Skin
Problems
When the dog loses its puppy coat starting usually on the underside, the skin can become squamous (scaly) and hyperpigmented, that is the skin becomes gradually much darker in colour than normal (blackened) and due to their greatly lowered immunity, dwarfs can be very prone to deep bacterial skin infections which are then difficult to eliminate. Dermatological conditions are many and extend to a soft woolly retained puppy coat, lack of guard hairs, bilateral symmetrical baldness on trunk, neck and proximal extremities, hyperpigmentation of the skin, thin fragile skin, wrinkles, comedones, papules, pyoderma, seborrhea sicca (dry flaky skin) or seborrhea oleosa (oily flaky skin).
When the dog loses its puppy coat starting usually on the underside, the skin can become squamous (scaly) and hyperpigmented, that is the skin becomes gradually much darker in colour than normal (blackened) and due to their greatly lowered immunity, dwarfs can be very prone to deep bacterial skin infections which are then difficult to eliminate. Dermatological conditions are many and extend to a soft woolly retained puppy coat, lack of guard hairs, bilateral symmetrical baldness on trunk, neck and proximal extremities, hyperpigmentation of the skin, thin fragile skin, wrinkles, comedones, papules, pyoderma, seborrhea sicca (dry flaky skin) or seborrhea oleosa (oily flaky skin).
Alopecia is caused by the endocrine or hormonal abnormalities and is managed by treating the underlying disorders. For example, alopecia is associated with hypothyroidism and all dogs with pituitary dwarfism have secondary hypothyroidism can be treated with lifelong hormone replacement medication. Spaying and Neutering can also have a positive outcome for hair loss caused by certain hormonal imbalances, many dwarf owners have seen coat regrowth after this procedure but not all. Skin problems are a major problem for dwarfs on a day to day basis and much research needs to be done to understand the mechanisms involved, there is no cure and all that can be done is to treat the symptoms.
What is seborrhea?
Most dwarfs suffer from Seborrhea dermatitis and is a skin disorder in which the sebaceous glands of the skin produce an excessive amount of sebum. Seborrhea typically affects the back, the flanks and hind quarters causing scaly, flaky, itchy, red skin. There are two types of seborrhea, the first called seborrhea sicca (dry) and the second seborrhea oleosa (oily). Many dogs with seborrhea can have a combination of both dry and the oily type of seborrhea.
Seborrhea usually affects skin areas that are rich in sebaceous glands, especially the skin along the back. The affected areas of skin often flake off in normal dogs these scales look like dandruff, but because a dwarf has hyperpigmented skin the scales will be blackened. The skin areas will become very red and inflamed particularly over the back and in areas with skin folds such as the feet, neck, lips, armpits, thighs, and underside. Many dogs will have an odour associated with seborrhea and this odour is usually worsened if the seborrhea is complicated by a secondary bacterial or yeast skin infection.
What causes the seborrhea in dwarf dogs?
In normal dogs the exact cause of seborrhea often cannot be determined and is called idiopathic seborrhea. However the cause of primary seborrhea in dwarf dogs is known and it is due to the thyroid hormonal imbalances. Secondary causes of seborrhea in the dwarf are due to:
Allergies
Parasites (internal and external) - fleas, ticks, mange mites
Fungal infections - especially yeast skin infections such as Malassezia which is present on the skin of most animals including humans.
Dietary abnormalities - poor diets containing low levels of omega-3 fatty acids
Environmental factors (temperature, humidity changes)
Obesity
Musculoskeletal disease or pain - the dog is unable to groom itself properly
Treatment
Sadly there is no specific treatment for primary seborrhea, but getting the thyroid treatment right is crucial in helping combat this problem. On a day to day basis it can be a very frustrating condition for everyone concerned not least the dogs, but treatments are available that can help manage this condition which include:
Omega-3 fatty acid supplements
Antiseborrheic shampoos
Moisturizers
Retinoids
Oral cyclosporine
Antibiotics - to treat secondary bacterial infections
Note: Anticortisone creams are found not to be effective for chronic seborrhea as is the case with pituitary dwarfs
Most dwarfs suffer from Seborrhea dermatitis and is a skin disorder in which the sebaceous glands of the skin produce an excessive amount of sebum. Seborrhea typically affects the back, the flanks and hind quarters causing scaly, flaky, itchy, red skin. There are two types of seborrhea, the first called seborrhea sicca (dry) and the second seborrhea oleosa (oily). Many dogs with seborrhea can have a combination of both dry and the oily type of seborrhea.
