Your pet’s skin is a window to his health. The largest organ, the skin is unique in that you can see any issues with its health just by looking at it. Let’s review some basics of pet skin care and also discuss when professional care is needed. Note: Pet skin care falls under the category of “husbandry,” so my guidelines may differ from those given by another veterinarian.
The Basics
A healthy diet is the basis for healthy skin. A high-quality commercial diet is a great start. You can also ask your veterinarian about adding an essential fatty acid supplement to your dog’s diet. Look for a product that contains a mixture of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids (DHA and EPA), and start with a smaller amount and slowly work up to the full dose to avoid causing diarrhea. Avoid food products like coconut or olive oil as a supplement because the high fat content puts your dog at risk for pancreatitis, a potentially life-threatening illness.
Almost every dog needs brushing, but the frequency and appropriate equipment will vary with coat type. Brush your dog at least once per week. This helps distribute the skin’s natural oils, and is also a great opportunity to check your dog for fleas and ticks, foreign objects, lumps or bumps, ear infections, or other skin problems that may require medical care. Certain breeds require clipping and more advanced maintenance of their coats. If you don’t have the training to do this yourself, take your dog to a professional groomer every six to eight weeks. Bathe your dog once or twice month, being sure to use a high-quality shampoo labeled for dogs. If you’re concerned about stripping the natural oils from your dog’s coat, use a non-lathering oatmeal-based formula. Some dogs will need more frequent bathing due to skin conditions or lifestyle. Bring your shampoo to your veterinarian and make sure there are no specific contraindications for your dog.
Flea and tick control are an absolutely essential component to caring for your dog’s skin. There are areas of the country where fleas are not an issue, but the Bay Area is not one! Because of our mild climate and access to indoor environments, fleas are a problem year-round. The current drought conditions are only going to exacerbate our typical flea problems. Work with your veterinarian to select a flea prevention product that is best for your dog. Options include topical and oral medications, shorter- and longer-acting products, and combinations that are effective in protecting your dog against ticks or heartworms with a single dose. Beware of cheap alternatives to brand names sold at pet stores. They often contain older classes of insecticides (permethrins and pyrethrins), which are much less effective and have more dangerous side effects. If you’re using a veterinarian-recommended flea preventative, bathing with flea shampoo is never necessary. Never apply a flea control product designed for dogs to a cat – the outcome could be fatal.
When to See a Veterinarian
You should schedule an appointment with your veterinarian if anything unusual arises on your dog’s skin. Dog can develop “hot spots,” which are sores on the skin caused by the dog’s own itching and require urgent care. These areas are red, oozy and very painful. You veterinarian will clean the area, prescribe medications for your dog, and have you use an e-collar to prevent further damage. Hot spots can arise in less than 10 minutes, but the sore will take more than a week to heal. While often the cause is never known, flea allergy is the most common culprit.
After walks, check your pet for foxtails. The small, arrowhead-shaped plant seeds have a propensity to dig themselves between paw pads and into ears, as well as up your dog’s nose. These are a major summer hazard in every part of Northern California and, like fleas, are only worsened by the drought. (The dry conditions have also caused an earlier-than-usual “foxtail season.”) Once a foxtail has become embedded in one of the above areas, your veterinarian will likely have to use sedation or anesthesia to remove it, so check right away after every walk through an area containing tall grasses.
If you encounter any lumps or bumps on your dog, make an appointment with your veterinarian. Skin cancer is unfortunately common in dogs, and the most common form of skin cancer in dogs, a mast cell tumor, can have almost any conceivable appearance. Ask your veterinarian to map the location of every bump that appears on your dog, and discuss the pros and cons of tests such as fine needle aspiration and biopsy to diagnose them.
Skin allergies affect upward of 10% of dogs. This chronic condition can take many forms, but if you notice that your dog frequently gets hot spots, ear infections or rashes, or often licks or chews at his paws, a visit to your veterinarian to discuss whether your pet has allergic skin disease is in order. The most common allergens are unavoidable items such as house dust mites and pollens. Treatment involves detailed attention to all the skin care basics discussed in this article, plus long-term medications and treatments to reduce your dog’s immune reaction to allergens.
Applying these basic skin care rituals and seeking veterinary care when appropriate should keep your dog healthy and comfortable, with his inner health shining through.
Koko Shishida, DVM, is a member of the 2014-2015 intern class at VCA San Francisco Veterinary Specialists (vcasfvs.com, 415-401-9200). In her free time, she enjoys yoga, dance, weight lifting, and taking in the many sights, sounds and tastes of the Bay Area with her terrier mix, Kaiser.
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