These are general guidelines and as each clinical case is different, always follow the direction of your veterinarian.

Generally, we recommend shampooing twice a week when your pet has an active infection, then once a week or fortnight for maintenance, depending on whether it is allergy season for that pet – don’t forget that one of the great benefits of shampooing is removing allergens like pollen from the fur.

The recommended dose for shampooing is 1-2mL/kg bodyweight.

For medicated shampoos, we need a 10-minute contact time. This is the optimal contact time for killing yeast and bacteria. Apply the shampoo to your pet, then lather.

🎾You can distract your dog with a game or toy during this time, take them for a walk or give them a massage. Some dogs will be best distracted by food! Always make sure they do not lick the shampoo foam.

Rinse thoroughly when the 10 minutes is up.

Aloveen Oatmeal Shampoo can be left on the coat for up to 5 minutes. 

When bathing your dog it’s important to remember to wash not only their body, but those hard to reach places like between their toes. If your pet is prone to environmental allergies, contact allergies, bacterial or yeast infections then regular bathing to help remove those pathogens and allergens will help maintain healthy, itch-free feet!

Introducing Dermcare’s new Aloveen Starter Packs!

Aloveen Oatmeal Shampoo and Aloveen Oatmeal Conditioner contain oatmeal extract and aloe vera. They are perfect for use on animals with normal or itchy, dry skin.

Important features include:

• New recyclable cardboard packaging
• Bigger conditioner size, 200 mL instead of 100 mL
• Convenient step by step instructions for use

Cytology may be recommended by your veterinarian when your pet presents with a skin or ear concern. Cytology is usually one of the first diagnostic tests your vet will recommend because it is quick and easy to perform, and they can gain valuable information during a short consultation.

When your vet takes a sample for cytology, one of the things they will look for is the presence or absence of infection. If there are signs of infection, your vet will identify these microorganisms as either gram-negative or gram-positive bacteria, yeast or fungi. What your vet is seeing under the microscope will dictate what therapy is chosen. If a medication is chosen without diagnostics, there may be no improvement in clinical signs, or in some cases, signs may worsen.

Your vet will also use cytology as a way of monitoring your pet’s response to therapy and this can dictate how long they need to stay on medications. If medications are stopped prematurely, the infection may return, or if medications are continued for longer than required bacterial resistance can develop. Always follow your vets’ instructions when administering medications.

Contact your veterinarian for further information.

The early signs of allergic skin disease can often be overlooked which leads to progression of symptoms and the development of secondary complications like skin infections.

Common early symptoms include:

• Scratching
• Redness
• Shaking head
• Licking feet
• Biting skin and fur
• Rubbing along the ground or other surfaces

Recognising these signs and taking your pet to the vet will allow for treatment and management to be implemented early, providing your pet with relief and reducing the risk of secondary complications occurring.

If you are concerned your pet may be suffering from allergies, contact your veterinarian today.

🌸Spring has sprung, and while most of us look forward to enjoying springtime, for some pets that means allergies🌸

Shampoo therapy (bathing) helps to remove environmental allergens, often associated with skin disease, from the coat.

🌿Environment allergens include airborne substances such as pollen from grasses, weeds, trees, mould spores and dust🌿

If you suspect your pet is suffering this allergy season, bathing them with Natural or Aloveen Shampoos will help to remove allergens from the coat, while providing a gentle, soap free formula that allows them to retain their natural coat oils.

Aloveen Leave-On Conditioner is the perfect complement to these shampoos as it moisturises and soothes dry, itchy skin.

Some pets will require further treatment for severe allergies or skin conditions. If your pet requires further treatment, speak to your local veterinarian today.

Congratulations Fitzroy Vet Hospital for winning our recent Otoflush Training Promotion!

Fitzroy Vets are the lucky winners of a De’Longhi Magnifica Fully Automatic Coffee Machine!

The Dermcare Territory Representatives have been very busy over the last few weeks training almost 500 veterinary professionals across Australia.

We would like to thank all of the clinics who took part in our recent promotion.

Please contact your local territory representative if you would like information on our current promotions.

Dermcare-Vet is a family owned Australian veterinary pharmaceutical company dedicated to creating innovative, research-based products for animal skin care. Specialising in medicated and non-medicated shampoos, conditioners, and skin treatments, Dermcare-Vet has built an international reputation for reliable products that treat various skin conditions in pets.

One of their top products, Malaseb® medicated shampoo, is well known for its success in treating skin issues in pets, making it a target for counterfeiters.

Crystal Mason, General Manager at Dermcare-Vet, shares her experience of defending innovation and the problems of fake products in China.

Read the full article here: Dermcare-Vet: how one Australian company protected their IP in China | IP Australia

If your dog is excessively licking or chewing its feet, it could be a sign they are itchy. Itchy feet can be caused by a number of diseases, one of the most common reasons being allergies. Allergic skin diseases such as atopy, contact allergy or food allergy can cause itchy and irritated skin. These signs can be more generalised or sometimes localised to a specific body region, such as the feet.

Your veterinarian will need to perform diagnostic tests such as skin scrapings, trichograms, sticky tape impressions and/or blood tests to exclude other possible diseases such as a bacterial or fungal skin infections, endocrine diseases or parasites. These diagnostic tests are an important step in identifying the underlying cause and implementing the most appropriate treatment and ongoing management.

Contact your veterinarian for further information.

Often our pets require less bathing in winter, but if your dog likes to play in muddy puddles no matter the weather or temperature here are a few bathing tips to follow this winter!

1. Ensure you have everything you need before starting the bath, that way your pet isn’t getting cold while you’re running around trying to find the brush you put in a “safe place”.
2. For dogs with long hair, brush their coat before beginning the bath. This will reduce time spent trying to work shampoo through the fur while bathing.
3. Where possible bath your dog indoors using warm, not hot, water. If you must bath your dog outdoors, try to bath during the warmest part of the day. If the treatment requires a longer contact time, play a game while you wait to keep your dog moving.
4. Thoroughly dry your dog with towels after the bath to remove as much water as possible. Never use a hair dryer on the HOT setting to dry your pet. Using a hair dryer will dry out your pet’s skin, but if it must be used, only use the cool settings to avoid burns and damage to your pet’s skin.
5. We always recommend using a quality leave-on conditioner after bathing to restore moisture loss. This is particularly important during winter months when pets are more susceptible to dry skin.

Hot Tip 

Aloveen Oatmeal Intensive Conditioner can be applied to a dry coat. It’s perfect to use during these cold winter months, keeping your pet smelling fresh between baths. Aloveen Oatmeal Intensive Conditioner is specifically designed to be left on the coat, so no rinsing is required. Not only does it smell amazing, it also replenishes moisture back into the skin and coat.