Dogs
Skin diseases are one of the most common ailments in dogs. In most cases, skin disorders are caused due to infections and allergic reactions. Dog allergies affect the skin, rather than the respiratory tract observed in humans. The immune system of a dog produces excess antibodies (histamines) after exposure to allergens present in the environment such as pollens, foods and microbes. This overreaction of immune system causes itching and skin disease in dogs. At times, dog skin problems occur as a result of other underlying dog health problems. Hence, coat color and skin condition are often considered as indicators to determine the general health of your pet dog.
Types and Symptoms
Canine skin diseases can be acute (self-limiting) or chronic (long-term). Some dog breeds like Terrier and Retrieversare more prone to skin problems than others. Based on the cause, dog skin disorders are categorized into four major types, namely, bacterial, fungal, parasitic and allergic.
Bacterial Skin Infection
Staph bacteria or Staphylococci is a major causal organism for bacterial skin infection in dogs. The trunk portion and ears are most susceptible to bacterial infection (pyodermas). Nevertheless, symptoms may spread to the whole body of the pet. Some of the common symptoms of bacterial skin infection are rashes, pustules, hot spots, loss of hair in patches and severe itching.
Fungal Skin Infection
Fungal skin infection in dogs is referred to as ringworm. It is often observed in puppies, rather than older dogs. The fungus usually inhabits the skin, nails and hair. Head and legs are commonly affected by ringworm. Loss of hair is one of the early symptoms of fungal skin infection in dogs. If symptoms remain untreated, infection may progress leading to dry and crusty skin lesions.
Parasitic Skin Disease
Dogs are susceptible to various parasites including fleas and dust mites. The disease caused by mites is called mange. Parasitic skin disease can affect any part of the dog's body; common symptoms include crusty skin, irritation in affected areas, itching, lesions, inflammation and loss of hair.
Allergic Skin Disease
This can be caused due to dog food allergy, chemical allergy (present in soaps, detergents), insect bites and stings. Among these, atopic dermatitis is the most common. It is developed due to inhalation of pollutants such as pollens, dust and molds. This can affect dogs at any stage, especially young dogs between one to three years. Symptoms of atopy are rash, scratching, self-biting and itching in the face, ears and foot.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Since there are varied reasons for the cause of canine skin diseases, it is often difficult to evaluate the exact cause of the condition. Diagnosis is usually based on the physical examination and medical history of the affected dog. In order to evaluate any underlying dog diseases, the veterinarian may conduct blood tests, urine and stool analysis and skin biopsy. After correct diagnosis and evaluation of the source of allergy, the veterinarian may prescribe certain medication and remedies for treatment.
Actual treatment of dog skin disease is based on the cause of the skin problem. In case of bacterial skin infection, the vet may prescribe antibiotic course for about three weeks. Other common treatment procedures include topical ointments and medications such as antihistamines (to cope up with the effects of histamines), corticosteroids and immunotherapy. Antihistamines can be used effectively in all age groups, whereas corticosteroids are more effective among young dogs. For older dogs, more strong medications are necessary for the treatment.
If disease is developed due to allergies, the best way to prevent such problems is to avoid exposure to the particular allergy-causing agent. For chronic dog skin diseases, the pet may be required to administer medications throughout its life. In case, a dog displays increased itching or change in behavior, it is advisable to consult and seek the advice of a qualified veterinarian. Timely treatment along with proper dog care is always recommended to avoid other health complications.
- Skin Infections In Dogs
They are one best friend who will never leave your side no matter what, who will listen to all your complaints without a word, who will bear all your brunt and who will love you unconditionally. They are the dogs. They truly are a man's best...
- Dog Skin Problems
With a pet dog, the most frequently reported problem is a skin or ear related health complication. Like humans, dogs are susceptible to various skin disorders, which may develop due to allergies, parasites, infection or as a referred symptom of other...
- Dermatitis In Dogs
Unhygienic surrounding is the most common reason for skin infections in dogs. Dermatitis can be caused by bacterial or fungal infection. It can also get triggered due to some dog allergies. Some dogs that suffer from dermatitis have been detected...
- Skin Diseases In Dogs
Dogs are man's best friend and suffer from many illnesses like man. Dogs can develop many dog allergies and infections that lead to skin diseases. Skin disorders in dogs are amongst the most common conditions that a vet treats. Dogs can be infected...
- Itchy Skin On Dogs
The problem of itchy skin in dogs is caused due to different dog health problems. Diseases caused due to these problems can give you a hard time in maintaining the skin and coat of your pet dog. Itchy dog skin can also get quite troublesome for the...
