Tips On Dry Skin In Dogs

A very common cause of dry skin in dogs is atopy.

Atopy is like eczema in people.

Dry skin in dogs can be seen as white flakes shedding in the coat of the dog. White flakes will scratch off the dogs' skin if you scratch at it with your nail. This can look like "dandruff".

The reason for dry skin in dogs is water loss from the skin. Many canine skin problems are due to a faulty skin barrier. The similarities with human eczema are found here.

There is a barrier on the surface of the skin. Ceramide is like mortar between bricks of a house. The ceramide barrier is a complex structure containing proteins and lipids.

Sphingosine is a key component missing from the ceramide of a faulty skin barrier. The ceramide crumbles like old mortar. This layer normally traps moisture in the skin. Water escapes through the skin barrier causing dry skin in dogs.

Atopic dermatitis occurs in many breeds of dogs. Dry skin in dogs develops in canine atopy. Breeds commonlay affected are all the terriers, bulldogs, boxers, labradores, retrievers, shepherds and many of the asian breeds such as the shar pei.

The first symptoms of the skin problems to come with atopic dermatitis is dry skin in dogs. You may notice dry flakey skin in the first year of your dogs' life. This is the beginning of the "allergy march". Dry skin in dogs frequently leads to canine skin problems.

Many of these dogs will go on to develop skin problems. Where the dog is hairless, you may see an itchy red rash develop. The inside of the ear, the arm pit, the abdomen, the groin and the feet are the common areas.

Atopic dermatitis can be recognised by dry skin in dogs. Allergens and bacteria can penetrate the faulty barrier whilst water escapes. This leads to dry skin and the development of dog allergies. Allergens like dust mite and pollens cross the skin barrier and sensitise the immune system and an allergy develops. A rash that is itchy and very inflamed develops following sensitisation to allergens that cross the skin.

A lot of atopic dogs will not develop an itchy rash until they are between one and two years of age because it takes time to become sensitised to the allergens that cross the skin.

Atopic dermatitis often develops between the ages of one and two years of age. If your dog did not have skin problems before this age and suddenly developed an itchy rash, there is a high index of suspicion for atopy. The "allergy march" often begins with dry skin in dogs.

To prevent a lifetime of canine skin problems, aggressive early barrier treatment is essential.


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