Puppies often have bouts of dry, flaky skin. Most of the time, it is caused by easily remedied minor problems like improper diet or over-bathing, but it can also be a sign of a parasite infestation or a developing skin infection, which the Belgian Malinois is particularly susceptible to. The only way to tell for sure is to consult your vet. She will visually examine the skin, check for fleas, and take a skin scraping to look for mites under a microscope. The treatment depends upon the cause, but most skin issues can be resolved quite easily.
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Over-Bathing
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Puppies are dirty. Between house-training accidents and mischief, they become smelly very quickly. The new owner's first instinct is to bathe the dog every time they get messy, but that can lead to dry skin. A puppy should not be bathed more than once per week, and the shampoo should always be a gentle puppy formula to avoid irritating his young skin. Baby wipes are a handy way to spot-clean between baths, but if he gets really messy, a quick hose-down without shampoo should be sufficient.
Diet
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An improper diet may not provide all of the vitamins and minerals your growing puppy needs, and this may be visible in his coat. Dry, flaky skin accompanied by dull, dry hair may indicate that the puppy's food is lacking in essential fats and protein. Switching to a premium food formulated specifically for puppies will usually remedy the problem. The Belgian Malinois is known for its predisposition to skin allergies, which can sometimes be triggered by a certain food. Switching to a food with a different protein source may help, or your vet may prescribe a hypo-allergenic diet.
Mites
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Puppies are not immune to mange, and demodectic mange, which is hereditary, is commonly found on younger dogs. Sarcoptic mange comes from exposure to an infected dog, and since puppies are generally isolated until their vaccines are finished, this type of infestation is rare but can still occur. Your veterinarian will administer a series of Ivermectin injections or miticide dips, depending upon the puppy's size and age, and the puppy's bedding and surroundings will have to be treated with a pymethrin spray.
Skin Infection
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The Belgian Malinois is also notorious for skin infections, both bacterial and fungal. Although most advanced infections involve wet, irritated skin, skin that suddenly becomes dry and flaky can signal that an infection is just beginning to take hold. Skin infections are treated with oral antibiotics in conjunction with topical antibiotic or anti-fungal cream, and an antimicrobial shampoo may be prescribed.
Fleas
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Although fleas do not cause dry skin by themselves, the excessive scratching that accompanies an infestation will irritate the skin and cause flaking. Part your puppy's hair and look at the shaft of the hair next to the skin. If tiny, black dirt-like specks are visible, that is a sure sign of fleas. A monthly flea preventative will kill the existing fleas within 24 hours, and prevent re-infestation.
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