 Allergic Dermatitis Freguent bathing (every one to two weeks) helps control the signs of Allergic Dermatitis in many dogs and also helps prevent secondary-- bacterial infection. Use a gentle hypoallergenic shampoo (for example, castile shampoo, baby shampoo or a veterinarian prescribed shampoo like "Vet Solutions" Aloe and Oatmeal Shampoo), never use soap or a detergent. If you find that bathing your dog makes it worse, don't continue. Giving your dog Benedryl may also help. 1 to 2 mg per pound body weight every 8 hours. ********* Dry Skin and Dander 1. You can use diluted Murphy's soap to bathe your dog if your dog suffers from dry skin, dander or even some allergies. The Murphy's soap will clean your dog as well as soothe it's skin. Always be sure to rinse the dog well. 2. If you suspect a deficiency of essential fatty acids you can supplement the diet with 1 teaspoon to 1 1/2 teaspoons (no more) per pound of dry food or poulty drippings, lard, bacon fat, or vegetable oil (safflower, corn, soybean, or cottonseed oil are good). Canned foods containing 2%-3.5% fat can have fat added at about 1 tablespoon per pound can. Soft or moist foods containing more than 6% fat should not have fat added. Fat should only supply 5%-20% of the diet's calories. Do not increase the fat content so that fat supplies more than 40% of the daily caloric requirment as this may induce other nutritional deficiences by lower total food consumption, so beware. Skin improvement is usually seen in about 1-2 months. ********* Primary (idiopathic) Seborrhea (dog's equivalent of dandruff) This can be controlled (not cured) by frequent, regular bathing every 3 to 7 days with speical medicated shampoos that contain ingredients such as antiseptics, salicylic acid, coal tar and sulfur. In general, dry scales respond best to a mild, hypoallergenic, emollient shampoo followed by an emollient rinse. (example: bath oil, one capful to 1-2 quarts of water. ) Greasy types are best managed with products containing antiseptic degreasers such as benzoyl peroxide and drying agents such as sulfur, salicylic acid, or selenium disulfide. You can use some human antidandruff shampoos, but it is safest to obtain an antiseborrheic shampoo designed for dogs from your veterinarian as some formulations for people can be irritating to some dog's skin. If regular bathing and good flea control does not help within a month then see your veterinarian. *********  Back to Main Page
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