How to Improve Your Doberman's Skin

BY | June 06 | COMMENTS PUBLISHED BY

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A number of Doberman dog owners face the problem of coat and skin issues with their dog. The coats become thin and dull. A few animals are observed to be constantly scratching their skin or even biting it. Take your Doberman dog to your veterinarian and there is a chance that the medical professional will give your canine an Omega supplement. Many dog owners know this, and they do a preemptive strike on their dogs: they give dog food supposedly enriched with Omega 3.

Biologically available supplements

The reality is different. Most dog foods, although they claim to have Omega-3 as a component, rarely have any kind of fatty acid which are biologically available to canines. The term "biologically available" needs a bit of explanation. When any dog food gets processed, it gets exposed to heat. The Omega fatty acids are quite sensitive when it comes to high heat. It means when you finally pour the food into your Doberman's bowl; the all-important fatty acids are long gone. Other than dry and itchy skin, a diet deficient in Omega-3 also leads to several other problems. The list includes increased time to heal wounds and allergic reaction effects. The immune system function will be decreased, and the dog will suffer painful joints. There will be hair loss and excessive inflammation. Ear infections are common. Excessive itching and hot spots will arise.

Even if your vet suggests an Omega-3 supplement, be sure to know the exact name of the medicine you have to buy, This is as not all Omega-3 supplements are the same. The ingredients which drive fatty acids are essential. One excellent example is that salmon fish is rich in Omega-3s, but the fish is also toxin-rich. This is as salmon is a bigger fish and it eats the smaller fish. If the smaller fish ate from a toxin-rich source, it follows the big predator fish is also rich in toxins (as it eats the smaller fish). Since bigger fish live longer, the amount of toxicity is even more.

The smaller, the merrier

It is thus essential to start with the smaller fishes in the food chain like anchovies. The ideal Omega-3 source should be a smaller fish with short lifespan. The theory is correct in the proof that anchovies are rich in Omega -3 but has a negligible quantity of toxins. Alternatively, you can give your Doberman artificial chewable supplements. These are made from small fishes and provide your Doberman with perfect essential oils balance. These tablets are sold in both small and large, and you can buy them as you please. You will soon observe your Doberman getting its shiny coat back once it chews on the supplements.

Itchy Skin on a Miniature Pinscher

While prescription drugs may be needed in some cases to address the underlying cause of itchy skin in a Miniature Pinscher, gentle bathing of your dog usually will provide relief from the itching. Use a mild, organic dog shampoo, and rinse the dog after the bath with a soothing, healing rinse. To make the rinse, mix a cupful of dissolved salt, Epsom salts, or apple cider vinegar to a gallon of lukewarm water. Take care not to aggravate the skin problem when you groom your dog. Use a velvet grooming glove to smooth and shine the hair without further irritating the skin. A number of medical conditions can cause itchy skin in Miniature Pinschers.

Hair Loss

The Miniature Pinscher breed is prone to the development of sebaceous adenitis, an inherited disorder that can cause severe skin problems and alopecia, a general term for hair loss. This autoimmune disorder causes the sebaceous glands in the dog’s skin to become inflamed and eventually die, after which the glands no longer produce sebum to prevent the skin from drying out. The dog develops patches of dry, itchy skin with mild scaling, mostly around the head, ears and trunk of the body. The hair falls out, and if the dog is able to scratch the patches, they may become infected. This condition cannot be cured, but symptoms can be treated with the help of a veterinarian.

Allergies

Itchy skin often is a symptom of allergic dermatitis, a reaction to an allergen in the environment. Miniature Pinschers may have sensitivities to certain substances, and the most common allergens are food, fleas, flea-control products and household cleaning products. Treatment for allergies addresses both the cause and the symptoms. Seek the advice of a veterinarian. To find out what is causing the reaction, bathe your dog, wash all bedding, and put the pet on a prescription diet or hydrolyzed protein diet. Eliminate the use of all non-organic household and grooming products until the allergy improves. Once you see improvement, gradually reintroduce your Miniature Pinscher to foods one at a time in order to identify whether a food is the cause of the allergy. Reintroduce each of your regular products one at a time, until you identify the cause of the allergy.

Fleas

Fleas are common parasites that can cause skin problems in dogs. The Miniature Pinscher usually is an indoor dog, but Dr. L. Ackerman, author of the “Guide to Skin and Haircoat Problems in Dogs,” says the dogs most at risk of a reaction to fleas are those who have only occasional exposure to them. An allergic reaction to flea bites includes weeping, itchy skin that easily becomes infected. The best resolution to this problem is a carefully managed flea-control program. However, some dogs with flea allergies also have reactions to flea-control products. Ackerman recommends regular grooming with suitable combs, and avoiding strong chemical insecticides.

Hot Spots

Hot spots are lesions that form on the dog’s skin. These lesions become hot and moist, and itch severely. The dog afflicted with a hot spot will lick or scratch the spot excessively, making the area painful and infected. This condition is also known as acute moist dermatitis. Although short-coated breeds are less likely than long-coated breeds to develop hot spots, Miniature Pinschers can still suffer from them if they are not kept clean and groomed regularly. Dogs that swim often or that are exposed to rain frequently can also develop hot spots. When grooming a Miniature Pinscher that is suffering from a hot spot, work carefully around the area to avoid irritating the skin further. Seek the advice of your veterinarian for care of a hot spot.

References & Resources

WebMD Healthy Dogs: Skin Allergies and Reactions in Dogs
Modern Dog magazine: Food Allergies 101
VetInfo: Miniature Pinscher Skin Problems
Running Ridge Miniature Pinscher Breeders: Sebaceous Adenitis
K9 Web: “Skin and Allergy Problems in Dogs”; C. Minnear; 1996
ASPCA.org: Allergies
ASPCA.org: Hot Spots

This information is for informational purposes only and is not meant as a substitute for the professional advice of, or diagnosis or treatment by, your veterinarian. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian or other qualified professional with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard or delay seeking professional advice due to what you may have read on our website.

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