Bulls Eye!

 No, I'm not talking about target practice. This bull's-eye is related to fly bites on your pet.

Have you noticed red blotches (circles) (bull's-eyes) on your pets tummy and inside the back legs? Have you gone outside when the gnats, flies, and mosquitoes have been swarming? They seem to come out of no where. You head for cover or apply insect repellent. Protecting our pets isn't difficult. It's just as important for your pets.

 Problem
Fly bites are often called "fly strikes." Flies are biting the pet to obtain a blood meal and the bite is often painful. Because of the thin skin and hair on the ears and the inability of the pet to defend his ears, flies will seek out this location. Some pets will endure hundreds of bites a day for weeks at a time. This naturally creates a very painful cycle where the bites cause more sores and infections, and attract more flies. The result of these numerous insect bites can be dermatitis. Without treatment, dermatitis is typically progressive. Dermatitis can cause extreme discomfort.

Dermatitis is defined as any inflammation of the skin. If left untreated, dermatitis can progress to secondary bacterial skin infections, or worse. The hallmark of dermatitis is intense itchiness.

Owners of affected pets may notice some or all of these symptoms: Intense itchiness, scratching, licking, pawing and/or biting at areas of skin; Skin redness; Foul-smelling skin; Rubbing the head on the floor or ground; Inflammation of paws, legs, tail base, flank, neck and/or armpit areas; Hair loss in affected areas ; Hot spots (raw, weeping, painful sores); Red raised skin eruptions or bumps; Dry, scaly, crusty skin; Dandruff; Ear infections; Foul odor from ears.

That's a pretty impressive list associated with insect bites. And, once the insects start biting, they don't quit unless you step in and help.

If you see blood spots or flies congregating near your pet's ears, then fly bites are occurring. The bite wounds attract flies which may lay their eggs in the damaged tissue. These will later hatch into maggots.

Treatment.
Do not underestimate the pain that these flies can inflict and be sure to initiate treatment at the first sign of fly bites on your pet. Gently cleanse the area with warm water and a mild antiseptic soap. Then, apply a topical antibiotic ointment which will help to control any infection which may be present. If the fly bites are severe, or maggots are present, immediate veterinary attention is needed. For cleaning bite areas, soften the scab over the bite. Soak a washcloth in warm water and hold it against the edges of the area where the bites are. Be patient -- it may take several minutes for the scabs and crust to soften enough for you to be able to wipe them away.

Once you've cleared away the scab and crusty bits, wash the bitten areas with an antiseptic or antibacterial liquid soap. Be sure to rinse away all the soap -- otherwise, dried soap can cause more irritation to the area. For smaller dogs and cats, you may want to forego the soap and just clean the area with a gauze pad and warm water. For big dogs and horses, soap (and a careful rinsing) is a good idea. Apply an antibiotic ointment to help prevent infection and soothe the bitten areas of the ears. Do this several times per day to help fly bites heal. While the bites heal, keep an eye out for new scabs and leaking serum. Try to keep the area clean by wiping away crusty bits daily. Petroleum jelly will provide a protective shield against new bites. With any prevention method, one application won't solve the problem. It is something that needs to be tended to on a regular basis.

 A thin-coating of petroleum jelly applied to the affected skin reduces the potential for future bites.

If a spray is used, spray the product on a soft cloth or make-up pad and wipe the surface avoiding direct contact with large open wounds. If open sores are present, they should be cleaned daily with soap and water. Coating with a triple antibiotic ointment will reduce the potential for infection and decrease the attraction of flies to the open wound.

While treating the bites, assess and address the possible underlying causes of the condition, paying particular attention to your pet’s home environment. External parasites (such as ear mites, fleas, lice and ticks) can also cause itchy skin conditions.

 Medicated shampoos that contain natural ingredients help reduce itchiness, moisturize skin and heal skin sores. Severe skin inflammation or infection may need to be treated by a veterinarian. Always use medications according to package directions.

Prevention
 I'll throw in an extra two cents - veterinary care can be expensive. Why not do some home health care and prevention. The most successful treatment is prevention. All pets need a high-quality, well-balanced diet, which can help avoid the adverse reactions in low quality foods.

The most important treatment is prevention. Moving the pet indoors during the heat of the day will help. Spraying the outside living quarters will help keep fly numbers to a minimum. Remove any materials which may attract flies, e.g., fecal material, uneaten pet food, garbage, etc. Keep your pet clean and well-groomed, removing any urine-soaked or fecal-contaminated hair.

Preventing future fly bites is important. A topical fly repellent can be used to keep the flies away. Pick a repellent that is specifically produced to keep flies away, and that the product is safe for your pet. Pets confined to the outdoors are much more likely to suffer from fly strike dermatitis.

 1 Clean the area where your pet hangs out. Feces attracts flies, so pick up every day. If your pet lies in a special spot, clean that area also.

2 Flies seem to be active in hot, humid weather. Provide your pet with shelter and shade during the hottest part of the day.

3 Wash the area with a mild shampoo and rinse well. If the area was bleeding, apply an antibiotic ointment.

4 Apply a thick coat of petroleum jelly to both ears. Flies cannot bite through the petroleum jelly. Reapply daily.

 For those owners that do not want or cannot have their pet in the house, then provide your outdoor pet with protection.

Bee stings are also common in the spring and summer. Most spiders in North America are not poisonous, with the exception of the brown recluse (or fiddleback) spider. The brown recluse spider hides in dark areas associated with wood piles, outdoor sheds, dog houses, etc. The venom from the bite of a brown recluse tends to spread slowly, killing off tissue and leaving a dark ulcer. Such ulcers are slow to heal and can lead to more serious problems.

Cats can but are much less likely to acquire fly bites.

I know this is repeated; however, prevention is the best course of action. When problems arise, get right on it. Don't put off taking care of your pet. It doesn't get better by delay. We go to doctors and dentist to keep our bodies healthy - your veterinarian is there to help keep your pet healthy also. These creatures deserve our care and protection. It is our responsibility.

Resources and References Used: John A. Bukowski, DVM, MPH, PhD / Susan E. Aiello, DVM, ELS AVMA / ASPCA / PETWAVE / Dr. Foster and Smith - Pet education

 Be responsible. Have your pets spayed or neutered.
 "Shirley Taggart is an animal advocate. She is committed to helping animals and the people who own them." shirleysblog2011@yahoo.com