This Golden Retriever’s Skin Was So Flaky, They Had to Constantly Vacuum —Until One Simple Thing Changed Everything!
Charlie is a beautiful one-year-old Golden Retriever—whose human Britt Paige shares him with the world on TikTok—with a rare genetic mutation called ichthyosis that makes his skin super dry and flaky. Charlie received an ichthyosis in dogs diagnosis in December 2023 and his humans immediately set to work treating his symptoms.
To soothe his discomfort and try to reduce some of the dry flakes, Charlie started getting weekly baths with oatmeal shampoo and conditioner followed by a thorough brushing. Huge pieces of dander would flake off his skin, and it was driving Charlie and his humans nuts.
Despite the regular baths and brushing, scaly flakes were littering the home—all over the floors, furniture, and Charlie himself. Charlie’s humans sometimes had to vacuum multiple times per day to keep the mess under control. Something else had to be done—poor Charlie was suffering from constant itch and discomfort, and his humans were struggling to keep up with symptom management and cleaning.
By chance, Charlie’s humans came across a product on TikTok that would turn everything around: salmon oil. Within a few months of adding salmon oil to Charlie’s meals, his ichthyosis symptoms were under control! Charlie now has soft, hydrated fur and skin, and his humans don’t have to worry about getting covered in flakes every time they give him belly rubs. Charlie is much more comfortable and happy, and as a bonus, he loves the flavor of the salmon oil!
So, why did salmon oil help Charlie so much, and is it recognized as an effective treatment for ichthyosis in dogs? Let’s learn more about this rare skin condition, its causes, symptoms, and treatments, and how salmon oil factors into treating canine ichthyosis.
@thebrittpaige So happy our Charlie boy is doing so much better 🐾💚🐾. This salmon oil has changed our boys fur! Super soft, and fun to snuggle. Only thing is, they glhave fish breath from time to time 🤣 Bye #dryskin and hello #softfur #ichthyosis #dogsoftiktok #goldenretriever #dogfur #scalefur #fypp #goldenpuppy #salmonoil #doggo #rufflife #bigdog #tiktokshop #mamasboy #bigpaws #🐾🐾 ♬ Cena Engraçada e Inusitada de 3 Minutos – HarmonicoHCO
What Is Ichthyosis in Dogs? Symptoms & Causes
“Ichthyosis” describes a group of congenital or genetic skin conditions in dogs, humans, and other mammals. Canine ichthyosis affects the outer layer of skin (the stratum corneum) and prevents the skin cells from shedding properly. Rather than losing dead skin normally, a dog with ichthyosis experiences keratinization wherein the skin hardens and becomes thick, dry, and flaky.
Ichthyosis can affect the skin on the entire body including paw pads and inner ears. Ichthyosis in dogs’ paws can be particularly uncomfortable and impact gait, posture, and mobility. If you Google ichthyosis in dogs, pictures will show you flaky, dry skin that looks very similar to dandruff. Look closely at ichthyosis in dogs photos and you’ll notice dry, stiff fur, inflamed skin, and redness.
What Causes Canine Ichthyosis?
Canine ichthyosis is caused by a genetic mutation and is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner—this means that dogs need to inherit two copies of the mutated gene, one from each parent, to develop ichthyosis.
Types of Ichthyosis in Dogs
Dogs can inherit over a dozen different types of ichthyosis, each associated with a different gene defect. The most common type of canine ichthyosis is called congenital ichthyosis or general ichthyosis which specifically affects the ability of the outer layer of skin to develop and flake off properly. The other non-breed-specific type of ichthyosis described in dogs is epidermolytic ichthyosis.
Epidermolytic ichthyosis in dogs is a defect of keratin formation and is caused by a mutation in a different gene than congenital ichthyosis though the two conditions have common symptoms.
Of the varieties of canine ichthyosis, at least twelve are breed-specific like Ichthyosis Golden Retriever Type and Jack Russell Terrier Type Ichthyosis.
Harlequin ichthyosis is perhaps the most well-known type of ichthyosis because of its shocking symptoms, but this type appears only in humans. Harlequin ichthyosis in dogs has not been documented, though some data suggests that some bovines (like cows) may experience harlequin ichthyosis, though it is almost always incompatible with life.
