#cheyletiellosis

[veticpetvetcare]

Dandruff in Dogs: Types, Causes, Diagnosis, and Vet-Approved Treatment Options

Just like humans, dogs can experience dandruff, which can be an irritating condition for your pet and a concern for you as a pet parent. Dandruff in dogs presents itself as flaky skin and can be a sign of underlying health issues. In this blog, we will explore the types of dandruff, their causes, how vets diagnose it, and effective treatment options to help your dog stay healthy and comfortable.

What is Dandruff in Dogs? Dandruff is the shedding of dead skin cells that appear as white or grey flakes on your dog’s coat. While occasional shedding of skin is normal, excessive flakiness indicates dandruff, which could stem from a variety of reasons ranging from environmental conditions to underlying health problems.

Types of Dandruff in Dogs

Dry Dandruff - Dry dandruff occurs when your dog’s skin becomes too dry, often due to a lack of moisture in the environment or the skin itself. This type of dandruff appears as small, white flakes and is more noticeable on dark-coated dogs. It's common during winter when the air is drier.

Oily Dandruff (Seborrhea) - Oily dandruff, also known as seborrhea, occurs when your dog's skin produces too much oil. This leads to greasy, yellowish flakes, which may also cause a strong odor. Seborrhea can be either primary (genetic) or secondary (due to underlying health conditions).

Walking Dandruff (Cheyletiellosis) - Walking dandruff is caused by Cheyletiella mites and is highly contagious. The mites resemble moving flakes of dandruff, which is where this condition gets its name. It's often accompanied by itching and redness on your dog’s skin.

Causes of Dandruff in Dogs

Various factors can contribute to dandruff in dogs, including:

Poor Nutrition: A diet lacking in essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals can lead to dry and flaky skin.

Environmental Factors: Dry air, excessive bathing, or exposure to harsh shampoos can strip the skin of moisture, leading to dandruff.

Allergies: Dogs with allergies, whether to food, pollen, or fleas, may develop dandruff as a result of the allergic reaction.

Parasites: Fleas, ticks, and mites can irritate the skin, causing itching and dandruff.

Skin Infections: Bacterial or fungal infections, such as ringworm, can lead to excessive flaking of the skin.

Hormonal Imbalances: Conditions like hypothyroidism or Cushing’s disease can affect the skin's health, leading to dandruff.

Stress and Anxiety: Prolonged stress in dogs can cause skin problems, including dandruff.

Diagnosing Dandruff in Dogs: To properly treat dandruff in dogs, it’s essential to diagnose the underlying cause. A vet will typically:

Conduct a Physical Exam: The vet will examine your dog’s coat and skin for signs of dryness, oiliness, or infestation.

Run Blood Tests: Blood work can help determine if hormonal imbalances or other internal conditions are contributing to dandruff.

Perform a Skin Scraping: In the case of suspected parasites, a skin scraping may be done to identify mites or infections.

Analyze Diet and Lifestyle: The vet may ask about your dog's diet, grooming routine, and environmental factors to rule out external causes.

Effective Vet-Approved Dandruff Treatment Options

Dietary Changes - Ensuring your dog receives a well-balanced diet rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids can improve skin health and reduce dandruff. Consider adding fish oil or flaxseed supplements to boost hydration from within.

Medicated Shampoos - Vets may recommend specialized medicated shampoos to combat dandruff. Look for products containing ingredients like salicylic acid, sulfur, or selenium sulfide, which help reduce flakiness and soothe irritation.

Hydration and Moisturizing Sprays - Keeping your dog hydrated is key to maintaining healthy skin. In dry environments, use moisturizing sprays or conditioners specifically formulated for dogs to maintain skin moisture.

Regular Grooming - Regular brushing helps distribute natural oils across your dog’s skin, preventing dry patches and removing loose dandruff flakes. Ensure you use brushes that are appropriate for your dog’s coat type.

Treating Underlying Conditions - If dandruff is caused by an underlying health condition such as hypothyroidism, your vet will prescribe appropriate treatment to manage the condition, which in turn will reduce dandruff.

