Things That Cause Dog Skin Diseases
When your dog has skin issues that are causing it pain, you will need to find out if it suffers from one or more of the dog skin diseases. Your local veterinarian can assess the problem and come up with a quick diagnosis. Sometimes, it can be hard to pinpoint why a dog is having skin issues but with most dog skin diseases, there are also specific symptoms that go along with them. The veterinarian may also ask you if the dog has problems during certain times of the year or after he consumes a certain food. All of these things matter, when your dog has troubles with the skin and coat.
When humans suffer with allergies, they usually have symptoms that include a sore throat, upper respiratory trouble, blocked nasal passages and headaches. But when dogs suffer with allergies, the reaction is very different. They begin to have skin issues. Things like a dull and lifeless coat, hair loss, rashes and blisters can be seen and the dog will probably also have itchy symptoms. It is important for the dog to be diagnosed quickly because if the skin condition continues, the dog might injure the skin further by itching too hard. The skin can become bloody, scabby and at this point, he can get an infection if a bacterium enters the wound. There are many things that can cause this reaction in your dog.
In the early spring and summer it is common for a dog to have seasonal dog skin diseases. This is because during this time of the year, fleas are most active. Fleas can be seen on just about any animal during the summer, if they are not treated with an insecticide. They bite the host animal and this causes a small red bump. These bumps are itchy on their own but for some dogs the problems worsen because they are allergic to flea saliva. When this occurs the itch can become unbearable and the dog’s skin will be inflamed, red and irritated and may even bleed. If the problem continues, the dog will also suffer with hair loss. The best way to avoid this is to use a preventative flea medication during the hot summer months.
Inhaled allergies can also pose a problem. This is another condition that mainly happens in the spring because the pollen counts are so high. There can also be mold and fungus in the air and this can be very bothersome for some types of dogs. You will know if your dog has an inhaled allergy because it will constantly itch and lick the paws and feet. The groin, armpit and face area can also become itchy and the ears can get red and hot.
Dog skin diseases can also happen because of fungal infections and when this happens it is called ringworm. You can easily detect ringworm because there will be a significant amount of hair loss and it will be circular. The exposed skin can be dry and crusty and it will spread to other areas of the body if it isn’t treated immediately. Once your dog is diagnosed with ringworm, you will need to keep it away form yourself and your family because ringworm is highly contagious. The treatment for this condition usually lasts for 2 to 3 months and the dog will have to stay away until the ringworm is completely gone.
Parasites can also cause discomfort in dogs. Lice, ticks and eat mites can all cause symptoms that include itching and hair loss. Once a dog has become infested, parasites can also cause internal damage. These are other types of conditions that can be prevented by using an insecticide consistently.