Common Skin Diseases in Dogs
Skin diseases are one of the common ailments dogs often suffer from. It can be quite irritating to see and hear your dog constantly scratching and licking itself. It’s no fun for anyone when it comes to skin conditions, and it’s even worse when the owners cannot determine exactly what’s irritating their furry friends.
It is normal for dogs to itch occasionally, just like humans may sometimes scratch their skin. However, prolonged/ frequent irritation could be a sign of a more serious skin condition that you shouldn’t ignore.
Possible causes of skin conditions in dogs range from external parasites to allergies, and other serious underlying illnesses. Most of these skin problems can be treated and managed at home, but it’s always good to check with your vet if the condition does not improve.
Here is everything you need to know about the common skin diseases in dogs, what causes them, the signs and symptoms, and the types of treatments.
Top 7 Skin Diseases in Dogs
1. Hot Spots
Also known as moist dermatitis, a hot spot is a painful skin condition that results from underlying infections, allergies, moisture trapped within the skin, and parasites. They are often triggered by chewing, licking, or scratching the affected area. Excessive licking introduces bacteria to the vulnerable skin, causing hot spots.
What to do about it:
Seek veterinary help immediately. Your veterinarian will be able to identify the cause of the hot spot. The affected areas are often clipped to allow the skin to breathe. Your vet may also recommend cleaning the area using a diluted chlorhexidine solution. It takes about a week for a hot spot to dry out and begin to heal after treatment.
You can prevent hot spots on your dog by maintaining good hygiene and practicing routine grooming. Also, treat other infections like parasites and allergic reactions that trigger hot spots. Make sure your dog is completely dry after a bath. Supplement your dog with foods rich in fatty acids which promotes skin and coat such as Taste Of The Wild Pacific Stream with Smoked Salmon Dog Dry Food, which is grain free! A grain option is the Oven-Baked Tradition Fish Dog Dry Food that also has omega-3 and omega-6.
2. Dry/ Flaky Skin
Dry, flaky skin is a symptom of mange, allergies, and other serious underlying skin conditions like hypothyroidism and seborrhea. It may not seem like a big deal, but it could actually be a sign of a bigger problem in your dog which you ought to find out early.
What to do about it:
Treatment depends on the cause. Therefore, consult your veterinarian to determine the cause of your dog’s skin disease. Make sure you are feeding your dog good-quality foods that are rich in omega fatty acids.
3. Ringworm
Despite its name, ringworm is not a worm but a fungus that affects all species of dogs. The fungus grows and lives in the hair follicles and the outermost skin layer of dogs. It appears as crusty, circular patches on your dog’s paws, head, front legs, and ears.
What to do about it:
Contact your vet if your dog experiences:
- Rough, fragile claws
- Dry, delicate hair
- Scabby, swollen skin
- Crusty, circular patches on your dog’s body
Your vet will diagnose your dog with ringworm and recommend an appropriate treatment plan for your furry friend. Treatment depends on the severity of the case. You can prevent ringworms by maintaining proper hygiene of the surroundings and routine grooming of your dog.
4. Itchy Skin
Itchy rash or itchy skin is caused by allergies and parasites such as fleas, ticks, and mites. Itchiness arising from allergies usually involves your dog’s groin, ears, flank, armpits, and feet. External parasites often cause itchiness along the inner thighs, on the stomach, and at the base of the tail.
Read this article on hypoallergenic dog food : “Why Feed Hypoallergenic Dog Food?“
What to do about it:
Itchiness caused by mild allergies can be treated using a soothing shampoo containing oatmeal such as the Dermcare Aloveen Oatmeal Dog Shampoo. It is a hypoallergenic shampoo that’s suitable for dogs with normal and sensitive skin. You can also try switching your dog to a more sensitive-skin diet that contains fatty acids.
Consult your vet if the itchiness is caused by mites and fleas infestation. The vet will diagnose the cause and recommend treatment that’s specific to the type of parasites, such as mange or flea treatments and preventatives.
5. Red Spots
Fleas, ticks, and mites can irritate your dog’s skin, exposing him to bacteria, fungal, and yeast infections. This often manifests as red spots on your dog’s skin or belly. It may also be caused by black fly bites, especially in the late spring and early summer.
What to do about it:
The first step is to visit your veterinarian if you suspect that your dog has a red spot. The vet will determine the underlying cause and prescribe appropriate treatment. Treatment of skin infections, management of allergies, and good parasitic prevention is essential to prevent itchiness and trauma to the skin.
6. Small and Large Red Bumps
Raised small and large itchy red bumps can be caused by several underlying factors in dogs. It may be caused by folliculitis if the bumps are smaller and consist of crusts. Folliculitis is a bacterial or fungal skin infection.
Flat and large red bumps with no crusting are often caused by an allergic reaction. Allergic reactions can happen from so many things, including a bee sting, a mosquito bite, a food allergy, and a pollen allergy among many others.
Some dogs may also develop allergic reactions due to erythema multiforme, a skin reaction that’s triggered by some medicines or by an infection. Erythema causes reddish bumps and blisters in dogs that often spreads outwards. It creates ulcerations displayed by red circles with a central white area.
What to do about it:
Contact your veterinarian immediately because the swelling caused by an allergic reaction may obstruct the airway. Your vet will also recommend medicated shampoos and ointments for your dog.
7. Dark Spots
The dark spot is also known as hyperpigmentation. It’s the thickening and darkening of the skin. It’s not a specific disease, but can be secondary to chronic inflammation. It may also indicate a hormone-associated disorder or could be a sign of skin damage caused by constant friction. The most affected areas are usually the legs and groin. Dark spots appear as light brown-to-black, rough areas of thickened hairless skin.
What to do about it:
Consult your veterinarian to diagnose the underlying cause of hyperpigmentation. The signs can be managed with medicated shampoos and steroid ointments if noticed early. You may also apply sunscreen on your dog whenever he’s outside if the skin damage is caused by sun rays. Sunscreen will protect your dog from frostbite.
Below are some of the other recommended products you can buy at perromart.
1. Addiction Mega Grain Free Dog Dry Food for Large Dogs
2. Vet’s Best Oatmeal Medicated Shampoo for Dogs
3. NHV All Clear Ointment for Pets
In summary, here’s the list of skin diseases we talked about!
- Hot Spots
- Dry/ Flaky Skin
- Ringworm
- Itchy Skin
- Red Spots
- Small and Large Red Bumps
- Dark Spots
Check out the other article we did on common skin problems in pets here!