A Guide To Dog Skin Problems
Most dog skin problems are not serious,but the intense itching associated can be painful. Fortunately,most can be cured with a quick trip to the veterinarian.
A persistently itchy rash is likely allergic dermatitis. The symptoms can be partially relieved by corticosteroids,but the only way to remove symptoms completely is to identify and remove the allergen. Dogs are occasionally allergic to pollen,food,insect bites,and grooming products.
If your dog is scratching primarily at the ears and/or toes,a yeast infection is the likely culprit. Symptoms include irritated,itchy,or discolored skin most common on the ears and paws. A topical cream can be prescribed. This is sufficient most of the time,but medicated baths or oral drugs are also options.
Superficial bacterial folliculitis is symptomized as bumps,sores,and scabs. It is easier to see in shorthaired breeds. Longhaired breeds may present with scaly skin and increased shedding. Superficial bacterial folliculitis commonly occurs simultaneously with other skin problems.
A common bacterial infection found in puppies is impetigo. Blisters filled with pus will commonly break and crust over. The blisters are easy to see since they are on the hairless portion of the abdomen. Treatment by topical solution is simple.
Dogs with greasy skin and scales have seborrhea. Seborrhea is often a sign of another problem such as hormonal abnormalities or allergies,but it can sometimes be a lifelong genetic disease. If the underlying cause is treated symptoms will abate.
Ringworm is a fungus,not a worm,that causes circular lesions on the dog’s head,paws,ears,or forelegs. Anti-fungal treatments are available and very effective.
Alopecia,or excessive shedding and hair loss,is always a sign of an underlying problem in dogs. Some shedding is natural,but when your dog’s hair begins to thin it is a result of stress,nutritional deficiency,or another underlying disease.
Mange is a classic skin problem for dogs. It is caused by mites and the symptoms include sores,intense itching,red skin,and hair loss. The treatment varies based on the type of mange.
Fleas are a very common problem for dogs. Most infestations are minor and cause only itching,but an extreme infestation can cause anemia and excessive blood loss. Fleas can also carry other parasites such as tapeworms. Additionally,dogs can be allergic to fleas. Allergies to fleas will result in alopecia and/or allergic dermatitis.
Ticks are another common parasite. A dogs will rarely pick up enough to cause serious blood loss,but they do spread Lyme disease,a potentially serious bacterial infection. Vaccines for Lyme disease are available.
Acral lick granuloma is a disorder that is a result of excessive licking. The wound is unable to heal and becomes painful,exacerbating the condition. The treatment includes preventing the dog from continuing the behavior. Foul-tasting topical solutions and cone collars are available to solve the problem.
Hot spots are small areas on a dog’s skin that are red,irritated,and inflamed. They are a symptom of other dog skin problems and are treated by addressing that condition.
First aid skin medication for dogs
My dog has a rash and it isn’t bothering her but i want to get rid of it…..?
she is an american pit bull terrior and she has this weird rash on her neck and tail..there is some hair loss but it doesnt look like mange…its dry and not the same color as the rest of her skin..it doesnt seem to itch her at all either…i dont want to waste money at the vet if its treatable at home but if its not i need to know so i can bring her to the vet..if you know anything about this please let me know thanks
AMS,i have some dog shampoo i just bought with oatmeal would that work or do i need to buy aveeno? thanks
Evy5123 ,i have seen what mange many times and it doesn’t look like mange but i know its still a possibility but she has always not had much hair so her skin gets irritated easily and so it could be another skin rash that is causing hair loss..i just want to see my options.
What does mange look like??? Honestly you don’t know what it is and you can’t rule out mange by just looking at it. A skin scraping needs to be done to make sure she doesn’t have those little buggers on her. APBT often have mange a some point in their life…its no big deal.
Also Neck area? is it where the collar rest or rubs? I’ve noticed a lot of pits lose hair in that area easily just by the collar rubbing on it. Including my own two.
It could very well be nothing but wouldn’t you rather go to the vet now before it becomes a bigger problem?
First aid skin medication for dogs
A Guide To Common Dog Skin Problems
Dogs which scratch more than usual likely have a skin disease. Fortunately,the majority of dog skin problems are easily cured after a quick trip to the vet.
A persistently itchy rash is likely allergic dermatitis. The symptoms can be partially relieved by corticosteroids,but the only way to remove symptoms completely is to identify and remove the allergen. Dogs are occasionally allergic to pollen,food,insect bites,and grooming products.
Scratching that is concentrated on the toes and/or ears is likely a yeast infection. Symptoms are itchy,discolored,or irritated shin on the ears and paws,where conditions are best for the yeast to grow. The most common treatment is a prescription topical cream. Occasionally a medicated bath or oral drug may be prescribed.
Superficial bacterial folliculitis is symptomized as bumps,sores,and scabs. It is easier to see in shorthaired breeds. Longhaired breeds may present with scaly skin and increased shedding. Superficial bacterial folliculitis commonly occurs simultaneously with other skin problems.
Impetigo is a kind of bacterial infection most common in puppies. The pus filled blisters it causes often break and crust over. It is easy to identify as the blisters usually form on the hairless portion of the abdomen. Impetigo can usually be treated with a topical solution.
Dogs with greasy skin and scales have seborrhea. Seborrhea is often a sign of another problem such as hormonal abnormalities or allergies,but it can sometimes be a lifelong genetic disease. If the underlying cause is treated symptoms will abate.
Ringworm is a fungus,not a worm,that causes circular lesions on the dog’s head,paws,ears,or forelegs. Anti-fungal treatments are available and very effective.
Alopecia,or excessive shedding and hair loss,is always a sign of an underlying problem in dogs. Some shedding is natural,but when your dog’s hair begins to thin it is a result of stress,nutritional deficiency,or another underlying disease.
Mange is a striking condition,causing intense itching,sores,hair loss,and red skin. The kind of mange determines the treatment.
Fleas are the most common skin problem among dogs. The average infestation will just cause itching,but severe infestations can cause anemia and blood loss. Fleas also carry other parasites,most commonly tapeworms. Dogs which are allergic to fleas will also develop allergic dermatitis and/or alopecia simultaneously.
The next most common parasite is the tick. The main risk from ticks is the transmittance of Lyme disease,as significant blood loss would require many ticks. Lyme disease is a potentially serious bacterial infection and there are vaccines available.
Acral lick granuloma is a skin condition caused by excessive and obsessive licking of one spot. The area is unable to heal and becomes painful,causing the dog to lick more. Acral lick granuloma is treated by either a foul tasting topical solution or a collar to discourage licking.
Hot spots are a common with dog skin problems. They are small areas of irritated,inflamed,and red skin. Treatment includes addressing the underlying cause.
About the Author
Jennifer is a family dog health specialist specializing in dog hot spots.
First aid skin medication for dogs
