Fleas. Grass fungus. Grass seed and pollen. Ants. Mosquitoes. Scabies mites. Ticks. The list goes on. There are so many things that our furry friends can get into that we will never know about.
Whenever a dog scratches, his nails can open the protective barrier of the skin and allow an infection to take hold. Whatever the cause, this is the time to nip it in the bud. The most effective treatment is prevention, and early detection is the key.
First, ask your dog’s permission to check his underbelly. Turn him on his back and begi
n your inspection at the genitals and the area where the rear legs join the body. The skin here should be almost white, depending on the color of the dog overall. It should look clean and pure, maybe even very slightly pink. Then check his legs at the joints for any irritations or spots. From there, turn him over and check his rump area near the tail, and work your way forward on the dog, combing the hair aside and looking closely at the skin underneath.
There should be no red or rusty or black dots on the skin. These look like tiny pinpricks or blackheads, but are flat or flush with the skin. This may even look just like dirty skin. This first appears in the groin area, usually near the genitals. If you see this, or rusty discoloration, you’ve already got a problem. Visit www.dermagic.com for more details and how to correct this before it becomes serious.
Don't let the "summer itch" get a grip on your pet!
Best wishes!
Dr Adelia
