When medicated shampoo therapy is prescribed for a pet, the instructions must be followed closely if the pet is to receive the full benefit of the treatment. Most shampoos and topical rinses are to be used as an adjunct to other forms of therapy. Shampoos are also often recommended as a maintenance...

Scabies (sarcoptic mange) is caused by the mite, Sarcoptes scabiei var. canis. Mites live in the superficial layers of the skin where they burrow, breed, and lay eggs. Once the adult female lays an egg, it takes 17 to 21 days for that egg to hatch and grow into an adult mite. Scabies mites do not su...

Pemphigus Foliaceus (PF) is a non-contagious disease that affects the skin of dogs, cats, horses, and people. PF is both a disease of the immune system and the skin. The problem begins when the animal’s body recognizes parts of its own skin as foreign. As a result of this abnormal immune respo...

Otitis Externa, a common clinical problem in dogs (less frequent in cats), is often a frustrating disease to cure or even control.   Primary and predisposing causes of Otitis Externa Parasites Allergy Contact irritant Keratinization disorders (epidermal maturation problems and Seba...

Malassezia pachydermatis is a saprophytic yeast that is commonly found on normal and abnormal skin.  It is often difficult to ascertain if yeast organisms found on comprised skin are a primary contributor (yeast hypersensitivity) to the clinical lesions present or if they are, merely, secondary...

House dust mites are microscopic and ubiquitous. They feed on human and animal dander, skin scales, and hair. They are frequently found in beds, mattresses, carpets, sofas, and pet bedding. Mites flourish in the home environment because the temperature and humidity are optimal for their survival (50...

This is an inflammatory condition affecting the sebaceous glands of the skin.    Clinical Findings Alopecia (hair loss) and scaling of the skin Bilaterally symmetrical, heavy adherent scale on the dorsum of the body including the head and the extremities (silver-white scale encases tu...

Food allergy is a relatively uncommon problem in the dog and only accounts for approximately 3 to 15 percent of all allergies in dogs. Feline food allergy tends to be more common and has been reported to account for up to 40 percent of all allergy cases in cats. Food allergies can develop in animal...