As many dog owners will attest, canine skin diseases can drive both a dog and their person, right up a wall. The dog's incessant licking, whining, and scratching is not only heart breaking to watch, it's maddening to listen to hour after hour, day after day.
There are five types of canine skin diseases. They include allergies, auto-immune/immune mediated, infectious skin diseases, developmental/hereditary circumstances, and internal diseases. On top of that, secondary infections, such as yeast infections, can occur if the problem is not address at once.
Types of Skin Diseases of Dogs
Allergies
Dogs can be allergic to a load of things, such as: food, insect bites (flea/ticks), environmental irritants (lawn service chemicals, pollen, household cleaning chemicals, chemicals used to process rawhide chews, hoofs, bones and horns), medications, and even products, like plastic feeding bowls!
Auto-immune/Immune Disorders
Skin diseases such as Atopic Dermatitis, Canine Lupus, Canine Diabetes, kidney problems, hot spots and Acral Lick Dermatitis can be caused by auto-immune or immune syndromes. These types of skin diseases occur when the dog's immune system is either not working enough, or is working overtime, and thereby attacking itself. These skin diseases are usually the most serious, and could be fatal.
Infectious Skin Disease
Infectious skin disease can be parasitic, bacterial, viral, or fungal. Many are contagious. A few infectious skin diseases are even zoonotic. That means the disease can be passed from the pet to the owner. Sarcoptic Mange, caused by mites, is contagious and can be passed between dog and owner. Demodectic Mange also caused by mites is not considered contagious. Ringworm, which is a fungus, not a worm, is a zoonotic disease. Lyme Disease, from tick bites and Dipylidium, (tapeworm) from fleas, can be passed from dog to owner. Lice and mites are additional parasites that transmit contagious infectious skin diseases.
Hereditary/Developmental Skin Disease
Puppy Strangles, Seborretic Dermatitis, Ehlers-Danos, Canine Follical Dysplasia, Cushing's Disease and Hypotricosis are skin diseases that dogs either inherit, or get, either while a puppy, or later in life. Hypothyrodism is an example.
Internal Diseases Cutaneous Manifestations
Endocrine (hormone) abnormalities can be the origin of hypothyroidism, Cushing's Disease and tumors. Impacted anal sacs can also cause irritation to the surrounding area. In mild to moderate cases the sac can be expressed. In severe cases, they may have to be surgically removed.
Symptoms To Watch For
It's easy to pick the dog with skin problems from the rest of the pack. Typically, there is a foul odor from their hair or skin. Hair and skin could appear greasy and matted., or brittle, dull and dry. Skin may be dry, thick, discolored. They could have open sores, ring-shaped sores, redness or weepy sores, bald spots, fever, scooting, hair loss, anemia, obsessive licking or chewing, scabs, head tilting or shaking, lopsided ears, black debris in ears, excessive wax in ears, ear infections, rubbing against objects, rolling, cysts, abscesses, tumors, skin has white scales or flakes, patchy sores or hairless areas, excessive shedding, and/or area feels warm to the touch. The most common areas for skin disease problems are the dog's face, head, ears, paws, between digits of the paws, forelegs, armpits, belly, tail and anal area.
If your dog exhibits any of the above, take them to your veterinarian for testing, diagnosis and treatment.
Tests and Diagnosis
To diagnose which type of skin disease your dog may have, your veterinarian has several testing options. They include, blood tests, skin biopsy, cytology (examine cells under microscope), intradermal allergy tests, cultures (bacterial and viral) and video oloscopy.
Treatment
Depending on the severity of the problem, treatments options include: daily brushing, medicated shampoo, change of diet, oral and topical antibiotics, anti-fungal ointments, and/or e-collar. Your veterinarian may recommend oil massages. Skin conditions are commonly treated with corticosteroids. Anal sacs can be expressed or surgically removed. Tumors may be surgically removed.
Breeds Prone To Skin Problems
The following are a few popular breeds that are prone to skin problems and disease: Akita, Alaskan Malamute, American Cocker Spaniel, American Water Spaniel, Australian Terrier, Beagle, Bichon Frise, Boxers, Bull Terrier, Chow-Chow, Collies, Dachshund, Dalmatian German Shepherd Dog, Lhasa Apso, Miniature Pinscher, Miniature Schnauzer, Old English Sheepdog, Poodle (Toy, Miniature and Standard), Samoyed, Scottish Terrier, Shar-Pei, Siberian Husky, Toy Fox Terrier, and Wire Fox Terrier.
Bottom line: Don't waste time. Your pet is in extreme discomfort. Don't let them suffer unnecessarily. Seek veterinary help. It may be nothing; it could be serious, and possibly fatal.
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