You want to pet your dog, but his oily, greasy coat is making you turn the other way. Stop feeling guilty about brushing off man's best friend and get to the bottom of the problem. Oily fur in dogs may be easy to treat, but your dog could have a more underlying serious condition that needs your attention.
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Causes
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A dog with greasy hair or fur is likely to have seborrhea, which is a condition that causes the skin to be either excessively dry or excessively oily. It is called seborrhea oleosa if the dog has greasy skin instead of dry skin. A dog with this condition is also likely to have itchy, flaky, scaly or inflamed skin. Hair loss is also possible if the dog scratches often, and the skin may have a foul odor.
One of the major symptoms of seborrhea is greasy hair, since there is so much excess oil on the skin. Seborrhea can be a condition by itself, without any other causes; in this case, it is called primary or idiopathic seborrhea. It is a chronic disease that is more common in certain breeds, such as cocker spaniels, Doberman pinschers, and basset hounds, due to a genetic predisposition.
Seborrhea is not always a primary condition, however. It can also be a secondary skin condition, as the result of another issue. There are many things that can bring about seborrhea; skin diseases, parasites, allergies, and fungal or bacterial infections are all problems that can bring on a case of seborrhea. It can also be caused by thyroid disorders or nutritional deficiencies.
Treatment
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It is important to pinpoint the cause of your dog's greasy skin and coat condition, in order to be able to treat it properly. Make an appointment with your veterinarian to discuss the possible causes. If your dog has a primary case of seborrhea, your vet may prescribe a special shampoo or may suggest you make changes in your dog's diet.
However, if your dog's oily hair is the result of another underlying condition, it is important to treat that condition first. For example, if your dog has a fungal infection on its skin, a shampoo made for greasy skin will not make it better. Work closely with your dog's veterinarian to make sure that any serious conditions are treated right away. With proper treatment, your dog's coat should be clean and healthy in no time.
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