If your dog is scratching more than is usual, then it most likely has a skin disease, parasite, or allergy. Most dog skin problems can be cleared up easily after a trip to the vet.
Allergic dermatitis presents as a rash which the dog scratches at relentlessly. Corticosteroids can be prescribed to relieve the itch, but identifying and removing the allergen is ultimately the most effective treatment plan. Dogs can be allergic to food, grooming products, pollen, and insect bites.
Scratching that is concentrated on the toes and/or ears is likely a yeast infection. Symptoms are itchy, discolored, or irritated shin on the ears and paws, where conditions are best for the yeast to grow. The most common treatment is a prescription topical cream. Occasionally a medicated bath or oral drug may be prescribed.
Sores, scabs, and bumps might be superficial bacterial folliculitis. Shorthaired dogs present more obvious symptoms, but longhaired dogs may have increased shedding and scaly skin. Other skin problems often occur simultaneously with superficial bacterial folliculitis.
A common bacterial infection found in puppies is impetigo. Blisters filled with pus will commonly break and crust over. The blisters are easy to see since they are on the hairless portion of the abdomen. Treatment by topical solution is simple.
Seborrhea is a disorder of greasy and scaly skin in dogs. Sometimes it is a life-long genetic condition. However, most of the time it is a symptom of another problem. Most of the time the cause is hormonal abnormalities or allergies. Symptoms go away when the cause is treated.
Ringworm is not a worm, it is a fungus. The name comes from the circular lesions which form on the affected dog's forelegs, paws, head, or ears. Highly effective anti-fungal treatments are available.
Alopecia, or hair loss, is always a sign of another disease in dogs. It can be caused by stress, nutritional deficiency, or an underlying disease.
Mange is a striking condition, causing intense itching, sores, hair loss, and red skin. The kind of mange determines the treatment.
The most common skin problem for dogs is fleas. Most infestations just cause itching, but some cause blood loss and anemia. Tapeworms and other parasites are carried by fleas as well. Some dogs are allergic to fleas and will develop alopecia and/or allergic dermatitis simultaneously.
The next most common parasite is the tick. The main risk from ticks is the transmittance of Lyme disease, as significant blood loss would require many ticks. Lyme disease is a potentially serious bacterial infection and there are vaccines available.
Acral lick granuloma is a disorder that is a result of excessive licking. The wound is unable to heal and becomes painful, exacerbating the condition. The treatment includes preventing the dog from continuing the behavior. Foul-tasting topical solutions and cone collars are available to solve the problem.
Hot spots are a common with dog skin problems. They are small areas of irritated, inflamed, and red skin. Treatment includes addressing the underlying cause.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Sunday, March 13, 2011
What Are Dog Hot Spots And Ways To Treat Them
Hairless areas on your dog that seem sensitive, and perhaps ooze a clear fluid or pus may be dog hot spots. Inflamed skin has allowed an infection to take hold, and the resulting area becomes extremely sensitive, perhaps painful or itchy. Properly called pyotraumatic dermatitis by veterinarians, these bacterial infections of the skin have several causes, including allergies, improper or insufficient grooming, and behavioral issues.
Irritation of the skin is necessary before an infection can take hold in a dog with a normal immune system. This irritation can result from allergies to parasites, food, or environment, matting or fur that creates a buildup of moisture and debris, or excessive licking or scratching caused by allergies, boredom, anxiety, or other behavioral issues.
Treatment requires supervision by a veterinarian, in case there is more to the issue than there appears to be. Probably, the suggested treatment will be clipping fur around the inflamed area short to allow access, and then washing on a regular basis with a gentle cleanser or antiseptic. If the irritation was caused by licking or scratching, the use of an e-collar might be recommended until the area heals.
The skin infection can often be treated relatively easily, but there is usually a larger problem behind it. Until this larger problem is resolved, the skin infections will only continue. Figuring out what is making the dog susceptible to these infections is the only way to stop them for good.
For dogs that have developed these issues because of improper grooming, better and more frequent grooming is indicated. Regular grooming sessions (twice a week or more) are necessary for the hygiene and health of dogs with long coats. Mats need to be removed at each grooming session, or they can result in excess moisture buildup against the skin. Clipping these mats out is sometimes necessary if they refuse to be detangled. Some owners are unable to provide their dogs with the necessary grooming needed for their health-- these owners can and should take their dog to a groomer regularly.
Allergic dogs can be allergic to almost anything they encounter regularly. Cleaning your dog's environment of as many of these possible allergens as is realistic is generally the first treatment. This requires treating for fleas, if any are present, treating the dog with a flea-preventative to avoid those that might be outdoors, switching to a lower-allergen food, and vacuuming to remove dust and pollen. Some dogs require an antihistamine, as well.
