My dog is constantly itching and biting himself... is that normal?
Itching is the most noticeable sign of dermatitis in dogs. Of course, it is normal for dogs to scratch themselves occasionally. Still, if your pet excessively scratches or bites to relieve itchiness, it may be a sign of dermatitis.
Canine dermatitis is a broad term used to describe any inflammatory skin condition in dogs. There are numerous ways in which a dog's skin can become inflamed, including skin infections, various diseases, and allergic reactions.
If left untreated, dermatitis can negatively impact your dog's quality of life and cause significant discomfort for your furry friend. in this article, you'll learn to identify dog dermatitis symptoms and help your pup lead a happy and healthy life, free from constant itching.
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Here are the most common causes of dermatitis in dogs:
Parasites - ticks, fleas, and mites
Skin or food allergies
Bacterial or fungal infections
The areas where you are most likely to notice signs of dermatitis are:
Ears
Belly
Paws
Armpits
Tail area
Around the eyes
Snout
In dogs with specific skin conditions, dermatitis can also affect their bottom, back, and hip areas.
While we previously emphasized that itching is the primary and most noticeable symptom of dermatitis, a variety of other signs point to dermatitis in dogs. These symptoms can also affect your dog's behavior and ultimately lead to hair loss.
If your pup has dermatitis, you may notice some of the following symptoms:
Itching
Excessive scratching and licking of their skin
Hair loss
Greasy skin with an unpleasant odor
Chewing paws
Rubbing against carpets or other surfaces
Thickened or darkened skin, especially in hairless areas
Ear redness which may be accompanied by dark discharge
Belly rashes or redness
Spots or crusts on the body
Different forms of dermatitis in dogs are classified based on the cause and the symptoms your pet is experiencing. To properly treat your pup, your vet must first determine the specific type of dermatitis.
Your dog may develop contact dermatitis due to an immune system hypersensitivity (allergic contact dermatitis) or a substance that directly irritates the dog's skin (irritant contact dermatitis).
Allergic contact dermatitis in dogs is a type of dermatitis characterized by the appearance of transient lesions upon contact with allergens.
In this case, your pup's skin is sensitive to an otherwise harmless substance. For instance, suppose your dog is allergic to the shampoo you use to bathe them. In that case, dermatitis symptoms will appear every time you clean them with that specific shampoo.
On the other hand, irritant contact dermatitis occurs when your dog's skin comes into contact with a substance that directly damages the skin. This substance can cause damage after protracted exposure, but dermatitis symptoms can also appear after a single brief exposure. Some plants, for instance, release substances that irritate the skin, resulting in contact dermatitis if your dog comes into contact with them.
Atopic dermatitis in dogs is an inflammatory, chronic condition of the dog's skin associated with allergies. In many cases, dogs have a genetic predisposition to develop this form of dermatitis.
A recognizable sign of atopic dermatitis in dogs is persistent itching, although in most cases, you'll notice lesions or redness on your pup's face, ears, front legs, paws, belly, or armpit.
In addition to dogs with a genetic predisposition for developing atopic dermatitis, certain dog breeds, such as Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, and German Shepherds, are more prone to this condition.
Certain dogs may be hypersensitive to tick, flea, or mite saliva, causing irritation or inflammation of the dog's skin. If your dog develops parasitic dermatitis, you will likely find lesions on the lower part of their back, inner thighs, or tail area.
The good thing about this form of dermatitis is that it is relatively easy to treat; effectively eliminating fleas will eliminate the cause of dermatitis.
Pyoderma is a general term for a skin infection referring to pus-filled lesions affecting the epidermis' upper layers and hair follicles. It's a common condition in dogs and can be caused by bacterial or fungal skin infections.
These localized spots, known as hot spots, that form on your dog's skin can be quite painful and cause a great deal of tension, which is why it is essential to determine the cause and treat pyoderma.
Pyotraumatic dermatitis manifests as red, moist, and occasionally pus-filled lesions on any area of your dog's body.
There are two types of pyoderma infections: simple and complex. A simple pyoderma infection is a singular infection triggered by an allergen or other stimulus. A complex pyoderma infection is a persistent condition often associated with an underlying disease.
This type of dermatitis in dogs occurs when a dog develops skin lesions as a result of excessive licking of the skin. Legs and paws are the most prevalent areas affected by acral dermatitis in dogs. If your pup excessively licks their paws, consult with your vet to identify the cause of paw licking and prevent the worsening of the condition.
Seborrhea, or seborrheic dermatitis, is a skin condition in dogs characterized by excessive sebum production by the sebaceous glands. This overproduction causes the skin to become scaly, flaky, red, and irritating. Seborrhea typically affects the back, face, and flanks, with symptoms most pronounced in skin folds.
