Dog with severe dandruff: My Dog Has Dry Skin and Dandruff – American Kennel Club
My Dog Has Dry Skin and Dandruff – American Kennel Club
Back To Grooming
By AKC Staff
Apr 27, 2017 | 2 Minutes
Apr 27, 2017 | 2 Minutes
- skin
- allergies
- shedding
- fleas
Dear AKC: My 18-month-old Boston Terrier has very dry skin lately. He scratches at himself and leaves dandruff all over the place. His coat is dull and lost its shine. Is there something I can put on his coat or feed him? — Dand”Ruff” Dilemma Dear Ruff: Anytime skin symptoms arise, you need to look at possible internal or external causes. There could be several problems relating to dry skin including food allergies or intolerances, parasites – especially fleas — or worms, or some overall immune issue like Thyroid disease. Always consult with your vet if the problem worsens or persists.
But your description sounds like a simple case of cold weather dry skin or with the days getting longer he is beginning to shed and has an abundance of “dead coat” causing dandruff. The best way to help your dog’s coat regain its lost luster is to give him a good brushing. Do it daily. Start with a rubber mitt with little nubs on it and rub the coat in a circular fashion to remove any loose hair and caked on dirt, sweat, slobber, or whatever had stuck to your dog on his daily walk or romp. Brushing & Rubbing Secrets By using long sweeping strokes with the lie of the coat, you will not only pick up dirt and debris, which causes dullness, but also stimulate the oil glands in the epidermis (top layer) of the skin. Bushing releases these oils, which adds a shine to the coat. When brushing, use one hand for the brush and, ideally after each stroke, run a comb through the brush to remove the dead skin and flakes out of the brush.
This way dirt won’t get ground back into the coat. Start with a coarser brush first, then add a softer “finishing” brush followed by a towel or rub rag. Reducing the bristle size each time removes smaller and smaller particles of dirt. By the time you get down to the rub rag (an old cotton diaper works wonders) you are literally just picking up surface dust and stimulating oil glands onto a nice grit-free coat. All this rubbing promotes better blood circulation which aids in the growing and shedding cycles. After grooming, to keep dirt from adhering in the first place, try adding a little tea tree oil spray to act as a repellant. This spray will also condition the coat and add luster after the rag rubbing. Another option for this cold weather dry skin is to add a touch of fish oil with Omega 3 and 6 to his diet.
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How to Control Your Dog’s Dandruff
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The dog has dandruff, the main causes and how to help yourself?
Hello, friends, today we will talk about dandruff in dogs, consider the main causes of its occurrence and treatment at home.
The main causes of dandruff in dogs
Improper feeding. Yes, feeding again, as with any disease, you need to start with it. Feed fatty foods or those containing a lot of preservatives: sausage, low-quality food, sweets. Overfeeding the animal, which leads to an unnecessary burden on the digestive system. Mix natural products and ready-made food. nine0003
The digestive system cannot cope, many metabolic products enter the subcutaneous tissue, as a result, skin functions are disturbed, as a result, dandruff appears.
Various deficiencies can be attributed to nutrition: vitamins, microelements, nutrients. Also an excess of the same vitamins, and this often happens when vitamins are given just in case.
Conditions of detention. Hot, dry air, dusty – such parameters of the microclimate will lead to drying of the skin. The skin is dry, which means there will be more peeling. nine0003
Stress can also be attributed to the conditions of keeping, when a dog lives in a house where it is treated incorrectly, there may be constant conflicts with other animals.
Either the dog is not given sufficient emotional and physical stress, they walked for 5 minutes in the morning and 5 minutes in the evening, and the rest of the time the animal in the apartment has fun on its own. With such a content, the dog will begin to gnaw everything, howl, bark, defecate in the house, diseases, including skin diseases, may also appear. nine0003
Allergy. Severe dandruff in a dog may be due to an allergen reaction. There are many allergens in the warm season: plant pollen, dry grass, dust, insect bites (most often fleas).
There may be a reaction to food, or to a certain product if you are feeding natural food. For example, for chicken meat or for a certain cereal (wheat porridge). On the topic of food allergies, I talked about this article, it is about cats, but the same principles work in dogs.
