Sulfodene is a medication used in both human and veterinary medicine to treat skin irritation and inflammation. If your pet suffers from excessive scratching, hair loss, red patches or hot spots on his skin, a treatment involving a Sulfodene product may help to reduce his symptoms. Read on for a brief overview of this drug and its various uses for dogs.
Overview of Sulfodene
Sulfodene is a brand name product that contains the active ingredient 2-Mercaptobenzothiazole. This chemical has a wide variety of uses in different industries, but is effective in a medicinal sense for treating hot spots caused by moist dermatitis.
Sulfodene comes in a topical ointment form and in a shampoo form. The drug is designed to be administered directly to any affected parts of your pet's skin. Sulfodene is a prescription medicine and is not available without first consulting with your veterinarian.
Treating Your Pet's Skin Condition with Sulfodene
If your pet suffers from any of the following symptoms, he may benefit from a treatment program involving Sulfodene:
- Thinning or patchy hair
- Itchiness
- Red or irritated skin
- Hot spots (moist patches of skin that are warm to the touch and may cause your pet discomfort)
These symptoms may be signs of a number of different skin conditions, ranging from common infections to parasitic infestations to serious underlying diseases. If your pet experiences any combination of the symptoms listed above, take him to a veterinarian in order to begin the diagnosis and treatment process.
If your veterinarian determines that your pet may benefit from treatment with a Sulfodene product, he may prescribe medication to you. It is important to follow all veterinary instructions as far as dosing and treating your pet.
Generally, topical Sulfodene ointments are designed to be applied directly to the skin and require that you shave the section of hair surrounding the target area. Using a cotton swab or the corner of a towel, gently massage a small amount of ointment into the affected part of your dog's skin twice per day.
Sulfodene shampoos are designed to be used less frequently. Consult with your veterinarian for a bathing schedule and treatment program.
Other Considerations
Sulfodene can cause irritation if it comes into contact with the eyes. It is important also to not allow your pet to ingest any of the product. If he may lick or chew on his sores after you have applied Sulfodene, you may wish to fix a muzzle on him until the ointment is fully absorbed. Sulfodene is also a flammable material and should not be stored next to any heater or in any location above room temperature.
Few dogs experience side effects to Sulfodene treatment. Adverse effects are generally mild and involve increased irritation at the target skin site. If your pet's symptoms worsen or do not improve after one week of treatment with a Sulfodene product, consult with your veterinarian. Your pet may be experiencing an allergic reaction to the drug. For the vast majority of dogs, however, Sulfodene is effective at reducing skin irritation and increasing quality of life.