There are two types of seborrhea in dogs: seborrhea sicca (dry seborrhea) and seborrhea oleosa (oily seborrhea). Most dogs with seborrheic dermatitis have a combination of dry and oily skin.
This type of dermatitis in dogs occurs when a dog develops skin lesions as a result of excessive licking of the skin. Legs and paws are the most prevalent areas affected by acral dermatitis in dogs.
If your pup excessively licks their paws, consult with your vet to identify the cause of paw licking and prevent the worsening of the condition.
Seborrhea, or seborrheic dermatitis, is a skin condition in dogs characterized by excessive sebum production by the sebaceous glands. This overproduction causes the skin to become scaly, flaky, red, and irritating. Seborrhea typically affects the back, face, and flanks, with symptoms most pronounced in skin folds.
There are two types of seborrhea in dogs: seborrhea sicca (dry seborrhea) and seborrhea oleosa (oily seborrhea). Most dogs with seborrheic dermatitis have a combination of dry and oily skin.
To start with treatment for dermatitis, it's essential first to identify its underlying cause. Your vet will first conduct a comprehensive evaluation of your dog's medical history, followed by a physical examination to determine the current health status and an analysis of symptoms. They will most likely recommend the following tests or procedures:
To start with treatment for dermatitis, it's essential first to identify its underlying cause.
Your vet will first conduct a comprehensive evaluation of your dog's medical history, followed by a physical examination to determine the current health status and an analysis of symptoms. They will most likely recommend the following tests or procedures:
Skin scrapes - a technique used to determine if mites reside on your dog's epidermis. It involves scraping the upper surface to obtain an epidermis sample or scraping deeply to get a hair follicle sample.
Flea combs - your vet may use flea combs to detect parasites.
Hair trichogram - the vet uses forceps to extract a group of hairs for microscopic examination. This analysis can help determine if parasites, allergies, or diseases cause your pup's dermatitis.
Cytology - the analysis of tissue cells used to evaluate skin lesions and determine the origin of dermatitis. Samples can be obtained through fine-needle aspiration, swabs, skin scrapings, or lesion imprints.
Blood tests - if your dog has allergic dermatitis, specific allergens may be identified through blood tests.
Skin biopsy - in severe or unusual skin lesions in dogs or in cases where the dog does not respond to treatment well, your vet may recommend a tissue sample.
Given that dermatitis treatment in dogs depends on the underlying cause and the severity of your pup's condition, several treatments and methods can be applied.
Regularly bathing your pup can help alleviate itching and is also beneficial in eliminating possible fleas, mites, and other parasites.
Experts recommend bathing a dog with dermatitis once a week or every two weeks. It is essential to use a shampoo with mild, natural ingredients. Special shampoos with hypoallergenic formulations are the best option for treating dermatitis and maintaining the health of your dog's skin.
If an allergic reaction causes your dog's dermatitis, the simplest and most effective treatment would be to remove any allergens from their environment.
Keeping your pet away from allergens can significantly alleviate dermatitis symptoms, making it essential to determine what your dog is allergic to.
Dietary supplements designed for dogs with various skin issues and allergies can significantly help reduce dermatitis symptoms in your dog.
Apipet Skin is a natural supplement for dogs with propolis, bee pollen, and vitamin H.
Vitamin H, also known as biotin, is a key substance that is proven to help maintain healthy skin and hair. Biotin nourishes and protects the epidermis by promoting fatty acid metabolism and preventing its rapid breakdown. These fatty acids conserve water and prevent damage to epidermis cells.
Apipet Skin
for healthy and shiny dog skin
with propolis, bee pollen and vitamin H
Your vet may recommend a special therapy to increase your pup's tolerance to specific allergens. This involves gradually exposing the dog to small doses of allergens which your vet can administer via injections or oral consumption.
Your vet might prescribe certain medications if deemed necessary. Depending on the cause and severity of the condition, several medications can alleviate itching and redness and control other dermatitis symptoms.
It's highly likely that your dog's skin might be dry or have sores if they have dermatitis. Treating the areas where the skin is damaged can significantly ease your pup's symptoms and prevent further skin infections.
It is essential to select a skin care cream formulated specifically for dogs, which you will apply gently to the affected area and allow it to absorb.
ApiDerm
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Regardless of whether your dog has dermatitis and which type it is, remember that regular skin and coat maintenance is important for your furry friend's overall health. This includes regular brushing, grooming (when the breed requires it), bathing, nail trimming, and caring for your four-legged friend's paws.