| ABOUT BANDANAS |
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Bandanas Mobile Grooming Salon is an upscale grooming parlor on wheels serving dogs in certain southwest Asheville communities. We offer a superior grooming experience, one dog at a time, with personal attention from an experienced, gentle groomer.
Appointments should be scheduled one to two weeks ahead of time. To make an appointment, please call Sharon Wood at (828) 667-1232, or visit the Bandanas website for more information.
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| Allergies | |
Allergies are one of the most commonly reported problems in dogs. Generally, a dog's reaction to an allergic substance shows up in the form of a skin condition.
Dogs can be allergic to a number of things, including certain ingredients in dog food (gluten is a common problem, for example), flea bites, and environmental allergens, such as grasses, pollen, molds, and dust mites. During the summer, flea bites and seasonal allergens like pollen can be chronic.
Food allergies are difficult to diagnose. A dog with a food allergy will likely be sensitive to a single ingredient, but you won't know what that ingredient is. If you suspect a food allergy, you can try to deal with it by putting your dog on a special diet, but always check with your veterinarian first. Your vet will likely want to do tests to try to identify the specific allergen so it can be removed from your dog's diet.
Environmental allergens are often seasonal. They typically cause severe itching. The dog is seen scratching, chewing, or constantly licking one or more areas on the body. They may rub their ears or faces on carpeting or rugs. Hot spots, or skin irritations, may develop. Constant licking can even cause a dog to develop open sores.
Fleas cause allergic reactions when they bite a dog because the dog's system reacts to the saliva. Again, scratching and licking are common. Fleas are the easiest allergen to control with regular, monthly application of a topical flea preventative product.
Allergic reactions, regardless of the cause, can all be treated the same way -- by providing relief for the skin condition. Topical treatments include cool baths with colloidal oatmeal or medicated shampoos. In more severe cases, steroids or antihistamines may be called for. Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids may also be helpful because of their anti-inflammatory benefits.
Bandanas carries a full line of veterinarian-approved oatmeal, hypoallergenic, and medicated shampoos to help alleviate itching and infection.
Work with your vet to identify the root cause of any allergic reaction. It is essential to reduce or eliminate the offending allergen, and at the same time administer proper treatment for the condition. |
| Looking for a Vet? | |
 When it comes to treating chronic itching and allergies, a good vet is your best ally. If you are looking for a vet, please consider Dr. John Christoph at Biltmore Veterinary Clinic, 932 Hendersonville Road, Suite 106, Asheville. I have worked with Dr. Christoph and recommend him highly. He is experienced, compassionate, and a pleasure to deal with. Find out more about his practice at www.biltmorevet.net, or call (828) 277-6823. |
| Eliminate Fleas Instantly with Capstar | |
 If you have a groom scheduled and your dog has fleas, I can provide you with an immediate solution called Capstar. Before your dog's scheduled grooming, I will administer a Capstar tablet by mouth. The cost for this service is $15. Capstar typically kills all adult fleas within 30 to 60 minutes. It is safe and effective and used by veterinarians to treat flea infestations. However, please understand that this is a one-time treatment and does not replace the need for monthly anti-flea maintenance, which is recommended all year round.
If you're interested in this treatment, just leave me a message on the Bandanas line, (828) 667-1232. Please be sure to include your dog's weight. |
| Angels' Eyes Success Story | |
Before Angels' Eyes |
In a previous newsletter, I talked about tear stains in dogs.
My shih tzu, Freddie, had this problem and I treated it with Angels' Eyes, a dietary supplement. After about 4 weeks of treatment, the tear stains were gone. See the "Before (left) and "After" (right) photos!
The product is available in three flavors as a powder that is sprinkled and mixed into food. Freddie loved it, and Angels' Eyes certainly worked its magic. For more information or to order, visit
After Angels' Eyes |
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