Dermatological diseases in animals are one of the most complex. It is problematic to prescribe an adequate treatment regimen, as well as bring it to its logical conclusion. If in large cities there are veterinary clinics where highly specialized specialists work, there is equipment and laboratories, then things are much worse on the periphery. Here, seborrhea in dogs becomes an almost insurmountable disease that doctors can mute for a while, followed by a new period of exacerbation. Today we decided to consider in detail this disease, its causes and methods of adequate treatment.
Where do the legs grow from
For the first time hearing the term "seborrhea in dogs", a person might think that we are talking about elementary dandruff. In fact, this phenomenon has much more serious causes, and it manifests itself in a rather diverse way. This disease, the nature of which sometimes can not determine. There is evidence that the disease may be of a genetic nature. However, this does not provide an answer to the question why seborrhea in dogs of the same breed and even originating from the same nest can bloom violently or not manifest itself during any life even once.
Signs
If your pet smells strongly of a dog, even immediately after you wash it, and also constantly itches, then it may have seborrhea. In dogs, this disease is severe, and secondary bacterial infections and inflammatory processes often join it.
The general definition is as follows. This is a pathological skin disease that is associated with a violation of the formation of its stratum corneum. It is also characterized as hyperfunction of the sebaceous glands, which is accompanied by enhanced separation of fat. This is visible even with the naked eye. If you clean the skin, we will see that it is slightly reddened. Fat and exfoliated epidermis often turn into a crust. Seborrhea in dogs most often develops further, so it is divided into primary and secondary. Moreover, the sooner you start treatment, the more likely it is that you can prevent complications.
Genetically mediated form
Dog skin seborrhea most often has a hereditary cause, although it cannot be argued that they simply have not yet found another explanation. It is found in certain representatives of the canine world, American Cocker Spaniels, English Bulldogs, Basset Hounds and Dachshunds, German Shepherds. This is due, as already mentioned above, to the excessive formation of epidermal flakes, which is accompanied by increased release of fat. The skin ceases to perform its functions. As you know, this is the respiratory and excretory system, which works along with the internal organs.
How does it manifest itself
Dandruff forms under the hair, this is one of the most striking symptoms that can be detected with the naked eye. Moreover, it can be dry or oily. In addition, you can see that the hair has become dull, like dusted with dust. After cleansing the skin, you can find inflamed and reddened areas. Later, plaques and sores form on the skin, and the whole body of the dog exudes an unpleasant odor. In addition, itching, brittle claws and thickening of the paw pads are observed. Often the skin begins to crack.
Secondary seborrhea
Sometimes at the first stage the owner does not pay attention that his pet has problems with hair. However, most often the symptoms of seborrhea in dogs develop rapidly. She easily turns into dermatitis, sometimes purulent. Most of the dog’s skin is affected, but primarily the head, ears, groin, interdigital areas and skin folds are affected. Further symptoms go on increasing. Itching leads to combing of wounds and introducing an additional infection into them.
Diagnostics
This disease is extremely complex, because it has hundreds of forms. If at the initial stage the veterinarian is relatively easy to determine what he has to deal with, then if a secondary complication is added to the main disease, it is much more difficult to deal with the problem and prescribe adequate treatment.
How is seborrhea diagnosed in dogs? Symptoms, the treatment of which will require constant attention from the owner, can be quite blurry, so you have to conduct a full examination by exclusion. First, an external examination of the dog is carried out in order to exclude the presence of fungi, parasites and bacterial infection. In parallel, the doctor should take urine, blood and feces tests to exclude the presence of problems with internal organs and hormones, which also sometimes affect the condition of the skin and coat. In some cases, doctors perform a biopsy of the skin. If any of the diseases that caused the root cause is detected, the doctor prescribes an appropriate treatment regimen. In the event that concomitant ailments have not been identified, the diagnosis of primary seborrhea is made.
You have to put up with it
Indeed, despite the achievements of modern veterinary medicine, this disease is considered incurable. However, if you do not start and constantly carry out preventive measures, then it will remain invisible to you and your pet. Seborrhea in dogs (we will give a photo in our article) is a chronic problem, but you can live a long and happy life with it. But knitting such animals is not recommended.
Maintenance therapy
It is based on skin cleansing. Those who eat your pet will have to bathe regularly with various antiseborrheic shampoos. The frequency depends on the type of disease, with dry, water procedures can be performed less often, and with oily - more often. The first two to three weeks it is recommended to bathe the animal three times a week, then the ratio is reduced to several times a month. In most cases, the condition improves, but the procedure will be required until the end of life. The following shampoos are recommended: Tropicline for oily seborrhea and Elite for dry.
Complication correction
What to do if there is a running seborrhea in a dog? Treatment in this case will be more complex and lengthy, however, and it can be very successful. In this case, you will need to perform the procedure to remove wool and degrease the surface using alcohol-containing agents. After thoroughly treating the affected area with tampons soaked in ethyl alcohol, it is recommended to grease it with brilliant green. Similar actions are recommended for complications of eczema or purulent dermatitis.
Systemic treatment
In some cases, the above is not enough, especially if the disease is severely neglected. After using the shampoo, an ointment is prescribed in this case. Her choice depends on the clinical picture. "Zodak" effectively relieves itching, "Diprosalik" removes redness and promotes wound healing, "Cortisone" normalizes the functioning of the sebaceous glands.
In addition, in some cases, the doctor prescribes systemic treatment. It consists in the use of antimicrobial and antifungal medications. Most often it is ceftriaxone and ketonazole. Antibiotics are necessary in order to destroy the secondary pathogenic microflora, which develops against the background of infection penetrating into open wounds. Additionally, it is important to use vitamin A and zinc to increase the effectiveness of the treatment. After the symptoms subside, the therapy is canceled, and you can only bathe the animal regularly using special shampoos.