The skin of our canine companion can be affected by bacteria, fungi, or parasites that cause irritation and hair loss. Various symptoms of skin issues like skin sores, dry skin, rashes, lumps, redness, dandruff, bumps, hair loss. We often see our dogs scratching, licking, or even biting their paws, tail, and skin hair; that is all because of these skin problems.
Skin problems are prevalent in dogs. If you don’t take it seriously, it can get worse and harm your dog’s life. In this article, we will discuss some common skin problems that can harm your dogs-
1. Skin Allergies:
The condition of dogs chewing their paws and scratching their belly, flanks, and ears has come due to allergic dermatitis. Skin allergies are the most common skin issues for dogs. Their remedies vary depending on the stimulant.
These skin allergies possess the risk of a bacterial infection and hair loss due to fungal infection, as dogs continue to scratch, bite, and lick at their wounds. It’s also known as Allergic Dermatitis. It is a misguided reaction by the immune system to a stimulant.
Many substances can serve as allergens, and these include flea saliva, some food ingredients(dairy products, some fruits or vegetables, beef, etc.), dust, pollen, grooming products, or some chemicals.
- You can cure these skin allergies by eliminating allergic food ingredients from your pet’s diet.
- Give your dog fish oil. It contains Omega-3 fatty acids that can promote a healthy skin coat.
- Keeping fleas away from your pets can prevent any skin issues.
2. Demodectic Mange:
This skin disease is caused by mites in the dog’s skin, leaving the dog with a red, itchy skin infection. It lives on a particular host. One form of Demodex mite that lives on dogs; is termed Demodex canis.
The eight-legged cigar-shaped mites are a normal part of the skin flora, and they take up residence deep in the hair follicles without stirring trouble. An immuno-compromised system can cause mites to increase rapidly.
- Take expert help while there are many topical products designed to address this problem, sometimes it requires an aggressive treatment using special shampoos, medicated baths, and antibiotic therapy.
3. Ringworm:
It’s a fungal infection that earned its name because of its appearance. The fungus grows on the epithelial layer of the skin and endothelial layer in the hair follicles of infected dogs. However, the infection is superficial that is itchy and contagious.
It spreads through direct contact with the fungus. The spores of fungus remain viable for so long. The dog that comes in direct contact with a contaminated object can also get infected.
- Take expert advice in case of ringworm infection in dogs, as humans can contract Microsporum canis that affect 70% of dogs, which is another reason to take this problem seriously.
- You can apply diluted essential oils that have antifungal properties. Because these oils are highly concentrated; so, dilute them before applying to the infected area.
4. Dry Skin
Does your dog have white speckles on its coat? If yes, he likely has dry skin. Our pets are prone to having dry skin, particularly during winters due to nutritional imbalances, climate changes, digestive disorders, and intestinal parasites.
- You can treat them by applying coconut oil, as it is an excellent moisturizer and offers antibacterial and antifungal properties. Massage the oil into your dog’s coat at least once a day, and you will notice your dog’s coat improving.
- Omega-3 fatty and Omega-6 fatty acids supplements can help to tackle this issue. These supplements nourish the skin, reduce itching, and fight inflammation.
5. Hot Spots:
Also known as Acute Moist Dermatitis, an immune-mediated response of the skin. It refers to red, watery, irritated lesions that fill with pus. Many pets exacerbate the development of these lesions by inflicting self-trauma through excessive biting and itching.
Hot spot grows from an allergic reaction, a flea bite, poor grooming, stress, or an underlying disease. Long-haired and double-coated breeds are prone to this infection.
- Trim hair around the affected area to prevent matting and help minimize the spread of bacteria.
6. Folliculitis:
Bacterial folliculitis is an infection that includes bumps, sores, and scabs on the skin. These skin issues are harder to see in long-haired dogs. Some common symptoms are dry, dull coat, and leads to shedding. It often occurs with other skin issues, such as allergies, mange, and injury. It is an inflammation of the hair follicle. The bacteria- Staphylococcus or Superficial Pyoderma is responsible for the cause of folliculitis.
- You can treat this skin problem by giving them oral antibiotics, antipruritics, and antibacterial shampoos and ointments.
7. Seborrhea:
It’s a skin disease that causes greasy skin and develops scales due to defective keratin protein. Protein is vital for the growth of skin, nails, and hair follicles. It can be a genetic disease. Hence, it is mostly present in puppies and lasts a lifetime. Allergies or hormonal abnormalities are the reason for Seborrhea development in most dogs. There are mainly two types of Seborrhea in dogs-
Seborrhea sicca causes dry and flaky skin, whereas Seborrhea oleosa is an oily form of skin disease. Dogs can get the infection by both of these bacterias.
- You can treat them with some medicated baths and shampoos.
- It mainly affects the sebaceous glands and often infects the back and the armpit area.
8. Alopecia:
Alopecia results in hair loss, and there is a variety of hair loss in dogs. Whereas, it also depends on the breed to breed how much shedding is normal. If abnormal shedding occurs, you can notice some patches or bald spots of missing hair. There are many causes of Alopecia, and common causes are poor diet, stress, or the environment. Itching and inflammation of the skin can also lead to hair loss.
- The treatment of Alopecia depends on the reason for the hair loss. However, you may give your pets some antiparasitics, antibiotics, or antifungal medications to cure this disease.
- If your dog has genetic Alopecia, there is no cure for that. Veterinarians may help you out with this issue.
9. Acral Lick Granuloma:
It is also named Acral Lick Dermatitis. The area that can not heal; the resulting pain and irritation can make the dog keep licking the same region. You can see them in the middle to older-aged dogs. The most commonly infected areas include the legs, around the ankle, on the toes, and the top of the wrist. area
- The treatment may include; discouraging the dog from licking by applying bad-tasting topical ointments. You can ask your vet doctor for a better solution.
10. Impetigo:
It is a bacterial infection and is most common in puppies. In this skin infection, blisters appear filled with pus that may break and crust over. These blisters develop on the hairless part of the abdomen. Impetigo is also named Puppy Pyoderma. The pus usually contains Staphylococcus bacteria and also causes infection with other bacterial species.
- Treat them with topical solutions and prevent them from spreading.
