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Skin Disease – Itchy Dog Solutions

Category: Skin Disease

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Skin Disease

Does your dog need a psychologist? What about a dermatologist, nutritionist or ophthalmologist? If so, you’re in luck!

Veterinary Specialists

When Your Pet Needs More Than Your Local Vet

While human patients have been helped with doctors specializing in certain aspects of medical care for generations, our pets are now able to get the same kind of specialized care in the form of veterinarians dealing in different aspects of animal health and care. Many of these vet specialists have moved out of the veterinary schools where they formerly taught and have opened practices for the general public, making themselves available to pet owners for focused medical care of our companion animals.

Recognized as veterinary specialists by the AVMA and their various Veterinary Specialty Boards, doctors who treat particular animal illnesses or use specific treatment or diagnostic techniques must not only be a licensed veterinarian, but they must have obtained additional education and certification in their fields.

Listed below are some veterinary specialists you may not have heard about, but find you might want to consult should your pet ever need these particular forms of therapy.

Alternative Medicine

Alternative medicine, also called holistic medicine, is a type of veterinary specialty that uses alternative methods to treat your pets’ illnesses. A relatively new branch of organized veterinary medicine, holistic veterinarians use therapies including acupuncture, chiropractic care, aromatherapy, homeopathy, herbal medicine, and ethnomedicine (a discipline taking therapies from ancient Chinese, Tibetan, Native American, and East Indian cultures) to facilitate animal health. If you’re a pet parent willing to try new methods and techniques on your furry companions, this type of vet is the one for you.

Animal Behavior/Welfare

Animal behaviorists and animal welfare veterinarians deal with the physical and psychological make-ups of their animal clients, determining how previous treatment and training relates to ongoing behavioral issues. Some of these behavior problems may include food aggression, separation anxiety, excessive barking, and domination problems. Behaviorists treat each pet individually offering both training and medicinal solutions to behavior difficulties. Additionally, vets involved in animal welfare look at an individual animal’s longevity, immunosuppression, physiology, and reproduction to verify ethical treatment of the animal and its rights as a sentient being.

Dermatology

Veterinary dermatologists are mainly concerned with your pet’s skin conditions. Bacterial and fungal skin infections, allergies, incessant scratching and itching – these are all conditions that call for the intervention of a veterinary dermatologist if your regular vet cannot find a solution for your pet. Dermatologists often use specific forms of patch and needle testing to determine which allergens are most affecting your dog, and then formulate specific injections to boost your animal’s immune system and alleviate any allergic symptoms. Additionally, veterinary dermatologists specialize in diagnosing and treating skin cancers including melanomas, squamous cell and basal cell carcinomas.

Diagnostic Imaging

Most veterinarians take diagnostic radiographs (x-rays), but the technology used in human medicine has made its way to animal medicine and pet parents are taking advantage of these inroads into veterinary science by consulting doctors skilled in diagnostic imaging. Some of these fairly new practices involve using ultrasonography, nuclear medicine, CT scans, Medical Resonance Imaging, endoscopies, and thermal imaging to diagnose animal disease and provide a treatment plan.

Oncology

Veterinary oncologists, like their human medicine counterparts, deal with animals suffering from cancer. They are specially trained to both diagnose and institute specific treatments for individual patients, and to help pet parents determine when, and if, humane euthanasia is necessary. Because our dogs and cats suffer from many of the same types of cancers as humans, veterinary oncologists are often called upon from the traditional human medical community to provide statistics and to design clinical trials that benefit both

Theriogenology

Theriogenology is the veterinary specialty concerned with animal reproduction, including the clinical practices of obstetrics and gynecology in females, urology in males, and the physiology and pathology of the reproductive systems of both sexes. Many of these veterinarians work in the breeding industry, including the spheres of food animal breeding, equine and canine breeding, and the breeding and restoration of endangered species and zoo animals.

