Old English Sheepdogs have very dense coats that once helped them withstand harsh environmental conditions. But that same coat also makes them prone to skin disease, because fleas, bacteria, and fungi can hide beneath the heavy hair. Treating skin disease in an Old English Sheepdog is often a tiring and time-consuming job.
Causes of skin disease in Old English Sheepdogs
External parasites such as fleas and ticks reproduce especially easily in spring and summer, which makes environmental infection more common during those seasons. Even dogs that rarely go out may still become infected if their owners accidentally bring parasites home from outside.
Healthy skin is usually not easily infected, but once a dog's immunity drops or the environment becomes hot and humid, problems occur more readily. Summer heat and high humidity weaken the skin's natural protective barrier, allowing bacteria or fungi to invade and trigger inflammation and skin disease.
Because dogs often smell stronger in summer, some owners want to bathe them every day or every other day. But the natural oil layer on a dog's skin plays a protective role. Overwashing can reduce that defense and make the skin more likely to become inflamed or allergic. For normal dogs and cats, a bathing frequency of about once a week is often enough.
Treatment for skin disease in Old English Sheepdogs
In addition to regular preventive medication, owners may strengthen protection during risky periods with anti-flea shampoos and by frequently parting the coat to check for parasites hiding on the dog's body. If itching is severe or obvious wounds are present, the dog should definitely be taken to an animal hospital. If papules, pustules, or hair loss appear on the skin, veterinary treatment is the best choice. Besides medication, the home environment should be disinfected regularly and kept dry and well ventilated. After the dog bathes or plays in water, the coat should be dried immediately so moisture does not remain trapped under the hair.
Because there are many possible causes of skin disease in Old English Sheepdogs, owners should avoid blindly using so-called folk remedies or miracle medicines. If the treatment is inappropriate, not only may it fail to cure the disease, but it may also delay the best window for treatment or even worsen the condition.