Do not be daunted when your pet develops a skin (and fur) problem. Different kinds of skin issues affect many pets.
Please keep your pet as there are many solutions. Please do not surrender them to the pound.
CAUSES OF SKIN PROBLEMS
To choose a solution, the cause has to be identified.
The possible causes are:
1. allergic reaction to food, shampoo or medication;
2. weather condition;
3. low immune system;
4. transmission from the mama dog/cat or other animals in the house;
5. mites, fleas and ticks and other bacteria.
You can have a skin scraping or fur analysis done by your trusted vet to know specifically what caused the problem.
WHAT CAN BE DONE:
1. On allergy: Observe your dog or cat if the skin is turning unusually pink or even reddish, the dog is suddenly scratching parts of the body, or if the pet is panting heavily after giving new food, using a new shampoo or giving a new medicine. Bring to your vet and ask for assistance. But you definitely have to stop using the new shampoo or soap, or giving the new food or medicine/supplement.
2. Some dogs develop itchiness or reddish skin when the weather changes, or during extreme cold or extremely hot weather. There are different approaches to help the dog.
3. A low immune system can be addressed by giving good, nutritious food and multivitamins or supplements specifically formulated for dogs and cats.
4. The mama dog or mama cat can transfer the skin disease. If the pup or kitten is old enough to be separated from the mother, the vet will advise this Dogs or cats with a skin problem are separated from those without a skin issue once a test has been done and the disease was found to be communicable.
5. There are many ways to rid your place of mites, fleas, ticks and other bacteria. Choose organic or natural products. Also, please keep your place clean.
HOME TREATMENTS
Always seek your vet’s expert opinion on how to deal with different skin problems.
But there are supplementary and complementary treatments that are simple and can prevent worsening of the condition.
1. For hot spot
You can apply a thin layer of diluted povidone-iodine on the spot.
2. For dandruff
You can apply VCO (virgin coconut oil) to the affected area. Leave on the body for an hour, then rinse. You can do this twice or thrice a week.
3. For severe mange or galis
You may need to combine the natural method with a vet-prescribed antibiotic, Immunol, sodium ascorbate, Vitamin B complex ,coco nectar (oral or topical) and medicated shampoo. Please consult your vet.
A WORD OF CAUTION: Never apply used engine oil. The reason this oil is discarded is because it is dirty and should not to be applied on the skin of furbabies.
4. For seborrheic dermatitis
You may use a special shampoo for oily skin combined with a vet-prescribed antibiotic, Immunol, Vitamin B complex, sodium ascorbate and coco nectar.
5. For ticks and fleas
You may use diluted apple cider vinegar on the fur and skin, or D.E powder (food grade), or organic/natural anti-tick and flea spray.
For severe ticks and fleas, you can use commercial tick and flea solutions but please use with care as most often, they are too strong and can lead to liver damage.
A WORD OF CAUTION: never use Sevin or Wash Out. These cannot be applied directly on the dog ’s skin. These are used on areas only. Keep your dog or cat away from the area you are cleaning.
HOW TO PREVENT SKIN DISEASES
1. Give supplements which boost the immune system and cleanses/protects the liver: coco nectar, Immunol, VCO, apple cider vinegar and Liv 52.
2. Check their food. Some dogs are allergic to chicken.
3. Never give fatty food.
4. Never give seasoned food or food with fish sauce, soy sauce and bagoong (anchovies).
5. Never give food with onion, garlic, grapes, chocolates, and seafood like shrimps, crabs, prawns, and shellfish.
6. Some commercial dog and cat food cause mange and other diseases. If a dog develops itchiness or mange after eating a certain brand, please change the brand. Also, look at the salt content to avoid kidney problems.
7. Make sure their surroundings are clean. The place where they stay is most often the breeding ground of bacteria and eggs of ticks, mites and fleas.
8. Do clean the floor and walls to remove ticks and fleas. Use natural anti-tick and flea to clean your place.
9. Check the neighbors’ furkids if they are infested with parasites that may travel and walk on walls and soil. Please recommend a good treatment plan for their furkids too.
10. Do not let your cats and dogs interact with other pets without knowing the other pets’ condition.
11. When receiving guests in your house, give them pointers on what not to give to your babies. Most often, especially during parties, guests (especially kids) enjoy offering food from their plate that are not good for dogs and cats. It is best is to keep them in a room or away from the crowd.
About the author: Mitch Canlas- Cordova is an animal welfare advocate and the founder of Furbabies TLC. A businesswoman, she is also a mother to four (4) human children who rescue animals in need, and to 26 rescued cats.
She graduated from the College of Holy Spirit with a degree in BSC Management.