My friend has several small dogs, has always had dogs, breeds, shows etc...She has a problem with dermatitis, at least thats what the vet says it is.
She is puzzzled, it appears to have spread from one dog to the next over a period of a few months, in various areas of the coat/skin.
Any ideas on how to help or what could be causinng it?
I could only think of a gentle coal tar solution, she is wise/sesible and has consulted the vet.
Karen

If it's spreading then a) she needs to have it tested (skin scrapings) to find out what it is and the best treatment (i.e. it could be fungal for instance), and b) she needs to look at what she uses around the dogs such as disinfectants or similar that they could be having allergic reactions to.

There is a good site in Australia.  Put robert mcdowell in search engine-you can have a free on line consultation.  I have had good results and so have several friends of mine with different canine health issues.

Good luck

Dermatitis doesn't spread so either it' something infectious or she is using some chemical / food that they're all allergic too - common culprits are household fragrances, carpet cleaning stuff etc.Where the patches are might be a clue - if they're in places where the dog comes into contact with the floor then it's something on the floor etc.  Making sure their food has enough oil can help - adding a capsule of evening primrose oil to their food each day should improve skin condition if it's just flakiness.

Dermatitis is just a broad term for any skin problem  itis - inflammation of and derma - skin.  The Vet needs to find out what the cause is so that they can treat accordingly. :)

I would be questioning sarcoptic mange it i'ts spreading from one to another. My two GSD's seem really susceptible to this and it seems to happen this time each year - Stronghold here we come

K

Thanks for advise all, she has had various comments about the naming of this infection ( as it spreads it must be that at least).
Then somebody came up with zinc as an old fashioned cure....She dug through the cupboards and actually found some old zinc stuff that twas a cure for something on a child at one time and has been using it 'hey presto its clearing away beautifully!
I saw her this afternoon and had the update.
No doubt it's a banned thing that can no longer be bought over the counter, but thank goodness it is effective and they are not looking to lick it off.
Karen