Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook.pdf - Mr. Walnuts

110 •DOG OWNER’S HOME VETERINARY HANDBOOK
gets dirty and needs a bath. If you own a dog with special coat requirements,
you may wish to consult a breeder or a professional groomer for specific recommendations.
The usual reasons for bathing a dog are to remove accumulated dirt and
debris, to facilitate the removal of dead hair at shedding time, to eliminate
doggy odor in dogs with oily coats, and to improve the appearance of the coat.
Routine bathing is not necessary for the health of the coat or the dog. In fact,
frequent bathing can rob the coat of its natural sheen and make it harsh and
dry. For most dogs, regular brushing will keep the coat and skin in good condition
and eliminate the need for frequent baths.
Before bathing a dog, brush out all snarls and tangles and remove mats. If this
step is omitted, the wet, matted hair will set and be most difficult to manage.
It is important to select a shampoo labeled “for dogs.” The pH of canine
skin is neutral (7 to 7.4). Most shampoos for humans are on the acid side and
are therefore unsuitable for dogs. There are a number of good commercial dog
shampoos on the market for white dogs and dogs with other coat colors. Do
not use human hair dyes or coloring agents on dogs.
Household disinfectants must never be used on dogs. These chemicals are
absorbed through the skin and can cause death.
Except on warm, sunny days, baths should be given indoors using a bathtub
or basin. Place a rubber mat on the bottom of the tub or basin to keep the dog
from slipping and panicking. Plug her ears with cotton to keep water out—
wet ear canals are predisposed to infection.
Add some lukewarm water to the tub, then place the dog in the tub. Begin
by washing her face with a damp cloth. Lift up the ear flaps and wipe the
undersurface to remove dirt, wax, and dead skin. Using a bath sprayer, wet the
dog thoroughly with warm water. If necessary, bury the nozzle into her hair to
get to the skin.
Then work the shampoo in by hand, one section at a time. Be sure to
lather all of the dog—not only her back and sides, but also her neck, chest,
belly, legs, feet, and tail. If the coat is badly soiled, rinse lightly and then
repeat the sudsing process.
Remove the shampoo by rinsing the coat with the bath sprayer. Don’t forget
between the toes. It is essential to rinse and rinse until all the soap is out
of the coat. Residual soap makes hair dull and tacky. It may also cause contact
dermatitis (see page 141) if left on the skin.
Commercial coat conditioners are often used to bring out the beauty of the
coat for show purposes. Do not use vinegar, lemon, or bleaches; they are either
too acid or too alkaline and will damage the coat. Some exhibitors add
Alpha-Keri bath oil to the final rinse to give luster to the coat. The concentration
is 1 teaspoonful (5 ml) per quart (1 l) of water.
After the dog has been thoroughly rinsed, squeeze out as much water as you
can by hand. Allow the dog to shake, and then blot her dry with towels. You
can encourage your dog to shake by blowing gently at her ear.