Dermcare Staff Pet Spotlight

Meet Ruby Roo!

10 year old female Kelpie X Doberman

Ruby was an RSPCA rescue puppy. She was so skinny and tiny. We adopted her as an addition to our family and playmate to our big dog Jessie. Ruby got her name as our (then) preppy son told his class that he had a little sister called Ruby. There was no such thing, so naturally we named her Ruby, for him.

Ruby is best friends with our cat, Tinka, since Jessie passed. You’ll find them both staring out the door together, or in the kitchen waiting for a morsel of food.

Ruby is currently the face (and ears) for the Dermcare product “Otoflush” as she has such an expressive face when the camera is pointed at her. Ruby loves to go on camping holidays with us and explore the wild.

We love Aloveen Shampoo and Conditioner. I’ve used it on all my dogs as it is gentle and cleansing of her sometimes dry skin. It keeps her coat soft and smells great, leaving no doggy smell until the next bath. The conditioner is great for in-between baths.

Why Is My Dog Itchy?

Itchy skin is a common presenting complaint in veterinary medicine. It can be very frustrating to manage and can impact the human-animal bond.

Persistent scratching can traumatise the skin leading to inflammation and an increased risk of secondary infections. Itching in dogs can present as scratching, chewing, licking and/or rubbing. There are many possible causes of itching in dogs, including allergic skin diseases, parasites (e.g. fleas and mites) and bacterial or fungal skin infections.

A thorough history will help narrow down the differential diagnosis list. For example, environmental allergies are usually seasonal, whereas food allergies are non-seasonal. Your veterinarian will perform a physical examination and make a diagnostic plan based on these findings. Identifying the underlying cause will allow a treatment plan to be tailored to your pet. A cure is not always possible and sometimes a long-term management plan is required to keep your pet comfortable.

If you are concerned your dog may be suffering with itchy skin, contact your veterinarian to organise a consultation.

Click here for more information about the Dermcare product range.

Learn More About Sustainability at Dermcare

At Dermcare, we are committed to making a meaningful positive difference in everything we do. We strive to find more sustainable solutions to how we research, develop, manufacture and package our products while not compromising on quality and safety. To learn more about our sustainability strategy, visit www.dermcare.com.au/about/sustainability

Ear Cleaning Tips

Regular ear cleaning is very important particularly for dogs who are prone to ear infections. Otoflush® is a pH neutral ear flush solution which cleans the ear canal of wax and exudate and reduces microbial numbers (bacteria and yeast) within the ear. Its cleaning and antiseptic properties play an important role in the prevention of repeat ear infections.

To clean the ear with Otoflush®:

  1. Remove the cap and insert the nozzle into the ear canal opening.
  2. Squeeze to fill the ear canal (approximately 0.5ml for small breed dogs or 1.5ml for larger breeds).
  3. Gently massage the ear canal. Most dogs love this bit!
  4. Allow the dog to shake their head to remove debris and excess Otoflush®.
  5. Repeat this process until the Otoflush® coming out of the ear is clean.
  6. Wipe the external ear clean. Never use cotton tips down your dog’s ear as this can push wax and exudate further into the canal.
  7. Always reward your dog with a treat or a game to make ear cleaning a positive experience.

During an active infection, Otoflush® must be used in conjunction with a topical antimicrobial preparation as prescribed by your veterinarian. Depending on the type of infection present, your veterinarian may recommend using Otoflush® twice daily just prior to application of the prescribed medicated ear treatments, or they may recommend flushing with Otoflush® twice weekly.

A maintenance plan typically consists of using Otoflush® once weekly. Regular check-ups with your veterinarian are advised to ensure your dog’s ear disease is effectively controlled.

Why does my dog have a skin infection?

Skin infections are a very common in dogs and account for a high number of vet visits.

There are many differences between the skin of humans and the skin of dogs, with some of these characteristics potentially contributing to the prevalence of skin disease in dogs. Firstly, human skin is more acidic than dog skin. The acidity may help to protect human skin from invasion by microorganisms as some bacteria are inhibited in a more acidic environment. In addition, dogs have thinner skin than humans, making it more susceptible to damage which can worsen skin disease.

