At Hollywood Cat and Dog Hospital, we have been providing pet owners in West Hollywood with reliable pet dermatology services for many years. Not only are these conditions unsightly, but they can cause serious damage to our pets’ bodies if left untreated. Some skin conditions are highly contagious and transmissible to both animals and humans. Fortunately, our animal clinic offers therapeutic baths and dips that can help treat some of these conditions.
What Are Therapeutic Dips?
A therapeutic dip is a concentrated solution of medicine that is poured directly on your pet's coat and skin. Therapeutic baths and dips treat skin conditions such as red mange, Demodex, and ringworm. Medicated baths can provide relief and cure conditions by killing parasites. Two of the most common dips are Amitraz (a product approved by the FDA as Mitaban) and Lime Sulfur dips.
Because therapeutic baths and dips require a specific concentration of medication to water in proportion to an animal's size, only a veterinarian should administer them. Our veterinarian will monitor your pet’s response to the dip and be on the lookout for potential side effects such as vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite, changes in blood pressure, and lethargy and will intervene if necessary. For example, we will administer yohimbine and atipamezole for negative reactions to an amitraz dip.
Performing a Therapeutic Bath
Pets should not lick their coats before a medicated dip has been thoroughly rinsed off and shampooed. These medicated baths must be left on the coat for a certain period to be effective. Although medicated dips can provide relief, not all animals are happy to jump in the bath, which is why most people leave this job to the pros. Having a veterinarian give a therapeutic dip has the additional benefit of ensuring that the product does not get into your pet's eyes, ears, or mouth. It can be trickier than it seems to avoid those sensitive areas, which may react to the medicated solution. If your pet rejects a dip, our vet may recommend other medications rather than a bath or dip.
Learn More in West Hollywood
At Hollywood Cat and Dog Hospital, we have been sharing the benefits of therapeutic baths and dips for many years. When you first visit our office, our veterinarian will assess your pet’s condition to determine whether or not a therapeutic dip is right for your pet. Call us today at (323)469-3000 for more information or to schedule an appointment with our veterinarian.