When you bring a dog home, you say yes to a lifelong companion capable of unconditional love. It is necessary to take proper care of your furry friend. Apart from timely meals and vaccines, pet parents also need to look after the skin issues that dogs face, which can create severe problems otherwise.
Almost every dog will have skin issues that will make them suffer immensely, especially the ones who already have underlying allergic diseases. Dogs who spend more time outdoors are also vulnerable to bacterial skin infections. It can begin with a scratch or a cut and lead to painful symptoms.
Dogs can also suffer from pyoderma, a common skin disorder. Today, the major canine pathogen, named ‘Staphylococcus pseudintermedius’ has become resistant to methicillin, which makes the treatment even more costly and challenging.
The best attempts to treat this bacterial infection include prompt detection and the correct use of topical therapy. In this article, we will discuss the prominent remedies that you can use to treat and heal skin infections in your furry friend.
The Best Remedies to Treat Skin Infections in Dogs
Good skin in dogs is a sign of good health. There are times when their skin gets itchy, which makes them agitated. If skin infections in dogs aren’t treated at the right time with the right remedy, things can get out of hand. It can cause hot spots, hair loss, skin infections, and open wounds.
Here are a few remedies that can help:
Oatmeal Baths
It might sound like an old-school solution for itchy skin in dogs, but it works well both for canines and humans. To use this on your dog, you need to get baby oatmeal cereal or use unsweetened, plain, and regular ones. Combine it in the blender or food processor and blend until it becomes a fine powder. Then, you can mix it with warm water and use it to bathe your dog.
The water must be comfortably warm and not extremely hot, or else it can deteriorate their dry skin. Let your dog sit and relax in the warm water for 15 minutes. It will enable the oils and proteins in the oatmeal powder to pacify their skin.
Ensure to rinse off your pet before it starts to play again. You might have to repeat the bath a couple of times for it to show effect.
Medicated Oral Drops
No pet owner should overlook the importance of medicine for treating skin infections in dogs. Today, there are several medicated oral drops, such as ZydaClin, prescribed by a vet that you can use to treat skin allergies. It is a palatable formulation that is meant for oral use.
Every ml of this drop contains clindamycin hydrochloride, which is equivalent to 25 mg of clindamycin and 8.64% ethyl alcohol. Pet owners should use the dropper for correct measurement and hassle-free administration. The medicine is ready for use and does not require refrigeration.
PetRx states that for dogs suffering from severe hepatic disease or renal disease along with metabolic aberrations, the dosage should be monitored correctly. At times, use of this medication can result in the overgrowth of yeasts and clostridia. Therefore, pet owners must keep an eye on the side effects and report to a vet if things get worse.
Medicated Shampoos
Medicated shampoos can help with canine skin conditions. It’s necessary to clip the hair away from the affected area to provide better access before washing your puppy. Most medicated shampoos contain antiseptics or drying agents that not only clean but also help dry the wound and reduce itching.
When you follow the directions provided in the manual or by the vet, your dog will benefit manifold. If you notice your dog’s skin infection worsening with symptoms like inflammation, ulceration, and redness, medicated shampoos can be the best solution.
Vitamin E Oil
Sometimes, people use Vitamin E capsules to extract the oil to treat their dry skin. You can also use this oil to address your dog’s skin issues because Vitamin E aids in skin repair. It not only accelerates the healing of your dog’s skin infection but also moisturizes the skin. Proper application soothes irritated and dry skin spots and prevents your dog from experiencing any discomfort.
Modifications in Diet
There are several pet foods available that the market claims to be healthy. The truth is that only a limited number of foods help to offer the correct nutrition that dogs need. Typically, vitamin deficiencies can cause your furry friend to develop nutritional dermatitis. It is a skin condition that is much like bacterial and skin infections and is linked with nutrition.
Addressing and resolving diet issues isn’t always easy. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t give it a try to reap the benefits. Making the necessary diet changes can help remove the symptoms.
For this, you need to search for high-end food that lists meat as its first ingredient. Additionally, it is a good practice to limit or avoid grains. At times, the vet can suggest adding Omega-3 fatty acids and other supplements for extra support.
Conclusion
Every pet owner wants to see their dog healthy and agile. Watching your dog scratch its skin relentlessly and suffer from unease and pain is not a pleasant sight. Since dogs aren’t able to speak, it’s tough to fathom their suffering because of the bacterial infection. However, once detected, it is crucial to address the same and opt-in for the correct remedy.
At times, the ideal solution is to have a blend of medicines and home remedies. Choose the ones that seem helpful to you from the list shared above. Finally, make sure to check with a vet so that you don’t take any wrong steps and cause more pain to your furry friend.
Sharon Howe is a creative person with diverse talents. She writes engaging articles for WonderWorldSpace.com, where she works as a content writer. Writing allows Sharon to inform and captivate readers. Additionally, Sharon pursues music as a hobby, which allows her to showcase her artistic abilities in another creative area.