Ophthalmology

If your dog has keratoconjunctivitis sicca, also called “dry eye,” or tear stains, your may be referred to a veterinary ophthalmologist for a complete diagnosis and proper treatment. This veterinary specialist deals with the anatomy, physiology, and diseases of your animal’s eyes. Concerned with both medical and surgical eye problems, veterinary ophthalmologists are often affiliated with veterinary medical schools or large specialty practices in major cities.

Nutrition

Animal nutritionists are doctors who specialize in determining the dietary needs of companion animals, zoo animals, and agricultural animals. Combining the sciences of chemistry, physiology, mathematics, animal behavior, food processing, and economics, a veterinary nutritionist can help you keep your animals fit and active by providing meal plans and organic, healthy treats to ensure longevity and overall physical and mental well-being to furry family members.

While these are just a few of the veterinary specialists that the pet parents may need to consult during the lifetime of their pets, the website of the American Veterinary Medical Association contains a list of veterinary specialties recognized by the American Board of Veterinary Specialties, plus a brief description of what each type of veterinarian does on a daily basis.

Not sure if your dog needs a veterinary specialist? Ask our vet, it’s free!

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Skin Disease

Alopecia in Dogs – Causes and Treatments

by Cate Burnette DVM

Any number of conditions, including allergies, fleas, and other, more serious, systemic disorders, can cause alopecia – or hair loss – in dogs. When a dog loses its hair, the animal becomes more susceptible to the elements, to both heat and cold, and to the accidental skin damage associated with scrapes and scratches. While a quick diagnosis of the underlying condition responsible for the hair loss may be difficult to make, finding the reason your pooch is losing hair, and commencing treatment, can be extremely important to your dog’s overall health and well-being.

What can alopecia look like?

Veterinarians classify alopecia as being either symmetrical or varied hair loss.

Symmetrical alopecia is seen as regions of total or partial hair loss that are evenly distributed over the dog’s body. Frequently located on the lower back, chest, abdomen, top and inside of the hind limbs, the outside of the forelimbs, and the flanks, this type of alopecia usually shows no underlying skin lesions, although some parts may be scaly or show signs of inflammation.

Varied alopecia is random, often patchy areas of hair loss not associated with any particular pattern or area of the dog’s body, and may affect the animal’s entire body surface. Dermatitis and lesions of various depths and sizes often accompany this kind of alopecia.

What causes alopecia?

One of the most common origins of hair loss in dogs is mange, a disease triggered by either the demodex or sarcoptes mange mite. These microscopic parasites burrow under your dog’s skin, feasting on hair follicles and dead skin cells, causing intense itching, skin inflammation and infections, and loss of hair. A dog with untreated mange of either kind can lose all the hair on its body and suffer from thickened, cracked, and oozing skin.

Other causes of alopecia include low thyroid levels seen in hypothyroidism, a fungal disease like ringworm, an allergic reaction to a recent vaccination or fleabites, diabetes, and various endocrine diseases affecting both estrogen and testosterone levels, including Cushing’s disease.

What is the veterinary treatment?

Medical treatment usually consists of bathing your dog in prescribed, topical shampoos and administering systemic antibiotics to take care of any skin infections. Additionally, veterinarians attempt to determine the underlying cause of the alopecia through skin scrapings and blood tests so that they can treat that disease as well with hormonal or anti-fungal therapy.

Natural treatments

To naturally treat alopecia in your dog, begin by supplementing her diet with foods rich in Vitamins A, E, C, and B3.

Vitamins A, E, and C all work to repair damaged skin cells, reduce inflammation and itching, and moisturize dry, flaky skin. Spinach, broccoli, carrots, and baked sweet potatoes can be added to your dog’s menu to provide these extra nutrients.

Vitamin B3, also call niacin, helps with growth of new hair cells as well as metabolizing the protein necessary for keratin production in the hair shaft. High levels of niacin can be found tuna, brown rice, and the white meat of chicken.

