Is your dog excessively scratching, licking, or biting its
paws, tail or coat? It could be the sign of a skin
condition.
One common skin condition is known as a "hot spot."
Hot spots are usually caused by excessive moisture
on the dog's skin. Especially in dense-coated or
matted dogs, the moisture cannot evaporate and
becomes a breeding ground for bacteria.
Skin conditions can also be caused by allergies. Just
like humans, some dogs are allergic to pollens,
molds, and dust mites. Other dogs may be allergic to
common ingredients in dog food, such as wheat or
corn. Pests such as fleas and mites can also
damage your dog’s skin. Skin conditions can worsen
during warm weather because dogs are exposed to
more outdoor irritants.
Dermatitis can be triggered by bacteria, fungus or
yeast. Ringworm, for example, is caused by
a fungal organism and results in circular patches of
hair loss. Yeast infections cause your dog's coat to
become greasy, odorous, and itchy.
You should definitely have any chronic skin condition
checked by your veterinarian. Laboratory work, skin
scrapings, and blood tests may be necessary to
determine the cause of the skin disorder. A
veterinarian might recommend supplements such as
omega-3 fatty acids, or medications, such as
antihistamines, topical ointments or oral antibiotics.
Veterinarians typically recommend regular use of
products such as Frontline or K9 Advantix for flea and
tick control.
Learn More About Canine Dermatitis and How to
Treat It
For a comprehensive, veterinarian-authored article
explaining the six major reasons why dogs itch
and scratch, along with some valuable information on
treatment strategies, simply click on
this
article in The Pet Center.
How Bandanas Can Help
Based on the condition of your dog's skin, we may
recommend a special therapeutic shampoo. A
medicated, soothing bath will bring at
least temporary relief to a dog suffering a skin
ailment. All of our shampoos are natural and
hypoallergenic and we purchase them from veterinary
supply sources. A few of the therapeutic shampoos
Bandanas uses are:
Chlorhexidine
Helps battle extra tough skin conditions associated
with bacteria and a wide range of microorganisms.
Also contains deep-cleansing agents and
moisturizers.
Oatmeal & Aloe
Shampoo
Designed especially to benefit
sensitive, dry or irritated skin. Contains Colloidal
Oatmeal which is highly regarded for its superior
moisturizing and anti-itch properties. This
hypoallergenic formula is consistently recommended
for pets with allergies and seborrhea dermatitis.
Sulfur & Tar Shampoo
Fights itching,
irritation and flaking. Formulated with a synergistic
combination of ingredients including Aloe Vera and
Menthol that moisturize the skin while relieving
symptoms associated with dandruff, seborrhea
dermatitis, flea bites and non-specific dermatoses.
When Bandanas grooms your dog, we always ask if
your dog has any skin sensitivity or allergies, and we
always check for skin conditions. We'll help you keep
an eye on your dog's skin so he or she is always
lookin' good!
[Photo credit: Drs. Foster and Smith]
