Seborrhea in dogs: symptoms, treatment, photo

Dermatological diseases in animals are among the most difficult. It is problematic to appoint an adequate treatment regimen, and also to bring it to a logical conclusion. If there are veterinary clinics in large cities, where narrowly specialized specialists work, there are equipment and laboratories, then things are much worse on the periphery. Here, seborrhea in dogs becomes an almost insurmountable disease that can be muffled by doctors for a while, followed by a new period of exacerbation. Today we decided to consider this disease in detail, its causes and ways of adequate treatment.

Where the legs grow from

For the first time hearing the term "seborrhea in dogs," a person may think that it is about elementary dandruff. In fact, this phenomenon is much more serious, and it manifests itself in a rather diverse manner. This disease, the nature of which sometimes can not be determined. There is evidence that the disease can be of a genetic nature. However, this does not give an answer to the question why seborrhea in dogs of the same breed and even those originating from the same nest can blossom wildly or not manifest itself during the course of a single life.

Symptoms

If your pet smells like a dog, even immediately after you have washed it, and it also itchs constantly, then maybe it has seborrhea. In dogs, this disease is severe, and secondary bacterial infections and inflammatory processes are often attached to it.

The general definition is as follows. This pathological skin disease, which is associated with a violation of the formation of its stratum corneum. It is also characterized as a hyperfunction of the sebaceous glands, which is accompanied by an increased separation of fat. This can be seen even with the naked eye. If you cleanse your skin, we will see that it is slightly reddened. Fat and exfoliated epidermis often turn into a crust. Seborrhea in dogs often develops further, so it is divided into primary and secondary. And the earlier you start the treatment, the more likely that you will be able to prevent complications.

Genetically mediated form

Seborrhea of the dog's skin is often the hereditary cause, although it can not be said that they simply have not found another explanation. It occurs in certain representatives of the canine world, American cocker spaniels, English bulldogs, basset hounds and dachshunds, German shepherds. It is connected, as already mentioned above, with excessive formation of epidermis scales, which is accompanied by increased release of fat. Skin stops performing its functions. As you know, this is a respiratory and excretory system, which works on an equal basis with internal organs.

How it manifests itself

Under the coat, dandruff is formed, this is one of the brightest symptoms that can be detected with the naked eye. And it can be dry or oily. In addition, you can see that the wool has become dull, like powdered dust. Clearing the skin, you can find inflamed and reddened areas. Later, the skin forms plaques and sores, and the entire body of the dog exudes an unpleasant odor. In addition, itching, fragility of the 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 to the fact that his pet has problems with wool. However, most often symptoms of seborrhea in dogs are rapidly developing. It easily passes into dermatitis, and sometimes purulent. Most of the skin of the dog is affected, but the head, ears, groin, interdigital patches and skin folds primarily suffer. Further symptoms go on increasing. Itching leads to combing the wounds and introducing additional infection in them.

Diagnostics

This disease is extremely complicated, because it has hundreds of forms. If at the initial stage the vet is relatively easy to determine what it is to deal with, then if a secondary complication is added to the underlying disease, it is much more difficult to deal with the problem and to prescribe an adequate treatment.

How is seborrhea diagnosed in dogs? Symptoms that require treatment from the owner of constant attention can be quite blurred, so you have to conduct a complete examination by exclusion. First, an external examination of the dog is conducted to exclude the presence of fungi, parasites and bacterial infection. In parallel, the doctor should take tests of urine, blood and stool 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 areas. If any of the diseases that caused the underlying cause are identified, the doctor prescribes a suitable treatment regimen. In the event that the concomitant illnesses were not identified, then the diagnosis is "primary seborrhea".

With this it is necessary to reconcile

Indeed, despite the achievements of modern veterinary medicine, this disease is considered incurable. However, if you do not run and constantly carry out preventive measures, it will remain invisible to you and your pet. Seborrhea in dogs (photo we will give in our article) is a problem of a chronic nature, but with it you can live a long and happy life. But it is not recommended to knit such animals.

Supportive therapy

It is based on skin cleansing. Those eating your pet will have to bathe regularly with various anti-seborrheic shampoos. The frequency depends on the type of disease, with dry it is possible to perform water procedures less often, and for fatty - more often. The first two or three weeks are recommended to bathe the animal three times a week, then the multiplicity is reduced to several times a month. In most cases, the condition improves, but it will take the procedure to the end of life. It is recommended to use the following shampoos: "Tropicline" for oily seborrhea and "Elite" for dry.

Correction of complications

What should I do if there is neglected seborrhea in a dog? Treatment in this case will be more complex and time-consuming, however, and it can be very successful. In this case, it will be necessary to perform the procedure for removing wool and degreasing the surface with alcohol-containing agents. After careful treatment of the affected area with tampons impregnated with ethyl alcohol, it is recommended to grease it with a green. Similar actions are recommended for complications of eczema or purulent dermatitis.

Systemic treatment

In a number of cases, the above is not enough, especially if the disease is badly triggered. After using shampoo in this case, an ointment is prescribed. Her choice depends on the clinical picture. "Zodak" effectively removes the itching, "Diprosalik" removes redness and promotes healing of wounds, "Cortisone" normalizes the work of the sebaceous glands.

In addition, in some cases, the doctor prescribes systemic treatment. It consists in the use of antimicrobial and antifungal medicines. 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 into open wounds. In addition, it is important to use vitamin A and zinc to improve the effectiveness of treatment. After the symptoms go to recession, therapy is canceled, and it remains only to regularly bathe the animal with the use of special shampoos.