Veterinary information on the dry skin syndrome in dogs

THE DRY SKIN SYNDROME



Many household pets suffer from dry, flaking, scaling skin. Sometimes there is severe itching. It is a year-round problem in some pets, or more often appears only during the winter months when the heat is turned on in the house. Dry types of heat, such as electric and radiant, dry the coat much worse than in houses where humidifiers are included in the heating system.

“Dry skin” is a result of the outer layer of the skin losing excessive amounts of moisture. When this outer layer drys out, it begins to become brittle and flake off. This causes the skin to become dry, brittle, and flake excessively.

Dry skin has many causes including the environment, infections, parasites, hormonal imbalances, hereditary, and dietary disorders.

“Dry skin” often persists for life -- requiring long-term therapy to keep the problem under control. The major complications of “dry skin” include bacterial skin infection and self-trauma due to scratching and/or chewing.

Unfortunately, there is NO “magic cure” for “dry skin.” Treatment involves cleansing the skin of loose flakes, removing harmful bacteria, and moisturing the skin with rinses and/or sprays. Moisturizing products serve as a replacement for the natural skin moisture.

Over-the-counter pet shampoo is often a factor that makes the problem worse. We often hear, I just gave my pet a bath, and now it is scratching & itching worse. This is due to a difference in the pH (acid content) of the pet’s skin and the over-the-counter products. Products available through the veterinarian are pH adjusted for the pet’s skin. This is the same problem that results when “human” shampoo is used to bathe the pet.

Follow the below listed directions to keep the problem controlled. Remember that this problem requires REGULAR, CONTINUOUS THERAPY to prevent complications. THERE IS NO CURE -- only proper skin maintenance to control it.

For more information contact your local veterinarian or animal clinic. 

www.missionvet.com
http://www.missionvet.com/Common%20Conditions/dry_skin.htm