Labrador Retriever Dogs Blog

Copyright (c) 2008 JK MacDonald

From my experiences of dealing with my dog for skin problems. I have a lot of research time and suggestions to assist other canine owners in learning how to treat a dog for skin disorders. In my experience the most common disorder found is itching, and chewing and on one certain area on the dog. If your dog has an allergic reaction to something, it will cause red patches, bald spots or irritate the skin. If open wounds or scabbing appears, the next thing that can happen is a bacterial infection.

Allergies are a very common occurance in canines. Skin infections much like ear infections are a couple, of the most common issues affecting a dogs health. Skin problems normally present themselves in “hot spots”, sush areas as eyes, mouth, stomach, anis, and armpits.

How To Treat Dog For Skin Problems;

You could apply a solution made of Oxy-Drops to the area. Mix this solution by mixing 1 teaspoon of oxy-drops to a cup of purified water. Now you should get blood testing done to pin point the exact cause on the problem. As said before itchy skin is the most common irritation for dogs to deal with.

On the flip side, a dog that is allergic to fleas may have a severe reaction that can cause very itchy skin. Under these circumstances your dog may bite at or scratch the itchy spot, and could later lead to a bacterial infection. If your dog is always chewing and digging at their skin causing open wounds and sores, try the following.

The use of a shampoo that contains eucalyptus and aloe vera can greatly reduce itchy areas on your dog’s skin, and help to heal the irritated areas. Diets with vitamins, minerals and fatty acids can help keep your canines skin clear, clean and healthy. Dogs have a different reaction to allergies than we do as humans, we have nasal problems, where as dogs have skin irritations.

An allergy to food can also be a cause for skin problems in dogs, and can cause sickness in dogs aswell. Thankfuly food allergies can be stopped by simply changing your dogs diet, so it is an easy fix. Hypoallergenic dog food would help resolve this problem.

Here are the 5 most likely causes of dog allergies, fleas, food allergies, atopy, bacteria, and contact allergies.

Sometimes flea medications can cause more problems then the fleas themselves. These problems may include skin infections, irritations, even seizures. As you can see there are a number of causes of skin problems in dogs, and many ways to treat a dog for skin problems so you should always consult your vet.

One of the most commonly over looked causes of skin problems in dogs, is an allergic reaction to something in the food they are eating. Some commercialy made dog foods contain minerals and dyes, that can cause an allergic reaction, or even be very harmful to your dog’s body system.

Itchy skin, hair loss, constant scratching, ear and anal gland problems are the most common indicators of a dog skin problem.

Although there are many canine skin disorders, the 5 following tips will help to identify some of the more common dog skin problems.

1. Fleas: The best way to identify a flea problem is to check your pets belly area and along the inside of the back legs. The hair is thinner in this area and easier to spot both fleas and flea dirt. The flea itself is brown or copper colored and roughly the size of a pin-head. Flea dirt looks like sprinkled pepper. Ruffling the fur on your dog’s back and along the base of the tail is also an easy way to find fleas and flea droppings. Often times dogs that develop Flea Allergy Dermatitis will show hair loss around the base (top) of the tail. There are many options available for flea and tick control.

2. Food Allergy Dermatitis: Although food allergies can appear in pups as early on as 5 or 6 months, they can also develop in adult dogs as late as 11 or 12 years old. Common symptoms of food allergy dermatitis are itching of the skin, excessive scratching, hot spots and even skin infections. Dog owners should realize that there is a distinct difference between Food Allergies and Food Intolerance. Like people, classic symptoms of a food intolerance would be an upset stomach and diarrhea. All foods do not agree with all dogs. Pink Bismuth is a safe remedy for stomach upset and diarrhea in dogs. Food allergies require slowly eliminating foods and changing the diet.

3. Atopic Dermatitis: A condition caused by environmental allergens. Dogs that suffer with airborne allergies will often rub their face along the side of a sofa or along the carpet. As with food allergies, dogs will also chew their feet. With Atopic Dermatitis, it’s common for dogs to develop ear infections due to a yeast overgrowth. Pollen, trees, grass, dust and wool fabric are just a few common airborne allergens that some dogs are sensitive to. Antihistimines are often prescribed.

