| |
 Taking
care of your pet's skin and ears will keep them looking and smelling
their best. You should observe other pets as you encounter them to get
an idea of what normal coats should look like. Frequently, owners come
in with pets that have terrible skin and fur and they think it is
normal. Both they and their pets suffer unnecessarily as a result.
The basis of a healthy skin is based in proper nutrition.
Appropriate diets should provide all of the nutrients that the body
needs without subjecting your pet to any nutritional excesses or
inadequacies. Of particular importance with respect to the skin, is the
amounts and ratios of essential fatty acids in the food. Fatty acids
are the building blocks of cell membranes and play a big role in the
inflammatory process in the body. The "essential" fatty acids are the
ones that the body cannot create from other fatty acids.
We recommend Hill's Pet Nutrition Prescription diets
for all of our patients because all of their foods are balanced to
deliver exactly what your pet needs. They are enhanced with the right
levels of fatty acids to help the skin and coat and have very low
residue (waste) which may lead to dietary allergy.
Routine Skin Care:
- Dogs should be bathed every 1 to 4 weeks
depending on the nature of their skin, whether they live indoors or
outdoors and on owners time constraints.
- Cats are usually good self groomers, and bathing
may not be needed at all.
- Bathing can be done in the tub, sink or even on
the patio providing the weather is warm. It is best to have a leash
on your pet and tie him/her up to a stable object to prevent a wet
pet from running away from you.
- You should always check your pet's nails prior to
bathing and trim them as needed. This will help prevent them from
scratching you if they get upset by the bath.
- A rubber mat should be placed at the bottom of
the tub or sink to give your pet a good foothold. This will make
them more accepting of the bath.
- A good all purpose shampoo for either pet is Vet
Kem Flea and Tick Shampoo. It has conditioners to help improve the
skin and will kill any fleas or ticks on your pet. If your pet has
sensitive skin or a tendency towards mild dandruff, we would
recommend Allergroom Shampoo.
- If you pet has smelly, greasy, or excessively dry
skin, consult with our medical staff for advice on the appropriate
shampoo to use.
- After bathing, you can help condition your pet's
skin and coat with Humilac or Malacetic conditioners. These
conditioners help bring back some of the moisture to the skin that
is washed away with the bathing. They can be used between bath for
pets with dry skin.
- Pet's can be dried with a towel, followed by a
hair dryer on low setting. Be sure not to burn your pet's skin with
overzealous use of the dryer.
Routine Ear Care:(click
here)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