It is normal to have some microorganisms on the skin but when the skin is disrupted these organisms can overgrow leading to infection. Skin infections in dogs are often secondary to an underlying skin disease such as an allergy, endocrine disease or ectoparasites. It is important to diagnose and manage the underlying skin disease to minimise the incidence of skin infections.

Skin infections require treatment with a topical and/or systemic antimicrobial. Dermcare has a range of medicated shampoos (Malaseb Medicated Shampoo and Pyohex Medicated Shampoo) and conditioners (Pyohex Medicated Conditioner) which can aid in the treatment of superficial skin infections in dogs.

If you suspect your dog has a skin infection, please contact your veterinarian to discuss diagnosis and treatment.

Christmas Charity Donations

Every year, Dermcare gives a Christmas donation to a worthy cause that is close to our hearts. This year we have donated much needed funds to two charities who are doing great work in the veterinary industry.

Sophie’s Legacy is a charity that helps raise awareness for mental health in the veterinary industry by launching the national education campaign “We’re Only Human”. Sadly, the rate of suicide amongst veterinary staff is disproportionally higher than the general population. The “We’re Only Human” campaign asks pet and animal owners to take the pledge to be kind and respectful and to understand the massive pressures impacting veterinary staff.

Vets For Compassion is a volunteer organisation dedicated to improving animal welfare for all species in Australia. They provide medical care, rehabilitation and re-homing for Australian wildlife, domestic animals and farm animals. The highly trained team of veterinarians, vet nurses and wildlife rescuers respond to call outs at all hours of the day to perform life-saving surgery, rescue, rehabilitation, relocating and re-homing as well as provide emergency wildlife rescue assistance and disaster response in Australia and around the world.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Tips for Bathing Your New Puppy

Congratulations on becoming a pet parent! We all want to provide the best care for our pets, so here are a few tips for bathing your new puppy.

  • Choose a gentle, hypoallergenic shampoo which is specifically designed for pets. Natural Shampoo is an ideal choice for puppies and kittens. It does not contain soap and is pH balanced for your pet’s skin and coat.
  • Introduce your puppy to bathing early in life. This will not only keep your pet’s skin and coat clean and healthy but can also act as a training tool. Bathing helps your puppy become familiar and comfortable with being handled. While massaging shampoo or conditioner into the coat, you can gently palpate the feet and nails, lift the tail and touch the muzzle and the ears. This will help to reduce anxiety associated with grooming and veterinary examinations.
  • Running water may be daunting for a puppy. Bathing in a bath or a sink (make sure to place a mat on the bottom so it isn’t slippery) is often better received when initially introducing your puppy to baths.
  • Make sure they remain warm. Puppies have more difficulty regulating their body temperature compared to adult dogs. Use body temperature water (not too hot or too cold) and make sure they are thoroughly dried after a bath.
  • Take care when bathing around the face. A damp cloth can be used to minimise the risk of getting shampoo in the nose, eyes and mouth.
  • Always positively reinforce your puppy before, during and after a bath. This can be achieved by providing treats or distracting them with their favourite toy.

For more information about the Dermcare product range, visit Product Range – Dermcare

Tips for Bathing Your Cat

Let’s face it, most cats don’t love bath time. Here are a few tips we use at Dermcare to help improve the bathing experience for you and your cat.

 

  • Cats often dislike running water. Bathing in a bucket of water or a bathtub is often better received.
  • Place a mat or towel on the bottom of the bucket/bathtub to prevent them from slipping.
  • Fill three buckets with body temperature water, rather than water that is too hot or too cold, to minimise a sudden change in temperature.
  • Gently immerse your cat’s body (not the head) in the first bucket of water.
  • Remove them from the water and gentle lather with shampoo.
  • If the shampoo requires a contact time, such as Malaseb® Medicated Shampoo, wrap them in a blanket to keep them warm and stop them from grooming themselves and ingesting the shampoo.
  • Use a wash cloth to carefully clean around the face and head, being careful not to get any shampoo in the eyes or mouth.
  • Use the remaining two buckets of clean water to rinse the shampoo from the coat.
  • Towel dry the coat and ensure your cat is warm while they are drying off.

