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30.12.2024, 16:04 |
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Dr. Axel Bogitzky about SKIN ISSUES
Verfasst am: 31.10.2016, 21:43 |
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Itchy skin with hot spots
10 Questions about skin issues in dogs.
Dr. Axel Bogitzky from Cologne/Germany provides insight into his focus of work
Why are we seeing an increase in skin diseases in dogs?
Dr. Axel Bogitzky
Just look at the ever-growing range of "sensitive" or "hypoallergenic" dog food what creates an impression to an increase of more and more dogs with allergic skin reactions.
However, the growing awareness of this problem among dog owners and veterinarians also plays an important role.
The fact is that an allergy can be inherited. If breeders do not take care or simply by ignorance, as it is often fact in fashionable breeds, we see those dogs in our dermatological consultation hour.
Do you feel Terriers – especially Westies - suffer from skin issues more than other breeds?
Dr. Axel Bogitzky
For a long time the Westie was considered as a supreme example for the allergic and skin problematic dog.
From my own experience, however, other races replaced the westie.
At the moment we see a lot of French bulldogs with major allergic problems, which, as already mentioned, can be associated with an increased popularity.
When there are skin issues the Westie seems to be more frequently and more severely struggling with yeast (malassezia) and hair follicles mites (Pododemodikose by Demodex canis).
Both pathogens belong to the normal skin flora in dogs - therefore the veterinarian should search for the underlying cause for such an "overturning" of the skin flora.
Another demodex species, Demodex injai, has been almost exclusively found in terriers the major symptom here is an oily seborrhoea in the back region.
Dermatomycosis (cutaneous mycosis) are often found in Yorkies and Jack Russell terriers.
Is it true that dogs also suffer from environmental allergies, e.g. a pollen allergy?
Dr. Axel Bogitzky
Yes, but while the human hayfever patient gets problems with the respiratory system, the dog reacts with the skin!
The typical path of suffering from a pollen allergy begins at the age from 1 to 3 years.
First, owners only notice mild to moderate itching on paws, lips and belly during the summer period. With age the symptoms increase, the inflammation expands, fierce and pronounced secondary infections are added. At first symptoms can be treated effectively with cortisone and antibiotics but this medication becomes more and more ineffective when dogs get older.
An effective allergy management is necessary.
Should I always expect ear problems, if my dog has skin issues?
Dr. Axel Bogitzky
The external auditory canals are subject to the same influences as the skin and can react accordingly.
A recurring inflammation of the ears can also be a result of a food or environmental allergy (atopy). Due to the long and angled ear canal, owners notice inflammations often too late.
Atopica and Apoquel vs. Steroids and antibiotics. Where are the advantages resp. disadvantages of the “new” medications?
Dr. Axel Bogitzky
Basically, we have to be aware that there are large individual differences in the efficacy and tolerability of these medications.
Thus, we are glad to be able to treat allergies or even autoimmune diseases with more than one active ingredients.
Ciclosporin A (e.g., Atopica *) is known from human transplantation for the suppression of rejection reactions and is available to us in animal medicine for way longer than the oclacitinib (e.g., Apoquel *).
This belongs to a whole new class of drugs (januskinase inhibitors), which are directed to endogenous messengers, in the case of the oclacitinib ones responsible for itching.
Unfortunately, there is still a lack of experience regarding the long-term application.
Compared to the glucocorticoids, you have to notice the significantly higher costs for these medications.
Despite all the innovations these glucocorticoids as well as the antibiotics continue the therapy options of allergies and autoimmune diseases. Correctly used, their disadvantages can also be kept within limits.
Medicated baths. How important is it regarding the healing process?
Dr. Axel Bogitzky
Medical shampoos are the backbone of skin therapies in dogs. In addition to the washing-off effect (of pathogens, pollen and other undesirable impurities), we also use the possibility to deliver active substances to the skin.
The multitude of medical shampoos allows you to find a product tailored to the individual case. As an example products with disinfecting, skin-softening, skin-barrier-building, moisturizing and even defense-stimulating ingredients.
What kinds of skin diseases are contagious for humans?
Dr. Axel Bogitzky
A whole series of pathogens from skin diseased dogs can be transmitted to humans.
These include e.g. Sarcoptes and Cheyletiella mites. Even fleas do not refuse the blood of humans.
In case of dermatophytoses, especially Microsporum canis, special attention should be paid as these may be quite contagious for humans.
The above mentioned yeast (Malassezia) is negligible - humans have their own species of malassezia (also belongs to our normal skin flora).
As responsible pet owners, what can be done to prevent skin issues?
Dr. Axel Bogitzky
Skin and coat quality are an indicator of the general health in dogs.
Therefore, all measures directed to the health of the animal can help - from a balanced diet to daily walks.
Regarding the skin - efficient prophylaxis against ectoparasites should be given.
Not for the prevention of allergies, but with regard to the diagnosis of a food allergy it can be an advantage if the dog has not yet offered too many different food varieties (in particular meat types). To diagnose securely a food allergy owners have to accomplish a so called elimination diet - that means the dog has to be fed for 8 to 12 weeks a protein and carbohydrate source not yet known by the dog.
Are there any herbal medications to support skin diseases?
Dr. Axel Bogitzky
Herbal or natural medications include e.g. essential fatty acids.
They are not only a component of the skin barrier, but also contribute to a general inflammation inhibition.
The main focus here is on omega3 and omega6 fatty acids, which occur in larger quantities in oils of cold water fish. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexenoic acid (DHA) are frequently mentioned in this context.
In addition to this application from within, a variety of natural substances are also available for external application. Here you can choose shampoos, foams, sprays and spot-ons. Oat extracts, hammamelis, tea tree oils and plant extracts are only some of the many, natural ingredients of such products.
Finally a current topic at the moment: Autumn grass mites.
It seems that this year autumn grass mites occur in an extremely high amount. What can we do about it? Is there any prevention possible?
Dr. Axel Bogitzky
Neotrombicula autumnalis is a nuisance for many dogs.
Their distribution is subject to great regional differences, and even in infested regions the one meadow can be strongly affected, another not at all.
The larvae are waiting for their victims (also humans) on the top of the blade of grass - in order to settle themselves preferentially in the intermediate toe areas, but also the armpits and groin for a few days.
The orange-colored colonies often can be seen with the naked eye.
Some dogs do not react, others feel a strong and torturous itching, scratch and lick themselves persistently.
Inflammation and secondary infections are the consequences.
At this point an urgently itching stop is required (for example, with glucocorticoid sprays with a low resorption rate), as well as the treatment of secondary infections.
Prevention does not seem to be easy. Among the usual acaricidal (mite-killing) medications none has an authorization against autumn grass mites (harvest mites). And so there are many different experiences, regarding spray or spot-on.
The best way to avoid a re-infection is to keep away your dog from affected meadows and pastures.
Daytime and weather are also important - the larvae love dry, warm weather and and hide when weather turns wet.
If your own garden is affected, you should keep the lawn as short as possible; mow and dispose the grass (do not throw into compost).
And even if our dogs still love it, rolling in the grass is completely forbidden from late summer to winter.
Contact:
Dr. med. vet. Axel Bogitzky
DERMATOLOGICAL CONSULTATION EVERY FRIDAY at
Tierärztlichen Gemeinschaftspraxis
Dres. Pingen und Navarra
Gut Bergerhof
50259 Pulheim/Germany
Tel. 0049 (0)2234/ 82670 |
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