CARE & MANAGEMENT OF SKIN PROBLEMS IN DOGS
By- DR SANTOSH GIRI, PET CONSULTANT, VARANASI & DR. AASHUTOSH MISHRAA, , PET CONSULTANT ,AURANGABAD, BIHAR
With a pet dog, the most frequently reported problem is a skin or ear related
health complication. Like humans, dogs are susceptible to various skin
disorders, which may develop due to allergies, parasites, infection or as a
referred symptom of other dog illnesses. As we frequently say, the skin is the
mirror for the overall dog’s health, whenever there are dog skin problems, the
pet will respond with a change in behavior or showing irritation symptoms. For
nearly all types of dog skin problems, there are some common symptoms, which
will be exhibited by the affected pet dog. Such signs and symptoms include
licking, scratching, itching, inflammation, abnormal patches and rashes. If
left untreated for some period, the skin problem may worsen and cause loss of
hair, bald spots, lump formation, etc. An infection related canine skin disease
causes drainage of blood, pus or unusual secretions.
Skin problems in canines may be mild to severe, based on the cause of the condition. Appropriate treatment methods are advocated to help relieve the pet from the irritating symptoms of skin diseases. The pet owner can try effectual remedies like feeding healthy food, brushing regularly and using hypoallergenic soaps
1-Food Allergies:
Cause : Allergic reaction to something in the diet.
Symptoms : Itching, redness, licking of feet,inflamed ears , hot spots etc.
Diagnosis : Food elimination trails, blood testing for allergies.
Treatment : Must change in diet.
2- Allergic and Irritant
Contact Dermatitis :
Cause : Reaction of the canine’s skin to something it had contact with such as
plastics or wool.
Symptoms : Itching, red skin, blisters on the areas of skin that are sparsely
haired and directly exposed to the offending substance or small bumps, etc.
Diagnosis : Exclusion trials, Patch tests, etc.
Treatment : Restrict exposure to the allergen or contact irritant in the pet’s
environment, steroids, antihistamines,etc.
3- Atopy (Allergic Inhalant
Dermatitis)
Cause : Allergic reaction by inhales such as house dust mites, pollen, mould,
etc.
Symptoms : Itching, redness, licking of feet, inflamed ears, and may be
development of infection or hot spots, etc.
Diagnosis : Serologic ( blood ) or Intradermal testing for allergies.
Treatment : Reduce exposure to allergen (what the canine is allergic to), fatty
acid supplements, shampoos, antihistamines, immunotherapy, steroids, etc.
4- Flea Allergy Dermatitis
:
Cause : Severe reaction by the saliva of the flea.
Symptoms : Licking of feet, itching, redness, inflamed ears, sometimes may
development of infection or hot spots.
Diagnosis : Reaction to intradermal testings, presence of fleas.
Treatment : Steroids and antihistamines for the itching, flea control in the
environment and on the canine.
5- Ringworm :
Cause : Infection with several types of fungus.
Symptoms : Itching, hair loss, crusty areas, scaliness, etc.
Diagnosis : Culture
Treatment : Lime sulphur dips, Miconazole, oral griseofulvin or itraconazole
6- Hot Spots ( Acute Moist
Dermatitis ) :
Cause : Flea bites, mange, result from allergies, poor grooming, arthritis, ear
infections, plant burs, etc.
Symptoms : Licking or scratching, moist –red skin, hair loss,etc.
Diagnosis : History and physical examination.
Treatment : Cleaning of areas, apply solutions at those areas, topical/oral
antibiotics, treat underlying condition.
7- Yeast Infection :
Cause :
Primary yeast infection – the ill-making yeast bacteria strike healthy canine
skin and the canine’s immune system can’tresist them, contaminated items or
other canine.
Secondary yeast infection – penetration of yeast into skin that is damaged by
constantly scrating or injuries.
Some factors who can increase the yeast infection are Diabetes mellitus, immune
system deficiency,previous medication with antibiotics/steroids.
Symptoms : Redness, itching, dry skin(because of frequently bathing),skin
rashes.
Diagnosis : Smear and microscopic examination, culture, skin scraping, etc.
Treatment : Well balanced natural diet (carbohydrates, preservatives and
artificial fillers should be avoided), keep canine dry after bathing, after
walks in rains, oral ketoconazole, miconazole shampoos,treat underlying
disease.
8- Hookworms :
Cause : Infection with the larvae of hookworms, causing blood loss, subsequent
anemia, can cause severe illness and sudden death.
Symptom : Skin irritation, most often on the feet between the toes, itching,
abnormal nail growth, red bumps, usually on feet, loss of appetite,weight loss,
anemia, etc.
Diagnosis : Fecal flotation test, Physical exam, history of poor sanitation.
Treatment : Appropriate de-worming schedule, nutritional support, protein diet,
anti-diarrheal medication, move canine to different environment, vitamins and
iron supplement may required.
9- Bacterial Infection :
Cause : Staph infection ( staph bacteria lives on the skin of the canine and
incase the canine’s skin is cut or wounded,infection is caused).
Symptoms : Loss of hair, dried discharge in the affected area, redness, bumps,
sometimes may itching, etc.
Diagnosis : Microscopic examination of smear, culture skin biopsies.
Treatment : Treat underlying condition, topical and/or oral antibiotics.
