Scrubbing Puddles with the right shampoo
 

by Becky Marks, DVM
 

Timberland Animal Clinic
 

Upon the shelves are many bottles of shampoos for a reason. Use this

for itching, this for drying and this one for flea season.
 

Yes, we Veterinarians really do pride ourselves in having an arsenal

of shampoos. Skin problems are very common in our pets. Therapeutic

(medicated) shampoos can help the animal tolerate the allergies or

pests that invade their outer flesh.
 

Skins functions
 

The skin is an organ of the body which is perfectly designed for water

repellence, regulates extreme temperatures and protection. Some parasites

normally live on the body such as bacteria, yeast and mites. Irritation

from allergies or trauma by scratching or chewing allows the parasites

advantage to create infection. Oil glands which create the water repellence

can become plugged or scarred and may cause excessive oil production

or impaction of the hair follicles. Hair may drop off or have arrested

growth because of the gland abnormality.
 

Sloughing
 

Skin will often respond by using a protective mechanism to shield

the out layers from trauma. Normally, the skin has several layers

of cells which slough (drop off) at a continual rate. With swelling,

infection, allergies, thyroid problems and parasites the slough time

may be decreased. Then the number of skin layers slowly gets thicker

and dark. If this continues it can look like elephant skin. Many of

these conditions once diagnosed can be treated with the appropriate

shampoo and often some oral medications to start. The shampoo is a

therapy which is continually used to maintain normal healthy skin.
 

Shampoos have different ingredients. Most basic flea shampoos contain

detergents which are very drying and therefore should not be use more

frequently than every 10 days. Therapeutic shampoos are not detergents

but have bactericidal, emollient and medicated properties to allow

more frequent use. There are multiple combinations of sulfur, tar

and antiseptic agents which are specific for the diagnosed condition. Simply

grabbing the generic Sulfur shampoo off the grocery shelf does more

harm than good.
 

Shampooing
 

Once you have the appropriate shampoo for you pet the fun begins! There

are a few tips to shampooing which I will share with you. Get everything

ready before you put the dog or cat in the tub. Keep cats away from

curtains and consider trimming cat nails before you start. When a

pet is professionally bathed cotton balls are gently placed in the

ear canal so no water collects. A tear lube is place in the eye to

prevent lather from irritating this precious and sensitive area. You

can use an ophthalmic ointment on the lids for the same effect. An

important tip is diluting the shampoo by squirting a few squeezes

into a cup of water. This will prevent using big globs of shampoo

on one part of the torso and using half the bottle. Medicated shampoos

are slightly more expensive and you will appreciate this step. Lather

well and let stand for usually 15 minutes. Dogs and some cats really

enjoy a good sudsing. You can make swirls and Mohawks and massages

just like with kids. Let yourself go! (You have 15 minutes of pleasure.) Perhaps

a food treat (bribe) for your pet is in order. Rinse, rinse and rinse. Suds

left behind will cause irritation and itching. Trim dog nails after

the bath when they are soft. (Fewer groomers are bathing cats these

days. Most animal clinics still proudly bathe felines and have the

scars to prove it.) There are facilities you can take your pet to,

bathe and then leave the mess behind.
 

A shampoo selection often needs professional guidance. Your sudsing

technique is up to you.
 

Becky E. Marks is co-owner of Timberland Animal Clinic