Parasite Control - In cases of walking dandruff, your vet will recommend topical or oral treatments to eliminate the mites. Regular flea and tick preventatives can also help prevent parasite-related dandruff.

Managing Allergies - If your dog’s dandruff is due to allergies, your vet may suggest allergy testing and recommend antihistamines or hypoallergenic diets to manage the condition.

When to See the Vet

While mild dandruff can often be treated with at-home remedies, it’s important to consult your vet if:

Your dog’s dandruff is persistent or severe.

Your dog shows signs of itching, redness, or infection.

You notice other symptoms like hair loss, weight gain, or lethargy, which could indicate an underlying medical condition.

Final Thoughts

Dandruff in dogs may seem like a minor issue, but it can often be a sign of a larger health problem. By understanding the types, causes, and treatment options, you can help your dog maintain healthy, flake-free skin. Always consult with your vet before starting any treatments to ensure you're addressing the root cause of the issue.

For professional advice and treatment, visit Vetic Pet Care and book an appointment with our experienced vets today!

[iheartvmt]

Cheyletiellosis  (Walking dandruff) - Cause: Cheyletiella blakei (cats), Cheyletiella yasguri (dogs), Cheyletiella parasitovorax (rabbits); however, cross-infestations are possible - Rare in flea-endemic areas, most likely due to widespread use of flea preventative medications - Highly contagious, and human infestations are frequent - Mite has prominent, hook-like mouthparts - Mite lives on the surface of the skin - Lifecycle is 3 weeks, and spent entirely on host, but this mite can survive as long as 10 days off its host - Signs: scaling (dorsal distribution); pruritus  (varies from none to severe); in cats, dorsal crusting and generalized miliary dermatitis; asymptomatic carriers exist - Diagnosis via scotch tape prep, superficial skin scrape, or flea combing. Mites and eggs may be hard to find, especially in animals that are bathed frequently. - Treatment options (all off-label) : Lime sulfur dips, fipronil, permethrin  (NOT IN CATS), Amitraz dips (NOT IN CATS), selamectin, milbemycin oxime, ivermectin - Must treat all in-contact animals AND the environment!

[augustheart]

we think jasper has cheyletiellosis :( gotta make sure he doesn’t spread it to cisco. 

[rodrimaximax]

@Freddomd: Le diagnostico cheyletiellosis a una paciente, le pregunto por animalitos, y efectivamente un gatito el causante; Paciente: Dr. boto el gato? Yo: 🤨 llévelo al médico, antes de pensar botarlo. #NoAlMaltratoAnimal

[pawprika-blog]

Does Your Dog Scratch Endlessly?

Does Your Dog Scratch Endlessly?

  There are so many things that can make your dog’s skin itch, it can sometimes seem like you need a pet detective to determine the problem. The top 10 things that can irritate your dog’s skin and cause him to scratch, bite and/or lick constantly are:

1. Fleas

2. Airborne allergens like pollen, which results in hay fever

3. Parasites, such as ear mites, scabies or cheyletiellosis, also known as…

[coachdonne]

Causata da parassiti appartenenti al genere Cheyletiella, questa rogna può colpire cani, gatti, uomini e piccoli mammiferi in generale. Come nel caso della scabbia, i parassiti si trasmettono con facilità dagli animali malati a quelli sani e si

(via La Cheyletiellosi del cane: come riconoscerla!)

[tipsparamascotas]

¿Existe la caspa en gatos? CLÍNICA VETERINARIA DEL BOSQUE. Si existe, y lamentablemente es muy común, las causas van desde parasitosis externa como cheyletiellosis (caspa caminante), sarna, hormonales cómo hipotiroidismo, presencia de hongos y muchas otras. En Clínica Veterinaria del Bosque te recomendamos acudir a nuestras instalaciones para que nuestros especialistas traten el pelaje y la piel de tu gato. #cuidadodemascotas

[augustheart]

i was right about the cheyletiellosis!! bad news is now cisco has to be checked... rip.