Dogs
Canine Skin Diseases
Skin diseases are one of the most common ailments in dogs. In most cases, skin disorders are caused due to infections and allergic reactions. Dog allergies affect the skin, rather than the respiratory tract observed in humans. The immune system of a dog produces excess antibodies (histamines) after exposure to allergens present in the environment such as pollens, foods and microbes. This overreaction of immune system causes itching and skin disease in dogs. At times, dog skin problems occur as a result of other underlying dog health problems. Hence, coat color and skin condition are often considered as indicators to determine the general health of your pet dog.
Types and Symptoms
Canine skin diseases can be acute (self-limiting) or chronic (long-term). Some dog breeds like Terrier and Retrieversare more prone to skin problems than others. Based on the cause, dog skin disorders are categorized into four major types, namely, bacterial, fungal, parasitic and allergic.
Bacterial Skin Infection
Staph bacteria or Staphylococci is a major causal organism for bacterial skin infection in dogs. The trunk portion and ears are most susceptible to bacterial infection (pyodermas). Nevertheless, symptoms may spread to the whole body of the pet. Some of the common symptoms of bacterial skin infection are rashes, pustules, hot spots, loss of hair in patches and severe itching.
Fungal Skin Infection
Fungal skin infection in dogs is referred to as ringworm. It is often observed in puppies, rather than older dogs. The fungus usually inhabits the skin, nails and hair. Head and legs are commonly affected by ringworm. Loss of hair is one of the early symptoms of fungal skin infection in dogs. If symptoms remain untreated, infection may progress leading to dry and crusty skin lesions.
Parasitic Skin Disease
Dogs are susceptible to various parasites including fleas and dust mites. The disease caused by mites is called mange. Parasitic skin disease can affect any part of the dog's body; common symptoms include crusty skin, irritation in affected areas, itching, lesions, inflammation and loss of hair.
Allergic Skin Disease
This can be caused due to dog food allergy, chemical allergy (present in soaps, detergents), insect bites and stings. Among these, atopic dermatitis is the most common. It is developed due to inhalation of pollutants such as pollens, dust and molds. This can affect dogs at any stage, especially young dogs between one to three years. Symptoms of atopy are rash, scratching, self-biting and itching in the face, ears and foot.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Since there are varied reasons for the cause of canine skin diseases, it is often difficult to evaluate the exact cause of the condition. Diagnosis is usually based on the physical examination and medical history of the affected dog. In order to evaluate any underlying dog diseases, the veterinarian may conduct blood tests, urine and stool analysis and skin biopsy. After correct diagnosis and evaluation of the source of allergy, the veterinarian may prescribe certain medication and remedies for treatment.
Actual treatment of dog skin disease is based on the cause of the skin problem. In case of bacterial skin infection, the vet may prescribe antibiotic course for about three weeks. Other common treatment procedures include topical ointments and medications such as antihistamines (to cope up with the effects of histamines), corticosteroids and immunotherapy. Antihistamines can be used effectively in all age groups, whereas corticosteroids are more effective among young dogs. For older dogs, more strong medications are necessary for the treatment.
If disease is developed due to allergies, the best way to prevent such problems is to avoid exposure to the particular allergy-causing agent. For chronic dog skin diseases, the pet may be required to administer medications throughout its life. In case, a dog displays increased itching or change in behavior, it is advisable to consult and seek the advice of a qualified veterinarian. Timely treatment along with proper dog care is always recommended to avoid other health complications.
- Skin Infections In Dogs
They are one best friend who will never leave your side no matter what, who will listen to all your complaints without a word, who will bear all your brunt and who will love you unconditionally. They are the dogs. They truly are a man's best...
- Dog Skin Problems
With a pet dog, the most frequently reported problem is a skin or ear related health complication. Like humans, dogs are susceptible to various skin disorders, which may develop due to allergies, parasites, infection or as a referred symptom of other...
- Dermatitis In Dogs
Unhygienic surrounding is the most common reason for skin infections in dogs. Dermatitis can be caused by bacterial or fungal infection. It can also get triggered due to some dog allergies. Some dogs that suffer from dermatitis have been detected...
- Skin Diseases In Dogs
Dogs are man's best friend and suffer from many illnesses like man. Dogs can develop many dog allergies and infections that lead to skin diseases. Skin disorders in dogs are amongst the most common conditions that a vet treats. Dogs can be infected...
- Itchy Skin On Dogs
The problem of itchy skin in dogs is caused due to different dog health problems. Diseases caused due to these problems can give you a hard time in maintaining the skin and coat of your pet dog. Itchy dog skin can also get quite troublesome for the...