Dandruff or something else?

[robotics]

I was grooming my dog last night and he seems to have dandruff (white flakes in his coat) just on his back, I have never noticed this before....could it be a skin/allergie?? he has recently been wormed (drontal) and flea'd (frontline)

He is feed James Wellbeloved so I don't think its the food, Could it be the hydrotheaphy be drying out his skin, he is not itching or biting so it's not causing any discomfort......I have got an appointment tomorrow with the vet.....just cureous in advance.

[mimi22]

I think some dogs, just like us, seem to be prone to having dryer skin and perhaps central heating doesn't help. Good idea to get it checked out with a vet but if it is nothing major try feeding tuna in oil once a week. I did this years ago with my first dog and it seemed to cure the problem and dogs seem to love it. I carry on the treatment with my current dog, she's small so she shares a tin with the cat as soon as either of them see me with the tin opener they don't leave my side until it's on their plates.

[ProperBoPeep]

Dry skin is certainly a major cause of dandruff. The main question is - "is he itchy?". If there is no itching then it is probably dry skin or sebhorrea (excessing scaling of the skin) - which can be treated with fatty acids and medicated shampoos.

If he IS itchy - then it could be parasitic, particularly something called Cheylettiella mange. This is easily treated but can be passed to humans.

[lankeela]

Mine get a teaspoon of vegetable oil or margerine a couple of times a week. Sometimes I give them pilchards or sardines in oil. Their coats are very shiny and it helps them when they are moulting.

[Robinia]

As well as all of the above I've found a dog shampoo containing tea-tree has helped my little chap's flaky back & he is quite happy to be gently vacuumed with the brush attachment!