10- Ear Mites :
Cause : Ear Mites in canine are very contagious, can be picked up through
contact with other animal, frequently passed on from mother to her young,
Infection with Otodectes,
Symptoms : Intense itching of ears, redness, dark crumbly discharge in ears,
sores or hair loss around the ear, etc.
Diagnosis : Microscopic examination of ear discharge or direct visual.
Treatment : Natural Remedies –Garlic, garlic acts as a natural anti-biotic,
warmwood, neem, lemongrass, niaoli ( this powerful hurb acts as a tissue
stimulant and is used to clean wounds, skin irritation, clean ears, apply
medication containing pyrethrin, etc.
11- Skin Fold Dermatitis :
Cause : Occurs where folds of skin touch each other such as lips, face (in
breeds like bulldogs), vulva.
Symptoms : Irritation, redness, oozing, inflammation of the skin in the area of
the fold, etc.
Diagnosis : Physical exam, microscopically examine smear for evidence of
infection, etc.
Treatment : Clean areas daily, treat any infections, may prescribe a benzoyl
peroxide shampoo and gel to be after bath, antibiotic steroid cream , surgical
correction if severe, etc.
12- Chiggers (Harvest
mites):
Cause : Seasonal disease caused by larvae of the chigger.
Symptoms : Folds at base of ears, itching, bumps usually on feet, abdomen.
Diagnosis : Microscopic examination of skin scraping, Visualization of mite
larvae
Treatment : Pyrethrin, Permethrin, etc.
13- Demodectic Mange
(Demodectic mange occurs in a localized and generalized forms. The diagnosis is
made by taking multiple skin scrapings and looking for the mites) :
Cause : Infection with the Demodexmite (tiny mite which can’t be seen with
naked eye ) – occurs when the immune system is deficient .
Symptoms : Scaliness, redness, hair loss, ulcers, pustules, sometimes may
itching, etc.
Diagnosis : Microscopic examination and Multiple skin scraping .
Treatment : Amitraz (Mitaban) dips, No steroids
( Localized Demodectic Mange -A mild topical preparation can be used to treat
by massaged into the affected area once daily. The medication should be rubbed
with the lay of the hair to minimize further hair loss.
Generalized Demodectic Mange – Must be treated under close veterinary
supervision. Therapy involves the use of medicated shampoos and dips to remove
surface scales and kill mites. Shave or clip hair from all affected areas to
facilitate access to the skin.)
14 – Sarcoptic Mange :
Cause : Infection with the Sarcoptesmite
Symptoms : Hair loss, severe itching, specially on the elbows, ears, hocks,
chest, ventral abdomen, development of small red pustules along with yellow crusts
on the skin, self-trauma, etc.
Diagnosis : The standard method is to perform a skin scraping and then identify
the mite under the microscope, most diagnoses are made based on history and
response to treatment for scabies.
Treatment : Bathe with a benzoyl peroxide shampoo to cleanse the skin, apply an
organophosphate dip (Paramite), Amitraz dips and Mitaban (also
organophosphates), and lime sulfur dips (Lymdip)
1
5 – Cheyletiella Mange (Rabbit Fur Mite) :
Cause : Infection with the Cheyletiellamite ( walking dandruff )
Symptoms : Itching, scaliness, rubbing face and sneezing quite regularly.
Diagnosis : Skin scraping and microscopic examination (the mite is often very
difficult to find).
Treatment : Pthrinerme or Pyrethrin . weekly bathing in pyrethrin shampoo, lime
sulfur dips every five to seven days for three weeks, fipronil spray one
spritz/lb body weight repeated again in three weeks, selamectin topically one
dose every 15 days for a total of three doses.
16 – Pelodera Dermatitis :
Cause : Accidental infection with larvae from a non-parasitic worm that lives
in straw , marshy hay, other grasses that are in contact with damp soil, other
organic material.
Symptoms : Raw, crusted, inflamed areas where canine has chewed and scratched
the skin,
intense itching, redness.
Diagnosis : Microscopic examination and Skin scraping.
Treatment : Remove bedding; mild antibacterial shampoo; steroids if necessary
to control itching, bathe the canine with a benzoyl peroxide shampoo to remove
scales and crusts. Follow with an organoph osphate insecticide dip, topical
antibiotic ointment to flamed skin areas.
17- Neurodermatitis: Acral
Lick Dermatitis :
Cause : Self-licking in canine results in self-trauma; possible causes include
boredom, anxiety, stress , new member in household/ moving to a new place, etc.
Symptoms : Acral Lick: red, hairless, well-circumscribed lesion usually on
forearm; cats: symmetrical hair loss, sometimes ulcers, on abdomen, groin,
along the back.
Diagnosis : Exclude other causes, history important.
Treatment : Relieve underlying cause (anxiety, etc), healthy exercise routine.
18- Cutaneous Lymphoma :
Cause : Majority of Lymphoma cases is unknown, several factors may influence
one’s risk of developing lymphoma, medical history.
Symptoms : Itching, redness, ulcers, nodules, etc.
Diagnosis : Combination of diagnostic tests, blood tests, biopsies, x-rays,
ultrasound.
Treatment : Chemotherapy, combination of oral and injectable drugs, commonly
used drugs includes cyclophophamide, doxorubicin, vincristine,.Usually does not
respond to treatment.
