Skin problems are one of the most common problems seen in veterinary clinics. Therapeutic shampoos are often used in treatments. Therefore, knowing how to bathe a dog with dermatitis is important to rid your pet of this problem.
Bathing a dog with dermatitis is one of the possible treatments for dermatological diseases. Since your pet’s skin is more sensitive, you need to pay extra attention when soaping it. Find out how to do it below!
What is dermatitis in dogs?
Canine dermatitis is an inflammation of the skin caused by different factors, such as bacteria, fungi or allergies. They leave the skin surface red and flaky. Eventually, the hair may fall out and leave patches.
In general, all skin diseases lead to inflammation. This means that “dermatitis” is a generic name for a dermatological condition. Regardless of the cause, it is necessary to investigate what may be causing the condition in your pet.
Therapeutic baths for dogs
To talk about how to bathe a dog with dermatitis, it is necessary to have some knowledge about therapeutic showers. In these, medications are applied to the pet’s skin during the process.
Generally, soap, conditioner, lotion or shampoo are used for canine dermatitis . It is important to respect the period of action and the method of application according to the manufacturer’s instructions or at the veterinarian’s discretion.
These products are not as conventional as other soaps or shampoos for everyday bathing. They remove dirt from the skin and fur of your furry friend, but they also contain antiseptics, antifungals, moisturizers, vitamins, etc. to treat dermatitis.
In addition, therapeutic bathing in animals also follows specific guidelines regarding water temperature and dryer temperature (if it can be used), application of perfumes or not, among other recommendations. Ultimately, your pet’s skin needs a lot of attention during treatment.
Care during the therapeutic bath
Therapeutic baths are important for treating dermatitis in dogs . The calming effects act very comprehensively on the skin, regulating the functions of the glands, rebuilding the barriers, replacing water and fat, controlling infections and flaking, etc.
However, it is important to note that the skin of a pet with dermatitis is more fragile and sensitive. Therefore, it is important to be careful not to hurt it even more. Therefore, avoid using rough materials to scrub. Use only your fingertips, never your nails.
So, you can bathe a dog with dermatitis , as long as you take some precautions. Remember that it is important to follow your veterinarian’s prescription during the process! In addition, since the skin is very sensitive, observe whether it improves or becomes more irritated after the therapeutic shower.
The skin can suffer several reactions when it is sensitive. Therefore, it may not accept the shampoo, even if it is therapeutic. If this happens, remove the product with plenty of water and inform your veterinarian.
How to bathe a dog with dermatitis?
Learning how to bathe a dog with dermatitis is very simple. The first step is to know which product to use. To do this, you need to consult your veterinarian. Remember that there are many causes of the disease and many products, each intended for a different skin problem.
Always follow the instructions prescribed by your veterinarian. Now, the Petz blog gives some tips on how to bathe a dog with dermatitis to make this moment easier.
Pre-bath
The first tip is to separate all the materials before taking your pet to the bathing area. Get shampoo, conditioner, brush, towel, blow dryer, eye and ear cleaning products prescribed by your vet, etc.
Before bathing your dog , brush his fur to remove dead hair and untangle knots (without pulling, so as not to further damage the skin). Clean his eyes with cotton wool soaked in the specific cleaning lotion. Use one item for each eye, moving from the inside, near the muzzle, outwards.
Now it’s time for the ears. Dampen a cotton ball with the special cleaning lotion, wrap it around your finger and gently wipe the ears and ear folds. Then, place a good wad of hydrophobic cotton in each ear to protect the internal structures.
therapeutic bath
If your pet is already used to being bathed, wet him as usual. Otherwise, start by wetting his feet and work your way up slowly. Apply the shampoo all over your dog’s body and massage it in gently to produce a light lather.
This shampoo works for a period of time, so it should be left on for the period of time indicated by your veterinarian. To distract your pet while the time passes, continue massaging it or playing with it. Then, rinse it well.
Apply the conditioner and leave it on for the indicated time. Then, remove all excess product with plenty of water. Then, it’s time to dry. Use a blow dryer on a low temperature or a towel. If necessary, gently brush the fur.