4. Acral Lick Dermatitis (Lick Granuloma): This raised lesion will be red, hairless and is usually found on the leg of the dog. This neurological condition is self-induced due to continuous licking. Possible causes include anxiety, boredom and stress. Treatment will include identifying the source of the problem (anxiety, etc.), restricting licking of the area and often times medication for behavioral modification.

5. Hot Spots: Medically referred to as Acute Moist Dermatitis, these round lesions generally appear in warmer weather. Along the hip, the sides of the chest and around the head area are the most common locations for hot spots. These moist and hairless inflammations are painful causing the dog to fixate on the particular spot by licking, chewing and scratching at it. Continuous licking in one area is a large factor in the development of hot spots. These lesions can quickly become very large in size. The location of the hot spot will help determine what the underlying problem could be an; anal gland problem, ear problem or a flea problem. A Veterinarian will clip the hair around the spot, clean it with a medicated solution, prescribe antibiotics and pain medicine.

Determining the source of many dog skin problems can be difficult. Skin conditions can be uncomfortable and painful, so dog owners should not give up until they know where the problem stems from.

The inside lining of the ear is normally smooth with a small amount of wax buildup. Many problems can cause the ears to be irritated, inflamed and/or infected. Any of these causes left untreated can lead to more complicated problems, including middle and inner ear damage and hearing loss. Most cats let you know that their ears are uncomfortable by scratching, shaking and/or tilting their heads.

CAUSES

Ear mites are most common in ear problems adult cats and puppies. These microscopic mites have hairs on their body that irritate the ears. They are also responsible for the itching and the dark brown, coffee-like residue. Mites live primarily within the ear canal. They can also live outside of the ear and on other parts of the cats body, they do not infest your home.

* Trauma to the ear from foreign materials like plant seeds or over-aggressive cleaning can also cause pain and inflammation of the ears.

* Flea allergies can occasionally involve the ears.

* Allergic reactions to pollen, mold, and dust are not common in ears. Ear infections associated with allergies often recur until the underlying cause of the allergy is determined and treated.

SYMPTOMS

* Scratch ears often.

* Shake or tilt head.

* Odor and/or discharge from ears.

WHAT YOUR VET CAN DO

* Diagnosis involves examining a sample of the ear discharge under the microscope. This is called a Cytology and will identify the problem. The most effective treatment will be determined according to whether mites, yeast or bacteria are present.

* Ear mites can also live outside of the ear, on other parts of your cat’s body. Flea control products can help to manage this problem.

* Instead of using eardrops to treat mite infections, you can now purchase a new topical treatment called Revolution (selamectin), applied onto the skin at 30 day intervals, which controls fleas, ticks, heartworms, intestinal worms and ear mites for cats and dogs.

* To prevent ear problems, check your cat’s ears regularly. Only use products recommended by your vet to clean your cat’s ears, and never clean any deeper than you can see.

* Long-term and/or recurrent ear infections may require a culture to pinpoint the exact agent responsible and the medication best suited to eliminate the infection.

NOTE: An otoscope is designed and illuminated to allow complete visualization of the ear canal

HEMATOMA (BLOODCLOT) OF THE EAR

* Hematomas usually occur as a result of self-inflicted trauma to the ear. Many cats vigorously Itch their ears because of a persistent underlying ear mite problem. A blood vessel in the earflap ruptures which causes bleeding into the earflap tissue. Treatment usually requires surgical

removal of blood clots and drainage of blood under anesthesia. Hematomas tend to recur until the underlying problem is eliminated because the cats continue to traumatize their ears by itching. Many ears scar down into an abnormal appearance.

TREATMENT

Milbemycin, is the active ingredient in Sentinel, a tablet given monthly to prevent heartworms, fleas, intestinal worms, and ear mites in cats. Selamectin is the active ingredient in Revolution, approved in cats, a monthly product that kills ear mites and walking dandruff mites, and prevents heartworms and fleas. New monthly flea preventative products have replaced ear drops to treat ear mites.

COMPLEMENTARY EAR TREATMENTS

Yeast Infections: Mixing equal parts of white vinegar and water (50:50) makes a good ear cleaning solution for yeast.

