SKIN PROBLEMS IN DOGS

Skin issues are some of the most frustrating problems that can occur with dogs. If you think it's awful being kept awake all night by the sound of your dog's licking and scratching, think of how your dog must feel! There are many different manifestations of skin problems in dogs, and it is frequently difficult to determine the cause of the problem. Unfortunately, the skin problems usually persist despite treatment of symptoms, until the underlying cause is addressed. Many skin problems in dogs are difficult to treat because it can be very tricky to figure out if what you are seeing is the cause or the effect.

One of the most frequent causes of scratching and licking is allergic dermatitis. There is an endless list of possible dietary and environmental allergens for dogs. You can experiment with diet changes, switch to different grooming products and make environmental changes, but if the problems continue, you will need to see the vet to determine the exact cause of the allergies. Allergies can also cause hot spots, dry, flaky skin, and shedding and hair loss. Hot spots themselves can be caused by a multitude of different things in addition to allergies, such as fleas, infections, or just compulsive licking and chewing. 

Bacterial infections cause many of the other common skin problems we see in dogs. Folliculitis causes sores, bumps and scabs on the skin. Impetigo causes pus-filled blisters, usually on the abdomen where the hair is thin. Pyoderma is a bacterial infection which occurs when your dog's skin is cut or wounded. The symptoms are itchiness, pustules, crusted skin, small raised lesions, and loss of hair. Dogs with a fungal infection, allergies or endocrine disorders are more susceptible to pyoderma. Your vet will likely prescribe antibiotics for any bacterial infections your dog may contract. Be sure to follow all of the vet's instructions carefully because it's important to make sure the entire infection is eliminated from the dog's system. 

If your dog has itchy paws and ears, it may have a yeast infection. Yeast infections are fungal, and can often occur in dogs with lowered immune function, which allows an overgrowth of naturally occuring yeast. Most yeast infections begin in the digestive tract. Adding probiotics or digestive enzymes to your dog's diet may help keep the yeast at a manageable level. You can treat the yeast infection topically with anti-fungal sprays or shampoos. Seborrhea, which presents as greasy skin and dandruff flakes, can sometimes be caused by genetics, but also can be associated with another problem such as allergies or hormonal issues. 

Parasites are another culprit behind many skin problems for dogs. The usual suspects, fleas and ticks, can be prevented with topical or oral killers, which should be part of your regular dog care routine. If you do end up with a severe flea infestation, your dog can suffer blood loss and anemia, and will be more susceptible to internal parasites and other health issues. Infestations can be controlled with shampoos and other products, and environmental treatments such as flea bombs. Mange is another disorder caused by parasites called mites. The itching, sores and hair loss usually affect the ears, face and legs. There are two types of mange, sarcoptic, which is contagious, and demodectic, which is not contagious. A visit to the vet will be necessary for treatment of mange. Ringworm is not actually a worm, but a fungus. Circular patches of scaly skin, along with inflammation and hair loss are the telltale signs of ringworm. It's very contagious, and people can get it too. An anti-fungal treatment is necessary. 

Other underlying causes of skin problems can be hormonal or immune, and these must be diagnosed by the vet. Common problems caused by hormonal or immune disturbances are seborrhea, unexplained shedding and hair loss, skin color or texture changes, tumors, hot spots, and skin lesions or infections that won't heal. Lupus is a serious, potentially fatal autoimmune disease which can cause skin abnormalities. There are two types of lupus. The type that is considered to be more benign is called discoid lupus erythematosus, which can cause loss of nose pigment, redness, sores, and scaling or cracking nose skin. Systemic lupus erythematosus is a very serious condition which causes the dog's body to attack itself from the inside out. The main symptoms are a stiff gait, shifting lameness, thickened foot pads and painful, swollen joints, and weakness, lethargy or depression. If your dog has skin problems of the nose or scabs that bleed and don't seem to heal, they need to see the vet right away.

One of the most upsetting skin problems that can occur in dogs is called acral lick granuloma or acral lick dermatitis. Acral means limb or extremity. This is when your dog obsessively licks one place, usually on one of the front limbs between the elbow and the toes. There are many reasons a dog could start this obsessive licking, such as itchy skin, trauma to the leg, nerve pressure, bacterial or fungal infections, mites, boredom, separation anxiety and stress. Whatever the initial cause, the dog creates a patch that won't heal by licking it constantly. This can also result in secondary problems, like bacterial infections, yeast infections and ruptured hair follicles and sweat glands, further exacerbating the problem. In the case of acral lick granuloma, it is worth the time and money to figure out the underlying cause. You can treat the problem by using an Elizabethan collar to prevent the lickng and healing the wound with topical products, but once you take off the collar and the dog starts licking the same place again, you will be at your wit's end. I've seen a dog lick it's leg down to the bone! 

If your dog develops skin problems as a result of allergies, you may be able to figure out the cause by using the process of elimination to find out what the dog is allergic to. If your dog has fleas or ticks, you may be able to control that yourself with over the counter remedies. Yeast infections and ringworm can sometimes be treated at home. But in other cases, the underlying cause of your dog's skin problems will need to be determined by and treated by a vet, and in some cases, your dog's life depends on that diagnosis and treatment. As always, if you own dogs, it is your responsibility to be aware of what the dog is experiencing. It's tempting to just yell at your dog every time they start licking and scratching, but do your dog ( and yourself) a favor and figure out what's really going on.