According to K9 Web, chow chow skin problems are becoming more and more common. The causes of skin problems vary from dog to dog, such as seborrhea or hot spots. Knowing the best way to care for and treat your chow’s skin will help you keep her healthy and happy and also help you identify when medical intervention is necessary. Also, general skin care can help avoid costly vet bills.
General Care
To help protect your Chow Chow from potential skin problems, it is important to take good care of his coat. The Chows coat is made up of two separate coats. One is an undercoat and helps fluff out the outer coat, giving the breed its fluffy look. The breed’s dense coat can hold dirt, fleas and other irritants against the skin so proper care is essential. Using a rake brush will help with the undercoat while a pin brush will take care of the longer outer coat. Also, bathing your chow once a week or once every other week will help pull irritants away from the skin. Using a flea shampoo will help remove parasites as well.
Seborrhea
Seborrhea is a problem with surface of your chow’s skin or oil glands. There are two types of the disorder. The first is seborrhea sicca. It causes your dog’s skin to become white, scaly and dry. The skin becomes itchy and will flake off like dandruff. The second is seborrhea oleosa which causes yellow or brown scales that flake off. Usually your dog will feel greasy and smell like spoiled oil. Unfortunately there is no cure for the disorder. You can help treat the skin, however, with prescribed shampoos and ointments, as well as antibiotics. You can also help reduce the itching using cortisone ointments.
Hot Spots
Hot spots can occur due to a number of irritants including flea bites, skin allergies or soap that is not fully rinsed away after a bath. According to Bark Bytes, hot spots can also occur in chows prior to shedding as the dog tries to scratch away the loose hair. When the chow’s skin becomes irritated, he will begin to chew and scratch at the area to find relief. As he does this the area becomes opened and infected. The resulting spot will be warm to the touch, painful for your dog and pus may drain from the area. Hair falls out around the spot and when the hot spot occurs during warmer months, the spots can expand quickly may end up several inches wide. Good skin and coat care can help prevent hot spots as well as ensuring your dog is thoroughly rinsed clean after all baths. The key to treatment is to help the area dry by clipping away any remaining hair in that area. Also, clean the area with surgical soap and use a topical treatment prescribed by your veterinarian.
K9 Web: Chow Chows http://www.k9web.com/dog-faqs/breeds/chows.html
Bark Bytes: Seborrhea http://www.barkbytes.com/medical/med0020.htm
Bark Bytes: Hot Spots http://www.barkbytes.com/medical/med0030.htm
K9 Web: Chow Chows http://www.k9web.com/dog-faqs/breeds/chows.html
Bark Bytes: Chow Chow Medical Conditions http://www.barkbytes.com/bremed/chow.htm
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