Bacterial Ear Infections: Garlic can be added to the diet only occasionally, continual high doses can cause anemia:

* Garlic has antibacterial and antifungal effects.

HERBALEAR REMEDIES

* Mullein (Verbascom thapsus)

* Mucilage or Sapenins have a demilucent effect.

* Use topically for bacterial ear infections.

* Calendula makes an effective ear cleaning solution: Mix one teaspoon of Calendula with a teaspoon sea salt and one cup of water.

* Calendula Oil is soothing to red inflamed ears. Apply two drops into ears once daily.

* To eliminate ear mites, Yellow Duck (Rumex crispus) two drops every 3rd day for three to six weeks.

HOMEOPATHIC EAR REMEDIES

For red, irritated ears try Pulsatilla (6c Windflower) one pellet every third day for two weeks. Withhold food ten minutes before and after treatment. Sepia officinalis (30C) two whole or three crushed pellets by mouth twice a day for three days then once a week, until the ears are healed. Helpful with itching and head shaking.

VESTIBULAR (MIDDLE EAR) DISEASE

Long-term and/or recurrent ear infections can spread to involve the middle ear. The middle ear houses nerves, called Vestibular nerves, which are responsible for balance and equilibrium. If these nerves are irritated, cats can lose their balance, tilt their heads, stagger and often fall over. This is called Vestibular Disease. Some cases are associated with ear infections and rarely brain tumors are responsible but the cause in most cases is unknown or idiopathic. The term Idiopathic Vestibular Disease is used in these cases.

DIAGNOSIS

X-rays are initially used to evaluate the middle ear. The bone housing the middle ear is called the Tympanic bulla and is located within the brain. The series of x-rays taken in this case, is respectively called a “Bulla Series”. A CAT scan or MRI are more sensitive imaging techniques that may be necessary to allow visualization of this area of the brain if the x-rays are inconclusive.

Typically, most cases of Idiopathic Vestibular Syndrome occur for some as of yet unknown reason in the spring and fall. Cats suddenly tilt their heads and begin staggering, for no apparent reason. Cats generally improve within 72 hours and symptoms usually resolve in a couple weeks. Occasionally the head tilt persists.

Dogs have very sharp auditory faculties, no matter which breed they belong to. Ears of dogs obviously differ with the breed. So if you are interested in gaining knowledge about avoiding dog ear difficulties or even learning the right procedure to keep your dog’s ears dirt free, then this is the article to read.

The inner as well as the outer curve of the dog’s ear is extremely sensitive. Hence try to tackle diseases of the ear in the symptom stage i.e. before they actually infect.

Here are five methods via which you can keep your dog’s ear dirt free and also deal with infections in case they occur:

A. Plug your dogs’ ears with cotton very tenderly and then take him or her for a shower. The cotton will not allow water to trickle into the ears.

B. To keep your dog’s ears dirt free, wipe it at least once every month. The procedure is quite simple. Firstly, wet cotton with alcohol, diluted peroxide, mineral oil, or any other commodity that your doctor has suggested.

Be very cautious as you mop the curves of the outer and inner ear and slowly remove the wax. Your hand movements should not be such that the wax is pushed into the ear. Also mop only the bits that you can see or else you might hurt his or her ear or even injure the inner ear.

As the wax is important in taking care of the ear canal, do leave some at the end of your wiping procedure. However, this is little problematic as a little wax left behind after every clean up venture will ultimately lead to an increase in wax.

C. The dog ear lobe comes into play in case your dog simply adores high grass as well as shrubberies. Leaves and other parts of the plants often fasten themselves to the dog’s hair around the ear region. These external agents must be taken care of immediately or else they can get inside the ear and affect the membranes and thus lead to contagions.

D. English Spaniels as well as Poodles are distinct strains of dogs that have excessive hair growth around their ears. Thus they are more prone to contagions as air movement is hindered. Their hair must be cut and combed on a daily basis to avoid all ear diseases.

E. Any contagion that has occurred beneath the ear lobe can aggravate very quickly. Small wounds or injuries need to be looked into immediately. These can occur if your dog has recently been engaged in a brawl with another creature.

