By understanding the role of skin and how it can be irritated, owners are more likely to be able to spot the signs when pets are having problems with theirs.
Skin – the basics
Skin regulates your pet’s temperature and provides a barrier against the environment, it’s also the largest organ of the body.
It is made up of different layers, structures and microorganisms and it is important to keep all of these balanced to minimise the risk of skin disease developing.
The role as a barrier
The skin barrier is essential in protecting the body from external irritants. It is therefore very important to support and protect the skin before, during and after problems occur.
Topical treatments, like DouxoⓇS3, will help support and maintain your pet’s skin barrier.
Why is my pet’s skin sensitive and irritated?
When the skin barrier is damaged, moisture is lost and external irritants can get into the skin. This leads to the signs we see, such as redness, scratching and licking, and dryness of the skin.
The scratching and licking will cause further damage to the skin so it is important to control the scratching to allow the skin time to heal.
Common places to see skin irritation
What can I do to help sooth my pet’s skin?
If you are worried about your pet scratching or licking itself a lot, the best thing is to get them checked by a vet.
Fleas are a common cause for pets to scratch so make sure your pet is up to date with its flea treatment. This is also one of the first things your vet will check for during the consultation.
Getting to the bottom of why your pet is scratching can require a number of tests to be done and can be a lengthy and difficult process. This is because it is not always clear what is causing the itching and irritation and a diagnosis is often made based on exclusion of other conditions.
There are a number of medications available to reduce the itchy sensation and topical support to rebuild and maintain the skin barrier. Your vet will be able to determine the best treatment options for your pet.
Topical skin support
Topical formulations can help reduce flares and support your pet’s skin. These come in the form of shampoos, mousses, or pads.
Giving your pet a bath with a shampoo is important to get rid of irritants and debris from the skin. However, not all animals like being bathed or it can be difficult for an owner to get their pet into the bathtub or shower.
At least one shampoo treatment at the beginning of the treatment process is ideal but if you are really struggling even with this, you can ask your vet or groomer to shampoo your dog for you.
For difficult to bath cases, mousses are a great option. Mousses can be used for larger or smaller areas and can be used with a shampoo or on its own.
Your vet will be able to discuss the best option that will suit you and your pet.
DOUXOⓇS3 CALM – for itchy, sensitive or irritated skin
DOUXOⓇS3 CALM helps to support and rebuild the skin barrier in pets with sensitive and irritated skin. It has a soothing effect on the skin and it helps to make it more supple and hydrated.
- Douxo® S3 has proven performance on all 3 skin barriers (mechanical, immune system and microbiological – bacteria on the skin). It also has been shown to be well tolerated on both normal and irritated skin.
- Soap, sulphate, paraben, colourant, phthalates and nanoparticle FREE
- An adjusted pH to promote a rich and diverse microbiome (bacteria, fungi and other microbes that live on the skin)
- Hypoallergenic fragrance selected by pet owners: Coco+Vanilla – fragrance of summer – 97% of owners love the texture and smell!
Following close collaboration with pet owners during the process to select the fragrance and ergonomics
DOUXO®S3 Care – For general skin care with skin barrier support – SHAMPOO – see our separate blog for more information.
DOUXO®S3 PYO – Itchy, irritated or sensitive skin – SHAMPOO AND MOUSSE – see our previous blog for more information.
Post Sponsored by Ceva Animal Health Ltd.