Skin problems cause major discomfort for any pet – making the skin itchy or even painful.
Yet, skin issues are a common occurrence during warm seasons when allergies tend to flare up. It’s important to pay attention to all skin changes that torment your dog because they can point to yet undiagnosed health conditions.
Dogs can suffer from mild and acute skin conditions, many of which require professional treatment to manage and keep under control. In fact, if the skin conditions don’t get treated, they can get progressively worse. For example, allergies can cause a secondary bacterial or yeast infection. Some of the most common dog skin disorders include bacterial infections, environmental allergies and reactions to parasites.
To help you wrap your head around the wide range of possible dog skin issues and recognize the symptoms that appear with each problem, we summed up the 10 most common dog skin conditions.
Itching is the most obvious sign of a skin condition, but it can be difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of skin irritation without a vet exam. Although dog scratching now and then is perfectly normal, frequent and long-lasting itch is a sign of a more serious condition.
Dogs will try to alleviate the itch by rubbing their heads on a certain object or scratching irritated areas with their paws. Also, you might notice your pup licking its paws or other body parts to soothe irritated skin.
Other symptoms that indicate dog skin problems are:
skin ulcer
dry skin
rash
scabs
redness
dandruff
bumps on the skin
hair loss
Regularly examine your furry friend to notice any of these symptoms and take note of when and where they appear. You might notice excessive itching after a meal, during a specific season, or after you’ve done your chores – any of these situations can trigger skin allergies or atopic dermatitis. The more data you have (collected from observing your pet when it shows the signs of irritation and allergies), the merrier. This information will help your vet to make a more accurate and holistic diagnosis of allergy or skin infection.
Many dogs struggle with contact allergies – fungal and bacterial infections as well as parasite allergies.
Sudden itching can indicate an environmental allergy is triggered when a dog gets in contact with the allergen (cause of irritation).
This type of dog allergy is also known as “atopy” and bears resemblance to human hay fever. The only difference is that dogs have irritated and itchy skin while humans have to cope with watery eyes and sneezing.
Prevailing allergens for dogs include grass, mites and pollen. A blood test is an accurate way of diagnosing allergies. Treating environmental allergies is a challenge. In the worst-case scenario, you’ll need shampoos, medication and injections. Over the last couple of years, scientists have developed new medications that have changed allergy treatment to the point of no return.
Even more itching of the head, paws, ears and anus hint at a possible food allergy. Protein in your dog’s diet can trigger food allergies. For instance, that can include beef, eggs, chicken and dairy. Some dogs are also allergic to wheat or even vegetables.
Similar to humans that have food intolerances, pets have to go through an elimination diet that lasts 8-12 weeks in order to rule out one allergen at a time. Your vet will advise you on the most suitable treatment for your pup. It’s essential that you don’t give in to those gorgeous puppy eyes and feed your pooch suspected allergens during the elimination trial. Follow the procedure by the book to get valid results and so that your vet can prescribe your dog the right treatment.
Folliculitis is just a fancy term for infected hair follicles that can develop alongside other skin issues such as mange or allergy. You can recognize it by the sores, bumps or scabs that appear on the skin. Vets usually suggest shampoos, oral antibiotics and antibacterial balms to treat and soothe an infection.
healthy skin and shiny coat of the dog
Puppies are prone to impetigo – a skin infection that often indicates other skin conditions. As with most skin diseases, it’s recommended to get in touch with the vet and get their opinion if you suspect that something is afoot with your pup.
Lesions of impetigo can appear on your pooch’s tummy in the form of blisters that can burst and form scabs. To treat your dog’s impetigo, you’ll need antibiotics and gentle shampoos. Your vet can also run a couple of tests to diagnose the issue at hand.
5. Ringworm (Fungi Infection)
Although it sounds like a worm, ringworm is in fact a fungus – highly contagious to both animals and humans at that. Fungi infection appears in the shape of a circular, crusty patch you can detect on your pup’s head, paws, ears, or front legs. Your dog’s skin also might seem infected and red due to irritation and scratching. If you notice any signs of infection, get in touch with your vet right away so that you can start the treatment early and prevent the infection from spreading.
Warm areas on your dog’s skin are breeding grounds for yeast infections. Yeast fungi are likely to grow in hard-to-reach places such as your pup’s ear canal, between the toes or groin. You might notice the skin getting thicker – which causes the dog to scratch like crazy or even bite the infected area. Yeast infections can also discolour the skin or cause odour. Topical creams, shampoos and tablets can soothe the symptoms and heal the infected area.
Ticks and fleas affect your dog’s skin by biting and sucking blood. Flea saliva enters your puppy's body and causes skin irritation and allergies. Pets suffering from acute parasite allergies have infected and red skin, scratch a lot and might even bite the coat as an attempt to soothe an itch. In extreme cases, there can also be major hair loss.
Fleas are small parasites that can survive on your carpets and linen – which is why regular vacuuming and washing your dog’s bed is essential for flea prevention.
Mange is a serious condition caused by a couple of mite types that rest on your dog’s hair and skin.
There are two major kinds of mange you should know about. The first one is caused by the Demodex mite (triggering demodectic mange) and affects pups under a year old, older dogs or pets that have other diseases.
Another is sarcoptic mange caused by the Sarcoptes mites. It makes the skin excessively itchy and it’s noticeable on a dog’s ears. The symptoms to watch out for are hair loss, acute itch, and redness around the affected area.
Follow a similar procedure as with fleas and ticks. Wash your dog’s bed and make sure to avoid contact with other pups. The vet confirms the mange by examining the skin sample under the microscope. Treatment includes pills and mange shampoo to get rid of mites and soothe itching and infection. Some anti fleas and worm products prescribed by the vet can be helpful as well.
Just like people, dogs can also have dry skin prone to dandruff – which can be a sign of an infection. Some pooches have dry skin types which becomes an issue in winter or with an unfavourable diet. Food rich in high-quality protein, omega-3 and 6 fatty acids keeps the coat healthy. Simple dandruff cases are easy to treat with the right shampoo, but the vet should confirm that it doesn’t point to a more concerning condition.
Lupus is an autoimmune disease – meaning the immune system attacks itself. Sadly, open and crusty ulcers on your pet’s skin that take a long time to heal are a sign of this disorder. You’ll notice them around your dog’s nose, eyes, and paws. Untreated lupus can be fatal. Make sure you contact your vet for any skin conditions that are getting progressively worse over time.