Dog Skin & Coat Problems

The skin can only react in a limited number of ways to inflammation or infection, so many skin diseases do end up looking much the same as first glance. Itching (the correct veterinary term is actually Pruritus) and inflammation leads to redness, hair loss, open sores and scabs, all of which can cause a great deal of distress.

The ‘Big Three’ in feline dermatology would have to be parasites, allergy & infection:
- Parasites: infestations with fleas or lice: time to crack open the Frontline or Capstar and a spray such as Staykill, Acclaim or Skoosh

- Allergy to flea saliva from their flea bites, atopic dermatitis (also known as atopy or ezcema) where the allergy is to house dust mites, grass, tree and weed pollens, or food allergies which account for up to 15% of all allergy cases. An exciting development in the management of Atopic dermatitis has been the mixture of natural plant extracts in Phytopica .

- Infection with bacteria such as staphyllococcus intermedius: you’ll need to be asking your vet for antibiotics such as Ceporex

- Some dogs will groom themselves excessively – rather like people who bite their fingernails – and his can lead to extensive hair loss. If this sounds like your dog, think about DAP or Zylkene - In addition there are a number of slightly less common causes including hormonal imbalances (sometimes seen after spaying or castrating), genetic abnormalities and skin cancers. The list is long.

Many of these cases will need Prescription Medicines chosen by your vet after careful clinical examination and diagnosis, but there are many ways in which you can help to reduce the so-called Pruritus Threshold. This is the point at which an itchy dog actually starts to scratch and traumatise the surface of the skin. Sensible use of supplements such as Essential Oils have been shown to reduce the inflammation and itching can help keep your allergic dog just below that level, sometimes reducing the overall amount of medication required.

Dogs are usually fairly easy to bath, and there are a wide range of Shampoos that can make significant improvements to skin health.

Anti-oxidants from herbs and in multi-vitamin preparations together with minerals such as Zincaderm and Copper aid skin healing and help prevent some of the acute flare ups.

Dog Skin Problems

	ALLERMYL, THE shampoo for skin allergies. 200mls*OUT OF STOCK* Code: ALLER200 Vetscriptions Price: £8.85 Quantity in Basket: none
	ESSENTIAL OILS: natural anti-inflammatory action for skin, mobility and nervous conditions in dogs. Code: CCEOC90 Vetscriptions Price: £10.25 Quantity in Basket: none
	Coatex Capsules x 300 Code: COATEXCAP Vetscriptions Price: £37.75 Quantity in Basket: none
	Coatex Capsules x 90 Code: COATEX90 Vetscriptions Price: £14.99 Quantity in Basket: none
	Coatex Pump 150ml Code: COATPUMP Vetscriptions Price: £22.75 Quantity in Basket: none
	Dermacool II soothing spray for hot spots & itchy skins 50mls Code: DERMC Vetscriptions Price: £5.99 Quantity in Basket: none
	Complederm 5:1 x 250ml Code: COMPLI51 Vetscriptions Price: £12.75 Quantity in Basket: none
	Efavet 330, anti-inflammatory plant & fish oils,100 capsules Code: EV330 Vetscriptions Price: £22.99 Quantity in Basket: none
	Efavet 660 (Efavet 1), anti-inflammatory plant & fish oils, 100 capsules Code: EV660 Vetscriptions Price: £34.99 Quantity in Basket: none
	Coatex Pump 65ml Code: COATPUMP65 Vetscriptions Price: £13.75 Quantity in Basket: none
	Dermisol Cream speeds natural healing 100g Code: DERMISOL100 Vetscriptions Price: £6.75 Quantity in Basket: none
	Dermisol Cream speeds natural healing 30g Code: DERMISOL30 Vetscriptions Price: £3.99 Quantity in Basket: none
	Efacoat Dropper Bottle (oil) x 30ml Code: EFACOAT30 Vetscriptions Price: £9.99 Quantity in Basket: none
	Efamol Marine Capsules x 90 Code: EFAMOL90 Vetscriptions Price: £10.60 Quantity in Basket: none
	Derma Gel Spray 100ml Code: DERMAGEL Vetscriptions Price: £8.32 Quantity in Basket: none
	Derma Gel Spray 50ml Code: DERMAGEL50 Vetscriptions Price: £6.06 Quantity in Basket: none
	Efavet Regular oils for skin & coat condition, 250 capsules Code: EFREG250 Vetscriptions Price: £36.49 Quantity in Basket: none
	Efavet Regular Oils for skin & coat condition, 50 capsules Code: EFAREG50 Vetscriptions Price: £8.50 Quantity in Basket: none
	Omega Aid, high concentration Omega 3 and Omega 6 supplement, 250mls Code: OM-AID Vetscriptions Price: £7.25 Quantity in Basket: none
	Exmarid - Dry Skin Supplement 150ml Code: EXMARID Vetscriptions Price: £3.99 Quantity in Basket: none