Special Illnesses that Affect Old Dogs

A dog hardly loses its sanity in its old age. The illnesses that are connected to the spinal cord as well as the brain hardly affect this breed. The most fatal illness, arteriosclerosis, which is also responsible for insanity is not common with dogs.

Cerebral hemorrhage, referred to as apoplexy or stroke, is also rare in this species. Rabies virus attacks the nerve tissue and is transferred through a bite by an animal that has contracted the disease. Studies have revealed that rabies is also caused via air. It has been the general notion for centuries that a rabid animal is incurable and hence is a threat to animals and people around him or her. Hence they are generally euthanized in case they have not yet dug their tooth into someone.

However, there has been a case where a couple of humans who had contracted the disease have been saved. Thus this can lead to an excellent situation for rabid dogs. They can be cured of rabies now. There is no absolute need for you to fret over your rabid dog as the proficient and secure vaccines will keep him or her away from such illness.

Have you noticed that you’re dog cannot seem to stop scratching his ear or both ears?  This may be a sign that your dogs ears need to be clean.  Or it may also be a sign of a more serious condition that needs to be treated as soon as possible.  This article will discuss some of the potential ear problems that your dog might be suffering from and how you can treat them.

One of the most common ear problems that dogs often deal with is wax buildup which can cause irritation if left untreated too long.  This is common in dogs that have floppy ears than hand down instead of standing straight up.  This waxy buildup is usually caused by excess moisture in the ear, or other debris that remains in the ear.  Excess water and other substances remain trapped in the ear because the ears cover the ear opening so it is less likely that the water and debris can drained or released from the ear.  Consequently, water does not dry up as easily because there is less air flow to the inner ear.

Two other types of ear issues that your dog could experience are the yeast infection, and ear mites.  The yeast infection results from the excess buildup of water and debris in the inner ear and over time those substances will continue to fester and create the substance know as yeast, which will be very irritating to your dog.  One way of diagnosing this condition is by the appearance of the waxy buildup, and by the smell that is released from the infected buildup.  The color of the buildup will typically be a brown to dark brown color and will have distinct foul odor.  Ear mites are a little harder to diagnose since they are so tiny.  If redness exists, but you do not see any discoloration, you can have your dog’s ears check by a veterinarian.  They will have the proper tools that will allow them to see the ear mites to determine if that is the definite issue.

The common ear condition of waxy buildup is treatable with over the counter ear cleansing solutions and usually can be cleared up fairly quickly if treated consistently.  To clean your dog’s ears, place the tip of the nozzle on the ear cleansing solution into the ear canal and squeeze enough solution in to make a squish sound when you are massaging the dog’s ear.  Once you have the solution in the ear, place a cotton ball in the canal to prevent the solution from coming out.  Massage the ear in a circular motion for about 30 seconds, keeping the cotton ball in the can to prevent the solution from getting out. You should be able to hear the solution swishing around in the dog’s ear.  Use more solution if you do not hear this. After about 30 seconds or so, release the cotton ball and allow your dog to shake his head.  This will throw any access debris and solution from his inner ear.  Be careful where you stand!  This could be messy if he has a lot of buildup.  Wipe any excess dirt and solution from inside the ear and repeat if necessary.

Other issues like the yeast infection are typically not treatable with over the counter solutions, but rather with prescription solutions that are more powerful.  Conditions can also be treated with antibiotics if the infection is bad enough.

If you’re dog is having problems with his ears and you can see that he is definitely bothered by it, it may be because he his an ear issue that needs treatment either by yourself or a veterinarian.  Remember, you can help by cleaning your dog’s ears on a weekly basis and continuing to monitor their condition.  If it is something more severe, always consult a veterinarian for treatment.  You’re dog will be much happier and so will you.

In terms of dog training, house training is one of the areas of dog ownership and one of the most common dog training problems that is most subject to misunderstanding, confusion, and just plain dread boy dog owners and even dog training experts.

In today’s dog training article we are going to examine and learn how to deal with two of the most common problems surrounding the issue of house training your dog:

- Submissive and excited urination

- Scent marking behavior

Common house training problem #1: Submissive and excited urination

What is it a ‘submissive urinator’?

