty and integrity of the skin and coat. The hair appears so dull, dry and will begin to fall out in excessive quantities;

• Stress: when we are particularly stressed, for example due to overwork or before an exam, the first sign is hair loss. This can also occur in animals for different causes and is generalized throughout the whole body; 

• Anxiety: animals that are too agitated often tend to lick or bite parts of their body, in particular the legs and belly areas and eventually tear their hair;

• Inappropriate grooming: animals wash themselves through grooming. However, it may happen that, due to certain disorders and situations, they begin to intensify or reduce the cleaning operations. In the first case, the prolonged action of rubbing the tongue on the hair can create irritation and fall of the hair, whilst in the second case it can increase the chances of accumulation of impurities and bacteria and fungi;

• Environmental conditions: if we were turn on the heating in winter or the dehumidifier in summer too often, our animals may be affected. An excessively dry environment, in fact, changes the structure of the skin, which dehydrates together with the skin;

• Scars: Following accidental wounds, bites, surgery or injections, the skin can react by forming a scar, and the hair in this area will stop growing;

• Childbirth: immediately after childbirth, all the hormones that had remained in place during pregnancy, including testosterone, are reactivated in the female. This hormone (mainly produced in males) which is also produced in females in small quantities, stimulate hair loss.

Symptoms

Hair loss can manifest itself as an isolated condition, especially in the period of "moulting", but it can also be accompanied by other symptoms, such as:

• Alopecia: is the presence of hairless areas in a limited area of ​​the animal's body;
• Itching: the animal may feel itchy due to irritation, infections, food allergies or insect bites. He will react by licking, biting and scratching the area that itches the most;
• Dandruff: appears when small flakes of dead skin detach from the skin, so you can see the presence of small white fragments between the animal's hair;
• Scabs: the skin thickens and a thin rough layer forms, usually pink or red;
• Greasy hair: when we stroke the back of our pet, a feeling of dirt or grease may remain on our hands. It is the main symptom of seborrheic dermatitis, an inflammation of the skin, but it can also accompany other skin conditions;
• Dull coat: the coat appears dull, dry and bristle.

What should I do?

If our dog or cat sheds, the veterinarian must choose the therapy. In fact, only after having ascertained the cause of the problem can we proceed with the most suitable treatment.

In case of infections, it will be necessary to administer antifungal or antibiotic substances to the animal, respectively for fungi or bacteria. Your vet may prescribe oral medicines or lotions to apply directly to the lesions.

The type of food should also be adjusted if the animal loses too much hair. The meals must be specific, high quality and easily digestible. By providing home nutrition or food that is not suitable for the animal species, food allergies or deficiencies in some nutrients may arise. Your vet will be able to recommend an appropriate product based on the problem.

In the event of widespread hair loss throughout the body, especially during the "moult" period, it is very important to intensify the grooming of the animal, brushing it every day. On the market, you can find various brushes and combs for all hair types, so ask your trusted dealer for advice.