Canine and Feline Pemphigus. What is Pemphigus and can it be treated naturally ?

What is Pemphigus?
Pemphigus is derived from the Greek word Pemphix which means bubble or blister

What is Pemphigus Foliaceous?
It is a skin disease in which watery blisters form on the skin.
All Pemphigus types are indicative of an autoimmune skin disorder. Autoimmune disorders are the result of an overactive immune response against the pet's own tissues resulting in the production of antibodies to epidermal adhesion molecules causing them to separate, which then leads to the formation of pustules (blisters). 

1. Pemphigus Foliaceous is the most common type of Pemphigus which results in the formation of superficial blisters. The autoantibodies are deposited in the outermost layers of the epidermis and blisters form on otherwise healthy skin.
2. 
   

• Affects the top layer of skin
• Skin blisters that come and go; the blisters always occur near the surface of the skin
• Oozing, crusting, or peeling at the blister site
• Itching of skin, redness, scales, crust shallow ulcers, pustules
• Vesicles - fluid filled sacs/cysts in the skin
• This type may worsen. To avoid avoid secondary bacterial infections, the cracked and/or ulcerated skin must be treated
• Pemphigus Foliaceous affects both cats and dogs

What is Pemphigus Vulgaris?

Has deeper, and more severe ulcers because the autoantibody is deposited deep in the skin.

• The most serious of the Pemphigus types
• More severe than Pemphigus Foliaceous and Pemphigus Erythematosus
• Fever
• Depression
• Anorexia may occur if the animal has mouth ulcers
• Ulcers, both shallow and deep (though usually deep) and blisters rather than thick crusted skin
• Affects gums, lips and skin; may become generalised over the body
• Affects areas of trauma such as claw folds, underarm and groin areas
• Itchy skin and pain
• Secondary bacterial infections are common and are often fatal. The skin must be treated to prevent this from happening
• Pemphigus Vulgaris affects both cats and dogs

What is Pemphigus Erythematosus?
Is simply a localized form of Pemphigus Foliaceus.

• Mainly the same as for Pemphigus Foliaceous, but much milder
• Lesions are localized, they are usually confined to the head, face and footpads
• Loss of colour in lips is more common than with the other Pemphigus forms
• Pemphigus Erythematosus affects both cats and dogs

What is Pemphigus Vegetans?
It affects dogs only and is the rarest form of pemphigus, It seems to be a gentler version of pemphigus vulgaris, with somewhat milder ulcers.

• Pustule groups join to form larger patches of oozing lesions
• Mouth not usually affected
• Few symptoms of general illness (fever, lethargy, depression etc)

Pemphigus can develop in dogs with no history of skin disease or drug history. It can also be initiated from a reaction to a drug. Some drugs such as cephalosporins, sulfonamides and penicillin have previously been linked to the development of pemphigus. Please be aware that Pemphigus can occur in dogs with a history of chronic skin disease (e.g. allergies), which isn't surprising as allergies, as well as Pemphigus are all immune related afflictions.

Other diseases that can appear similar to pemphigus foliaceus include infection (bacterial, parasitic, fungal), seborrheic skin disease, and varying forms of lupus vulgaris. Usually it is just a bacterial, fungal infection. When something proliferates, bacteria is always involved. Until the bacteria is treated, the infection will keep spreading and usually getting much worse.

TREATMENTS

Conventional treatments for Pemphigus include -

Immunosuppressive drugs such as oral prednisone to suppress the immunity
Topical steroids in mild cases *Please note side effects of immunosuppressive drugs can be severe
Antibiotics - to treat any secondary bacterial infections

Natural, holistic approach includes -

Topical creams to eliminate the bacteria and infection with natural ingredients proven to be naturally antibacterial, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory, effectively treats the symptoms.

The best medicine for autoimmune diseases is to build immunity in dogs. This can only be done through diet. Remember - Food is medicine, but it can also be poison. Avoid commercial foods. Raw diet is always recommended. Symptoms must be treated to avoid secondary infections. For all the types of Pemphigus the symptoms can be treated with a natural product such as DERMagic Skin Rescue Lotion.
For Pemphigus Vulgaris and for any pet that is suffering from mouth ulcers, immediate and expert help is required.

To find out more please visit www.dermagic.com.au

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What are Hot Spots in Dogs and Cats? How can Hot Spots in Pets be treated naturally ?

What is a dog and cat "hot spot"?
A hot spot, also known as acute moist dermatitis is a localised area of skin inflammation and infection which most often oozes pus and sometimes gives off a foul odor. Due to a pet licking, chewing or scratching itself the condition grows at a rapid rate and causes hair loss in patches. It is one of the most common medical complaints from pet owners.