Behavioral issues such as licking can be the most difficult to treat. Usually, affected dogs are either bored or anxious. Treating these problems can help resolve the licking. Bored dogs will benefit from more exercise and training and toys to tire out the body and mind, and anxious dogs will benefit from similar help, as well as other exercises suggested by a trainer or behaviorist. Sometimes, anti-anxiety medications are called for.
Dog hot spots are an indication that something else is wrong with your pet. Aside from treatment for the issue itself, get some suggestions from your veterinarian as to how to resolve the larger issue. With appropriate care, most dogs can recover from the underlying problem and the skin issues will resolve themselves.
Irritation of the skin is necessary before an infection can take hold in a dog with a normal immune system. This irritation can result from allergies to parasites, food, or environment, matting or fur that creates a buildup of moisture and debris, or excessive licking or scratching caused by allergies, boredom, anxiety, or other behavioral issues.
Treatment requires supervision by a veterinarian, in case there is more to the issue than there appears to be. Probably, the suggested treatment will be clipping fur around the inflamed area short to allow access, and then washing on a regular basis with a gentle cleanser or antiseptic. If the irritation was caused by licking or scratching, the use of an e-collar might be recommended until the area heals.
The skin infection can often be treated relatively easily, but there is usually a larger problem behind it. Until this larger problem is resolved, the skin infections will only continue. Figuring out what is making the dog susceptible to these infections is the only way to stop them for good.
For dogs that have developed these issues because of improper grooming, better and more frequent grooming is indicated. Regular grooming sessions (twice a week or more) are necessary for the hygiene and health of dogs with long coats. Mats need to be removed at each grooming session, or they can result in excess moisture buildup against the skin. Clipping these mats out is sometimes necessary if they refuse to be detangled. Some owners are unable to provide their dogs with the necessary grooming needed for their health-- these owners can and should take their dog to a groomer regularly.
Allergic dogs can be allergic to almost anything they encounter regularly. Cleaning your dog's environment of as many of these possible allergens as is realistic is generally the first treatment. This requires treating for fleas, if any are present, treating the dog with a flea-preventative to avoid those that might be outdoors, switching to a lower-allergen food, and vacuuming to remove dust and pollen. Some dogs require an antihistamine, as well.
Behavioral issues such as licking can be the most difficult to treat. Usually, affected dogs are either bored or anxious. Treating these problems can help resolve the licking. Bored dogs will benefit from more exercise and training and toys to tire out the body and mind, and anxious dogs will benefit from similar help, as well as other exercises suggested by a trainer or behaviorist. Sometimes, anti-anxiety medications are called for.
Dog hot spots are an indication that something else is wrong with your pet. Aside from treatment for the issue itself, get some suggestions from your veterinarian as to how to resolve the larger issue. With appropriate care, most dogs can recover from the underlying problem and the skin issues will resolve themselves.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Diagnosing And Treating Dog Skin Allergies
Most people first notice that their dog is allergic to something via digestive upset or a dermatological reaction. These dog skin allergies can be as obvious as clumps of hair falling out, or as moderate as slightly increasing scratching.
A trip to the veterinarian is necessary if your dog has a skin problem. Dermatological ailments in dogs can be caused by a wide variety of problems, and some, such as parasites, require specialized treatments that only your vet can provide. If allergies is the diagnosis, then you can begin to treat your dog.
Problems on the skin do not necessarily come from outside the dog. Allergic reactions to foods often manifest on the outside of the body, though some allergens are topical, such as fleas or rubbing against something that creates an allergic reaction. Food and pests such as fleas are by far the most common sources of canine allergic reactions, though.
Removing everything that the dog is likely to be allergic to from his or her environment and diet is generally the first step in treating him or her. If, after this purge of potential allergens, the problem resolves itself, then the possible allergens can be reintroduced one by one until the culprit is found. Switching the dog to a low-allergen food is a very important part of the process, because wheat and grain allergies are common in dogs, and these products are often found in commercial foods.
Removing fleas from your dog's environment is also important. Many dogs are allergic to flea bites, and while being treated with a preventative will prevent infestation, if there are fleas in the environment, they can bite the dog often enough to trigger a reaction. Treatments should still be used, but cleaning the home and treating it for fleas may also be required with sensitive dogs.
Air particulates such as dust and mites can elicit allergic reactions in some dogs. While usually this reaction is respiratory, it is worth eliminating them as much as possible from the environment of an allergic dog to see if they are the problem. Air purifiers are good, if you have or are willing to buy one, but cleaning is essential. This should include vacuuming and dusting with a dust-trapping cloth, at the very least.
Treatment like this doesn't always work for dogs who are reacting to something extremely common. Your vet can talk to you about prescribing medication if this is the case. However, if you still don't know what the problem is, consider going through the list of potential allergens a few more times with your vet, in case you missed anything. Removing the allergen itself is always better than medicating your dog.