Additionally, you can protect new hair growth by bathing your pet in an all-natural shampoo made with the amino acids necessary to nourish dull and damaged hair. Follow that with an organic ultra-rich conditioner containing colloidal oatmeal to leave damaged coats shiny and silky.

Restoring hair growth to your balding dog is not just a cosmetic issue. By finding out the root cause of your pet’s alopecia, you can treat the diseases that may have harmful effects on other organ systems of your dog.

Categories
Itchy Skin & Allergies Skin Disease

Hypothyroidism in Dogs and Its Affect on Skin

by Cate Burnette, RVT

A disease associated with middle-aged, female dogs, hypothyroidism results from a lack of production of the hormones thyroxine and triiodothyronine (T3) by the thyroid gland in the animal’s neck. These hormones regulate how the body makes proteins, uses energy, and how sensitive it is to other hormones. The disorder is usually caused either by inflammation or shrinkage of the thyroid gland.

While this endocrine disorder can be found in all dogs, the breeds most commonly affected include the Dachshund, the cocker spaniel, the golden retriever, Irish setter, Shetland sheepdog, and others.

Symptoms

Animals with hypothyroidism typically show considerable weight gain over time and may appear lethargic or unwilling to move. Other signs include dull hair coat, loss or thinning of hair, excessive shedding, and an inability to tolerate the cold. Some will have a thickening of the skin and increased skin pigment in areas of friction. Hypothyroid dogs have frequent ear and skin infections, resulting in severe itching and sores on the body from scratching. Other signs of hypothyroidism include a slow heart rate, an absence of heat cycles, and other non-specific symptoms that could be due to other diseases.

Left untreated, hypothyroid dogs can develop chronic constipation, anemia, corneal ulcers and other optical complications. High cholesterol levels, stroke, and heart disease can also be associated with hypothyroidism.

Prevention and Veterinary Treatment

While there is no known way to prevent the disease, animals with hypothyroidism benefit from life-long supplementation of the thyroid hormone in pill form and regular veterinary check-ups.

Natural Treatments

One of the best ways to combat the itchy, flaky skin and dull hair coat associated with hypothyroidism is to feed your dog extra vitamins in her normal meal by supplementing with foods high in the nutrients she needs.

Broccoli, baked sweet potatoes, carrots, fresh herbs, and green, leafy vegetables such as spinach or kale are high in the Vitamins C, A, and E that your dog needs to reduce itching and flaking, dry skin, and promote skin healing of scratches and sores. Niacin – also called Vitamin B3 – can be found in white chicken meat, wheat bran, anchovies and tuna, and calf or chicken liver. This nutrient has been found to promote new hair growth while strengthening the hair shafts of the coat already in place.

Bathing your dog in all-natural, FDA-approved organic shampoo containing colloidal oatmeal (oat solids in suspension) can relieve the inflammation and incessant scratching connected to this hormonal disorder. An organic, targeted anti-itch spray can direct its healing power of neem, oat extract, litchi, and aloe directly to your pup’s problem areas to bring immediate itch relief and promote healing.

Because veterinary treatment with synthetic hormones can take up to 6 weeks to work, its in your pup’s best interest to relieve some of her skin problems naturally while the medication takes effect.

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Grooming Skin Disease

What Are Those Liver Spots On My Dog?

by EcoWellDog– All Natural Leaders in Grooming & Wellness

Liver spots in people are skin blemishes that tend to develop with age, especially on the hands, arms, and face. Their name arose because it was thought that they were associated with liver disease. Today, however, we know that this is not the case, but that they are a result of long-term sun exposure.

Should I Worry If My Dog Has Liver Spots?

Owners often notice blemishes on their dog’s skin that look like liver spots in people. They are harmless, pigmented areas that also often develop with age. These light brown patches of skin may be very obvious if your dog has a thin coat, or if they are present on hairless regions like the underside of his body. The blemishes are not raised above the skin, but are merely flat, pigmented patches, so in dogs with thicker coats they may not be obvious unless his skin needs to be shaved – maybe for a surgical procedure, or to treat a skin condition.

