Allergic dermatitis - 'tis the season...

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

Eastside Dog Free Skin Care Clinic for Pets

Bring your dogs, your cats, your ferrets... any animal that has skin problems... to a free clinic at Eastside Dog (Cats Too!) in Redmond Town Center, Redmond, WA, on Saturday, July 12, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

Does your pet have hot spots or mange? Dandruff or dry, itchy skin? Allergies? Crusty ears or raw feet? Well, we can help! For one day only, Dr. Adelia, founder of DERMagic Skin Care for Animals, is going to be on site to check out your pets and consult with you on how to get your pet back into perfect condition, dermatologically speaking.

We are entering the high season for fleas, which can cause severe allergic response. We are also entering hot spot season. We will teach you how to recognize the earliest signs of skin disease and how to get rid of them fast.

Here's the address: 7533 166th Ave NE, Redmond, WA 98052, across from REI. Click here to see a map or get directions.

Don't miss this wonderful opportunity for a free consultation with Dr. Adelia, and an even better opportunity to keep your pet's skin soft, smooth, and healthy all summer. We'll see you there!

Proactive skin care for dogs...

Today I spoke to a woman who is owned by an American Eskimo dog who has been suffering for two years with itching, hot spots and hair loss.  She had just about given up after trying everything she could find on the market, with minimal results.  

We are in the process of treating dogs with serious skin problems for our video... and we have been treating them for free so that we can take before and after photos, and maybe even get a testimonial from the dog owner.  This woman today (I'll call her Ruth) told me that after only one day on DERMagic Hot Spot Lotion her dog seemed to be calmer and that our products were working.  

She also told me something that horrified me.  She said that one veterinarian had told her that the black (or brownish) speckles on her dog's underbelly (mostly these appear around the crotch area) were indications of healing.  This is SO wrong!  It's quite the opposite.  When you see places on the underside of a dog that look like dirt but it won't wash off, this is when you need DERMagic Hot Spot Lotion right away (www.DERMagic.com).

Before your dog gets a problem this serious, there are a few things you can look for, and eliminate early.  One sure sign of a problem brewing is itchy, flaky skin on the back around the base of the tail.  We can usually fix this with our special detoxifying bath salts made with Dead Sea Salts from Israel, among other fine ingredients.  Just before shampooing your dog, wet him down and rub these special salts into his fur and give him a good massage.  The grains will exfoliate him and bring new cells to the surface.  Often, just a good shampooing after this will eliminate the problem.  No more dandruff!  It's amazing... smells heavenly... and it works.

Also, on a weekly basis, turn your dog over and inspect his tummy carefully.  The skin should be a healthy pale pink (on most dogs), and should not look "dirty."  If you see tiny points of dark, sometimes looking like blackheads, this is the first sign of a serious infection under the skin and it's important to stop it right away.  Our Hot Spot Lotion is completely effective in getting rid of this discoloration, and it stops the infection in its tracks, before it becomes systemic or erupts elsewhere in the form of hot spots or itchy rash.  Our website will soon have some photos of this precursor condition (www.dermagic.com), so please check there if you have any doubts!

Good luck with your furry friends, and please contact us if you have any questions about the health of your dog's skin or fur (info@dermagic.net).  

Best wishes!  Dr. Adelia Ritchie