Pet Skin Doctor
Pet Skin Information
Archive for the ‘Dog Skin Allergies’ Category
Nearly every pet owner has had to deal with fleas at some time in their pet(s) life. It can be a real battle to get rid of a flea infestation, especially if you have several pets in one household. I’m not going to elaborate on getting rid of fleas though. I plan on making two other related points. One is short: The best flea medicine for your pet is the preventative kind. Two has to do with the poor dog itchy skin left even after you’ve gotten the fleas under control.
Depending on how long it took to get the fleas under control, they may have made a real mess of your dog’s skin and coat. Treating the skin aside from the flea medication is the best and quickest relief you can give your dogs before they turn the itchy skin into open sores or hot spots. Also, keep in mind that some dogs are allergic to flea salivia so even if you don’t have a manifestation of fleas, you could still have a serious problem on your hands.
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It never ceases to amaze me how much our canine capadre can be like us. Like humans, dogs can develop allergies. They can also feel stress and suffer from it. For example, a trip to the groomer’s, boarding kennel or vet may cause your dog to “stress”. These are usually short-term stressors. However, there are signs that your pet may be experiencing long-term stress. The longer periods of stress are highly likely to cause dog skin problems.
Some dog skin problems are more serious than others. Signs that your dog may be stressed are unfortunately similar to the signs for other problems – they are most visible through their skin and coat. A lack of shine in the coat, minimal or excessive shedding or hair loss in patches, constant scratching, chewing or biting and rubbing their face against the floor or furniture. These should be a wake up call to the owner that something is wrong with Fido.
If you found this blog post by searching for dog dermatitis then you are probably curious to know what it is, what causes it and/or how to treat it. Generally speaking, dog dermatitis is a an inflammation of the skin that can be caused by allergies, contact with a irritant, or have internal causes.
Because so many things may cause dog dermatitis, there is no “quick” solution for treatment. As with allergies in humans, it is likely there is no permanent cure and a lot of trial and error in finding the method of treatment that will work best for your dog.
It’s very important to understand that a dog’s skin and coat will often tell you that there is something wrong with the health of your dog, but will not necessarily tell you WHAT is wrong. Many dog skin ailments and health problems reveal themselves through the skin and coat. For instance, dry skin, hot spots and hair loss.
These can be signs of dog skin allergies, but what is your dog allergic to? Like humans, your pet can be allergic to pollen, grass, woll, dust mites, parasites and even his dog food. Don’t ignore these or other signs of a problem, it will only become worse with time.
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.
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.