Skin Diseases In Dogs

Skin Diseases In Dogs
Skin diseases in dogs can be categorized into 4 groups; bacterial, fungal, parasitic, and allergic skin diseases.

- Bacterial Skin infections in dogs

Staphylococci or the ('Staph bacteria') if you like, are the most common causing organisms present in bacterial skin diseases in dogs. Luckily, the bacteria are not contagious to other pets or humans. The symptoms include itchy, yellow pustules forming on the surface of the skin in the early stages of the disease, ulcerated and reddened skin, and as the condition progresses, there will be the appearance of dry, crusted areas, hair loss on the affected areas, and oduor.

While bacterial infections in dogs can affect all parts of its body, many cases are confined to the dog's trunk where the most commonly affected area is the chin. Diagnosis of bacterial skin infection in dogs is normally made as per the appearance and location of the skin lesions.

- Fungal Skin Infections

Ringworm, or the fungal skin infection in dogs is another common skin disease in dogs caused by two species of fungi - Trichophyton and Microsporum and as a result, the condition will mostly be referred to as 'ringworm'. The condition will mostly affect puppies, and the fungi live in nails, hair, and dead skin cells. Hair loss may ensue mostly in circular patches and if affected, the centre of the patch will feature a dry, crusty appearance. Ringworm mostly affects the head and the legs although it can spread to various other parts of the body if no treatment is administered.

- Allergic Skin Diseases

Majority of the skin diseases in dogs are as a result of allergies, which is characterized by eye and nasal discharges, itchy skin, sneezing, skin lesions and digestive upsets. The primary sign of allergic skin diseases in dogs is itching where the affected skin can appear normal, or sometimes moist and red in patches known as hot spots. Dried crusts and pus will be present if the dog has an underlying bacterial infection. Chest, feet, face, and abdomen are the most affected areas.

- Parasitic Skin Diseases

The most common parasitic skin diseases in dogs are fleas and mange, which is caused by mites. Lice, ear mites, ticks, and various other common parasites are known to affect dogs where they will irritate the dog resulting to self-mutilation. Common signs include reddened skin, intense itching, hair loss, and crusting of the skin in the affected areas.

Dog Skin Disease

Dog Skin Disease
Skin diseases among dogs are the most common health related problems in them. Skin diseases in dogs may have various causes and depending on the cause these diseases are categorized in certain groups. Some of the skin diseases are long lasting, self limiting and acute problems. Some diseases are so immense that they require life time treatment. Some of the dogs diseases are described below are:

1. Immune related skin diseases - some of the skin diseases are caused because of immune deficiency. Some of the major immune deficiency disorders are hypersensitivity, atopic dermatitis, disease of skin caused by auto immunity. Major problems occur in dogs because of skin related disease.

2. Skin related infections - infectious disease among dogs are categorized in two major parts, a) contagious infections b) non contagious infections.

Contagious infections consist of parasitic, fungal, bacterial and other skin related disease.

The most common contagious disease caused by parasites is sarcoptic canine scabies. Mange is another kind of contagious disease caused by Demodex. Dogs can also be infected by Lice.

3. Developmental or hereditary skin diseases - some skin diseases are hereditary and these diseases are inherited from the parents. Some of the hereditary skin diseases are ichthyosis, dermatitis, skin fragility, dysplasia related to canines and hypotrichosis. In some dogs these diseases are not hereditary and there is no involvement of parents.

4. Internal diseases - some of the internal disease can become skin disease. These are mainly the hormonal abnormalities such as hypothyroidism, tumors of testicles or ovary and hyper adrenal corticism.

Different species of dogs can have different skin diseases. There are certain skin diseases which are only found in selective breeds. These are the skin diseases which are mainly hereditary and inherited from the parent. Some of the skin diseases increase because of licking and biting of dogs. These infectious skin diseases create heavy itching in the eye area and other parts of dog. Normally dogs lick the infected area and try to avoid it but these disease gets worse. Normally veterinary doctors try to cure these infections by applying balms and medicated lotions which cure the infection. Some precautions are also taken by the care taker that dogs are placed in clean and safe place where there is no risk of getting infected. These skin related infections in the dogs are treatable and curable and so the effective medicines and professional care of a skilled veterinary doctor, along with loving care helps in curing of these dog related problems.