Symptoms of pet hot spots include: 

• Hair loss in small areas. Sometimes long hair can hide the severity of the lesions.
• Compulsive scratching, licking, biting and chewing, which causes rapid aggravation. These can cause the hot spot to grow rapidly, in a matter of hours.
• Redness of skin
• Oozing / pus
• Lesions that look like bite wounds

What causes Hot Spots in Pets ?

• Allergies
• Parasites (fleas and mites)
• Insect bites
• Small cut / minor wound / scrape
• Licking & Chewing
• Bad Grooming - If the coat is dense or allowed to become matted, moisture on the skin may remain long enough to allow superficial bacteria to reproduce and create an infection.
• Pet Products which can destroy a pets immunity making them susceptible to infection and disease
• Psychological problems causing stress or boredom

Hot Spots in Cats and Dogs is a self-inflicted condition. The licking, biting, chewing, aggressive scratching causes skin inflammation which can lead to bleeding and oozing if left untreated. Because the hot spot itself is caused by bacteria (fungus, yeast), the more a pet scratches and bites, the more bacteria will keep going into the infected area causing worsening of the condition. It should be treated as soon as possible.

It is common for a pet owner to notice a small aggravation, then hours later notice in horror that it has enlarged to up to twice (or more) its size. The distressed pet will go to great extents to be left alone and will even growl or snap at the owner if the spot is touched.

How do I treat this Hot Spot?

Firstly we recommend you choose the correct bathing products.

It is extremely important that your pet's shampoo is pH balanced (for them) and contain no sls, sulfates, or any harsh chemicals that can strip your pets natural oils. When a pet's pH balance is disrupted, yeast and fungus proliferate and help the condition to get worse.

The best choice is an antibacterial-anti-fungal shampoo which is also calming and soothing at the same time.

*Shampoos are the first step of defence against problem skin in pets.

For natural treatment of Hot Spots please try DERMagic Hot Spot Salve.

This is a topical treatment that dramatically improves the condition in a matter of hours. It is guaranteed to work. Furthermore, it contains only naturally ingredients.

Where can I find DERMagic Hot Spot Salve and Organic Pet Shampoo? www.dermagic.com.au

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DERMagic Peppermint & Tea Tree Oil Shampoo Natural for Dogs

DERMagic combines the essential oils of peppermint, melaleuca (tea tree oil), lavender,

chamomile, and rose hip seed extracts to create a gentle and restorative shampoo that facilitates healing. Ingredients such as Aloe vera, vegetable glycerine, oat extract, and wheat proteins create a foaming, sulfate-free shampoo with a delightfully fresh scent.
This shampoo eliminates odours, stimulates the healing process, and aids in restoring health to damaged skin. However, it is also an excellent choice for maintaining a lustrous coat and healthy skin. Free from harsh chemicals and sulfates, this shampoo is perfect for preparing inflamed skin for treatment with DERMagic Skin Rescue Lotion or DERMagic Hot Spot Salve.

The shampoo is specially designed to aid in restoring healthy skin and shiny fur in dogs. Use with our Peppermint and Tea Tree Oil Conditioner for best results.
Size 354ml

Buy Now

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What Triggers Allergies in Dogs?

Dog Skin Allergies? What Triggers Allergies in Dogs?

Pet allergies, and especially dog skin allergies, are very common. Food, carpeting, blankets, dust mites, mould spores in the air, pollen, plastic food dishes, furniture stuffing and ornamental plants all have the potential to trigger allergies in dogs. In some instances, a highly allergic pet may have several allergies at once.  The severity of allergies, which can be seasonal or year round, varies greatly. The most common symptom from an allergy is intense itching (known as pruritus), which may be localized at spots or might be systemic, covering the pet's entire body. Contact Allergies. Fleas are a common source of contact allergies.  Other common contact allergens include grasses, hay, plants, and trees.  Toxins and chemicals (pesticides, carpet cleaners, etc) provide additional potential sources for dog skin problems for both outdoor and indoor pets.  For a dog that is seldom exposed to fleas, a single flea bite can inflame a dog's skin for several days. Food Allergies are generally due to ingredients in your pet's food or treats.  Symptoms of food allergies include itching and/or noticeable digestive trouble.  A food allergy can be a reaction to almost any ingredient such as soy, wheat, yeast, or beef.  Food allergies are so common that pet food manufacturers have invested millions of dollars in research, development and promotion of diets to help with food allergies in dogs.  Inhalant Allergies. With inhalants, pollen is the most common type of allergen, but cigarette smoke, air fresheners, smog, or other airborne pollutants can also be problematic.

