Eczema

Eczema covers a group of skin inflammations accompanied by violent itching including contact dematitis, allergic dermatitis, and neurodermatits, and no one treatment cures all.

There are two types of eczema, the dry and the wet. They are accompanied by irritation, itchiness, redness, and thickening of the skin, and the dog licks itself. Sometimes there is formation of scabs inthe final stage of the wet eczema. spring and summer are the seasons when eczema develops most easily. The environment, the animal's temperament, and its diet must all be taken into account.

Eczema may have several causes. It can be a contact dermatits. This occurs when the skin first comes into contact with an irritant (a detergent, tar, chemical, corrosive, or insecticide). The irritation appears in the less hairy areas of the skin. In a more localized and more specific form, it can be an irritation of the lips of a dog that feeds from a bowl made of plastic. This is because the plastic often contains anti-oxydizing agents. Flea collars, although generally harmless, may also be counted among the possible sources of irritation; the villain here may be a flea repellent chemical, the active agent in the collar. This form of inflammation is common when the flea collar is too tight. The resulting itch often spreads over the whole skin of a small dog. Bacteria, fungi, mites, and other organisms that invade the skin produce endopeptides (organic chemicals) that soetimes cause serious irritation.

If the animal's own physical makeup can be a cause, especially among breeds where the tip of the nose sometimes lacks pigmentation (Collies and german Shepherds). The sun's rays irritate the skin causing sunburn, sometimes with ulcers and blisters. Parasites can also cause eczema, especially on the inside of the thighs.

There are other frequent causes of eczema. Common among them are allergic reactions to certain proteins found in the saliva of fleas and in wool, pollen, and feathers. Food allergies can cause urticaria (blisters on the skin). This happens to dogs that are allergic to eggs, horse-meat, salmon, wheat and other substances, even respiratory allergies caused by pollen or dust ca affect the skin. In this case the eczema is limited to the face.

Nervousness and dietary deficiencies (lack of vitamin A or B) also play a key role in eczema.

SIGNS OF ECZEMA
Eczema begins with redness and itching in the irritated area, Itching occurs locally or generally. Sometimes the skin bleeds and the coat falls out. secondary infections easily set in under such circumstances, and scabs and festering sores develop.

TREATMENT OF ECZEMA
The basic principle of treatment is removal of the cause of the trouble; a synthetic rug on which the animal sleeps, the fleas that have invaded its coat, or food such as horseflesh, if the dog is sensitive to it. In the case of sunburn, keep the dog in the shade, apply cortison ointment. Deal with any dietary deficiencies. Long-acting corticosteroid pills and injections are helpful on a short-term basis. If the eczema is localized, an application of 2.5 percent of hydrocortisone ointment will comfort the animal.

Since dry skin is a predisposing factor, it is a good idea to add wheat germ oil to the diet of the eczematous dog to remedy the lack of fatty acids. If allergic reaction reoccurs, ask your veterinarian o carry out immunological tests. The results may enable the dog to be desensitized by means of vaccines, although this treatment is not always completely effective.

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