What are the common skin conditions?
Dog skin disorders is the no. 1 reason for visiting a Vet (Veterinary Pet Insurance Co).
Coat and skin condition is a key indicator of the overall health of any animal. Unfortunately, skin and coat problems are quite common, with dermatitis a catchall term for the numerous inflammatory skin diseases that can affect dogs. These may be transient or chronic, often affecting the health and sheen of the coat. Once skin rashes occur, they can be long-lasting and require persistent treatments. It is best to prevent dog skin disorders and rashes.
Types of dermatitis in dogs
Persistent itching is a very common, non-specific sign of dermatitis in dogs and cats. Many conditions may cause dermatitis and prompt an affected animal to scratch or bite itself frequently.
Causes
- Bacterial, fungal, yeast or parasitic infection
- Seborrhoea
- Food allergies or sensitivities
- Flea bites (flea saliva is a common allergen)
- Contact with an irritating substance
- Metabolic and endocrine disorders
- Drug reactions; exposure to toxins
- Breed-specific predisposition
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Sunburn
- Cancer may give rise to excessive itching due to skin irritation
Types of skin conditions
Symptoms and diagnosis of dermatitis
The following conditions are symptomatic of dermatitis in dogs:
- Persistent scratching
- The appearance of a red, painful-looking sore (hot spot), often overnight
- Scaly, rough or oozing areas on the skin, usually accompanied by hair loss
What are my options for treating skin and coat conditions?
There are many options for ensuring your pet has healthy skin and a shiny coat or feathers. You may just want them to look their best or they may have a condition that is causing skin and coat problems. Since dermatitis could result from a variety of causes (an allergy or other ongoing irritant, the animal’s lifestyle, food intake, etc) the right treatment option depends on the cause of the problem.
Product recommendations: Rufus & Coco Super Skin & Coat, Rufus & Coco 2in1 Natural Wash, Rufus & Coco Itch Relief.
Canine atopy is a common cause of chronic itching in dogs. Canine atopy is caused by an allergic reaction to one or more substances in the environment, usually grass, and commonly starts between the ages of one and five years. The genetic make-up and environment contribute to development of the disease, which is due to a failure of the immune response.
Dogs with atopy usually itch and so scratch a lot, resulting in red, moist, irritated skin. The face and feet are most commonly affected but ear infections are also common. Sometimes, dogs with atopy will also have runny eyes or nose.
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Contact dermatitis is a skin disorder that may develop after direct contact with certain materials such as:
- Caustic or corrosive substances such as bleach
- Strong acids or alkalis and salt are the main culprits
- Fertilisers
- Carpet cleaners
- Flea collars
Contact dermatitis may also develop when a pet becomes sensitive to a substance that is normally not an irritant, such as bedding material. It may also cause itchy, red skin over the parts of the body that have been exposed to the irritant.
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Flea allergy dermatitis This condition affects dogs and is characterised by severe, unremitting itching. It is caused by sensitivity to the saliva of fleas – even one fleabite can cause intense misery. Dogs with flea allergy dermatitis may loose hair in the affected areas and develop hot spots over the haunches and tail.
Cats may groom themselves excessively and may loose hair over their backs.
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Canine sarcoptic mange This extremely irritating condition is caused by the Sarcoptes mite. While Sarcoptes can affect any area of the skin, canine sarcoptic mange most often affects a dog's abdomen, chest, legs, and ears. Mites are usually transmitted when a dog comes into contact with an infected dog or area where another infected dog has been. (The mites can survive for up to three weeks in the environment.)
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Feline notoedric mange is similar to canine sarcoptic mange. Notoedres cati is a microscopic mite that infests the skin of cats. The mite gives rise to an itchy, frequently crusty skin condition that typically affects the ears, face and neck.
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Pyotraumatic dermatitis Often referred to moist dermatitis or a “hot spot”, pyotraumatic dermatitis manifests as a red, moist, hairless, painful-looking sore that appears suddenly. Thick-coated, longhaired dog breeds are particularly susceptible. The raw areas develop when something causes such severe itching or irritation that a dog scratches and licks his skin raw. Often, this licking and scratching goes on at night, so the sudden appearance of the sore can be an unpleasant surprise for a pet owner.
Bacteria that naturally inhabit the surface of the skin cause hot spots. They develop when incessant scratching and biting damage the skin enough to break down its barrier function (primary non-specific immunity). The bacteria then proliferate, causing more irritation. Hot spots frequently develop at the site of a fleabite but may result from allergic reactions, ear infections and other irritants. They are more common in hot, humid weather.
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Canine acral lick dermatitis, sometimes called lick granuloma, is a fairly common skin condition in dogs. Affected dogs usually spend a considerable part of their day licking at one particular spot on one leg. An infected wound eventually arises at the site.