A ‘submissive urinator’, in dog training terms, is a dog that urinates on the floor and himself (and sometimes on you or any guests you may have!) in situations of extreme excitement or stress, like when you return home at the end of the work day or when the dog is being told off for some bad behavior.

Why does this happen?

Puppies are the most usual candidates for submissive/excited urination, but it is also not uncommon to see this behavior in adult dogs as well. Usually, these are highly sensitive and timid dogs, and/or ones from a shelter/with a history of abuse (often these last two go hand-in-hand and one of most common things we see as dog training professionals.)

When does it happen?

Situations which are likely to trigger an excited/fearful dog to urinate:

- Greeting time after a prolonged absence of owner

- Play time where a dog gets too excited

- The arrival of guests (particularly unknown guests)

- Stressful situations at home, eg arguments involving owner

- During a behavior correction such as you’re telling him off

- Sudden and unexpected loud noises such as thunder or fireworks

What can I do about it?

Luckily as dog training experts will tell you, it is not difficult to prevent your dog from doing his submissive or excited urination.

Firstly and most importantly, you should take him to the vet to make sure there is no unknown medical reason for the issue (such as diabetes or a hidden bladder infection.)

Next, it’s time to take use good dog training techniques to control the problem:

- Try to limit his intake of water to help him control his bladder more effectively, this is very important. Don’t restrict his water intake over a prolonged period of time, but if you know there is a situation coming which would normally result in a loss of bladder control, for example, you have guests coming over, or are planning on a play session soon, take his water bowl away for a period of time (maybe half an hour to an hour) before the event.

- When greeting your dog, keep it calm and mellow. The more excited he is, the harder it is for him to control his bladder, so don’t encourage him to get worked up: ignore him for the first few moments, or give him a very neutral “hello”, a quick and gentle pat, and then go about making yourself at home.

- It’s important that you DO NOT punish or harshly correct your dog for this behavior. It is not something that he can easily control, and he’s certainly not doing it on purpose. Punishing a dog for this behavior can cause emotional distress and lead to more problems for you and the dog in the long run. When you catch him in the act, you can interrupt him (a firm “No!” followed by praise when he stops should suffice) but don’t punish him. Keep your cool, and try to be sympathetic: he doesn’t mean to do it, after all!

- If he urinates out of fear (submissiveness) when scolding him for another offense, try to take the stress levels down a notch by keeping a firm, authoritative, but not angry tone. Remember, you’re dealing with a sensitive, highly-strung dog: if you get angry or worry him further, the problem will worsen.

Common house training problem #2: Scent marking

In dog training terms ‘Scent marking’ is where a dog ‘marks’ his or her territory with urine. Technically this is not actually a house training problem, since it’s based on the dog training issues of dominance and territoriality rather than insufficient house training. A dog can be perfectly house trained but still feel the need to mark inside the house.

However, because – since the problem centers around the unwanted presence of urine in the house – it seems logical, in a way, to link this problem with house training. Since this is one of the most widespread problems among dog owners, we as dog training professionals thought it worthwhile to include some practical advice.

Scent marking and lack of house training: how to differentiate between the two

Your dog is most likely scent marking their territory, rather than genuinely relieving himself, if:

- The amount of urine produced is relatively small, and tends to be directed against vertical surfaces such as doors, walls or furniture.

- If your dog is an unneutered male and at least five or six months old. Unneutered dogs are much more territorial than neutered ones. If you have an unneutered dog in the house, you can pretty much expect a certain amount of scent marking as he defines his own areas. It should also be noted that unspayed females also mark, but it is much less common. Spayed and neutered dogs can also exhibit marking behavior, but it’s relatively rare but should not be discounted.

- It makes little difference how often he is taken outside for a toilet break

- He frequently targets items that are new to the house such as new possessions, guest clothing/footwear, etc that do not carry some form of his scent

- You live in a multi-dog household and there is conflict between two or more of the dogs. In this case it is a dominance issue between the two and they may both mark.

- There are other, unneutered or unspayed pets in the house

What to do about the problem?