7 Important Changes To Look Out For:

Harmless blemishes like these will remain unchanged over time. But just as is the case with pigmented skin blemishes in people, it is extremely important to seek medical advice if these change in any way. Changes in their appearance could mean that they are not just harmless blemishes after all, but could be a form of skin cancer. Some important changes to watch out for, include:

  • Change in shape
  • Change in size
  • The blemish becomes raised above the skin
  • Change in color (if the blemish becomes reddened or even darker brown)
  • Loss of hair over the patch (if hair was present previously)
  • Itchiness in that region
  • Ulceration or bleeding of the blemish

So although typically these blemishes are just benign skin pigmentations, it makes sense to keep a check on them every so often. Ask your veterinarian to examine them each time he sees your dog. And if you want to monitor them yourself too, simply taking measurements and photographs of them every so often can be a great way to keep a check on their progression.

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Itchy Skin & Allergies Old Age Paws Skin Disease

Will a Paw Rub help my dog’s dry cracked paws?

Dogs paws and paw rub With summer drawing to a close and cooler weather coming in you can look forward to taking your best friend for walks in crisper temperatures and even (heaven forbid) a little frost and (gasp) snow!.

The colder weather emerges and so do dry cracked paw pads. Luckily this year you can be armed with information that will help you combat this affliction.

Before we go any further let’s start by saying if you have a dog with pads that are so dry they’re bleeding and raw stop reading right now and get your dog to the vet. You can stop to bandage them, add a little antibiotic cream to prevent infection and use (clean) socks to cover the bandaging. Do not mess around with this! Your dog’s feet come in contact with some pretty nasty items and infection is a distinct possibility.

It goes without saying that you do not want to let things get this bad. This is the best time of the year to nip this in the bud; before the weather gets cold and icy.

Is your dog’s paw licking driving you insane? Get our FREE 13 Page guide: 18 Ways to Stop Paw Licking for Good!

If your dog is starting to exhibit greyness on the paws your first thought may be “how about some hand cream or even better petroleum jelly, that always works for me”. What’s wrong with that?

Well this may be a good time for a pop quiz;

You slather healing cream on your dogs cracked paws, making sure to get between the toes…ah relief…Question; what happens next?

I know you all got the right answer… you are dog owners after all, yes…He licks it off!

Not your dogs fault, he likes to be clean! And licking is his only option (the wet naps need opposable thumbs to operate).

So considering this fact it’s probably better if the creme you use exhibits two key properties.1. It absorbs (and moisturizes) quickly, and 2. it’s perfectly safe to ingest. Both Cain and Able Paw Rub and Happytails BowWow Butter Balm were created with these two properties in mind and it turns out that a single ingredient is perfect in this situation; All natural shea butter. few things absorb as quickly and moisturize as deeply as shea butter, all while being perfectly safe to ingest.

Obviously it’s a good idea to prevent your dog from licking it off (it will heal the pad faster). here’s where a little distraction or a treat will come in handy, or you can always use that pair of socks or even better, booties to make it harder for him to get at his paws.

As winter approaches be careful of salted sidewalks. it’s a good idea to keep a bottle of Dry Dog Instant Clean and a rag by the door. When you return from your walk spry a little on the pads and wipe off all that dry dirty salt before it’s licked off. Not only will this help with dryness and cracking but also many of the chemicals used to melt ice and snow are poisonous to your dog.

With a little forethought and planning the winter months will come and go without incident and both you and your best friend will be ready for the thaw with painless pads and a spring in his step.

Is your Dog’s Paw Licking Driving you insane? Get our Free ebook, click on the book below to download.