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Staphylococci (“Staph bacteria”) are the most common organisms found in bacterial skin diseases (pyodermas) in dogs. Fortunately, these bacteria (S. intermedius) are not contagious to humans or other pets.
Commonly, itchy yellow pustules are often observed early in the disease and the dog’s skin may be reddened and ulcerated. Dry, crusted areas appear as the condition advances, along with loss of hair in the affected areas (lesions) and an odour.
All areas of a dog’s body may be involved, but most cases are confined to the trunk. The chin is one area commonly affected. Called chin acne, this condition is actually a deep bacterial infection. Obese dogs and dogs of the pug-nosed breeds are frequently affected by pyoderma in the skin folds on their face, lips and vulva.
Other areas where pyoderma may occur include between the toes and on the calluses of the elbows.
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Fungal skin infections (ringworm) are caused primarily by two species of fungi: Microsporum and Trichophyton. The skin diseases resulting from these fungi are commonly called “ringworm”.
Ringworm is seen most commonly in young dogs. The fungi live in dead skin tissues, hairs and nails. Hair loss, usually in circular patches, may appear. If infected, the centre of the patches may have a dry, crusty appearance. The head and legs are most commonly affected by ringworm, although the disease may spread over other parts of the dog’s body if not treated. Dogs may scratch the lesions.
Ringworm is contagious to humans, particularly to children and to other household pets. Infected dogs should be kept away from children and other dogs and cats until the infection is cured, which can be as long as 2-3 months or more after the treatment begins. Adults should be careful to wash their hands thoroughly after handling an infected dog. If treated early, ringworm is readily controlled in humans. Other household pets should also be examined for ringworm.
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Hormonal skin diseases
Skin diseases caused by hormonal abnormalities in dogs are difficult to diagnose can be diagnosed by special blood tests and effectively treated. The thyroid gland, adrenal glands, pituitary gland, testicles and ovaries all produce hormones. If excessive (“hyper”) or deficient (“hypo”), these hormones produce changes in the skin and hair coat. Most hormonal problems that affect the skin produce hair loss that is evenly distributed on each side of the dog’s body. The skin may be thicker or thinner than normal and there may be changes in the colour of the skin or hair coat. These diseases usually don’t produce itchiness.
When any of the hormone-producing glands malfunction, they affect other body functions besides the skin. Hormonal skin diseases in dogs can be much more serious than a “skin problem”.
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Food
A dog’s food can also play a part in the condition of their skin and coat. Believe it or not, many dogs that are allergic to corn and soy. These products are often the main ingredients in dog food. Choosing a high-quality dog food with meat as the main ingredient rather than corn or soy can greatly help to improve the condition of your dog’s skin.
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Pet supplements
Fish oil has shown positive benefits for both skin and coat. First suggested for use in treating allergies in pets, veterinarians are discovering that fatty acids can be valuable for a variety of conditions.
Omega-3 oils, otherwise known as fatty acids, nourish the skin and coat. They provide anti-inflammatory effects and can help relieve itching and scratching, an allergy-related condition, and support heart, vision and joint health.
Be sure to use an omega-3 fatty acid supplement derived from fish oil such as Rufus & Coco Super Skin & Coat. Other types of fatty acids (such as omega-6 fatty acids) can actually make some allergies worse. It is often best to use the omega-3 fatty acid supplements in conjunction with a diet lower in fat.
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Flea
If the dermatitis results from an allergic reaction to fleabites, action should be taken to rid the home of fleas.
For more information fleas.
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Prescription drugs
Corticosteroids such as injectable dexamethasone will help calm the itching and inflammation resulting from dermatitis. However, safer and more natural approaches may be more suitable.
If a hot spot has developed, it should be treated promptly to prevent infection.
Oral antibiotics, and a few days’ treatment with oral corticosteroids, will normally clear up the affected area. Again, safer and more natural approaches may be more suitable.
In more severe cases, treatments may entail removal of the hair in and around the lesions, washing of the dog with antibiotic shampoos, careful drying and the application of an antibiotic ointment to local lesion. In most cases, antibiotics will also be administered orally for 3-4 weeks. Bandages or a protective collar preventing the dog from mutilating the lesions may be applied.
Some skin conditions involving skin folds may require corrective surgery. In recurrent cases where testing reveals no definable underlying cause, special staphylococcal vaccines as an alternative to long-term antibiotic treatment can be tried.
It may be necessary to continue treatments such as antiseptic shampooing, antibiotic ointment applications and giving antibiotics orally at home. While most cases respond to treatment, recurrences are common, particularly if treatment recommendations and follow-up visits to your veterinarian are neglected. Glucocorticold steroids cannot be administered.
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