Skin Conditions That Affect Dogs

Since the skin is the largest organ of the body, it’s not surprising that it is prone to a wide variety of problems.  And when there is a skin problem it’s very noticeable.  There’s no escaping it.  Your dog’s skin is subject to everything from allergic reactions to warts.

One skin condition that can affect every dog is the damage done by fleas and other parasites.  Fleas and ticks can drive a dog wild and cause him to scratch and destroy his skin.  He can even develop bacterial infections from the scratching or he may have flea bite dermatitis.

Mites are another pest that can harm your pet’s skin.  These are microscopic organisms that may require a microscope to be confirmed.  The two most common mites found on dogs cause demodex mange and sarcoptic mange which lead to intense itching, scratching and hair loss.  Demodex mange is also known as “red mange” because it makes your dog’s skin inflamed.  Sarcoptic mange can be transmitted to humans.

Allergies are a common skin problem with dogs.  One of the most common allergies is an allergies to fleas.  You can often identify this allergy because the dog has chewed the based of his tail raw, as well as the area over his hips.  Your vet may have to treat your dog with steroids and antihistamines to help him.

Your dog can be allergic to many other things as well, including shampoos, cleaning products, grass, pollen, and ingredients in his dog food.  Dog food allergies have become more widespread in the last few years as more dogs seem to be allergic to corn, wheat and other common grains.

Dogs can also suffer from skin problems such as abscesses, bacterial infections and calluses.  Abscesses may be found anywhere but are usually associated with a puncture, bite or other cause.  A bacterial infection can develop when your dog’s immune system is weakened — bacteria is typically present at all times.  It’s only when the immune system is unable to fight off bacteria that an infection will gain the upper hand.  Calluses will develop when a dog lies on his elbows or some other body part, especially if he’s lying on concrete.

Dogs can also develop “hot spots,” so named because they are small, inflamed areas that develop rapidly.  They usually occur on long coated dogs, often if the dog has been exposed to moisture, such as dew on the grass or after lots of rain.  They seem to occur without rhyme or reason.  You can treat them by shaving the hair around the small hot spot and applying a medicinal powder.  It’s important to keep the area dry.  Hot spots are notoriously hard to heal because dogs want to lick them, which only aggravates them and makes them worse.

Hypothyroidism is a frequent cause of skin problems in dogs.  This is a disorder of the thyroid gland, often genetic in origin.  With hypothyroidism the thyroid gland doesn’t secrete enough thyroxin for the body.  This affects the body’s metabolic rate, which controls healing, among other things.  Dogs gain weight, become lethargic, and they can lose hair.  Their skin pigment may darken or even become scaly.  Dogs often become prone to bacterial and yeast ear infections.  Onset is usually around two years old.  There can even be personality changes, with dogs becoming more aggressive.  If you suspect that your dog may have hypothyroidism your vet can do some bloodwork to find out.  If your dog is hypothyroid this is an easily treatable condition.  Your vet can prescribe a simple, inexpensive thyroid pill for your dog to take daily.  You can see an improvement in your dog’s condition in as little as two to three weeks.  His coat can grow back in just a few months.

These are just a few of the many skin conditions that veterinarians see on a regular basis.  If you notice something wrong with your dog’s skin you should take your dog to the vet to find out what’s wrong.  Chances are that your vet has seen the problem before and can help you and your dog.