How to Help Your Pet With Dog Dermatitis

Dog dermatitis is a very common health issue that canines will face at some point in their lives. Skin problems have a number of causes, including chemicals that can affect every dog or allergic reactions to various substances that will affect one dog but not the next.

Look for dog dermatitis in areas that have the least amount of hair, generally the nose, stifles, feet, chin or scrotum. Sometimes it takes multiple exposures to the irritant before the dog dermatitis shows up, other times it’s a single exposure that will produce redness, swelling or moist and weepy spots or blisters. Some dog dermatitis will turn into a scaly outbreak and can crust over.

Dogs with dermatitis will sometimes lose hair in the affected area. Excessive scratching at the itchy spots will produce wounds that can become infected, which is why immediate treatment for dog dermatitis is recommended.

Many dogs will have reactions to soaps and shampoos that their owners use on them. Veterinarians caution owners to never use products made for humans on their canine counterparts – the chemicals are often far too harsh for the canine skin and can cause dog dermatitis. Alkalis, detergents and acids will also cause breakouts.

Some dogs will experience what is called allergic contact dermatitis after repeated exposure to various chemicals to which they eventually become sensitized. These rashes look like normal dog dermatitis but will spread more rapidly. Flea collars and synthetic fibers are the biggest catalyst for allergic contact dermatitis, but other irritants include paint, wool, leather, rubber dishes, wood preservatives and dyes. Some medications have been found to cause this condition.

Most allergic contact dermatitis can be treated with topical ointments that have antibiotics in them. Some veterinarians will recommend corticosteroids, which are taken orally.

Some dogs will experience canine atopy, which is a seasonal itching issue that will not produce any abnormal skin signs until the dog continually scratches at the area. It occurs in the ears and the underside of the body most often. Dogs might flap their ears with vigorous headshaking or rub their faces on the ground to try to ease the itch. The dog might also experience a runny nose and watery eyes.

For excellent, over-the-counter products that improve the health and happiness of your pets, try the  ProLabs line of products. ProLabs designed Skin Soothe to address hot spots, footpad injuries, skin fold dermatitis, incision sites and other skin conditions. The product relieves itching, is easy to spray onto the affected area(s), is not oily and won’t cause any staining. It’s steroid and antibiotic free and has no sting. Skin Soothe actually uses the power of zinc to soothe and heal the skin.

Dog Skin Problems: Annoying, But Avoidable

A dog that gets through an entire lifetime without developing some type of problem with their skin is indeed a rare dog. Dog skin problems have many causes, from allergies to parasites to harsh shampoos (human shampoo can cause severe irritation on canines).

Immune responses can cause flare-ups, from underactive to overactive responses. Demodectic mange and bacterial infections are common when the immune system doesn’t handle exposure to these triggers. Some dogs will inherit a chronic skin allergy, which is called canine atopy. Dogs that experience this issue will itch around their ears, feet, muzzle and eyes. Pollen from trees and grass can often trigger a reaction, as can mold and mites.

Some dogs will face autoimmune skin diseases such as pemphigus foliaceus, which presents as blisters on the skin, which form scab-like substances. It usually starts around the head, but can spread over the entire body. Hot spots are also common dog skin problems. Your veterinarian will likely refer to it as it’s official name – actue moist dermatitis. It presents as an irritation on one particularly area of the body. If not treated, it can develop into a staphylococcus infection.

Many dog skin problems can be avoided through proper bathing. This not only makes it easier for you to enjoy your dog’s company (Fido does get stinky) but it can prevent dog skin problems from developing into potential life-threatening diseases. Some owners have a tough time getting their pets into the tub at bath time. Every dog is different, so what works for one owner might not suffice for another, but here are a few tips to consider to get that reluctant pet sudsy.

If you’re not having luck with the garden hose, there is good reason for it – your dog doesn’t like be shot with cold water any more than you do. Consider taking your pet indoors to a non-slippery bathtub where you can bath him/her in warm water. Dogs don’t like hot bathes either, so be mindful of how hot you run the water. A slippery tub adds to the anxiety, so add a rubber mat. Many owners prefer a hand-held shower device over a bathtub full of water.

Entice your pet into the bathing area with treats – make the experience positive. They may never enjoy being soaked with water and shampoo, but taking their favorite toy and some delicious treats will offset the bad. Also, have towels handy, a brush for grooming and the proper shampoo made for canines.

