Puppy Gal's Opinion On
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Judging from the inquiries I receive from both breeders and Bully owners,
hair loss and skin problems are expensive and frustrating. My research indicates
proper diagnose can be elusive because these issues are complicated and can be the
result of a large number of environmental factors and/or diseases.
Allergy Many canine skin issues are environmental allergy. According to the articles I've read, the most common allergens in the home environment are 1)house dust mites, 2)fleas, 3)molds, 4)cigarette smoke. Additionally dogs of all breeds can be allergic to wool, insect bites or stings, some household cleaning products, yard and household chemicals sprays, high humidity, food products, toys and the list goes on... Is it an allergy or scabies??? Many diseases and infectious parasites display very similar symptoms, example: environmental allergy, food allergy and scabies can look exactly the same. Knowing the subtle differences takes specialized training therefore general veterinarians go through a process of elimination. As with humans, new health discoveries are increasing at a phenomenal rate making it difficult for veterinarians to keep up with the immense volumes of information, therefore when the general veterinarian attempts to resolve the problem without success the patient is often referred to a veterinary dermatologist, any specialist is expensive. BUT you can assist your vet in resolving skin problems by being knowledgable in regard to allergy, treatment of the symptoms and identifying the cause. The process of elimination which must followed although it can be lengthy and time consuming. For instance your vet might not plan to treat for scabies (sarcoptic mange)because they didn't see a mite. Please review this article Scabies Mites Per the University of Knoxville website, 2/3 of the time Scabies mites can NOT be seen on skin scrapings therefore diagnosis is dependent upon symptoms and response to treatment. Scabies- last item listed. (Ivermectin is the less expensive way of treating scabies, but it has a greater risk factor. For instructions and dosage see click here ) UT Knoxville, TN - Treating Allergies in 10 Steps (see 3rd on the Univ of Knoxville list of handouts) This is a great article and a must read for those of you who have a Bully who has been diagnosed as having allergies. Here are some links which give information on the different types of skin eruptions, rashes, etc and those ailments which could cause them. Please don't get overly upset about the serious conditions until you have rule out the common problems, i.e. your Bully is allergic to the wool blanket it so loves. First an in-depth article on Skin & Hair Anatomy & Function 10 Most Common Skin Problems - Click on #15 Puppy Impetigo (Puppy Pyoderma, Juvenile Pustular Dermatitis) Scratching & Licking Scaliness of the Skin Skin Ulcers & Draining - Oozing or Crusty Lesions Fluid-filled Bumps on the Skin Solid-Appearing Lumps & Bumps on the Skin Hair Loss (Alopecia) Hair Loss On The Flank Area(Alopecia) Anus Fistulas For suspected bacterial or yeast infections, we recommend Malaseb Shampoos(TM)(Contains - Miconazole Nitrate 2%, Chlorhexidine Gluconate 2%) Order online from Valley Vet Supply (www.valleyvet.com), if your vet does not stock this product, but you will need a prescription. Doing this first could save you Mega Money!!! Hair Loss Full Body NOT associated with rashes, bumps or scratching - Blowing The Coat When Pregnant, Under Severe Stress or Hormone Changes (e.g. heat cycle). If you are positive that the hair loss is due to one of the above, daily brushing is all that is necessary. More Info - Omega Fatty Acid Deficiency - thinning hair A daily supplement of Omega Fatty Acid 3 & 6, will resolve this problem in a very short time. Hair Loss Flank Area Patches of thinning hair on the Bully's sides is usually Seasonal Flank Alopecia. SFA is a common problem among Boxer and Bulldog breeds. It simply means that due to hormonal changes associated with changing light cycles, etc. in the early spring of the year, the dog looses some hair in his flank areas. The skin underneath is not affected, and the dog experiences absolutely no discomfort. The hair will fill back in about a month so the treatment is DO NOTHING, just keep the exposed skin healthy and moisturized. Some vets recommend giving 9-mg oral melatonin once a day until the hair has grown back. Melatonin can be purchased at health food stores, drug stores or big stores like Wal-Mart. UT Knoxville & University of GA Handouts Covering A Wide Range of Issues Information presented here is strictly my opinion based upon research for which I have supplied the links and/or 50 years experience at rescuing animals of all sorts. Consult your vet and perhaps even get a second opinion from another vet about all you read on my website. |
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