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Itchy Skin & Allergies Skin Disease

What To Do About Demodectic Mange

by Nicola Parry, DVM

Mange is the term for skin disease due to mite infestation, and there are two different forms of this condition in dogs, caused by different mite species. One of these is demodectic mange (or demodecosis).

What Causes This Condition?

This form of mange is caused predominantly by a mite called Demodex canis that lives deep in the skin, mostly in or around hair follicles. This parasite is very common, and is found on most dogs, but causes no problems for the majority of them. It tends only to progress to cause demodectic mange under certain conditions. Most cases tend to occur in young dogs that are 12-18 months of age and do not yet have a very mature immune system. As dogs get older, their immune system matures, and they tend to be less susceptible to demodecosis. Adult dogs with demodectic mange therefore tend to be those with defective immunity – this enables the mite to “get the upper hand” in some way, allowing them to multiply in the skin.

4 Signs Often Associated With Demodectic Mange

  1. Patchy hair loss (often starting on the face, especially around the eyes)
  2. Thickened, wrinkled skin
  3. Foul smelling skin with red scabs (due to secondary bacterial infection)
  4. Itchiness

How Is It Treated?

It is important to have your dog checked by his veterinarian if you suspect he might have demodectic mange, since other skin disease can appear similar and must therefore be ruled out. Additionally, many cases of demodecosis won’t resolve without help, and if left untreated, may even worsen due to secondary bacterial infection. Different treatment options are available, and your veterinarian will advise you which is best for your dog, according to which form of the condition he has:

  • Localized: This is more restricted to the face, and most cases resolve without treatment. If necessary, however, topical anti-mite treatments can be effective.
  • Generalized: This form can be hereditary. It causes hair loss across the whole bodyand can be tricky to control.Therapy involves the use of medicated shampoos and dips, although some cases may be treated with off-label medications under close supervision of your veterinarian.
  • Secondary bacterial involvement: Any case involving secondary bacterial infection requires antibiotic treatment in addition to anti-mite therapy.

Although some dogs can become very itchy, the use of corticosteroids is not advised since these drugs tend to suppress the immune system further, and may simply worsen the problem. If your dog is itchy, instead try the HappyTails oatmeal shampoo and conditioner for a more natural way to soothe the skin.

Is Demodectic Mange Contagious?

For the most part, demodectic mange is not considered contagious to other dogs. Since the mite lives deep in the skin within hair follicles, it is not a condition that is easily transferred by contact. The mite itself can be transferred from dog to dog, however, but unless it is transmitted to a dog with a defective immune system, demodecosis will not occur. Similarly, the condition does not seem to transmit from dogs to cats, or from dogs to people.

Can The Condition Recur After Treatment?

Since demodectic mange is really a problem that revolves around a defective immune system rather than simply the presence of mites, relapse is certainly possible if the dog comes into contact with more mites. Additionally, due to the likelihood that an inherited immune susceptibility is associated with cases of generalized demodecosis, dogs that have suffered from this form of the condition should not be bred.

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Itchy Skin & Allergies Skin Disease

Pyoderma In Dogs

by Nicola Parry, DVM

Pyoderma refers to a bacterial infection of the skin, and is a very common canine condition. It can produce a lot of discomfort for your dog due to the intense itching that it causes. As a result, he may further traumatize the affected skin ultimately leading to a snowball effect with worsening of the original skin condition.

Although pyoderma represents an extremely common reason for dogs visiting their veterinarian, it must be remembered that it is usually not actually a disease entity in its own right – it typically arises secondary to some other underlying medical issue. Therefore, if you suspect this condition in your dog, it is important to have him examined by a veterinarian – not just for relief of the skin disease, but so he can additionally be evaluated for some underlying (and potentially more serious) problem that may be a predisposing factor:

Some Underlying Conditions That Can Predispose To Pyoderma

  • Skin allergy (flea allergy)
  • Endocrine disease (hypothyroidism)
  • Parasitic skin infection (mange mites)
  • Fungal skin infection (malasseziasis)

How Does Infection Start?