Parasites. There are many parasites that cause skin diseases, the most famous is the “subcutaneous tick”, that is, demodicosis.
I talked about demodicosis in dogs, including treatment, in this article.
Dogs can also develop dandruff with other parasites, for example, with: sarcoptic mange, cheyletiella, fleas (when flea dermatitis develops), fungi, worms also affect …
Bathing. Frequent bathing, poor water quality, unsuitable detergent can cause skin problems. nine0003
Diseases of internal organs . Violation of the kidneys, liver, gastrointestinal tract will affect the condition of the skin. The coat becomes dull, the skin loses elasticity, dryness appears, and we observe dandruff.
Inflammation of the anal glands. I talk about them often, so as not to repeat myself, read here how they affect the skin and how to clean them yourself.
The use of certain drugs , for example, hormones, vitamins in large quantities, other drugs. nine0003
What to do?
If dandruff is found in a dog, we begin to analyze and correct it if possible:
- Feeding.
- Conditions of detention.
- Bathing, we select the frequency of procedures and the means.
- We process from external and internal parasites.
- Checking the anal glands.
If you have done everything according to the list and have not received a positive effect, then you will have to go to the doctor, do scrapings, blood tests. But in most cases, these simple activities are enough to help your dog on their own. nine0003
Auto veterinarian Sergey Savchenko
Itching in dogs caused by parasites
Contents
- Introduction
- Species of parasites of domestic animals
- Symptoms of parasite infestation in the domestic dog
- Fleas
- Subcutaneous mites
- Helminths
- Treatment and prevention of parasitic infections
Introduction
Parasitism is life at the expense of the host organism, which can be any animal or person.
This is the most common mode of existence of living beings in nature. Therefore, it is not surprising that parasites in dogs are a common cause of itching and skin diseases.
Some of them live only on animals and are transmitted by direct contact with sick dogs or cats, others live in the environment, and healthy dogs can become infected just by walking in the forest or on the lawn near the house. In addition, a dog can become infected with parasites even without leaving the apartment through contact with street shoes or through a mosquito bite. nine0003
Parasitic species of domestic animals
Parasitic insects, mites and even helminths can live on the skin of dogs. The most common parasitic insect found on the skin of dogs is fleas. These are small mobile parasites up to 4 mm in size, which can be seen with the naked eye. Although fleas live on dogs and cats, their eggs, larvae and pupae are found in the environment, such as dust or carpet. Often, fleas cause allergic dermatitis, for the treatment of which one treatment of the animal may not be enough and additional treatment prescribed by a veterinarian is required.
nine0003
Another parasitic insect of dogs is the lice, the causative agent of trichodectosis. The size of this parasite is about 2 mm, they live on dogs and are transmitted by contact from sick dogs. In the environment, trichodectes do not live long, the entire development cycle lasts about a month.
Other common parasites in dogs are subcutaneous mites, which can only be seen under a microscope. For example, scabies in dogs, or sarcoptic mange, is caused by parasitic mites Sarcoptes scabei (var. canis). Their size is only 0.2 – 0.5 mm. nine0003
Another parasitic cause of itching in dogs is cheiletiosis, popularly referred to as “roaming dandruff”. This disease is caused by the Cheyletiella mite. The size of the tick is small (only 0.2 – 0.4 mm), which makes it impossible to see it with the naked eye. This mite causes itching and severe flaking of the skin and, moving along the surface of the skin, dragging these scales, gives the impression of moving dandruff.
Ear scabies, or otodectosis, is caused by the microscopic ear mite Otodectes cynotis.
Most often, this parasite is detected by microscopy of earwax in dogs with itchy ears. Dogs can become infected not only from sick animals, but also from hidden carriers that do not show signs of the disease, but can transmit otodectosis, sarcoptic mange or cheiletiosis. It is important to remember that skin parasites can also be transmitted through care items, in addition, even fleas can carry eggs and parasitic mites. nine0003
The subcutaneous mite Demodex canis causes a severe skin disease called demodicosis in dogs, which is not contagious. This mite is normally present in small numbers in the skin of healthy dogs without causing harm, however, with a decrease in immunity, demodexes begin to multiply actively and cause skin lesions and hair loss.
