COMPILED & EDITED BY-DR. UDAY KUMAR, CANINE CONSULTANT,PATNA
SKIN PROBLEMS IN DOGS: SYMPTOMS,DIAGNOSIS,TREATMENT & PREVENTIVE CARE
Just like humans, dogs can suffer from dry skin. And unsurprisingly, some of the same causes of the condition in humans are responsible for dry skin on dogs, too. Although it’s generally more of a discomfort than a serious danger to your pet, dry skin can be spotted and treated effectively so that your pup is back to living his best life in no time.
Keeping your pet’s coat and skin in tip top condition is an important part in maintaining their overall health but, just as in humans, every pet’s skin is different.
Along with a regular skin care regime and choosing the right shampoo for your dog’s skin type you can easily keep them looking and feeling happy and healthy.
The first step to maintaining is healthy coat is regular brushing. It give you the opportunity to check the skin regularly and remove any dead hair and impurities, promoting the regrowth of healthy hair. Skin problems are one of the most common reasons owners take their dog to the vet. Abnormalities such as excessive scratching, redness, inflammation, hair loss and lumps and bumps could be a sign of a wide range of dog skin conditions, from allergies, fleas and ticks to infections and mange.
Dogs are like us in that the skin and coat comprise their largest organ, accounting for 10-15% of their total body weight. The skin is composed of three layers, the details of which we’ll leave you to look up if you have a special interest in anatomy. The coat consists of thousands of hairs produced in hair follicles. Because hairs are under constant environmental stress, they are continuously shed and replaced. Seasonal shedding, which replaces the entire coat, is triggered by outdoor climate and duration of daylight.
Selective breeding has produced a variety of coat characteristics in dogs. Some long-haired breeds do not shed seasonally and therefore require regular trips to the groomer for a shampoo and basic cut. Breeds with both an outer coat of guard hairs and an insulating undercoat of fine hairs may require more extensive maintenance. These breeds often go through two heavy seasonal shedding cycles per year, once in late spring and again in late fall, during which much of the undercoat falls out in large clumps. Many short-haired breeds lack a distinctive undercoat and shed at low levels year-round. Itching, scratching, redness, hair loss. These are all signs your dog may not be feeling the most comfortable in his or her skin. Skin problems are one of the most common and most treated issues in dogs, with a wide range of causes and treatment plans.
How do the skin and coat affect my dog’s overall health?
The skin and coat have several basic functions:
- Protection. They are barriers protecting your dog from contaminants and environmental stressors.
- Immunity. The skin shields the body from pathogens.
- Thermoregulation. A healthy coat serves as an insulating layer and regulates body temperature by moving hair follicles. Hairs can be brought together to conserve heat or separated to permit airflow.
- Hydration. The skin retains water. Dogs do not have sweat glands, and excess water loss through the skin poses a health risk.
- Nutrient Storage. The skin also serves as a storage unit for several nutrients including proteins, amino acids, collagen, fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals.
How can I keep my dog’s skin and coat healthy?
Diet, diet, diet! A properly balanced diet of fats (including omega-3 fatty acids), digestible proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals plays an essential role in maintaining skin and coat health. An ideal diet should be adjusted to suit your dog’s stage of life, state of health, and daily energy requirements.
Recent research has shown that adding omega-3 fatty acids, linoleic acid, and zinc in combination can improve coat gloss and reduce dander.
- Omega-3 fatty acids protect the skin and coat and promote a lustrous glow. Eicosapentaenoic acid in particular reduces inflammation. Sources of omega-3 fatty acids include fish oil, algal oil, and flaxseed.
- Linoleic acid is an omega-6 fatty acid found in corn, soy, flaxseed, and many nuts. Dandruff, dry skin, thin or discolored, increased shedding, and poor healing are all associated with low linoleic acid levels in the skin and diet.
- Zinc reduces water loss through the skin. It is especially important because of high cellular turnover rate caused by constant shedding. Pets with a zinc deficiency suffer from hair loss, skin infections, and a dull appearance.
- Biotin and B vitamins play important roles as cofactors in many of the body’s metabolic processes, including fat metabolism. This is important in the skin because biotin and B vitamins are involved in aiding linoleic acid function in the epidermis and dermis.
What role does grooming play in the appearance of my pet’s skin and coat?
