A dog coat, like human skin can be damaged by outside influences, or inside ones, such as diet. And every dog coat is different, as dog species differ widely across the board. A lion-like Chow Chow would have different skin problems than say, a Chinese Crested with little or no fur at all. My Poodle Frisbee has his own skin problems occasionally. After a play date with a friend's dog, Frisbee got lice!

That was really hard to get rid off. A visit to the vet's was in order, and a flea collar duly put on. Besides that, Frisbee got a shot under the skin on the back of his neck to fight fleas from the inside by weakening their structure whenever they sucked my poor dog's blood. All his toys were washed, his blanket and bed washed in a bleach solution and the whole house was cleaned inside and out. The saddest part of the flea problem was the vet's recommendation for once and for all complete flea removal. Completely shaving all Frisbee's fur off. Frisbee is a Poodle! With a completely sweet hairdo, which took a very expensive "fur"cut to achieve. But I couldn't say anything about the solution. My poor Frisbee was suffering from very itchy skin. He was scratching and scratching and scratching.

So off his fur came. And I had before me a very woebegone, lice-free, naked Poodle. Though I secretly think he enjoyed being as bald as a baby because it must have been so much more cooling. I didn't see him sweat as much as he used to when we went out exercising. And his itchy skin and lice did eventually go away after the ruthless extermination process. I was really glad my dog didn't have itchy skin anymore. But one thing I learnt about the entire episode: To always check out the other dog before they come to play! .