Animal Health Expert

Animal Health Expert – Dr. John R. Harvey, D.V.M.,
Owner/Veterinarian, Cross Timbers Animal Medical Center

Dr. Harvey was born in Metairie, Louisiana and received his degree from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine in 1998.  He began his Veterinary career in the U.S. Army, serving as Chief Veterinarian at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama.  He then joined a small animal hospital in 2001, serving as Associate Veterinarian, in Lake Mary, Florida.  He purchased Cross Timbers Animal Medical Center in October of 2007, then named Aladdin Animal Hospital. Dr. Harvey focuses on comprehensive client education so the pets owner can make an informed decision regarding their pets care.

Dr Harvey is a Board of Director for the Flower Mound Animal Control & DFW North Emergency Veterinary and a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Q.  My Italian Grey hound has a pimple like bump on his head. It seems to be getting bigger. I am concerned on what this might be? Any thoughts?

A.  The pimple like bump on the Italian Grey hound’s head can be anything.  The ONLY way to definitively diagnose ANY mass is surgical removal and sending it into a lab for histopathology.  With that being said, MANY skin masses are benign.  If I had to guess, and I do, I would give odds that the mass you are referring to is either a papilloma (wart like mass) or epidermal inclusion or sebaceous cyst.  My typical advise to clients is though the mass “feels” benign, we cannot be 100% sure without surgical removal.  You would be advised to monitor closely. If it increases in size or bothers pet (or owner) then remove ASAP, or remove it with your dog’s with next sedated procedure (i.e. Dental…).  “Good Indicators” of a mass include: 1) Smooth and round (bad masses tend to be lumpy and bumpy), 2) Freely movable (bad masses tend to be attached to underlying tissue), 3) Slow rate of growth (bad masses tend to grow fast), & 4) Does not seem to bother pet (bad masses sometimes irritate the area causing itching / biting…)

Q.  I have been treating my dog’s allergies for several years now with not much success.  I was using antibiotics, injections, “Missing Link” all with not much luck.  I just put her back on Temeril P and Cephalexin but the doctor is concerned because of the amount of steroid.  I ran out of the prescription and she started itching within a week.  They are environmental and do not seem to get better or worse with food changes.  Is there anything else I can do without endangering her life span with medications?

A.  Unfortunately allergies are one of the MOST frustrating diseases for pets, owners and veterinarians. Unlike many other diseases, allergies are one we try to treat the SIGNS, not the underlying issue. There are MANY treatment options for allergies ranging from Omega 3 Fatty acids and antihistamines to steroids to allergy testing and desensitization injections. Temeril-P is a steroid and antihistamine wrapped in one.  Whereas I don’t mind steroids for SHORT courses of treatment, I often state that if steroids are the ONLY thing that controls the itching continuously, then we have to dig deeper.  Typically a skin scrape and tape cytology is done to rule out parasites like Sarcoptic Mange and Demodex and to determine the proper course of therapy. On the skin (and in the ears) of ALL pets are yeast and bacteria. Allergies lower the immune system allowing these organisms to cause secondary infections. If we ONLY treat with steroids, the itching will stop and the skin will clear but as soon as we stop, it all comes back as we didn’t TREAT the underlying infection.

There are much better drugs for both cats and dogs for pain relief that are designed for THEIR metabolisms such as Deramaxx and Previcox (among many others).  Aspirin has been used in DOG’s and there are even some OTC “Doggy Aspirin” available.  Though I don’t recommend it’s use, if you do use, monitor attitude and appetite closely as well as the stools.  Aspirin is notorious for causing ulcers in the lining of the stomach / GI tract.  If the stools start to turn dark or black in color, stop it’s use immediately and contact your veterinarian.

 Q.  Is Heartworm Prevention REALLY necessary even if my cat/dog never go outside and/or are never exposed to other animals?

