Destini R. Holloway, DVM

Biography

For me, helping a pet owner become educated about how to care for their pet is the key to a successful partnership between the veterinarian, the pet, and the pet parent. I feel that the open door framework of Petcoach allows pet owners to ask more in depth questions regarding their pets’ health and well-being that wouldn't normally come up in conversation with their regular veterinarian. Also, I find that being able to work from my home allows me to answer their questions thoroughly, and by doing so I’m directly impacting the health and well-being of pets all over the world. I have been a veterinarian in small animal medicine and exotics medicine for 4 years now and in 4 different states, including Hawaii, Connecticut, South Carolina and North Carolina. This array of settings has given me a level of expertise and confidence in my field that I can share with pet parents here on PetCoach in order to provide the very best care recommendations for their pets. I’m a pet parent just like most everyone else in the PetCoach community! I have four cats - Caesar, Cleopatra, Mark Antony and Maggie – and a Schnauzer mix named Mannie.

Hello! I wonder how can I wash my cat's catnip toys? Can I machine wash them woth a pet friendly detergent? Like "Seventh Generation"? I use it on her blankets.. but I wonder if I use it on her cantip toys. Some of them were exposed to mold, so I don't want to wash them with only water, and definately not throw away all of them... Thank you.

Thanks for visiting Petcoach! You can wash your pets toys in any detergent you want to. There are no stipulations to detergent. Especially if mold was on them. You definitely want to add some bleach to the wash to ensure it kills the mold. Follow the instructions on your machine to help prevent any kind of discoloration of the toys. If your pet has a known or suspected allergy, then I would use a hypoallergenic detergent or a baby detergent such as Deft detergent. Good luck with your fur baby Bazzel and best wishes getting her toys cleaned up. : )

I recently moved to Costa Rica and there are a lot of stray cats here. Most of them are healthy and seem happy but there is one who sometimes comes to my house who has scabs on her legs and back. They’re really big and crusty. The last time she came she also had some on the back of her head and neck and her hind has gotten worse. None of the other cats have anything like this. I can’t take her to a vet, is there anything I can do to help her the next time I see her?

Poor kitty. Unfortunately without having this cat seen for a physical exam and treated once the underlying cause for the scabs is found, you won't be able to help much. Most skin issues in cats involve an allergy, and this will require either medication in the form of an injection that the vet can give or an oral medication that is prescribed. Cats don't really respond well at all to medication found over the counter for skin allergies and most medications that can be tried in dogs are not well tolerated in cats, so we have to be very careful with them. I would recommend trying to trap this kitty somehow so you can take it in to see a vet soon. You can also try to apply a flea preventative (i.e Advantage, Revolution) in case it has a flea allergy that is causing these skin lesions. This may help some, but from your description, this kitty likely also has a secondary bacterial infection that needs to be treated with prescription antibiotics as well. I do hope that this poor cat can get some medical attention soon! Best of luck and take care.

Does a Prepuce flush by a vet for balanoposthitis hurt or cause pain or discomfort after for the dog? Anything to watch for after? He may need that done depending upon how the exam goes.

Thanks for visiting Petcoach. It is a bit discomforting for the pet, mostly because they are not used to fluid being pushed into that area. But it is a necessary procedure to resolve conditions of infection along the prepuce. Once the material is flushed out, the pets do feel so much better, so it is a necessary thing to get the pet feeling better. I would say that you should watch out for any continued or increase in licking the area after the procedure. It could indicate that the procedure wasn't sucessful and may be needed again to reach full resolution. Also, just to add, if you are concerned about your pet, or if you know that your pet doesn't tolerate procedures done at the vet very well, then you can ask the vet to do a mild sedative before the procedure is done. This will allow your pet to be able to calmly go through the procedure, and perhaps not remember a thing. Best of luck with your pet Romeo going forward. I hope that the procedure goes well for him. Take care. : )

My dog had a flea problem. He was on oral medication for 2 months and used spray and fleas bombs. We are going to see a family who has a dog. Can I take my dog with me?

Thanks for visiting Petcoach. I would certainly make sure that your pet does not have active fleas before making any visits. You mentioned he "WAS" on a flea medication for 2 months, so I am not sure if he is current on this medication or not. If he isn't, then certainly get him current on it. Then I would check him for fleas with a "flea comb" that you can purchase from your local pet store. If fleas or any flea dirt (tiny black pepper like specs) are on his haircoat, then it is safe to say that his flea problem is not resolved, and it is best for him to stay home this time around until the flea problem has been completely cleared up. Link to a pet flea comb --> https://www.chewy.com/frisco-flea-comb-cats-dogs/dp/233489?utm_id=401602603&msclkid=825b2ab1773e1ef300234fe6128a754b&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Shopping_NC_Dog_HC_Flea%20%26%20Tick&utm_term=4585169653464406&utm_content=Flea%20Combs%20%26%20Tick%20Removers-Dog%20Flea%20Combs%20Tick%20Removers I hope that you have a good family visit and hope that you can safely bring your furry friend with you. Best of luck and take care.

Hello! I noticed this swollen area with hair loss above my shih tzu’s eye and was wondering if anyone could shed any light as to what it may be? I don’t feel anything palpable but it’s a tad bit puffy. I am going to make him an appointment tomorrow.

Thanks for visiting Petcoach. It can be concerning when you find a lump/bump on your pet. This one in particular could be a bug bite based on its appearance, but a growth can't be completely ruled out. If it is somewhat squishy, then a cyst like growth is more likely. I would certainly get it examined by your vet who can palpate the area and make a better determination here. Otherwise, I wouldn't worry too much about this skin lesion for now. I do hope that your appt goes well with Beamer on tomorrow. Best wishes and take care.