Sulphur for Dog Skin Problems
Dog skin disorders are common. Your pet's skin and coat is a strong indicator of his general health and you should address any issues with it immediately. When dogs develop skin rashes and other problems, these rashes become persistent and difficult to treat. Prevention is the best option in fighting skin disorders. Sulfur is an ingredient in shampoos and topical ointments than can assist in avoiding an occurrence. If you note a skin disease, you can use sulfur as an effective treatment in symptom relief.
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Skin Problems
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Though dogs do develop skin problems such as scabies that are related to contact with a contaminated object, most canine skin abnormalities are due to immune system malfunctioning. Doggies Paradise reports that some of the most common of these include psoriasis, dermititis and yeast infections.
Symptoms
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Dog skin disorders are usually easy to observe. Your pet will scratch frequently due to itchy skin. He may begin to lose hair or develop skin rashes. You may note very dry skin or the development of scabs.
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Benefits
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According to Doggies Paradise, sulfur is a necessary mineral for a dog's health. This mineral helps keep your pet's coat, skin and joints healthy. Although sulfur is effective in helping prevent autoimmune skin problems, it also works to help fight off external parasites such as lice and fleas.
How it Works
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Sulfur is a basic part of your pet's amino acids. These acids are the foundation for the body's repairing and rebuilding tissue function. Sulfur also assists B-complex vitamins in basic body metabolism. The Merck Pet Manual states that sulfur is an ingredient in keratolytic products. These products work by removing cells that cause the skin to scale and itch. They make the skin feel softer. Merck also reports that these products help reduce the scaling by slowing down the body's process of epidermal basal cell mitosis (the dividing of cells to reproduce).
Warning
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Sulfur is a useful product in maintaining your pet's health. However, when you first introduce sulfur it may exacerbate some of the symptoms, especially scaling of skin. Give it a few weeks to work. If you are concerned, consult with your veterinarian. You should not use this or any product without discussing diagnosis and treatment options with your pet's doctor.
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References
- Photo Credit dog image by Mat Hayward from Fotolia.com
