Pet Skin Doctor
Pet Skin Information
Archive for the ‘Dog Skin Allergies’ Category
Many cases of dog skin problems exist in this country and most pet owner’s don’t realize the signs at all or not until it is at it’s worst. Some breeds of dogs seem to be more likely to have dog skin problems.
Though they may not have the same underlying cause for the dog skin problems, breeds like Scottish Terriors tend to have drier skin in general, which often leads to dog atopy, hair loss and/or hot spots. English Bulldogs may experience hair loss and skin discoloration, which may start out seasonally, but often becomes worse quickly.
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Dog itchy skin may actually be caused by dog dry skin. “What difference does it make?” You might ask. Well, a dog’s skin can become dry to any number of reasons. Some are more serious than others. If it is dry skin then you will not be able to get rid of dog itchy skin until you get the problem under control.
An often overlooked cause of dog dry skin is bathing too often. I know it’s hard not to give your dog regular baths. Especially in the summer with an indoor dog. I have a Dane and a Rottweiler and we try to bathe them only once every six weeks, but sometimes it makes me cringe to look at my hands after a good petting! However, bathing a dog too often will strip it’s skin of the natural oils that help produce a healthy skin and coat and therefore a healthier canine companion!
Generally, the Lhasa Apso is a very healthy breed of dog. Often mistaken for a Shitzu to the untrained eye, these little dogs are perfect apartment living pets. Unfortunately these lovable indoor companions are prone to dog skin conditions, especially if special care isn’t taken when it comes to their coat.
It is very important to keep this particular breed’s skin and coat free of parasites. Some advice when it comes to grooming: No trimming or stripping is needed, although when in full coat, they need to be brushed about once a day to keep their coats from matting. Some owners opt to cut the coats short for easier or less grooming. Dry shampoo as necessary. Check the feet for matting and for foreign matter stuck there. Clean the eyes and ears meticulously, for they tend to tear. A Lhasa Apso is an average shedder and is hypoallergenic, so they make great pets for people with sensitivity to pet odor.
Many pet owner’s will learn the hard way, especially first-time dog owner’s, that the animal’s skin and coat will be your first and possibly only sign of a potential health issue. Proper nutrition, grooming, exercise, preventative care and quality of life all play important roles in dog skin care.
However, dog skin problems such as atopy, hot spots, skin allergies and even dry skin are not always preventable no matter how caring or loving a pet owner that you are. These ailments are typically the symptoms of deeper causes and can be very expensive to diagnose and treat. Often times even a proper diagnosis cannot lead to a cure. Many breeds of dogs are predisposed to certain types of skin disorders. Others may develop problems at any time, such as allergies to their pet food or a flea bite.
Since many ailments reveal themselves through the canines skin condition, it is often hard to diagnose allergies. Unlike humans, stuffy noses and sneezing are not signs of dog skin allergies.
Dry, flaky, irritated skin, hair loss in patches, constant scratching or rubbing and abnormal behavior are symptoms of a health problem. Remember that allergies can develop at any time, and to nearly any thing. Knowing your dog’s typical behavior, as well as prior health history can help you detect potential problems early on.
Pet Allergies Are Nothing to Sneeze At
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
posted by Essential Needs @ 11:21 AM
If you have allergies, or know someone who does, then you know that having an allergic reaction can be quite an ordeal. Experiencing seasonal allergies is even worse because you can try taking medication, but you may never know the actual cause of your allergic reaction. Cats and dogs are much like humans when it comes to allergies.
Pet allergies range in their causes, like human allergies. If your pet has an allergy, the cause and even diagnosis can be difficult to uncover. This is due to the fact that a hot spot or skin condition may appear on your dog or cat for any number of reasons. It may take some time to determine that your pet does indeed have an allergy. Even after discovering the allergen, treatment consists of taking medication, supplements or just plain avoiding the allergen.
Even though the symptoms of atopic dermatitis show up on the skin, it is most often caused by airborne allergens. The basic definition of this common skin problem is a predisposition to develop allergic symptoms following exposure to substances that are usually harmless, but have triggered an allergic response. Two of the most common offenders are dust mites and pollen, which are incredibly difficult for pets to avoid, since dust mites are virtually everywhere and pollen permeates the air outdoors.
The most common symptoms of atopic dermatitis in dogs include itching, excessive scratching, rubbing on the carpet, hair loss, greasy or flaky skin with a foul odor, excessive chewing on the paws and areas such as the groin and armpits. Over time, the skin that is scratched can develop hot spots – raw, inflamed areas – that may become infected. Unfortunately, once dogs develop dog atopy they usually suffer more and more each year because their skin becomes more sensitive over time. What may start out as canine atopic dermatitis only in the spring and fall can become a year-round problem as your dog ages and his skin becomes increasingly sensitive.
If you’ve noticed your dog is constantly scratching and you’ve already ruled out fleas, then it’s time to get serious about figuring out what the cause is for the dog itchy skin.
First things first, begin checking over your dog’s skin and coat often, at least daily. Is constant scratching his only symptom? Or does he have patchy, red skin? Hot Spots? Loss of hair, as well? Dog itchy skin may just be caused by the dog’s natural oils being stripped, therefore causing dry, sensitive skin or it can be a much more serious health problem. This is especially true if your dog has any combination of the above mentioned symptoms.
Pet skin conditions cover a wide range of potential problems, making diagnosis difficult. However, the type of ailment your pet is suffering from may be diagnosed based on the visual (hot spots, hair loss, etc.) location (face, belly and armpits, ears, etc.), and color (dry flaky skin or red irritated skin?)
Pet skin conditions are often due to an allergic reaction your pet has (like humans, it can be to just about anything!), but is most often caused by flea or insect bite, inhalent or food allergens.
Our boxer had been fighting a yeast infection for nearly a year. The vet gave him several steroid shots and Prednizone. The infection would get a little better, but it kept coming back. He lost most of his hair, his appetite and his skin became discolored and thick in places.
Turns out he had an allergic reaction to one of the grains in his pet food and that is what lead to his dog skin problems. I supplemented his dog food with an all-natural food supplement as well as applying a skin therapy lotion to the problem areas of the skin. Because he had fought this problem for so long, it did take several months to correct it. He began to eat better and more and slowly regained weight. The truth is I never would have tried these methods if it hadn’t been suggested by a close friend who shows dogs professionally.