Allergic Dermatitis  (Dog skin problems caused by allergies) Regardless of what causes the problem, this condition is common, it can last a lifetime, it is a challenge to diagnose, and once identified it can be resistant to attempts at treatment.  Dogs with inhalant dermatitis will lick and chew at their paws and scratch their face, eyelids and ears.  Others may erupt in hot spots or their skin may redden and be intensely itchy all over. Sometimes there's a bad smell associated with allergic dermatitis called seborrhea, often the result of a secondary yeast (a type of fungus) infection.  Seborrhea is a skin disorder in which the outer layers of the skin, the sebaceous glands, and the follicles are over-productive, leading to dull fur, dry flakiness, and smelly oiliness.  This sebum, which becomes rancid, is the source of the odor.  Frequent bathing, especially with a harsh shampoo, can irritate the skin and make this condition much worse. The list of symptoms is endless, but severe itching is the common ailment. Diagnosis of allergies is difficult, time-consuming, very costly, and often inconclusive.  As a result, allergies are seldom properly diagnosed, and instead, the symptoms are treated in hopes of relieving the pet’s discomfort. These treatments may include topical medications, soothing baths, ointments and sprays, oral antihistamines, or steroids. Caution:  If you are sent home with a prescription for prednisone, or your dog has been given “a cortisone shot to stop the itching”, your dog may ultimately be worse off than before if the true diagnosis happens to be an unrecognized case of Sarcoptic mites! A key point to remember is this:  There is no cure for allergies!  What we can do is avoid the food, material or parasite that is triggering the immune response, and treat both the symptoms and the resulting infections to restore the skin to good health. Always, at the very first sign of itching, look for broken skin, a bite, a sore, or any irritation, and apply DERMagic Skin Rescue Lotion or Hot Spot Salve to kill the infection and prevent the irritation from getting worse. In most cases, this is the only remedy you will need.

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Dog Skin Disorders - What causes Dog skin diseases and how can they be treated Naturally?

Dog skin disorders are among the most common health problems in dogs. Skin disorders in dogs have many causes, and many of the common skin disorders that afflict people have a counterpart in dogs. The condition of dog's skin and coat can also be an important indicator of its general health. Skin disorders of dogs vary from acute, self-limiting problems to chronic or long-lasting problems requiring life-time treatment. They also need to be differentiated on the basis of being of primary or secondary (due to scratching, itch) in nature, making diagnosis complicated. Dog skin disorders may be grouped into categories according to the causes.

Types of disorder

Immune-mediated skin disorders

Skin disease may result from deficiency or overactivity of immune responses. In cases where there is insufficient immune responses the disease is usually described by the secondary disease that results. Examples include increased susceptibility to demodectic mange and recurrent skin infections, such as Malassezia infection or bacterial infections. Increased, but harmful immune responses, can be divided into hypersensitivity disorders such as atopic dermatitis, and autoimmune disorders (autoimmunity), such as pemphigus and discoid lupus erythematosus.

Canine Atopic Dermatitis

Canine atopy is a hereditary and chronic allergic skin disease. It usually starts between 6 months and 3 years of age with some breeds of dog such as the Golden Retriever starting at an earlier age. Dogs with AD are itchy, especially around the eyes, muzzle, ears and feet. In severe cases the irritation is generalised. In cases where the allergens are seasonal the clinical signs of irritation are similarly seasonal, but many dogs with house dust mite allergy have perennial disease.

Canine Atopy with dermatitis around the eye created by rubbing

Some of the allergens associated with canine AD include pollens of trees, grasses and weeds, as well as molds and House dust mite. Ear and skin infections with the b

acteria Staphylococcus pseudintermedius and the yeast Malassezia pachydermatis are common secondary to canine AD. Flea allergy is commonly associated with AD. AD is a lifelong condition in most dogs.

Food allergy can be associated with identical signs and some authorities consider food allergy to be a type of atopic dermatitis.

Diagnosis of AD is by elimination of other causes of irritation including fleas, scabies a

nd other parasites such as Cheyletiella and lice. Food allergy can be identified through the use of elimination diet trials in which a novel or hydrolysed protein diet is used for a minimum of 6 weeks and allergies to aeroallergens can be identified using intradermal allergy testing and/or blood testing (allergen-specific IgE ELISA).

Autoimmune skin diseases

Pemphigus foliaceus is the most common autoimmune disease of the dog. Blisters in the epidermis rapidly break to form crusts and erosions most often affecting the face and ears initially, but in some cases spreading to include the whole body. The pawpads can be affected causing marked hyperkeratosis (thickening of the pads with scale). Other autoimmune diseases include bullous pemphigoid and epidermolysis bullosa acquisita.

Treatment of autoimmune skin conditions requires treatment to markedly reduce the abnormal immune response; steroids, azathoprine and other drugs are used as immunosuppressive agents.

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