If demodicosis is mild, young dogs may recover without treatment. Nevertheless, the severe course of demodicosis with extensive lesions leads to a further aggravation of the decrease in the immune response, and often to secondary bacterial infections. In such cases, the animal may even die from exhaustion and blood poisoning. Dogs with a generalized form, as well as adult and elderly dogs with demodicosis, should be treated. nine0003
Photo. Demodex canis mite, the causative agent of demodicosis
dogs, under a microscope
Photo. Puppy with generalized demodicosis before and after treatment
Can helminths cause itching and skin lesions in dogs? Most dog owners have an idea of helminths as worms that live in the digestive system. Obviously, these intestinal parasites can lead to a weakening of the body, exhaustion, and increased allergic reactions. A number of helminths, such as the cucumber tapeworm Dipylidium caninum, can itch at the base of the tail. nine0003
In addition, there are helminths that develop directly in the skin. For example, the larvae of pelodera (Pelodera strongyloides), a free-living nematode that lives in decaying organic matter (such as wet sawdust or soil), can cause itchy skin inflammation in dogs and humans. These helminths are not visible to the naked eye, and their small size, less than one millimeter, allows L3 stage larvae and females to penetrate the skin. More often, peloderosis develops in the summer, but when dogs are kept in enclosures on rotting sawdust or in stables, it can be off-season. nine0003
Another dermatosis caused by helminths is cutaneous dirofilariasis. Infection of dogs with dirofilaria (Dirofilaria repens, much less often Dirofilaria immitis) occurs through the bite of a mosquito or mosquito during the hot months.
Since mosquito bites cannot be completely avoided, regular use of drugs that kill microfilaria (Dirofilaria larvae that enter the dog’s bloodstream) can protect your pet from this disease.
Symptoms of parasite infestation of a domestic dog
Fleas
The first sign that a dog has fleas is itching, especially in the abdomen, neck, flanks, back and tail. There may be no obvious lesions, or they may be represented by small red spots.
In dogs allergic to flea saliva, even single flea bites can cause severe itching, and the fleas themselves may not be detected. With intense infection, the coat becomes sparse, dull, you can also find fast insects flattened from the sides, or their feces in the form of dark grains. nine0003
As a result of flea bites and allergy to their saliva, secondary inflammation of the skin may develop with extensive reddening of the skin, pustules and crusts. Gradually, the hair falls out, the skin darkens and thickens.
Photo. Scratching, hair loss and redness of the skin in the
neck and head area caused by flea bites.
Photo. Same dog with itching. Note the dry,
sparse hair on the back and croup.
Photo. Same dog with itching associated with allergic
flea dermatitis. Note the sparse fur and reddening of the skin.
Subcutaneous mites
Microscopic parasitic mites often cause hair loss and itching. With cheiletiosis, itching, peeling of the skin with the formation of profuse dry dandruff, and baldness are noted. Most often, the disease begins with the back. Sarcoptic mange is characterized by intense itching, reddening of the skin, baldness (alopecia), crusting, especially along the edge of the ears, on the elbows, chest and lower pelvic limbs. With extensive damage, depletion and poisoning of the body with toxins up to the death of the animal is possible. nine0003
With otodectosis, or ear scabies, the main lesions are observed in the area of the auditory canals – the dog scratches the ears and the neck area, while in the outer ear, abundant dark dry discharge is found, resembling dry tea brewing.
Often, otodectosis is complicated by purulent inflammation of the outer ear (otitis externa), then the infection can spread to the middle and inner ear with the development of neurological disorders (head tilt, impaired coordination, convulsions, involuntary eye movements, etc.). nine0003
With demodicosis, bumps (papules), hair loss (alopecia), first focal, later extensive, peeling, crusts, pustules with bloody contents are noted. The dog has a characteristic “mouse” smell. Demodicosis is rarely accompanied by itching, but with the development of bacterial complications, itching may develop. If skin diseases caused by subcutaneous mites are suspected, microscopy of scrapings and plucked hairs from the affected areas is performed to confirm the diagnosis and carry out treatment. nine0003
Photo. Focal hair loss (alopecia) and skin redness
in a dog with demodicosis.
