Dog Skin Problems You Should Know About
Dog skin problems are extremely common and can affect all kinds of dogs, no matter what the breed or the level of care they are given. These serious diseases will cause moderate to severe irritation and discomfort to the dog, and can even lead to permanent bald spots on the dog’s coat.
These are not problems that can be taken lightly. In some cases, these problems are a result of a flea infestation, or an infection by bacteria or a special type of fungus. Another common cause for these types of problems is an allergy to something in the food or the environment the dog is exposed to.
What is important to know is that these symptoms will not clear up no matter how long you wait, without the intervention and treatment prescribed by a licensed, professional veterinarian. Getting an accurate diagnosis is also very important, as the treatment prescribed will vary depending on the underlying cause.
Taking your pet to a veterinarian will help start the process of diagnosing and ultimately treating the problems with the pet’s skin. In some cases, the veterinarian may require procedures such as a hide biopsy, blood tests, or an allergy test to be performed in order to most accurately diagnose the issue. The thing to keep in mind is that most often the symptoms are not the disease, and without treating what’s causing the problem, your pet may continue to experience discomfort.
The skin is a very vital organ, and the largest one in the dog’s body, with a variety of important roles to play. It consists of two layers known as the epidermis and dermis. Healthy coat will be clean, odorless, and never inflamed or red. Inflammation or red, hot spots, are frequently the first sign of an incoming problem.
Because there is a range of possible diagnoses, finding the right one may take a little bit of time. Commonly, the issue is an infection caused by a type of fungus or bacteria. For some dogs, the problem might be fleas, even if the owner has not noticed yet. Some dogs are hypersensitive to flea saliva, so even a tiny number of fleas is enough to trigger an outbreak.
The veterinarian may prescribe anti-flea soaps and treatments, or antibiotics to treat a fungal or bacterial infection. The treatment may take several weeks to work, but in many cases after the underlying problem has been dealt with, the pet will heal up and return to a healthy coat, and enjoy a better quality of life. Depending on the type of infection, sometimes dogs might need to be isolated from other dogs or pets for a period of time to prevent spreading.
For many cases, there are natural or alternative remedies which can be particularly helpful if they are coupled with conventional remedies for the problem. Dogs can be allergic to a number of substances, and sometimes substantial changes to the dog’s diet or the place where it lives may be needed to completely resolve the issue. Whatever the treatment is dog skin problems are a very serious matter and will need to be dealt with.
Jennifer is a dog health practitioner who specializes in canine skin problems.