|
|
|
Last
Updated: Mar 7th, 2008 - 20:22:04 |
With dander being the allergy sufferer's worst nightmare, it behooves you to keep your dog's skin as flake-free as possible. At least, it does if you ever want to see your sneezy friends again.
From your dog's point of view, flaky skin can be a nightmare too...itchy, even painful after a few good hard scratches break or inflame the skin. Despite a million T.V. commercials selling miracle shampoos claiming that they will cure this problem overnight in humans, don't rely on an over-the-counter rinse to make your dog feel better. Irritated, itchy skin can indicate far deeper problems than a little dry weather.
Your first plan of attack should include a trip to the vet. There are fungi and other infections/infestations that may cause snow flurries when you brush your dog. A skin scrape test should help affirm or eliminate these possibilities. There's no point in trying a million grooming tips and tricks when it turns out that your dog has a serious underlying medical condition or a nasty little parasite. Have your vet check for these first. Then if the tests are negative, you can move on.
Sometimes, working on bad skin from the inside out is best. A few food products that are believed to offer extra help might solve the problem. Flax seed oil, a drizzle over her food once or twice a day, may help by providing Omega 3 fatty acids. Start with a light sprinkling, then build up to the full amount (1/2-1 tsp depending on your dog's size) to prevent any stomach upset. Another food product, soy lecithin is believed to help the body's ability to process fats. For a small dog, 1/8 teaspoon once a day should be tasty and helpful - adjust for a larger dog. Just sprinkle the powdered form over her meal. Most dogs think this is super yummy. But don't go nuts stirring tablespoons of these products into every meal - making your dog pack on the pounds. Getting the right fats into your dog's diet and helping your dog to use those fats effectively may be the key to healthy skin.
It is also possible that the problem could be an allergy. In dogs, allergy symptoms usually become evident through the skin, even if the allergen isn't directly contacting the skin. There are a number of commercial dog foods that address skin health via a low-allergy blend of foods. Some skin health diets you can buy eliminate meat from the diet -- a more common and effective solution than you would think. Some folks argue that dogs get too much animal fat and protein for optimal health and find that switching away from animal products may offer relief.
Other skin-care diets eliminate common allergens such as corn, or animal species such as beef, dairy, lamb or chicken in favor of foods made of less overused sources of protein and carbohydrates. Duck and potato or fish and sweet potato are common substitutes. These diets are based on the premise that allergies can come from over-exposure to the same food. Remember how lamb and rice used to be the favored allergy diet? Not anymore. As these ingredients became a common substitute for beef and chicken and a very popular choice in general, dogs began to develop allergies to them.
Low-grade food products can cause problems too. Even expensive, "premium" foods that claim to be "vet recommended" may not actually be something you want your dog eating. Don't rely on the ads; check with your vet to make sure it's not just "vet recommended" on television.
All of these food problems that can show up as icky skin are worth discussing with a canine nutritionist. Sadly most vets aren't as well-versed in the subject of feeding our dogs as one would like to think, so it's helpful to find a specialist if you can. On the other hand, don't discount your vet's advice either.
On the other hand, scaly skin may not have anything to do with food. Over bathing or under bathing could be causing problems. Try weekly or fortnightly bathing with a gentle shampoo and conditioner. I like "Buddy Bath", which you can get at pet specialty stores, boutiques or natural foods stores, though there are many other brands that are suitable as well. Look for gentle, natural ingredients without harsh perfumes, but rather scents derived from beneficial herbs like lavender or rosemary that soothe the skin while making your dog's coat springtime fresh.
Between baths, brush her each day with a skin stimulating brush. If your dog's fur is short, use a brush with dense, soft bristles. If her coat is longer, you may want to look for one of the many soft, rubbery brushes with longer flexible "teeth" to encourage blood flow to the skin's surface. Be very gentle with these, though. Do not pull at the skin or push too hard. You don't want to "burn" the skin with friction. Once a week, you may want to spritz her coat with a gently soothing grooming spray. Choose one with light conditioners and soothing herbal extracts instead of heavy perfumes or aerosols. As always, you may want to consult your vet to obtain prescription shampoos or skin sprays with anti-inflammatory medications among its ingredients.
Skin problems frustrate a lot of dog lovers. They can make your dog smelly, messy, and unpleasant to be around. What a heartbreaking situation for those of us who rely on a heavy dose of daily dog snuggles to get us through the week! The important thing is not to panic. With some help from your vet, some reading and research on your part, a canine nutrition specialist or dermatologist, and a little work, your dog should have her clear skin and lustrous coat back soon.
Top
of Page
|
|
|
|