A. Yes!  Heartworm disease that is left untreated WILL be fatal in dogs and can cause SEVERE health issues, including death, in cats.  We have all killed that annoying mosquito that got into the house and buzzed in our ears as we were trying to sleep.  It takes just one bite from an infected mosquito to transmit Heartworm Disease.  There is NO treatment in cats and the treatment for dogs, though effective, can be very hard on the patients and is DEFINITELY hard on the pocket book, usually over $1,000 if following AVMA recommendations.  The other benefit of monthly HW prevention is that many have built in deworming for the GI tract as well.  Monthly endoparasite (GI / Intestinal worms) treatment is recommended by CAPC (Companion Animal Parasite Council) for prevention of transmission to their owners!  We at Cross Timbers Animal Medical Center treat several cases of HW Disease monthly so it is endemic to the area!

 Q. How much should my dog weight / eat? 

A. I get this question a LOT and I always answer with the SAME answer – I Don’t Know…  and it’s a correct answer!  EVERY pet is different as is every dog food.  Some dogs have high metabolisms or is running / playing / working all day and may need more than a dog with a low metabolism or sleeps all day.  Some foods have a higher calorie content that others.  It is my belief most diets recommend more than is necessary; hence, we have such a huge obesity problem in our pets (no pun intended).  “Reading the pet,” means you should be able to palpate (feel) the ribs as you feel his chest and he should have a little tuck behind his / her rib cage when looking straight down over the pet.  As far as WHAT to eat…  I recommend a good quality diet.  I, myself, feed my dogs Science Diet.  I’ve done a lot of research and feel they have a great product.  I know, I know, I know…  There are some breeders and maybe even colleagues who are shaking their heads thinking that Science Diet is not the best, but rather <insert diet here> is FAR better.  Just as with us, everyone has their own opinion as to the ideal diet for them as well as their pets.  I am NOT saying that Science Diet is the ONLY quality diet out there, only that there are a LOT / TONS / MANY / A PLETHORA of BAD diets.  Do some due diligence and find a diet that works for you and your pet.  I strongly advised owners to stay away from ANY diet that is “designed” for all stages of life.  Just as an infant human has a different diet requirement than a senior person, so do our pets.  I tend to stay away from the “gravy’s” and “meat chunks” type diets.  The diets that look good to us are marketed to us, an not necessarily what your pet needs.  The pet food industry is a multi-billion dollar industry and they market to the owners.  I FIRMLY believe the “Trifecta” for both quality and quantity of life is a good diet, good dental care and good weight control…  the same things that are important for us!

Q.  How often should I trim my pets nails? 

We recommend at least on a monthly basis.  As the nails grow longer, so does the quick, or blood supply / nerves, that “feed” the nail.  Cutting the quick can be painful, so if the nails grow too long between trimmings, we can only take a small part off.  For some pets that do not have their nails trimmed regularly, a sedated cut-back procedure is needed.  The pet is sedated and / or placed under anesthesia and the nails, quick and all, are cut back very short.  This HAS to be done under sedation / anesthesia due to the pain level that would be present if they were awake.  It is also a GREAT idea to play with your pets feet on a regular basis WITHOUT trimming the nails.  This gets them use to having their feet (ears, mouth, tummy) touched during “fun” activities, which may help the nail trimming procedure later.  If the ONLY time you touch your pets feet, ears…  is during treatment, they will learn to NOT like having them touched!

Give Your Pets’ the Quality Care They Deserve!
$20 Off Your Initial Visit!

Cross Timbers Animal Medical Center
2601 Cross Timbers Road
(Next to Kohl’s)
Flower Mound, TX 75028

972.874.VETS (8387)

*No medical doctor, human or veterinary, is able to provide a diagnosis, write prescriptions or develop a medical treatment plan for a patient without a valid “Doctor – Patient” relationship.  This means that a patient MUST be seen by DVM on an annual basis, at a minimum, to give specific medical advice or write prescriptions.  Information provided by any Q & A is only on a general basis and is not intended as a “Specific Treatment” or course of action.  Just as every patient is unique, so is every medial issue and only AFTER a thorough physical exam +/- diagnostic tests, can a diagnosis and treatment course be established.  Please contact Cross Timbers Animal Medical Center, or your regular DVM, if there are ANY concerns relative to your pets well-being.  No guarantees, prognosis, et al., implied or otherwise, is intended in any advise offered in a Q & A site.

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