Seborrhea usually affects skin areas that are rich in sebaceous glands, especially the skin along the back. The affected areas of skin often flake off in normal dogs these scales look like dandruff, but because a dwarf has hyperpigmented skin the scales will be blackened. The skin areas will become very red and inflamed particularly over the back and in areas with skin folds such as the feet, neck, lips, armpits, thighs, and underside. Many dogs will have an odour associated with seborrhea and this odour is usually worsened if the seborrhea is complicated by a secondary bacterial or yeast skin infection.
What causes the seborrhea in dwarf dogs?
In normal dogs the exact cause of seborrhea often cannot be determined and is called idiopathic seborrhea. However the cause of primary seborrhea in dwarf dogs is known and it is due to the thyroid hormonal imbalances. Secondary causes of seborrhea in the dwarf are due to:
Allergies
Parasites (internal and external) - fleas, ticks, mange mites
Fungal infections - especially yeast skin infections such as Malassezia which is present on the skin of most animals including humans.
Dietary abnormalities - poor diets containing low levels of omega-3 fatty acids
Environmental factors (temperature, humidity changes)
Obesity
Musculoskeletal disease or pain - the dog is unable to groom itself properly
Treatment
Sadly there is no specific treatment for primary seborrhea, but getting the thyroid treatment right is crucial in helping combat this problem. On a day to day basis it can be a very frustrating condition for everyone concerned not least the dogs, but treatments are available that can help manage this condition which include:
Omega-3 fatty acid supplements
Antiseborrheic shampoos
Moisturizers
Retinoids
Oral cyclosporine
Antibiotics - to treat secondary bacterial infections
Note: Anticortisone creams are found not to be effective for chronic seborrhea as is the case with pituitary dwarfs
Dry flaky skin and itching
is perhaps the more common form of seborrhea which can become quite a distressing
problem for many dogs if scratching is excessive, the drug Atopica and also Prednisone are used to control itching. Prednisone is a corticosteroid and is used for allergies and itching but it can only be given for short periods as there are many adverse side affects
Atopica is an immunosuppressant and is usually prescribed for long term use to combat itchiness rather than steroids which for these dogs is the lesser of two evils as both cause long term damage..
http://dog.atopica.co.uk/
Prednisolone is a synthetic glucocorticoid and is a derivative of cortisol which is often used to treat a variety of inflammatory and autoimmune conditions. It is the active metabolite of Prednisone and is used in dwarf dogs due to the renal problems such as liver failure, dwarf dogs are unable to metabolise prednisone into prednisolone.
Atopica is an immunosuppressant and is usually prescribed for long term use to combat itchiness rather than steroids which for these dogs is the lesser of two evils as both cause long term damage..
http://dog.atopica.co.uk/
Prednisolone is a synthetic glucocorticoid and is a derivative of cortisol which is often used to treat a variety of inflammatory and autoimmune conditions. It is the active metabolite of Prednisone and is used in dwarf dogs due to the renal problems such as liver failure, dwarf dogs are unable to metabolise prednisone into prednisolone.
Pyoderma
Pyoderma is a bacterial infection producing raised red pus filled spots similar to the spots humans get. Itching and scratching makes them worse due to infection. Thinly haired areas are more prone to this infection which can be treated by antibiotics from two to six weeks. In chronic or recurrent cases, it is important to perform a skin culture and antibiotic sensitivity test to ensure that the correct antibiotic is used. Topical treatment includes sprays and medicated shampoos containing benzoyl peroxide or chlorhexidine. It's really important that the area is kept dry and damp areas due to licking can make it worse.
