Many people today are very concerned because they have dogs with skin problems. Problems range from hot spots to chronic dry, flaky skin to allergies or worse. There are several things that can be done to lessen the severity of skin problems.
Many dog skin problems can be traced to a weakened or compromised immune system. Whatever you can do to strengthen your dog’s immune system can also keep your dog’s skin healthier.
Some believe that pets today are being given too many vaccinations which may be compromising their immune system. This does not mean that you should not vaccinate your pet! However, you may want to talk to your vet about reducing the number of boosters that your pet receives after they have gotten their puppy shots and one-year boosters. Some vaccinations can be given every two or three years, which puts less stress on your dog’s immune system.
Exposure to antibiotics, cortisone, flea treatments, worming treatments, chemical cleaners in the home, pesticides which scatter into your backyard every time it rains, and airborne pollutants, all cause an assault on your dog’s immune system. Limiting exposure may help your dog’s autoimmune system.
You will need to try to find out what your dog is allergic to. Dogs can be allergic to many things, ranging from foods to grass or dust mites. Your veterinarian can test your dog to find out what they are allergic to. The most common test is a blood test that your vet can send out to a lab for evaluation. This isn’t the cheapest test but it is easier on your dog.
Intradermal skin testing is the other alternative. Your pet is sedated, and an area is shaved down to the skin. A small amount of antigen is injected on the shaved area. After a specific amount of time, the area is examined for any reactions to the antigen. Once you know what your pet is allergic to you will need to eliminate these things.
If your dog does have allergies, hot spots, dry skin or other skin problems it will help to boost their immune system. There are numerous supplements on the market today and many of them are quite good. It may take as long as three months for supplements to work, especially if your dog’s skin and coat are in bad shape. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid supplements are usually recommended for dogs with skin problems. Fish and salmon oil are excellent sources of omega fatty acid. Fatty acids can come from animal or vegetable sources, however the animal sources are usually best. Vitamin A and E are also very good for your dog’s skin and coat.
Your dog’s overall diet always affects the immune system. You should feed your dog a high quality diet with listed protein sources like “chicken meal†or “lamb mealâ€. There should be at least two named meat sources of protein in the first five ingredients. Sources like “poultry digest†or a plant source such as “corn gluten†are not a good source of protein. Avoid foods with chemical preservatives (BHT, BHA, ethoxyquin), animal and plant by-products that can damage your pet’s immune system. Look for foods with natural preservatives and no by-products.
If your pet is allergic to one of the more common meat or vegetable sources then you will need to look for an alternative protein sources. There are many foods available today that contain protein sources such as venison, duck, and others. The same is true for the carbohydrates and other ingredients in dog foods. These foods will be more expensive.
A raw food diet to boost your dogs immune system can be the answer. Wild animals are not plagued by the disorders that afflict our domesticated dogs! The stomach and metabolism of all carnivores are designed to digest raw food.
You can also prepare and feed a homemade diet to ensure that your pet is eating the healthiest food possible. The natural approach to maintain the immune system is always preferred as natural remedies can be included in the routine diet without fear of side effects.
You should also try to approach treatments for your dog with the need to treat the entire system, not just the skin or other problem. Your dog’s immune system may be weakened in some way so try to build it up. Giving them supplements, changing their diet, scheduling a different vaccination schedule, and taking a more holistic approach to their lifestyle. If you improve your dog’s entire immune system then you should see an improvement in their skin and coat.
As always you should work with your veterinarian to help your pet maintain a healthy immune system.
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