Skin Issues in the Neapolitan Mastiff

• Puppy Coat

6 - 18 months of age, circular patches, blotchy coat appearance, different shades of hair color, sometimes accompanied by dry, flaky skin. It is simply shedding its puppy coat or "blowing its puppy coat". Easily confused with Seborrhea or Demodex.  The best thing to do with Puppy coat is to find a good groomer, ask her/him to use a tar and/or oatmeal shampoo or 'Furminator' and "blow the coat".  A good groomer will need perhaps two visits to "blow the coat" and presto your baby will have a healthy shiny coat again !  Supplements of Omega 3 fatty acids are also good at this time.

• Demodex

Canine Demodicosis
Caused by a small mite which always lives on the dog but when  the immune system becomes comprised the mite population overpowers.  Symptoms include;  Hair loss with redness and rash like\ pimples\pustules.  Demodex comes in two forms; Localized and Generalized.  Localized usually occurs at puppyhood and self resolves, localized is also found on adults usually around the lips, feet and forearms.  Generalized tends to not self resolve and needs treatment and is found by hairloss all over the body.  Treatment options vary depending on severity, usually antibiotics are needed for secondary bacterial infections.  All treatment options should be discussed with your vet, below are some common treatment options:

• Ivomec given orally and on a daily basis usually resolves demodex within 29 days and will usually require treatment for 52 days
• Advantage Multi given every two weeks for 4 treatments followed by monthly topical treatment See Advantage Multi study
• Promeris given bi-weekly 3-4 treatments followed by monthly topical treatment See ProMeris study
• Demodex is secondary to a low functioning immune system, discuss ways to improve immune function with your breeder and vet