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Advice on skin and coat care
Along with worming and flea control, maintenance of a healthy skin and coat ensures that your dog is a happy and welcome member of your household.
Regular brushing, even for short-haired dogs, is important to remove debris, hair and skin particles that have been shed but remain in the coat.
Remember, too, that it can be natural for a dog, especially a short-haired breed, to shed his coat almost year round if it spends a lot of time indoors.The extra light and warmth causes the dog's body mechanisms to think that every day is a long, warm summer day and that it should be molting or shedding coat hair.
When brushing your dog, select a brush that's suitable for his type of coat. Your veterinarian or pet shop can advise you on this.
First, brush the coat up, against the natural direction of the coat hair. This will ensure that you have brushed out any debris and that you are brushing the coat down to the base, rather than just smoothing down the top layers.
Proper brushing is important particularly with breeds that have a double coat (a dense undercoat under a longer coarser top coat) so that you avoid matting and tangles. Brushes are best for this; combs are usually best on shorter, more open coats.
A grooming aid may be used to help remove tangles and to add body and control to longer coats. Simply spray on the grooming aid while the coat is brushed up, and then brush it through the coat, after allowing a minute for it to dry. You will then have a smooth, static free and manageable coat.
You may bathe your dog as often as you feel he needs it. Remember, however, that the main purpose is to have a clean dog, so you should select a shampoo for that purpose, not just because it has a nice fragrance.
If your dog does not have skin problems, then do not use a medicated shampoo. You may cause more problems than you are trying to cure. If your dog has sensitive skin, avoid shampoos that contain perfume and soap (which is most of them) because these ingredients can be irritating.
If your dog has existing skin problems, follow your vet’s advice and use a shampoo that will not interfere with the treatment.
Your dog has different skin from you, and shampoos designed for humans may be too harsh for your pet. Use a shampoo specially formulated for your pet.
Skin problems come in many forms and may be caused by a variety of things; only your veterinarian can properly diagnose and treat your dog. Many different skin conditions can look the same, but the treatments required may be vastly different, and sometimes the wrong treatment can make the problem worse.
Your veterinarian will be able to determine whether your dog has, for instance, an allergic reaction, a diet problem, a reaction to a flea bite or some other skin parasite, or one of a myriad of other problems.
A word about fleas and ticks: If you live in an area known for ticks, search your dog daily during the tick season. The paralysis tick can be deadly and symptoms can take up to four days to show. If you find ticks, remove them and then keep an eye on your dog for signs of lethargy or paralysis in the back legs. Careful monitoring should ensure that you prevent the problem or at least see the signs in time to seek veterinary attention. Treatment for tick paralysis is very successful if the problem is caught early enough.
Here’s a hint for tick removal: Loop a piece of cotton thread over the tick and pull tight. This will, in most cases, remove the head and body, leaving only the pinchers in the skin, which can then be removed with tweezers or scraped out.
Again, if you are in doubt, please check with your veterinarian. Fleas can be a major problem for your dog, and for you. Your veterinarian can advise in detail on the comprehensive program of treatment to get rid of them. Briefly, however, it is important to treat the dog and his environment.
Remember that fleas do not live on the dog; they breed in the yard or under the house, especially in dry, dusty areas. When developed, they jump on the dog, bite and jump off, so most of them will be found in the house, the kennel or your dog's favorite resting places. You can rid these areas of fleas using house bombs, carpet sprays, and yard and kennel sprays.
Various sprays, rinses, collars and flea treatments are also available for your dog. Most insecticidal rinses need your dog's natural skin and coat oils to disperse and work properly. If you wash your dog before using an insecticidal rinse, be sure to use a non-soap, non-detergent shampoo that will not strip these natural oils and will ensure that the insecticide remains on the dog and works properly.
PLEASE NOTE: The basic medical information presented here in no way replaces advice from a certified veterinarian. You should ALWAYS seek professional medical help for your dog if you are concerned for his health.
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