Dandruff
Dandruff:
A
health cat healthy have a soft skin free from scabs and dandruff. If dandruff
is present, it is a possible sign of fleas, tapeworm, allergic dermatitis, or
some other ailment. Consult a vet.
Dogs and cats don't wear blue blazers or black scarves, so dandruff
doesn't show up as much as it does on people. But they get it just as often, usually
for the same reason: Their skin is a little drier than it should be, and it is
flaking off fast enough to become visible in their coats, says Peter S. Sakas,
D.V.M., a veterinarian in private practice in Niles, Illinois.
Some
pets have dry skin simply because that is how nature made them. Vets call this
condition dry seborrhea. "The itching can drive your pet crazy," says
Robert Rizzitano, D.V.M., a veterinarian in private practice in Los Angeles. Dry
skin and dandruff are much more common in the winter, he adds, because indoor
heat removes large amounts of moisture from the air. Frequent bathing can also
lead to dry skin. Dandruff
itself isn't a problem, but the dry skin that causes it may be. Pets with dry
skin get very itchy. Since dogs and cats don't know when to stop scratching, they
may dig in so hard that they will scratch themselves raw, getting skin infections
in the process. Allergies, parasites, or infections of any kind can also be a
cause of flaky skin. Dry
skin and dandruff may be a sign that something is wrong in the diet. Dogs and
cats need certain nutrients, especially fatty acids, to keep their skin healthy.
Most pet foods contain plenty of fatty acids. But some dogs and cats either don't
get enough fatty acids or they need more than the usual amounts. This can disturb
the skin's normal balance, leading to dry skin and dandruff, Dr. Sakas says. A
tiny parasite known as walking dandruff can cause large white flakes to appear
on the neck and back. It can cause Fur loss as well. All pets can get walking
dandruff, but it is most common in puppies. It
doesn't happen often, but dandruff may be a sign that the thyroid gland is underactive
and producing too little hormone, a condition called hypothyroidism. Other symptoms
of thyroid disease include Weight gain, thinning fur, and a loss of energy. See
Your Vet If... - Your
pet is gaining weight or is lethargic
- She
is losing fur in places
- She
is scratching a lot or developing skin sores
- Your
pet spends a lot of time indoors in the winter
- Your
pet is shedding or scratching more than usual
- He
has scales, bald patches, or a rash
- He
has severe dandruff or dry skin
- His
fur is greasy or smelly even after baths
- Your
pet has broken out in hives and is having trouble breathing
- He
has a bad sunburn
- There
has been a significant change in skin color, or the skin seems loose
- There
is a lump or swelling beneath his skin
- Your
pet has a sore on the skin that won't heal
- The
skin of the lips, abdomen, or rectal area is yellow
- There
are red or purple dots or splotches on his skin
|
