Is your dog scratching constantly? Does her skin look red and irritated, or healthy and hale? Is he shedding skin flakes everywhere, or is that just fur?
A healthy pup is a happy pup, and it’s important for any pet owner to recognize the signs of canine skin issues. In this article, we’ll list down the symptoms to look out for and explore the various types of skin diseases usually found in dogs.
The most common signs that indicate skin diseases are:
- Constant itching and scratching
- Redness and irritation
- Skin sores
- Lumps and bumps
- Excessive licking
- Hair loss
- Rashes
- Warm inflamed patches of skin
- Dry and flaky skin
If you ever spot one or more of these symptoms persisting in your pet, it would be advisable to bring them to a vet for professional evaluation and treatment.
Dermatitis and Causes
Dermatitis isn’t a specific skin condition; it’s an umbrella term that refers to a variety of issues that cause itchy or inflamed skin in dogs. Such problems manifest as skin inflammation and dry, patchy areas on the skin. As the dog scratches and chews at itself, the skin barrier becomes damaged, making it more susceptible to bacterial infections.
There are two types of dermatitis:
- Contact dermatitis: usually caused by direct contact with an allergen or irritant and appears only in places of contact.
- Atopic dermatitis: skin diseases or allergic reactions that affect skin around the entire body. It is typically genetic and can be passed down from parent to pup.
Let’s take a look at some of the factors that trigger canine dermatitis and other skin issues.
Allergies
Just like us, dogs can also have allergies. These allergies include:
- Food
- Pollen
- Parasites
- Dander
- Mold
Food allergies are easy to control, but airborne allergies are less so.
Allergy: induced symptoms usually manifest as scratching, hair loss, and redness.
Parasites
Parasite infestations are a frequent cause among dog skin ailments. Here are some common examples.
- Fleas
- Ticks
- Mites
Flea bites leave tiny red bumps on your dog’s skin, and cause intense itching and scratching. Some dogs are also allergic to fleas, triggering flea allergy dermatitis. Mites are transmitted via close contact and can cause mange, which manifest as raised bumps, hair loss, and severe itching. Ticks are picked up from outdoor environments (think trees and long grass) and burrow into the skin, causing irritation and scratching.
Infections
There are two main types of canine skin infections: bacterial and fungal. Let’s take a brief look at each of them.
- Bacterial: The most common bacterial skin infection is caused by Staphylococcus sp., a bacterium which lives on both human and canine skin. It normally does not cause issues in dogs with a healthy immune system; however, if the immune system is compromised or the skin barrier is broken (usually by constant scratching or chewing), the likelihood of an infection increases greatly.
- Fungal: There are a variety of fungal infections, the most common being yeast dermatitis and ringworm. Yeast dermatitis can occur if the immune system is weakened or if too much skin oils are produced; ringworm is usually transmitted from one animal to another and is identified as small patchy circles of hair loss on the pelt.
How do I prevent skin issues from happening?
Once your pup starts showing signs of skin problems, it’s best to make a visit to the vet. However, you can make steps to prevent these issues from even happening at all.
1. Dietary Changes
A healthy diet is often the most important step to a healthy lifestyle. If you’ve noticed that your pet has constant flare-ups, it might be time to examine what he’s eating. Is it a food allergy? Speak with your vet on the best food for healthy skin, and the common food allergens to avoid.
2. Research Your Pet’s Breed
Is your dog especially fluffy? Does he have long hair, or extra wrinkly skin? Some dog breeds are more susceptible to skin issues than others. Examine your pet and conduct some research on your pet’s breeds- the knowledge gained may give you valuable insight on preventing future ailments and discomfort.
3. A Cleanliness Regime
Dogs benefit from skincare too! Routine bathing with pet-safe shampoos will help keep the skin problems at bay; however, don’t bathe your pup too much, as it’ll dry out her skin and increase the likelihood of the problems you’re trying to prevent.
In the meantime, you can also try wiping down your dog with pet-safe antiseptic wipes curated to sanitize his skin and lower the chances of infection. A good brand to use would be PetMedic Antiseptic Pet Wipes, which is completely safe and works to clean your pup’s coat and maintain skin health.
Skin diseases are a very common ailment in pets all over. If you’ve noticed symptoms of skin issues in your furry companions, don’t hesitate to bring them to the vet for a proper diagnosis. Fortunately, skin diseases are often treated with success, and with good hygiene, proper care and vet advice, you can lower the chances of your furry companion catching the same disease again.