Willow's skin issues

Topics, guidelines and tips for coat and skin care and grooming Chow Chows.

Moderator: chowadmin

Post Reply
User avatar
willowchow
Rank 2
Rank 2
Posts: 764
Joined: Tue Mar 29, 2005 8:04 am

Willow's skin issues

Post by willowchow »

Hi everyone.

I've tried everything to help Willow's severe dandruff.

She just has severe embedded dandruff in her undercoat that I can't seem to get under control despite vitamin supplements, premium diet, no sugar, grooming, etc.

Any suggestions? She has seen a dermatologist who diagnosed this as seborrhea.

Thanks.
kathokatho
Rank 0
Rank 0
Posts: 2
Joined: Fri Apr 08, 2005 9:56 pm
Location: USA

dandruff

Post by kathokatho »

Try a vinegar rinse. This puts the ph balance back in the skin. Rinse with one cup of viniger per gallen of water. let sit on skin for 5 min...then rinse litely off. dry dog with blow dryer. Never let the dog "air dry". Do this once a week...takes about a month for the dandruf to go away.
User avatar
carolyn dewrance
Rank 3
Rank 3
Posts: 1106
Joined: Sun Mar 13, 2005 6:20 am
Location: Cape Town South Africa
Contact:

skin problems

Post by carolyn dewrance »

Skin Problems
- Demodectic mange is caused by mites who live in hair follicles and feed on sebum. Since sebum production increases at puberty, it is most prevalent at that time. Most dogs have these mites without exhibiting any symptoms. Susceptibility to the disease appears to be genetically transmitted. It causes the loss of hair and a spotty looking coat, with no signs of itching. In severe cases, the skin first becomes red, thickened and scaly. It then becomes oily and begins to smell. This should be treated quickly. There are both topical and systemic treatments for this. You should consult your Vet for the right remedy. With appropriate treatment, you dog can be free of this disease.
A different mite causes sarcoptic mange. Your dog will scratch and bite at himself consistently. Scabs, crusting areas and hair loss is common. There are several dips, which will control the problem. Your Vet can give you cortisone to control the itching and you can use Panalog to soothe the infected area.
Hot Spot. This is a weeping sore or moist dermatitis associated with hair loss. It can result from the dog's scratching itself continually. You need to catch this quickly, since it can rapidly spread over the dog's coat. Treatment consists of shaving and thoroughly cleaning the effected area and applying a topical antibiotic and anti-itch powder or ointment. A drying agent, like hydrogen peroxide, may be beneficial. After bathing the effected area, application of a hydrocortisone cream is helpful. Recovery is usually fast. If the dog is in severe pain, tranquilizers may be helpful. If the dog can reach the effected area, an Elizabethan collar can be used to prevent licking or biting the sores. I have made a collar of foam rubber covered in canvas and measured to the neck of the dog, this is attached by Velcro strips, and stops the dog from chewing it’s affected parts.
Fleas
- Fleas, which feed on blood, are the most common parasites on dogs. The presence of fleas can be observed from black and white flecks about the size of grains of sand in your dog's coat. The whites are eggs and the blacks are flea feces. Of course, you may also see the fleas. Flea eggs incubate on your rugs and furniture, so if there are fleas, you should have your entire house professionally treated to eliminate the problem.
Spraying dips, use of a flea collar, or flea powders can handle a temporary infestation that is quickly caught. We do not use flea collars because of the danger the dog could chew each other's and poison themselves. This is not a problem in an only dog household. Dips and sprays are quick, effective and long lasting. You must treat both the dog and the environment or the problem will only reoccur. Once the fleas are eliminated, there are monthly medications that can successfully keep your dog flea free.
Some dogs are allergic to the flea's saliva and develop a rash and itching. Since fleas tend to gather around the tail, you may notice your dog scooting or backing up against things to rub his bottom on. Cortisone treatment by a Vet, coupled with dipping and use of topical antibiotics is effective in treating the allergic reaction.
Ticks
" Ticks live in all areas mainly from spring until the end of summer (depending on the weather). Adult ticks attach themselves to you dog for two to four days of feeding on their blood. You should check for ticks daily if your dog is outside, In bad seasons, you may find 10 to 20 ticks on your dog each day. Ticks also occur in gardens where the ground is continually damp such as we had in Waterfall, I had at least 6 of my dog’s go down with Biliary, and lost Trisha my female Doberman from it.
Ticks carry a disease in South Africa called Biliary disease; Lyme disease can affect man, and animal. Therefore, you should remove ticks quickly and safely. Applying alcohol or fingernail polish directly to it with a cotton swab can kill the tick. After several minutes, it will die and be ready for removal. Grasp the dead tick with a tissue as close to the skin as possible and apply steady pressure until it comes loose. In more rural areas, where severe tick problems are more prevalent, sprays or dips can be used. Be sure to treat the dog's sleeping quarters when you treat him. As with any poison, read the label carefully and seek your Vet's advice on treatment.
Ringworm
Ringworm gets its name from the appearance - a red ring at the margin of a rapidly spreading ring of hair loss. It is not cause by a worm, but a fungus living on the skin. Microscopic examination of skin scrapings and fungus cultures is best for diagnosis. For minor infections, the hair should be clipped away from the effected area and the area bathed with Betadine shampoo or whatever your Vet prescribes. More severe cases can be handled with prescription drugs.
Carolyn Dewrance
Shongweni Valley
Natal
South Africa
Carolyn Dewrance
4 Fernwood Close
Richwood
Cape Town 7441

Image
User avatar
Jasper
Rank 0
Rank 0
Posts: 19
Joined: Mon Jun 27, 2005 9:40 pm

Post by Jasper »

If all the above are ruled out it could be allergies. Environmental or food. We use Neutrogena T-gel for Maggie's coat, which is specifically designed for seborrea. It's the tar that helps, just like in people.
Post Reply