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Skin and coat conditions commonly
seen in dogs include:
Wet Eczema If the skin is red and looks
wet and raw, with pus like crusts, it is probably
wet eczema. Treat with sulphur-based ointment, but
if it continues then a visit to the vet is indicated.
He will probably give an injection or pills to help.
Some dogs are allergic to straw
so if you are using this for bedding try changing
to shavings or newspaper.
Cysts When
grooming your dog you will find small hard lumps
which, when squeezed, emit hard, string-like pus.
When empty, dab with disinfectant. They will often
disappear as quickly as they appeared.
Inter digital Cysts
Pus-filled lumps appearing in between the toes,
which burst but usually reappear again, are painful
and can cause lameness. Try hot fomentations, dry
and then dust with an antiseptic powder. If they
continue consult your vet.
With all the above, a change
of diet is indicated. Cut out carbohydrates, especially
flaked maize Include garlic in the diet as this
is an excellent blood purifier.
Ringworm This is caused
by a fungus and is contagious. so isolation is essential.
All bedding should be burnt and the kennel thoroughly
scrubbed with disinfectant. You will see rapidly
spreading bare patches which can occur on any part
of the body. Clip hair round edges and treat with
a fungistatic solution. If there is no improvement
consult your vet who will prescribe a suitable drug,
which given by mouth or injection will soon cure
it.
Mange (Sarcoptic) Your
dog will be persistently scratching and roughened
bare patches will appear around the elbows, stifles,
ears and eyes. Bathe every seven days until cured
with a skin bath prescribed by your vet.
Mange (Demodactic) Bare
patches appear round the eyes, nose, legs and feet.
There is little or no scratching. The patches have
a peculiar smell. Go straight to the vet as this
is very difficult, sometimes impossible, to cure.
If a skunk has sprayed your
dog
Super recipe for ridding
a dog of skunk odor:
1 quart 3% hydrogen peroxide
1/3 cup baking soda
1 Tablespoon liquid dish soap
Mix ingredients together. The
mixture will fizz and may explode if kept in a closed
container, so use it up each time you mix it and
don't try to save the rest. Use a sponge to apply
the solution to your dog, kneading it into his coat;
avoid the eyes, nose, and mouth as you sponge the
face gently. Rinse thoroughly with lots of water.
To be effective, this treatment must be applied
within four hours after exposure to the skunk spray.
We have also had a report on
the effectiveness of PureAyre, made by Clean Earth
(telephone: 831/ 429-2846). A user writes, "I
have this found to be an excellent product that
is far superior to anything else that I've tried.
It is 100% food-grade safe - for children and pets.
I have used it in my house (near the cats' litter
box), and in the car... and it is very effective.
I finally feel good about using something that is
safe to eliminate odors. Now I am prepared if any
of my dogs or cats should have an encounter with
a skunk! "
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