Treatment of Pyoderma This involves an antibiotic with known sensitivity against Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, such as: Amoxicillin, Cephalexin, Cefpodoxime, Lincomycin, Ciprofloxacin, Enrofloxacin, Marbofloxacin, Azithromycin, Doxycycline, Trimethoprim, Clindamycin and Chloramphenicol.
Pyoderma is a bacterial infection producing raised red pus filled spots similar to the spots humans get. Itching and scratching makes them worse due to infection. Thinly haired areas are more prone to this infection which can be treated by antibiotics from two to six weeks. In chronic or recurrent cases, it is important to perform a skin culture and antibiotic sensitivity test to ensure that the correct antibiotic is used. Topical treatment includes sprays and medicated shampoos containing benzoyl peroxide or chlorhexidine. It's really important that the area is kept dry and damp areas due to licking can make it worse.
Treatment of Pyoderma This involves an antibiotic with known sensitivity against Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, such as: Amoxicillin, Cephalexin, Cefpodoxime, Lincomycin, Ciprofloxacin, Enrofloxacin, Marbofloxacin, Azithromycin, Doxycycline, Trimethoprim, Clindamycin and Chloramphenicol.
Apoquel
This is a new medication introduced in January 2014 and has shown to be more effective at controlling itchiness than any other drug, however it can only be used on dogs over 12 months of age. Since its introduction the demand has been so great that it has become difficult to obtain and it is relatively expensive when compared to the other choices of medication. The shortage is expected to last until well into 2015 while the company attempt to manufacture enough to meet demand.
This is a new medication introduced in January 2014 and has shown to be more effective at controlling itchiness than any other drug, however it can only be used on dogs over 12 months of age. Since its introduction the demand has been so great that it has become difficult to obtain and it is relatively expensive when compared to the other choices of medication. The shortage is expected to last until well into 2015 while the company attempt to manufacture enough to meet demand.
A
pituitary deficiency can lead to a deficiency in the metabolism of essential
fatty acids and the correct formation of the skin. Any deficiency of
oils here can lead to increased trans-epidermal water loss which in turn is the cause of
the problem itchy dry skin seen by many. Skin supplements such as Omega-3 fatty acids increase oils
in skin and coat and reduce inflammation in the skin e.g. golden flax oil and
fish oils. Omega-6 fatty acids increase oils in the skin to prevent drying and
reduce inflammation e.g. sunflower oil, starflower oil, evening primrose oil
and blackcurrant oil. Vitamin E is a natural antioxidant and mops up free
radicals and is particularly needed with dwarves to support the skin's natural
defences. Many owners have also found coconut oil rubbed into the skin very useful to alleviate itching and is worth a try, current research has it seems, been investigating the use of coconut oil as an effective weapon against the fungus Candia albicans which is found on dogs and humans..
This fungus is usually harmless unless the immune system is compromised in some way and of course dwarf dogs do have a compromised immune system. The research is very likely to find that those owners that have found to have had some success with coconut oil are more than likely going to be found right.
There is still much to learn about some of the complex
hormonal mechanisms concerning dwarves, the above picture for example shows
a female dwarf with her puppy coat with some guard hairs although sparse, this
is not what it seems as the dog had previously lost her coat in accordance with
the classical appearance of an untreated dwarf that is bisymmetrical alopecia
except for the head and feet. However upon spaying as is recommended for dwarfs
to alleviate difficulties when coming into season, the puppy coat began to
re-grow but alongside this even a few adult guard hairs have appeared which is
unusual. It
is not fully understood why some untreated dwarves show limited regrowth of their
coats after speying, clearly the mechanisms behind it need further
investigation.
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Malaseb Shampoo
Malaseb shampoo is an antibacterial and antifungal shampoo for dogs, for the treatment and control of seborrhoeic dermatitis associated with Malassezia pachydermatis and Staphylococcus intermedius. This is a prescription only shampoo and is currently being tried on Harley a female dwarf. |
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Difficult as it is, ultimately each owner must work through these treatments until a suitable one is found to help their dog.