In many cases, dog skin problems need more than the regular bath. ProLabs, a company dedicated to providing your dog with a better quality of life, designed Skin Soothe to heal and aid hot spots, itching, dermatitis, wounds and foot pad injuries among other issues. Unlike similar products out there, Skin Soothe is veterinarian quality.

Happy Dog, Happy Owner: Dog Skin Care Checklist to Control Hot Spots

As the summer weather kicks into high-gear, it’s time to keep an eye on your dog’s skin, particularly for hot spots. Summertime brings more outside activities, which means your dog has a higher risk of exposure to fleas and to the various triggers that cause allergies – both of which are associated with hot spots.

Your vet will refer to hot spots as acute moist dermatitis. Pet owners need to look for areas on the skin where there are red, oozing infections that your pet is probably constantly scratching or licking due to the itchy nature of the infection. A fleabite has been known to be the catalyst for hot spots. What begins as a simple irritation becomes an oozing wound that should be treated as soon as owners find them.

Hot spots that aren’t treated expand into larger, more serious wounds. Some dogs will develop hot spots near their ears, which is a sign of an ear infection rather than a fleabite or allergic reaction. Hot spots located at the rear of the dog could be a reaction to an anal gland infection. Regardless of the cause (which should also be addressed for future prevention) hot spots need immediate attention because it doesn’t take long for the infection to become serious and for your pet to become miserable and moody.

While the care of a veterinarian is mandatory for dog skin care, there are some things you can do to make your dog as comfortable as possible until it gets into the vet’s office. Use a non-irritating soap to clean the affected area. The area needs to be rinsed of soap and dried, but be gentle as the wound is likely painful when touched. To give your veterinarian better access to the area he/she will be treating, clip the hair around the wound, making sure not to get any of it in the wound.

Your dog is likely to do further damage to the area by scratching it or licking/biting the wound. An Elizabethan collar can be of assistance if licking is an issue and booties or socks will be necessary if your dog is constantly scratching at the wound. Your vet should be looking for what caused the hot spot and give you ideas on how to prevent it from happening again and assist you in providing dog skin care options. Antibiotics are often introduced to speed recovery as are drying agents that can be applied directly to the wound.

ProLabs offers a full line of products to keep your dog’s health in order, from worm protector 2X to Tape Worm Tabs for dogs – dog skin care is a specialty of the company that strives to keep pets healthy or get them that way quickly with safe products. Skin Soothe is one product that aids in the healing of hot spots, minor wounds and many skin conditions.

Top Dog Skin Problems This Summer

Summer brings on a variety of activities that you and your pet can enjoy, activities that aren’t available in the winter months. But with the summer fun comes summer-related dog skin problems that your pet doesn’t encounter when the days are short and the temperatures dip.

Just like humans, your pet will experience allergies as the foliage comes out of dormancy and releases its pollen into the air. Some dogs will experience flaky and dry skin, which depending on the dog; can result in excessive licking and biting in affected areas. Obviously, the constant scratching will result in more serious conditions that need attention before it gets out of hand.

Dog skin problems also move into the ears, which causes discomfort. The first sign is usually excessive head shaking/ear flapping. Your pet will also attempt to dig into their ears with the claws in an attempt to abate the nagging itch. But taking a proactive approach before these conditions flare up by adding a supplement to the diet is the smart approach. These supplements will protect the coat and skin of your pet and keep him happy during the heat of the summer.

More outdoor activities also puts your dog in the path of parasites like ticks and fleas, which are also a major nuisance for your dog. Some owners have unfortunately bought into the home remedies that can put their beloved pets in danger of toxic reactions. There are more vet-approved methods out there that take danger out of the equation and keep fleas and ticks off your dog. Natural formulas exist that keep the coat shiny and the skin moist and healthy, at the same time, ticks and fleas do a 180 when they attempt to find a host in your dog.

Weimaraners owners feel fortunate in the summer months when their non-dual-coated pet sheds little. Xoloitzcuintli and Peruvian Inca Orchid owners are even more fortunate as some regions of those dogs grow no hair at all. But most dog owners can be assured that their breed has a double coat, and if they aren’t taking in the right nutrients, they’re going to lose more hair than the owner will know what to do with.

Dogs that receive the right amount of omega-3 and omega-6 fats in their diets will only shed the normal amount expected for their breed. Some owners will deploy a shampoo or soap that is far too strong and can mimic conditions that are associated with a lack of the appropriate nutrition levels.

ProLabs has the products pet owners rely on to keep their pet’s skin and coat healthy throughout every season.  Products such as Skin Soothe which relieves itching and will help heal your dog’s skin if it becomes irritated are available to help your dog have an itch free summer.