From a dog training perspective the first thing you need to do is spay or neuter your dog(s) as soon as you possibly can. If you can do this early enough, ideally, at six months of age, this often halts marking altogether. If this is not possible or if your dog’s been marking for a prolonged period of time, he or she may continue to do so after being spayed or neutered, since a pattern of behavior will have been established.

Ensure you clean soiled areas thoroughly. Use a non-ammonia based cleaner, because it smells just like pee, and stay away from vinegar too, it smells similar to pee as well. Oxi-Clean mixed with warm water is particularly effective on these areas and there are also plenty of commercial cleaners designed specifically to lift pet stains and odors, which you can buy from pet stores and some supermarkets.

Because dogs tend to re-mark the same places, you’ll need to redefine the places that you know he’s marked to prevent repeat offending.

Many dog training experts will recommend the following ways to do this:

- Feed him next to or on top of the spot

- Play with him there

- Groom him there

- Put his bed over or next to it

- Spend time there yourself: hang out with a book or sit down and work

Finally, one particular aspect of dog training that is often overlooked is if there is rivalry between dogs in the household. In this case you will need to take steps to resolve it. Any conflict is likely to be hierarchical in nature (a ‘power struggle’), which means that all you have to do to stop the tension is pay attention to which dog seems to be more dominant than the other one (which one eats first, gets the toys he/she wants, ‘stares down’ another dog), and reinforce this position to establish the hierarchy.

So how do you do this? From a dog training perspective it is relatively simple. First, feed the dominant dog first. Pet him/her first. Give him/her a toy before anyone else gets one. This makes it clear to all dogs in the house which one really is the dominant dog. When this hierarchy’s been recognizably established, territorial and dominant behaviors like scent marking often vanish overnight.

In this article, “How To Avoid A Dog Ear Infection Or Other Canine Ear Problems”, we investigate the some causes of ear infections and other related ear problems as well as providing some pratical advice on how to keep your dog’s ear in good working order.

Regular examination of your dogs ears should be another integral part of your grooming routine. Your examination should not only be checking for dirt, excessive wax, offensive odors, but also for tears and swellings. There are three main parts to a dogs ears: the outer flap (the pinna), the ear canal, and the middle or inner ear.

The pinna can either be pendulous (floppy) or erect. It can be covered in long hair in breeds such as spaniels and setters or with short hair in breeds such as shepherds and terriers. The ear canal is L-shaped. It starts of at a vertical angle and then makes a horizontal turn. Because of this shape we can only make a cursory examination. A veterinarian can make a complete examination using a device called an otoscope. Using the otoscope the veterinarian can also check the inner ear.

A dog which shakes its head, scratches or rubs it head against the floor or furniture is indicative of a dog with a possible ear problem. Offensive odors could also be indicative of an ear infection. These as well as tears and swellings on the outer ear should be checked and treated by a veterinarian.

Cleaning of the ear canal can be accomplished by using various solutions. There are cleansing solutions, ear-wax loosening and removal solutions and ear drying solutions available through your veterinarian and pet stores. Before putting anything in your dogs ears, consult with your veterinarian.

If the ear flap is dirty, it can be cleaned with a soft moist cloth or gauze wrapped around a finger tip. Q-tips can be used inside the small outer crevices. Gentleness is essential so as not to cause trauma to the outer ear or cause wax or dirt to be forced down the ear canal. Dogs with excessive hair such as spaniels should have the hair on the underside of the flap removed by trimming it, thus causing adequate ventilation and drainage. A build-up of dirty waxy hair can seal off the ear canal creating an environment suitable for bacterial growth such as yeast infections, or a breeding ground for parasites such as ear mites.

Another good time to check your dogs ears is when you come home from exercising in open fields or in the forest (hunting or tracking). Check for bugs such as ticks and for tears. A good brushing and bathing can remove dirt, bugs and allergens, which can also affect the ears.

Because of the shape of the dogs ears damage to the ear drum is rare but caution should be exercised when cleaning the ears. Again, never put anything in your dogs ears unless advised by your veterinarian and use extreme gentleness when cleaning the ears. Consult your veterinarian immediately if you have any concerns. An ounce of prevention is always worth a pound of cure.