Dog Skin Problems

Dealing with dog skin problems is one of the most common issues for dog owners. The dog’s skin is a primary indicator of its health and when something starts to feel wrong, dogs would show some discomfort like scratching, biting and licking. Ranging from the acute to more chronic and long-lasting conditions, dog skin issues are also differentiated as primary and secondary depending on their nature and their causes. 

A common cause of dog skin problems are lice, fleas and ticks, which leads to skin irritation and allergies. Bacterial and fungal skin infections such as ringworm can result in scaly patches, hair loss, and inflammation. Some dogs also develop skin allergies due to certain food, grooming products and other environmental objects like plants or detergents. Other causes of skin disorders include yeast infection or mange, typically found in puppies. There are also some skin conditions that are related to the age and breed of the dog, since there are certain breeds more prone to skin problems than other dogs.

Early symptoms for dog skin problems include itching, licking and scratching, and red patches or rashes appearing on the skin. There’s also flaky and dry oily skin due to seborhhea or canine dandruff, which can be caused by hormonal problems, allergy, bacterial infections and fungus. There are also signs of skin lumps and the dog’s toenails breaking off due to fungus or mites. Other symptoms for dog skin problems include hair loss or bald patches, bad odor emitting from the skin, itchy hot spots, visible redness, irritation, and sore skin.

Diagnosing dog skin problems include reviewing the dog’s health history, taking a dog skin biopsy, blood tests to check for infections and nutrient deficiencies, and skin examination under a special light to look for any fungal infections such as ringworm and allergy testing. When diagnosing for mange, vets take a skin scraping sample. Home treatments for simple itchiness and scratching due to fleas usually just require a special shampoo. There are different topical products and medication to prevent and remove parasites, and some vets would advice medicated dog baths at least once or twice a week. A recommended product to use is dog colloidal oatmeal shampoo, although it’s important to ask the vet first before using any medication to avoid additional problems. Other helpful treatments include omega fatty acids, neem oil and aloe vera, which can be used to wash mild skin problems.

Excessive scratching, scabs, lesions and lumps with build ups of blood and pus require the attention of a veterinarian. They will remove the lumps and prescribe antihistmamines and corticosteroids to control itching, and antiobiotics if the infection has gotten deeper into the skin. If the skin problem is caused by the dog’s food, a special hypoallergenic diet and dietary supplements will be included in the prescription. Dogs with skin problems are usually given a different diet, so their condition would not get worse.

To prevent dog skin problems, dogs should be kept in a clean, healthy and stress-free environment. Groom the dog using natural and hypoallergenic products recommended for dogs. Avoid frequent bathing because this can also dry out the dog’s skin and lead to more problems.  It’s also important to brush the dog regularly since some skin problems can only be detected when brushing the dog. Feeding them a healthy and balanced diet with little to no artificial ingredients can keep their immune system stronger. Owners can blend vegetables like carrots, celery, artichoke, parsley and garlic and mix it with the dog’s food. These tips are valuable for pets and their owners, because even with dog skin problems, prevention is still better than cure.