The most common bacterial organism involved in pyoderma is Staphylococcus intermedius – a bug that is actually found normally on the skin of healthy dogs. It tends to “turn rogue”, however, in some circumstances – such as when skin is traumatized due to scratching associated with allergic or parasitic conditions, or in association with endocrine diseases. Due to bacterial involvement, these are typically purulent (pus-forming) conditions, and can be either superficial (restricted to the outermost layers of the skin) or deep (extending to involve deeper layers of the skin).

5 Signs Of Pyoderma

  1. Papules (red bumps)
  2. Pustules (pimples)
  3. Crusts (scabs)
  4. Hair loss
  5. Draining wounds

Treating Pyoderma

The treatment of pyoderma involves a two-pronged attack:

  1. Treatment of the bacterial infection Veterinary treatment is imperative for effective treatment of pyoderma, and typically involves antibiotic therapy given by mouth, as well as by topical application to the skin.
  2. Diagnosis of the underlying skin condition Your veterinarian will also begin a diagnostic workup to investigate the cause of the pyoderma. This will then need to be treated in order to break the cycle of infection.

How You Can Help

In addition to seeking veterinary help if you see any of the signs of pyoderma in your dog, one important way in which you can help is by keeping him properly groomed at all times. Additionally, if you are aware that he has any underlying skin conditions, be sure to manage those as effectively as possible. If he has flea allergy dermatitis, for example, use his favorite soothing products such as Comfy Dog oatmeal shampoo, and Fur Butter ultra-rich conditioner, both of these are rich in oatmeal which help to soothe itchy skin.  If he has irritated skin, apply hisItchin’ For Relief spray after bathing to help soothe his skin further. And in addition to any pharmaceutical products that your vet may have advised, don’t forget to apply his Flea The Scene regularly, in order to manage his flea infestation.

So remember that pyoderma is usually secondary to some predisposing skin disease, and almost all skin diseases in dogs tend to involve some degree of pyoderma. Although it is certainly important to treat the bacterial infection itself, effective management of this condition therefore also requires identification and treatment of the underlying primary skin disease. While your veterinarian needs to be involved for optimum resolution of pyoderma in your dog, you can certainly play an important role in making sure that his coat is kept clean and well-groomed and that any allergies are under control.

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Flea Treatments Itchy Skin & Allergies Skin Disease

Does your dog have Flea Allergy Dermatitis?

chiuauauby Nicola Perry, DVM

What is Flea Allergy Dermatitis?
“Dermatitis” means inflammation of the skin, and flea allergy dermatitis (FAD) is the most common inflammatory skin disorder in dogs. Although all dogs can become infested with fleas if they are not treated preventatively, not all dogs will develop FAD. This condition only arises in certain dogs that have an allergy to the flea’s saliva.

When fleas bite your dog, they inject their saliva into his skin. In dogs that are prone to FAD, this sets off an allergic reaction, causing the dog to irritate the wound even more than expected. Dermatitis results and the damage to the skin allows for bacterial invasion. Now the problem snowballs even more due to this secondary bacterial infection of the wound. Although my little old Jack Russell terrier is no longer with me, I remember all too well the perils of his FAD!

5 Important Signs Of FAD

  • Scratching
  • Chewing
  • Licking
  • Hair loss
  • Reddened skin

4 Areas Typically Affected By FAD

  • Tail
  • Rump
  • Hind limbs
  • Back of the neck

The ABC’s of FAD
A – Attack the bacteria
Your veterinarian will no doubt prescribe some form of antibacterial agent to treat the secondary bacterial infection. This is especially important because even if your dog’s flea infestation is treated effectively, if the bacterial infection goes untreated, the problem will continue to snowball as your dog further traumatizes the affected area.