How To Diagnose Ichthyosis in Dogs
For most dogs with ichthyosis, the age of onset of symptoms is within the first two years of life. A veterinarian may notice symptoms of ichthyosis before you do, but if your dog experiences chronically dry skin and flaking it is wise to be proactive and request testing. While veterinarians will consider visible symptoms, the only surefire way to diagnose ichthyosis in dogs is by performing a skin biopsy.
Dog Breeds Prone To Congenital Ichthyosis
Ethical breeders perform genetic and DNA testing on their dogs to assess the presence of genetic abnormalities in their bloodlines. Many purebred dog breeds have relatively small gene pools, which means that genetic abnormalities can easily wreak havoc on the entire population if left unchecked. At least 12 varieties of breed-specific ichthyosis have been identified with ichthyosis in Golden Retrievers being the most well-documented and researched.
Other than Golden Retrievers, some dog breeds prone to ichthyosis include:
- American Bulldogs
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
- Doberman Pinschers
- Great Danes
- Jack Russells
- Labrador Retrievers
- Norfolk Terriers
- West Highland White Terriers
- Yorkshire Terriers
How To Treat Ichthyosis in Dogs
“Deficiencies in numerous essential amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals can cause many types of modifications in skin structure or function,” says a study from the School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine in Metelica, Italy. “Magnesium, zinc, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, biotin, vitamin A, or other essential fatty acid deficiencies may cause skin disease…such as…ichthyosis.”
Because dogs with ichthyosis are often deficient in nutrients that aid in moisture retention and inflammation prevention, they may need these nutrients supplemented in their diet or applied topically. Some dogs may also require more advanced medical intervention for canine ichthyosis, but most veterinarians will recommend topical treatments and dietary supplements first.
While it can feel daunting to manage the symptoms of ichthyosis in dogs, treatment options like simple topicals or dietary supplements can make a tremendous difference. Before you try any of these methods, always speak with a veterinarian about the best treatment for ichthyosis in dogs and for your dog in particular.
Best Supplements for Ichthyosis in Dogs
Fish oils—like salmon oil—contain many of the nutrients dogs with ichthyosis tend to be deficient in. In particular, fish oils like salmon oil are rich in vitamin A, a retinoid, which has successfully been “used for the treatment of primary keratinisation defects [like] ichthyosis” according to veterinarian Peter Forsythe. Fish oils are also high in DHA, omega-3, and omega-6 fatty acids, which are anti-inflammatory and can reduce irritation from ichthyosis.
We recommend Vets Preferred Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil available on Amazon for only $17.07 for 8 fluid ounces. Made from salmon and pollock oil, this product comes with a pump to make it super easy to give your dog the perfect amount.
Best Shampoo for Ichthyosis in Dogs
While dietary supplements can be helpful for dogs with ichthyosis, the current gold standard is topical treatment for ichthyosis. Shampoos are especially helpful for simultaneously treating symptoms of ichthyosis and removing dead skin. Some dogs may need baths as often as every other day at the beginning of their treatment, but keep in mind that as symptoms improve, the time spent managing them will decrease. It is also recommended to follow shampooing with a moisturizer like a topical oil.
Vets often recommend shampoos containing ingredients like sulfur, salicylic acid, and ophytrium for antiseptic and antifungal properties, which can be found easily in pet stores and online.
DUOXO S3 Calm Soothing Shampoo contains 0.75% ophytrium and has 4.5 stars on Amazon from more than 2,000 reviews. DUOXO also recommends following up shampooing with their Calm Mousse to hydrate and soothe.
Ichthyosis In Dogs FAQ
We have barely scratched the surface of this fascinating skin disorder, so it’s only natural to have more questions! Here are a few of the most common queries about ichthyosis in dogs and answers to help you navigate this diagnosis for your pup.
Is Ichthyosis in dogs contagious?
No! Ichthyosis is a congenital disorder, meaning it is present from birth. Ichthyosis cannot be acquired and must be encoded in your genes.
Can canine ichthyosis be prevented?
Yes. DNA testing for an ichthyosis carrier in dogs could help to prevent future litters of puppies from inheriting ichthyosis. Because ichthyosis is a genetic condition, proper testing of breeding pairs could eliminate the defect from the gene pool.
