How to Treat Canine Acne
As with humans, acne affects mostly dogs in their "teenage" years, most commonly large, short-haired breeds like mastiffs, rottweilers and dobermans. The acne develops when the glands on your dog's face become plugged with dirt and oil, giving rise to pimples and blackheads. If not cared for right away, the acne can become infected. If your young dog has broken out, repeat this routine every day for clearer doggy skin.
Things You'll Need
- Washcloth
- Antibacterial soap for pets
- Calendula tincture
- Clean cotton balls
- Echinacea
Instructions
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Soak a washcloth in hot (not scalding) water. Wring it out and and press it firmly to the affected area for 5 minutes or until the washcloth is cool. This will open up the pores and help bring any infection to the surface of the skin.
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Gently cleanse the area with warm water and an anti-bacterial soap made especially for pets. This will wash away bacteria and infection.
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Apply an herbal solution. Mix 6 to 7 drops of a calendula tincture with 1 oz. of water and dab it on the cleansed area with a clean cotton ball. Calendula kills bacteria and soothes inflammation.
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Give a dose of echinacea to fight infection. Dr. Nancy Scanlan, D.V.M., recommends giving 1/2 the human dose of echinacea to large breeds, 1/4 the human dose to medium breeds and 1/8 the human dose to small breeds. Consult your vet for the exact dosage for your dog.
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Tips & Warnings
Acne breakouts usually begin to subside after a few days, but if it becomes a constant problem, a visit to your veterinarian is in order.
Never squeeze the pimples. This could be quite painful for your dog and could cause a deeper skin infection. Never use drugs, acne products or soaps made for humans on your dog. Use only products specifically formulated for pets.
Resources
- Photo Credit office.microsoft.com, freedigitalphotos.net
