Seborrhea in Pets
Skin that is excessively flaky is called Seborrhea. Some people refer to it as dandruff. When cells experience an abnormal turnover rate, these cells turn into dead scales. Skin cells are usually constantly dying out and new cells form and replace them. New cell are constantly moving to the surface and old cells are constantly being cast off. This can take up to three weeks. In animals this cycle is changed. The casting off process is accelerated and it just takes a few days. Therefore, there is a buildup of dead cells on top of the skin. For this reason seborrhea is called keratinization disorder. The flakes one sees are actually dead cells. Also, there may be a change in the amount and caliber of sebaceous secretions. Sebaceous glands enrich the skin by secreting oil. There are two causes of seborrhea, primary and secondary. Primary seborrhea is related to genetics. Secondary seborrhea is a result of a skin injury due to allergies, parasites or hormonal disorders like hypothyroidism. There are three types of seborrhea, dry seborrhea, oily seborrhea and seborrheic dermatitis. Dry seborrhea can be seen as scaly skin. Oily seborrhea makes skin scaly and greasy. Sebborrheic dermatitis causes greasy and flaky skin and inflammation. Dogs usually have a combination of dry and oily seborrhea. Skin becomes dry and scaly. The scales then form clusters around the dog’s hair. Overactive glands in the skin produce a greasy and waxy substance. This substance gathers on the stomach, armpits, ears, elbows and ankles. Even so, other parts of the coat can be affected. The greasy accumulation on the dog’s coat causes what is known as “doggy odor”. Dogs suffering from seborrhea can be itchy and contract skin and ear infections. Different things can cause seborrhea in dogs. Metabolic disorders such as pancreatic disease; internal or external parasites or allergies can cause seborrhea. Dogs such as Cocker Spaniels, Dobermans, Golden retrievers and Dachshaunds can contact seborrhea without a specific cause. The name of this type of seborrhea is idiopathic seborrhea. This type of seborrhea will start to show itself before the dog turns two years old. Flakiness is normal in puppies. Even so, if your pet has an excess of flakes, this may be seborrhea. The hair will have a greasy feel to it and have an odor. The skin may be red. Ears can also become inflamed and secrete oils. A dog with seborrhea may lick and scratch themselves more than usual. Contact your veterinarian if you believe your pet has seborrhea. A vet will usually run tests to determine the cause. If a dog is found to have primary, idiopathic seborrhea, it can be difficult to treat. Some test conducted include scraping the skin for mange, testing for ringworm, bacterial skin cultures or fecal exams. Blood test ruling out digestive or hormonal problems may be recommended by the veterinarian. If a cause is found there may be a cure. If an underlying cause is not found, the goal is to control the seborrhea. It cannot be cured. Treatment includes constant bathing with special medicinal shampoos. The shampoo used depends on what type of seborrhea your dog has. Shampoo and conditioners are an important part of treatment. These shampoos include ingredients such as benzoyle peroxide, refined coal tar, sulfur and ingredients that add moisture. These ingredients get rid of dying cells and cut down on the production of grease and moisturize skin. Shampoos and conditioners help the odor and itching associated with seborrhea. Pay attention to the instructions on the shampoo when it comes to bathing your pet. Shaving or clipping your dogs coat is necessary because the shampoos need to go through the fur to get to the skin. Certain rinses can also be used. In the case of secondary seborrhea, the underlying cause has to be treated as well. These underlying causes may be bacterial or yeast infections. Nutrition is also important. Feed your dog a good diet. Inflammation is usually present with seborrhea. A fatty acid supplement such as omega 3 can help. Be cautious about buying certain oils from the pet store. These oils may be harmful and not beneficial at all to your dog. New medicines are being developed to treat seborrhea in dogs. You may want to ask your veterinarian about them. |