Dog skin allergies can be itchy, or even painful for the dog, as well as causing disfigurement such as hair falling out. Treatment is essential, and while removing allergens from the dog's environment is the best ultimate treatment, your vet may give you some kind of soothing cream or antihistamines in order to remove discomfort while you are figuring out what he or she is reacting to. Be diligent in using them, in order to alleviate your pet's discomfort as much as possible.
A trip to the veterinarian is necessary if your dog has a skin problem. Dermatological ailments in dogs can be caused by a wide variety of problems, and some, such as parasites, require specialized treatments that only your vet can provide. If allergies is the diagnosis, then you can begin to treat your dog.
Problems on the skin do not necessarily come from outside the dog. Allergic reactions to foods often manifest on the outside of the body, though some allergens are topical, such as fleas or rubbing against something that creates an allergic reaction. Food and pests such as fleas are by far the most common sources of canine allergic reactions, though.
Removing everything that the dog is likely to be allergic to from his or her environment and diet is generally the first step in treating him or her. If, after this purge of potential allergens, the problem resolves itself, then the possible allergens can be reintroduced one by one until the culprit is found. Switching the dog to a low-allergen food is a very important part of the process, because wheat and grain allergies are common in dogs, and these products are often found in commercial foods.
Removing fleas from your dog's environment is also important. Many dogs are allergic to flea bites, and while being treated with a preventative will prevent infestation, if there are fleas in the environment, they can bite the dog often enough to trigger a reaction. Treatments should still be used, but cleaning the home and treating it for fleas may also be required with sensitive dogs.
Air particulates such as dust and mites can elicit allergic reactions in some dogs. While usually this reaction is respiratory, it is worth eliminating them as much as possible from the environment of an allergic dog to see if they are the problem. Air purifiers are good, if you have or are willing to buy one, but cleaning is essential. This should include vacuuming and dusting with a dust-trapping cloth, at the very least.
Treatment like this doesn't always work for dogs who are reacting to something extremely common. Your vet can talk to you about prescribing medication if this is the case. However, if you still don't know what the problem is, consider going through the list of potential allergens a few more times with your vet, in case you missed anything. Removing the allergen itself is always better than medicating your dog.
Dog skin allergies can be itchy, or even painful for the dog, as well as causing disfigurement such as hair falling out. Treatment is essential, and while removing allergens from the dog's environment is the best ultimate treatment, your vet may give you some kind of soothing cream or antihistamines in order to remove discomfort while you are figuring out what he or she is reacting to. Be diligent in using them, in order to alleviate your pet's discomfort as much as possible.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Dog Allergies Treatment - Help For The Itchy Dog
The most common dog allergies are inhalant (atopy), such as dust mites, pollen, and molds. Reduce exposure to dust and pollen by frequent cleaning and use of air cleaners. Close the windows and run the air conditioner. A dehumidifier will reduce mold. Eliminate mold from the soils in houseplant pots by covering with a layer of activated charcoal.}
Treat symptoms with frequent baths using a medicated shampoo. Use topical sprays or creams for localized itching. Antihistamines can be very helpful. Not all are safe for dogs so consult with your vet before medicating your pet. You may have to try a few different antihistamines to find one that doesn't keep your pet too drowsy. Corticosteroids are for temporary use providing quick relief from severe symptoms. Long-term use is problematic because this medication suppresses the immune system. Omega-3 is a natural anti-inflammatory that is safe and can be used with antihistamines to reduce the need for more dangerous medications like the corticosteroids.
Immunotherapy stimulates the immune system to decrease the body's reaction. Shots contain small amounts or extracts of the allergen based on results of skin testing. The dog's owner gives shots to the pet at home. They are very effective but slow to work, taking 6-12 months to see improvement.
When dogs bite and scratch creating open sores, infection can enter the bloodstream, requiring antibiotics. The sooner dog allergies treatment begins, the less prescription medications like antibiotics and corticosteroids will be necessary.
Treat symptoms with frequent baths using a medicated shampoo. Use topical sprays or creams for localized itching. Antihistamines can be very helpful. Not all are safe for dogs so consult with your vet before medicating your pet. You may have to try a few different antihistamines to find one that doesn't keep your pet too drowsy. Corticosteroids are for temporary use providing quick relief from severe symptoms. Long-term use is problematic because this medication suppresses the immune system. Omega-3 is a natural anti-inflammatory that is safe and can be used with antihistamines to reduce the need for more dangerous medications like the corticosteroids.
Immunotherapy stimulates the immune system to decrease the body's reaction. Shots contain small amounts or extracts of the allergen based on results of skin testing. The dog's owner gives shots to the pet at home. They are very effective but slow to work, taking 6-12 months to see improvement.
When dogs bite and scratch creating open sores, infection can enter the bloodstream, requiring antibiotics. The sooner dog allergies treatment begins, the less prescription medications like antibiotics and corticosteroids will be necessary.
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