Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Treatment Options when A Dog has Seborrea or Dry Skin

By Cathy Doggins


Skin conditions are an extremely common problem in dog health, and a dependable source of constant concern and irritation for dogs as well as their family. When a dog owner see that his or her family friend is afflicted by 'dry seborreha ', it usually implies the skin is just starting to feel itchy and flaky. This itchiness and flakiness, which is also called 'dry seborrhea ', can either be one of the many primary dog skin diseases, or a secondary condition that results from another medical issue.

As long as the problem is not too bad, and your dog is not in any pain from the condition, you might need to use some home treatments to get your dog some relief. Bathing, nutrition and the use of supplements and moisturizing products are all components of home treatment. Just follow several of the recommendations that follow and the specific web page that was written for dog owners on how to treat a dry skin condition in dogs and you'll be able to bring your dog's skin condition back to normal.

Bathing is a crucial part of your dog's upkeep. If your dog is suffering from dry skin, you may need to alter your bathing routine. To start, have a look at the shampoo you have selected. What ever you do, do not use shampoos made for humans on your dog unless specifically mentioned by your veterinarian, as human products aren't properly pH-balanced for dogs and can add further skin irritation. Be sure not to use over the counter flea shampoos or any products containing alcohol. Those products can be exceedingly irritating and generally do not serve to improve the condition of the dog in any way, shape or form. The right over-the-counter shampoos for canine dry skin are ingredients such as oatmeal that are mixed with the shampoo. These shampoos help to improve the levels of skin moisture and reduce flakiness of the skin. The shampoos may also contain pramoxine, an antihistamine or hydrocortisone, a steroid, which can improve the effectiveness of the colloidal oatmeal. Wash your dog a couple of times weekly, ensuring to totally lather the shampoo in and allow it to contact the skin for a few minutes before rinsing totally. You may also follow the shampoo with a moisturising conditioner or a spot-on moisturising canine product that can help extend the advantages of the shampooing.

A quality diet is important for dogs with dry skin or other skin problems, so be sure you are providing a high quality, nutritionally balanced dog diet. Some supplements may also be useful in maintaining or restoring healthy skin. Omega rich fish oil is commonly used for both dogs and humans, and contains omega fatty acids which can help provide relief to dogs with dry skin. Another supplement that helps in many cases of skin illness is Zinc Methionine. Zinc is vital to normal cellular function which involves the shedding of old epidermal cells and the making of newer replacement. Ask your vet before starting any additions, as they would possibly not be acceptable in every case.

If your dog's dry skin is worse than a bit of flaking or itching, it is probably time for a veterinary visit. Any red areas, hair loss, or pus coming off of the skin are all warning signs that more intense care is required for the pet. Your veterinarian may suggest some or all the above, and could also prescribe oral steroids to help with the itching and red skin areas, or oral antibiotics to help with any infectious areas that have developed in the skin. Your veterinarian can also review potential causes of your dog's dry skin, and make suggestions to prevent flare ups in the future and to prevent future problems.




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