Hey there, pet parents. Does your dog have skin that is excessively greasy and smelly? Or is it super dry and flaky, like a bad case of dandruff? If so, you might be dealing with a condition called Seborrhea. This is a common skin disorder that affects how the skin renews itself. Let's get into the greasy details.
What is Seborrhea?
Seborrhea is a keratinization disorder. Keratin is the main protein that makes up the outer layer of the skin. In a normal dog, the skin cells are in a constant, orderly cycle of renewal. New cells are made, and old cells are shed.
In a dog with seborrhea, this process goes haywire. The skin cells are turning over way too fast. This leads to an accumulation of dead skin cells on the surface, which we see as flakes or scales. The sebaceous glands, which produce the skin's natural oils (sebum), also go into overdrive.
There are two main forms of seborrhea, and many dogs have a combination of both:
- •Seborrhea sicca (the "dry" form): This looks like a bad case of dandruff. The skin is dry and flaky, and there are white or gray scales in the coat.
- 1Seborrhea oleosa (the "oily" form): This is the more common and smelly form. The excess oil production makes the skin and coat feel greasy and waxy. This excess sebum is a great food source for yeast and bacteria, so secondary infections are very common. This is what causes the classic "stinky dog" smell.
What Causes Seborrhea?
It's important to understand that seborrhea can be either a primary, genetic disease or it can be secondary to another underlying medical problem.
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Primary Seborrhea: This is a hereditary condition in certain breeds. The dog is born with a genetic defect in how their skin matures. Breeds that are predisposed include:
- •Cocker Spaniels
- •West Highland White Terriers
- •Basset Hounds
- •German Shepherds Primary seborrhea is a lifelong condition that can be managed, but not cured.
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Secondary Seborrhea: This is much more common. In this case, the seborrhea is a symptom of another underlying problem that is causing the skin's renewal process to be abnormal. The goal here is to find and treat the underlying cause. Common causes include:
- •Allergies: Both environmental allergies (atopy) and food allergies are a major cause of seborrhea.
- •Endocrine (Hormonal) Diseases: Conditions like hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone) or Cushing's disease (too much cortisol) can wreak havoc on the skin.
- •Parasites: Mites like Demodex or Sarcoptes can cause seborrhea.
- •Nutritional Deficiencies.
Spotting the Signs
- •Flaky Skin (Dandruff): You'll see white or gray flakes in the coat and on their bedding.
- •Greasy, Oily Coat: The coat may feel waxy or oily to the touch.
- •A Bad Odor: A foul, "stinky dog" smell is very common with the oily form, due to secondary yeast or bacterial infections.
- •Itchiness: The dog may be itchy.
- •Recurrent Skin and Ear Infections: The abnormal skin barrier and excess oil make it easy for infections to take hold.
The signs are often most severe in the skin folds, armpits, belly, and around the ears.
How Vets Diagnose Seborrhea
The diagnosis of seborrhea itself is made based on the clinical signs. The real challenge is figuring out if it's primary seborrhea or if it's secondary to something else.
Your vet will perform a thorough workup to search for an underlying cause:
- •Skin Scrapes and Cytology: To check for parasites and secondary yeast or bacterial infections.
- •Bloodwork: To screen for hormonal diseases like hypothyroidism or Cushing's disease.
- •Allergy Workup: If allergies are suspected, your vet may recommend a diet trial or allergy testing.
If all of these tests come back normal, and the dog is a predisposed breed, a diagnosis of primary, hereditary seborrhea is made.
Treatment: It's All About the Bathing
There is no cure for primary seborrhea, and even with secondary seborrhea, it takes time to get the underlying condition under control. The cornerstone of managing seborrhea is topical therapy (medicated bathing).
The goal of bathing is to remove the excess scale and oil and to treat the secondary infections. You can't just use a normal grooming shampoo. You need a specific keratolytic and keratoplastic shampoo prescribed by your vet. These shampoos help to normalize the skin's turnover rate.
- •Common ingredients include benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, sulfur, or coal tar.
- •If there are secondary infections, the shampoo will also contain an antiseptic like chlorhexidine.
The Bathing Process:
- •Frequency: You will likely need to bathe your dog 1-2 times a week initially.
- •Contact Time: This is critical! You must let the medicated shampoo sit on the skin for 10-15 minutes before rinsing. This gives the ingredients time to work.
- •Conditioner: After shampooing, a moisturizing conditioner or rinse can help to rehydrate the skin.
For secondary seborrhea, the treatment is to address the underlying cause (e.g., thyroid medication for hypothyroidism, allergy treatment for atopy).
Managing seborrhea requires a commitment to regular, therapeutic bathing. But by working with your vet and sticking to the plan, you can get that greasy, flaky, smelly skin under control and make your dog much more comfortable.
Sources & Further Reading:
- •Merck Veterinary Manual - Seborrhea in Dogs
- 1VCA Animal Hospitals - Seborrhea in Dogs