B – Break the cycle of itching and scratching
In addition to any pharmaceutical products prescribed by your veterinarian, there are 3 products that can help bring about some immediate relief.

Comfy Dog Oatmeal Shampoo helps to relieve the itching associated with allergies, and is ideal for dogs with FAD. For maximum relief, follow up on this shampooing with Fur Butter, an ultra-rich, deep conditioning treatment that also contains oatmeal. And last, but certainly not least, Itchin’ For Relief can be applied to your dog’s irritated skin. This fast-acting spray can help bring some immediate relief for your itchy dog.

C – Counteract flea bites
Flea The Scene is a safe 3-in-1 spray that is ideal for use on your dog, especially when outdoors. Its ingredients effectively help to ensure that fleas and other pests really do flee the scene, acting as a great complementary product alongside any pharmaceutical products that you might use in your fight against fleas.Remember too that the flea’s life cycle involves some time spent away from the dog’s body. So don’t forget to take the necessary precautions to treat his environment in the home as well! You could also try the Dirty & Harry trio of products. These products are formulated with citronella which fleas and other insects hate. But unlike other citronella based formulas, these products actually smell good!

Although fleas are a very common type of pest that you can’t prevent your pet being exposed to, you can, however, take some easy steps to alleviate the problems that they pose to him. If your dog is unlucky enough to be prone to FAD, it is important to remember that flea-control therapy alone will not be enough to combat this problem. This allergy causes additional self-inflicted trauma that can lead to increased redness, hair loss, damaged skin and secondary bacterial infection. So if you hope to effectively manage FAD in your dog, don’t forget your ABCs!

Nicola Parry is a veterinarian at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She is ACVP board-certified and her career has taken her along various paths, including general practice and academia. She enjoys teaching veterinary pathology, as well as writing for the veterinary, medical and scientific worlds. She currently lives in Massachusetts with her oddball cat, Tiddles

Categories
Grooming Itchy Skin & Allergies Shampoo Skin Disease

Try ‘Shampoo Therapy’ to help your dog’s itchy skin

There is a common misconception that you shouldn’t bathe your dogs very often and that doing so can make skin conditions worse.  Most veterinarians treat skin disease through a combination of steroids and antibiotics. But if you’re like me, you want to stay away from harsh drugs and try all natural courses of action first.  The use of ‘shampoo therapy’ to treat skin conditions may be the most overlooked natural therapy for dogs with skin disease.

You might not realize it, but your dog’s coat acts like a magnet for all kinds of dust, dander, toxins, yeast, bacteria and allergens. A weekly bath is essential for removing these potential hazards; especially if your dog has allergies. These substances can actually CAUSE the allergies.

In addition, shampooing will also help to remove dead skin cells that linger on the surface of the skin. These dead skins cells can form the foundation for a breeding ground for all kinds of bacteria and yeast.  Regular bathing may also decrease your dog’s need for oral antibiotics or anti-fungal medication.

You might be under the impression that bathing your dog so frequently will remove the natural oils from your dog’s skin and coat. This absolutely can occur. It is also why it is imperative that you exercise extreme caution when you are choosing the shampoo you will use for your dog’s weekly bath.

In order for shampoo therapy to be effective, you need to make sure you are using a shampoo that is natural, hypoallergenic and moisturizing. Oatmeal shampoos are an excellent choice. 

They will help to improve the condition of your dog’s skin and coat while providing relief from scratching. Look for products that contain colloidal oatmeal instead of the inferior oat extract that many dog shampoos use.

Colloidal oatmeal is simply oatmeal that is ground down to a fine powder. And because the powder granules are so tiny, they will readily absorb water or moisture. This then acts as a ready made moisturizer, binding itself to the skin in a protective layer. Check out an oatmeal shampoo for dry & itchy skin.

Another thing to avoid is using human shampoo on dogs. Click here to find out why

When you choose a product to use for your dog’s shampoo therapy, it is not only important to pay attention to whether the product is all natural but also the ingredients that are used. The right formula will contain a full spectrum of all the most important ingredients to provide your dog with maximum healing.

