Does This Story Sound Familiar?

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You are a responsible pet parent. You've taken your dog to the groomer regularly for years, perhaps even used the same groomer because she does a wonderful job and loves your baby like her own. But it seems like suddenly he has started having some skin problems. Nothing at all has changed in your routine though.

 

He's now itchy, maybe has some redness, some flaking, or maybe he's more oily, but either way you can tell he's uncomfortable. Your groomer tries her oatmeal shampoo and maybe even adds a remoisturizing conditioner. Still no change. You've tried products recommended by your vet or perhaps one that a friend has used on their dog that worked well. You are given an antibacterial and antifungal chlorhexidine shampoo to use at home. It seems to help, so once it clears up you stop using it. Nothing seems to be working!

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Eventually, the vet chalks it up to allergies. After all, this is Texas... enough said! 

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Medications seemed to have helped, but a little while later, the problem comes back, but this time it's worse!  You are stuck in an infuriating loop. Now you are forced to accept that your dog simply has "bad skin." He needs special shampoos that smell bad, are thick and hard to use, and just dry out your own hands when you use them, medications, and routine vet visits to try to help him for the rest of his life. All while you still watch him scratch, lose hair, and always smell bad. Poor guy!

 

WHAT IF I TOLD YOU HE DOESN'T HAVE TO SUFFER? 

 

More Than Just A Bath.

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The skin has a natural protective oil barrier that repels dirt, debris, and even foreign bodies such as bacteria and viruses. It is called the Sebum Layer. These oils help keep the skin hydrated as well as protected. 

 

Bathing does more than remove dirt. Shampoos are detergents, which means they strip away everything including dirt, debris, and natural oils. Since the natural oils get stripped away they must be restored or else the skin is a barren wasteland inviting all manner of bacteria, fungus, and allergens in to a clean unprotected environment. This makes proper product selection and usage understanding important.

 

Just as different types of human hair require different products, so do different pet coat types have separate skin and coat needs. A blonde straight haired woman and a black curly haired woman will use very different products to keep their hair and scalp healthy. Choosing a product simply because it smells good or worked well for another doesn't necessarily mean it's the right choice for you, or your pet for that matter.       

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At Pet's Envy, I use Iv San Bernard products exclusively. This allows me to have a skin and coat focused approach to grooming. Their scientifically formulated, 96% biodegradable products utilize carefully selected, researched, and proven ingredients such as ginkgo, ozonated olive oil, oligo elements, nettle, sulfur (yes...sulfur, but not the smell!), and so many other natural healing ingredients to help nourish, hydrate, and support the overall health of the skin and coat.

 

Products Are Only One Half Of The Equation.  

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Skin problems can be very complicated, and Skin Therapy may not be the only solution for your baby. It is vital to get veterinary tests and input on skin conditions because they can often be mere symptoms of a bigger problem. 

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Even working with veterinarians as they help the inside of the pet, and I help the outside, it can all be quite a process. Sometimes a life long process. Some conditions require weekly maintenance baths to keep the pet healthy and comfortable. We all wish the problems our pets have can all be simple cheap fixes, but the reality is that many are not. 

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Through the Pet Aesthetician program I have learned the proper ways for not just bathing pets, but the particular processes that help the products perform their best for each individualized case. The difference that I can make in these pet's lives is so incredibly rewarding!

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