Veterinarian
Hi, I'm Dr. Stephanie Prao. I'm a vet at Santa Monica Pet Medical Center.
Walk us through your journey to becoming a veterinarian.
I was born and raised in LA, California, and have always lived in Korea Town. For college, I stayed in the area and went to California State Polytechnic University for my undergrad. After that, I took a break from the vet field and worked in hospitality. Eventually, I decided to return to school and attended vet school at The University of Sydney in Australia, which was an amazing experience. I stayed there for about six years, working for a while after graduation before returning to LA, which is home. I've now found my family at Santa Monica Pet Medical Center.
Why did you choose this profession?
I've always loved animals. Growing up, I had kittens, puppies, rabbits, and birds. From a young age, I knew I wanted to care for them, especially when they were sick. I wanted to know what to do in those situations. So here I am. My house is still pretty full with three big dogs and two cats, and I'm always on the lookout for another cat.
What are your personal hobbies?
As I mentioned, I have a full zoo at home, so I spend a lot of time with the animals, especially my cat AA, who is very needy. Besides that, I enjoy going to the beach and hiking. I love K-pop and K-drama, so you might catch me at a K-pop concert on the weekends if I can. Not every weekend, but sometimes. That's about it.
What are the main reasons for itching in dogs?
Today we're going to be talking about dog allergies, which can be very annoying. An itchy dog is very uncomfortable, and it's not fun for them or for us. When we think about itching, there are two main reasons to consider: parasites and allergies.
How do parasites contribute to itching?
For parasites, we think of fleas. Keeping pets up to date on flea and tick prevention is ideal, especially in California, where it doesn't get cold enough for fleas to die off. We recommend flea and tick prevention even in the winter. Make sure to give it monthly, whether it's an oral or a topical option. That covers one reason your pet could be itchy.
What about allergies?
With allergies, we consider three main things, starting with fleas. Flea bites can be quite irritating and cause flea allergy dermatitis, where the pet is hypersensitive to the bite. This can lead to itching, scabs, and lesions. Regular prevention is ideal.
How can food allergies affect dogs?
Food is thought to be about 10% of allergy causes. If we have a regularly flea-controlled pet but still see itching, a food trial might be necessary. Food trials focus on proteins, often chicken or beef, which tend to be culprits for food allergies. Trying novel proteins like turkey, venison, bison, or lamb could help. Be strict; if you choose lamb, also choose lamb-based treats. Hypoallergenic diets require a prescription and can be discussed if your pet is always itchy.
What is atopic dermatitis?
Atopic dermatitis involves allergies to environmental allergens like pollen and dust mites, which are unavoidable. Regular bathing is recommended, and medications are available. Cytopoint is an injection that lasts 6 to 8 weeks, and Apoquel is an oral medication. These options can be discussed during an appointment. Unfortunately, allergies are ongoing. It's about managing them to avoid secondary concerns like bacterial or yeast infections.
What should someone do if they have further questions?
If you have further questions, please feel free to give us a call at (310) 393-8218.