 

For more information about the Dermcare product range, visit Product Range – Dermcare

Benefits of Bathing

We all know bathing cleans dirt from our pet’s skin and coat, but what are the other benefits of bathing?

  • Bathing with a pH balanced, high quality veterinary shampoo will help to restore, protect and maintain our pet’s overall skin and coat health.
  • Bathing is an important part of the multimodal management of skin conditions.
  • Shampoos containing oatmeal extract and aloe vera, such as Aloveen® Oatmeal Shampoo, can help soothe itchy, irritated and inflamed skin.
  • A medicated shampoo, such as Malaseb® Medicated Shampoo or Pyohex® Medicated Shampoo, can help manage and treat superficial skin infections caused by bacteria and yeast.
  • Bathing helps to remove allergens and pollens from the skin and coat.
  • Introducing your pet to bathing early in life will get them used to being handled and restrained which may minimise anxiety associated with grooming and veterinary visits. Make sure to pick a puppy/kitten friendly shampoo such as Natural Shampoo.

Always consult with your veterinarian to determine which shampoo is appropriate for your pet.

How to Pick the Right Shampoo

With so many options available, choosing the right shampoo for your pet can be overwhelming. Before choosing a shampoo, consider the following:

  1. Always choose a high quality, veterinary specific shampoo
    • There are many differences between human and dog skin making human products inappropriate for use on animals. Firstly, the pH of your pet’s skin is different to human skin, with human skin being more acidic than dog skin. This will mean that our pets need a shampoo that is pH balanced and specifically formulated for animals. The other big difference is that the outer layer of dog’s skin is thinner than human skin, meaning that a suitable veterinary shampoo needs to be chosen to avoid disrupting their skin and coat health.
  2. Does your pet have an active skin infection?
    • It is important to consult with your veterinarian if you think your pet has an active skin infection. Your vet will determine the type of skin condition present and will recommend a treatment plan specific to your pet. Dermcare has two medicated shampoos, Malaseb® Medicated Shampoo and Pyohex® Medicated Shampoo.
    • Malaseb® Medicated Shampoo is an antibacterial and antifungal shampoo for dogs and cats. It is indicated for the treatment of seborrhoeic dermatitis associated with bacteria (Staphylococcus pseudintermedius) and yeast (Malassezia pachydermatis) and is an aid in the treatment of ringworm (dermatophytosis) infections in pets.
    • Pyohex® Medicated Shampoo is an antibacterial shampoo that aids in the treatment of superficial bacterial infections (Staphylococcus pseudintermedius) in dogs.
  3. Do they have itchy and inflamed skin?
    • If your veterinarian has ruled out a skin infection, a shampoo such as Aloveen® Oatmeal Shampoo may be appropriate as a part of a multimodal management plan.
    • Aloveen® Oatmeal Shampoo is a gentle, soap free cleanser containing oatmeal and aloe vera for animals with normal and sensitive skin. The natural soothing properties of oatmeal help relieve irritated, inflamed and itchy skin.
  4. Need a shampoo for routine care?
    • Natural Shampoo is a gentle, soap free, hypoallergenic emollient cleanser for pets with normal and sensitive skin. It is pH balanced for your pet’s skin and will gently cleanse while maintaining skin and coat health.
  5. Don’t forget the conditioner!
    • It is important to apply a conditioner after bathing. Conditioners contain moisturising factors to restore, protect and maintain skin and coat health. Dermcare has a medicated conditioner, Pyohex® Medicated Conditioner, and a non-medicated conditioner, Aloveen® Oatmeal Intensive Conditioner.
    • Pyohex® Medicated Conditioner is an antibacterial leave-on conditioner that aids in the treatment of superficial bacterial infections (Staphylococcus pseudintermedius) in dogs. Pyohex® Medicated Conditioner moisturises the skin while reducing and preventing the recurrence of superficial bacterial skin infections. It can be used after bathing with Pyohex® Medicated Shampoo or Malaseb® Medicated Shampoo.
    • Aloveen® Oatmeal Intensive Conditioner is a nourishing and soothing conditioner containing oatmeal and aloe vera. It is designed for use in animals with normal, itchy or dry skin.