For pets with sensitive skin, getting a bath can be painful. Sensitive skin can get worse and itch if you use hot water, scrub too hard, or use the wrong shampoo. So, how can you help your sensitive-skinned animal friend feel better?
How to Bathe a Pet with an Allergic Skin Disease
One of the most typical skin problems in pets is allergic skin disease; one of the best ways to treat it is to bathe the pet. That is why it is essential to entrust your pet to professionals at Legacy Animal Medical Center and ask for advice to learn the steps for cleaning your pet so you can do it right.
Here are six steps you can take when bathing your pet to help control skin allergy symptoms like itching, redness, and infections:
Immersion
Before you put shampoo on your hair, wet it all the way through with cool to warm water. When taking a bath, the temperature of the water is critical. Warm or hot water can irritate infected or inflamed skin, but cool water is much better at calming the skin. Give this at least 5 minutes to sit. This also helps rehydrate the top layer of skin and break up any crusts or scales.
Taking a Bath
Use a maintenance shampoo to get rid of the dirt on your pet if it is dirty. Then, unless you are told otherwise, lather affected areas with a medicated shampoo before bathing your pet. The shampoo must be on the skin or wound for at least 10 minutes for the full therapeutic effect.
Rinsing
It is critical to thoroughly rinse your pet’s coat because any residual medicated shampoo that remains in contact with their skin may be irritating. Rinse for at least 10 minutes, paying particular attention to areas where skin folds can trap shampoo (armpits, groin, under the tail, or between toes).
Conditioners
Because medicated shampoos and a lot of bathing can dry out the skin, a vet dermatologist may suggest a conditioner made just for animals. Most of the time, these are used after shampooing. If your pet gets secondary bacterial or yeast infections, it may need a leave-on conditioner that kills bacteria and yeast.
Drying
It is best to dry towels using warm air from a blow dryer may irritate infected or swollen skin by making the skin hotter.
Clipping
Topical medications and shampoos work better on pets with medium to long hair if the hair is trimmed. This lets the drug get into the skin instead of getting stuck in the hair. You can check this link to consult a vet dermatologist.
Also, if you feel sick, you first call your primary care doctor. Your doctor may tell you to see a specialist if your situation is complicated or you want a second opinion.
The same should be done for animals. A primary care vet should be the first person you talk to. Now, like in human medicine, veterinarians can access various animal specialists. A feline and canine cardiologist in Liberty Lake is a veterinarian with a lot of training in conditions that affect your pet’s heart and circulatory system. Your pet may need this type of specialist. Your pet’s health and well-being depend on how well you and your primary vet can talk to each other.
Pet’s Point of View
If your pet’s skin is sore, tender, or sensitive, it may not want to get a bath. If your pet has severe skin allergies, they may think bathing hurts and makes them feel bad. Use natural products and products made to soothe skin that has been irritated by allergies to make it feel better. Also, give them a lot of love, patience, and treats while they are getting clean.
Conclusion
When bathing a pet with skin allergies, you must be careful not to worsen the symptoms. It is essential to use natural products, especially those made to soothe skin irritated by allergies. It is best to talk to a vet to ensure that pets with skin allergies get the proper care and treatment.