These ingredients include botanical extracts of peppermint that serve as a natural insect repellent, burdock for an anti-inflammatory agent, Indian frankincense and calendula, which have been used for centuries for soothing irritation and healing. Finally, it is important to make sure that the shampoo you use does not overly lather. Why is this important? Lather can be difficult to rinse out, resulting in soap residue that is one of the most common causes for canine itching.

When shampoo therapy is performed correctly and the right shampoo is used, you will notice that your dog has fewer allergic outbreaks and the condition of the coat and skin is greatly enhanced.

 

 

Categories
Skin Disease

Is your dog a sun worshipper?

photo by Vickie Gillam
Bean is a 9 yr old chihuahua and loves to be pampered!

 
 

 

by Audrey Harvey, DVM

 

Dogs are notorious sun worshippers. What dog doesn’t love to lie on the ground and soak up the warmth of the sun’s rays?

 

Dogs Can Get Sunburned

 

A dog’s fur is quite effective at preventing the sun’s radiation from reaching his skin. However, most dogs have a few areas where the skin is exposed enough to get sunburned, such as the nose, the ears and that lovely hairless belly. And while your dog might like fabulous with a tan, dogs, like people, can get skin cancer.

 

Like people, the lighter your dog’s skin, the more likely they are to get burned. This is even more pronounced if your dog has little to no fur, like a Chinese Crested Dog or a Mexican Hairless Dog.

 

If your thick-coated dog is clipped in the summer to help them cope with the heat, you need to keep in mind that you have removed a big part of their protection from the sun. You will need to be careful and keep an eye on the amount of sun exposure they are getting during the course of their day.

 

Has My Dog Been Sunburned?

 

Some dogs are very good at hiding their discomfort, and it might be hard to tell if your dog’s skin has been burned. You will often notice a change in his behavior; he may be reluctant to move, preferring to stay still on his soft bed. If you suspect sunburn, have a close look at his skin, particularly on the vulnerable areas mentioned above.

 

If the burn is severe enough, you’ll see the same symptoms that you would in a person with bad sunburn; reddening of the skin, possibly with blistering. You will need to stop your dog from scratching at the affected area, and watch closely for any signs of secondary infection. Apply cool compresses to the area to soothe the inflammation, and gently massage bowWOW Butter Balm into the area. This blissful balm contains shea butter and a host of herbs like aloe to soothe the skin.

 

Protecting Your Dog’s Skin

 

You can protect your dog from sunburn in several ways:

 

  • Keep him in the shade when the sun’s rays are strongest, between 10am and 2pm.
  • If you want to clip your dog’s coat during the warmer months, make sure you leave enough fur to protect his skin from the sun.
  • Use a sunscreen to block the solar radiation reaching his skin. It’s not a good idea to use a human sunscreen, because these aren’t designed to be licked and swallowed. Choose a product that is non-toxic and safe for dogs.

Flea the Scene is the ideal choice to protect your dog from sunburn during the hot summer months. Vitamin E is a natural UV protector and skin moisturizer, and titanium dioxide will block the sun’s rays from reaching his skin.

 

There is an added bonus to using Flea the Scene: warmer weather brings with it an increase in the flea population. This product contains peppermint and tea tree oils to repel these biting pests, and soothe any itchy flea bites.

 

Keep a bottle of Flea the Scene handy so you and your dog can enjoy the great outdoors during those warm summer months.

 

Audrey Harvey is a veterinarian who has worked in small animal practice for 20 years, and has been involved in teaching and competing in dog obedience and agility. She is passionate about preventative health care in dogs, particularly obesity management and the prevention of boredom related behavioral problems. Audrey lives in Brisbane Australia, and shares her couch with an Australian Cattle Dog, an Australian Working Kelpie and two Whippets.