Helminths
Roundworm larvae can cause specific skin diseases – helminthiases. One of the rare dermal helminthiases is peloderosis, caused by infection with the free-living roundworm Pelodera strongyloides. The disease manifests itself more often on areas of the skin in contact with infected soil or bedding (limbs, abdomen, chest, tail).
Affected dogs have redness of the skin, hair loss in the affected areas, itching is possible. A secondary infection often develops, in which case crusts appear or the lesions become moist. The diagnosis is confirmed by the detection of helminth larvae in the study of skin scrapings or plucked hair under a microscope.
Another skin helminthiasis – skin dirofilariasis – is manifested by chronic inflammation of the skin with the formation of nodules and nodes ranging in size from 0.5 cm to 4 cm, crusts, sometimes ulcers on the skin of dogs. The head and extremities are most often affected, although lesions can be observed in any other areas. The disease is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito or mosquito. nine0003
With intestinal helminthiases, in addition to signs of indigestion (vomiting, unstable stools), exhaustion, with increased appetite and high-quality feeding, the quality of wool may deteriorate. When infected with cucumber tapeworm, which is transmitted through fleas and their larvae, in the feces of infected dogs, you can see stirring tapeworm fragments resembling rice cereal. Some dogs with this disease have itching at the base of the tail.
Treatment and prevention of parasitic infections
Despite the widespread prevalence of parasitic diseases in dogs, at the moment there are drugs that can not only rid the dog of parasites, but also prevent infection.
For the control of fleas and ticks, including such diseases as otodectosis (ear mite), sarcoptic mange (scabies) and demodicosis, it is convenient to use Simparic tablets. For the treatment and prevention of these parasitic diseases, a monthly intake of Simpariki is sufficient according to the instructions. Simparic can be given to both adults and puppies over 8 weeks of age with or without food. nine0003
For the treatment and prevention of infestation with fleas, lice and scabies mites and roundworms, you can apply drops of Stronghold on intact dry skin in places inaccessible to licking. The drug quickly spreads throughout the dog’s body, while even washing with shampoo two hours after applying Stronghold does not reduce its effectiveness.
The drug is used for the treatment and prevention of diseases of dogs caused by parasites, it is used in adult dogs and puppies that have reached 6 weeks of age. To prevent infection with dirofilariasis, Stronghold drops must be applied monthly during the entire period of insect flight. To prevent infection with pelederosis, it is important not only to treat dogs with drugs active against roundworms, but also to exclude dogs from contact with infected soil and rotting bedding. nine0003
In case of ear scabies, or otodectosis, the ear canals are cleaned with lotion, if necessary, a course of treatment with anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial drops is carried out in agreement with the veterinarian. Fortunately, it is no longer necessary to apply irritating acaricides to the inflamed ear canal to kill the ear mites. For the treatment of ear scabies, you can apply Stronghold drops to the intact skin of the neck or give a Simparic tablet by mouth. To prevent infection with ear mites of animals going outside, it is recommended to carry out treatments monthly. nine0003
To speed up the improvement of the condition of dogs with sarcoptic mange and pelodermosis, they are washed with medicated antiseptic shampoos according to the instructions. To reduce itching in adult dogs, Apoquel tablets can be used as directed at a dose of 0.4 – 0.6 mg/kg twice daily, regardless of feeding, for several days while there is itching.
Keep in mind that the duration of treatments for parasites is determined by their biological cycle
and ability to survive in the environment. For example, the development cycle of cheiletiella proceeds completely
on an animal, usually lasts only three weeks. However, under unfavorable conditions, the parasite can remain viable for up to 90 days, so in the case of cheiletiosis, it is recommended to repeat the treatment of all animals for 3 months. With sarcoptic mange, the recommended course of treatment is two months.
The need to treat the apartment also depends on the life cycle of the parasite. For example, in the case of fleas, about 5% of the flea population lives on a dog or cat, and eggs, larvae, and pupae are found in dust, carpets, crevices, or bedding. Therefore, it is important to treat both the animals and the habitat.