All dogs benefit from regular grooming to remove loose hairs and dead skin cells, to keep the coat free of dirt, debris, and parasites, and to distribute natural skin oils along the hair shafts. Dogs with long, silky, or curly coats require daily brushing to keep their hair from becoming tangled or matted, especially around the ears, in the armpits, in the groin, and along the backs of the legs. Dogs with short coats may require less frequent brushing. However, daily brushing of any dog that sheds will cut down dramatically on the amount of loose hair and dander floating around your home.
Regardless of your dog’s coat type, you should inspect their coat regularly to ensure that no matts have developed. Following a romp outdoors, it’s always a good idea to search for burrs, twigs, and other foreign objects that may have become trapped in the coat and could potentially cause a secondary skin infection.
Regularly checking your dog’s coat and skin improves your chances of detecting any unusual lumps or bumps, ectoparasites such as fleas and ticks, or areas of sensitivity.
How often should I bathe my dog?
This depends on your dog’s type of coat, age, lifestyle, and overall health. Aside from puppies not yet house-trained, most dogs require bathing on an occasional basis when the coat becomes dirty or develops that characteristic doggy odor. Non-shedding breeds with no underlying medical condition typically benefit from a bath every four to eight weeks. Dogs with a heavy undercoat should receive a bath in the spring or fall during seasonal shedding. Some dogs with an underlying skin disease may benefit from more frequent bathing or from the use of a medicated shampoo or topical preparation as directed by your veterinarian.
You might also consider using waterless shampoo products or dog-friendly wipes for cleaning between baths. Wipes are good for cleaning paws and bums, and especially good for cleaning between the folds of our wrinkly-faced companions.
Dogs should be bathed only with a shampoo formulated for canine use. Human and canine skin differs not only in obvious respects, but also in terms of physiologic skin pH. Human skin is acidic with a pH below 5, whereas canine skin has a pH close to 7, which is neutral. Shampoos designed for human skin, including baby shampoos, will irritate your dog’s skin. For routine bathing, a moisturizing, hypoallergenic shampoo free from perfumes and fragrances is the best choice. Colloidal oatmeal-based shampoos are another great choice for most healthy pups. For optimal results, a conditioning product may also be applied afterward to restore moisture and minimize the development of dandruff following the bath.
For non-infected skin, doctors recommend moisturizing lotion to aid in repairing the skin’s natural barrier.
Preserving a healthy skin barrier is crucial to the therapy and long-term maintenance of many of our patients suffering from atopic dermatitis or environmental allergies. There are several other multimodal therapy measures such as skin support diets, weekly medicated baths, application of topical formulations (gosh, do we love mousse preparations), or consideration of allergy testing and desensitization to identify and treat the cause of the allergies.
What to consider when bathing your dog
To get the best results from bathing your dog think about how often you should bath them and what shampoo you choose; decide whether your dog has dry or greasy skin, perhaps they are itchy or have irritated skin? Virbac offer a comprehensive range of specially formulated shampoos that cater for lots of different skin types.
Top tips when bathing your dog
- Make sure you have a non-slip surface in the bath, perhaps use a towel or bath mat, which will help to relax the pet during the process.
- Ideally there should be two applications of shampoo, with a thorough rinse in between. The first application should cleanse the coat and skin of surface dirt and old skin cells, whereas the second application of shampoo should be left in contact with the skin for 5-15 minutes (according to individual shampoo recommendations) to allow the shampoo to be absorbed and penetrate the deeper into the the skin.
- It is important to thoroughly rinse off the shampoo after this second application.
- How often you shampoo your dog will depend on the skin condition; every 2 weeks is adequate if your dog doesn’t have a skin condition, please speak to your vet if you think your dog has a skin problem.
- Dry your dog with a towel, not a hairdryer and given them a comb or a brush once they are dry.
What should my dog’s skin look like?
Your dog’s skin is unique, just like their personality, but there are lots of general things that should be the same for all dogs with healthy skin.
- Your dog’s skin should be pink or black, depending on the pigments common to their breed or their individual genetic history – both are entirely normal.
- It should be free of crusting, itching, scaling, black or white spots, and infected or hot and inflamed areas.
- Their coat should be lovely and thick (although exact thickness depends on their breed) and shiny with no broken hairs, bald patches, dandruff or pesky fleas.
- Your dog can shed their hair all year round, but it normally moults the most in summer and autumn.
- Their skin should be smooth, and their coat should be clean and in good condition.
What should I look out for?
- Look out for excessive scratching, scabs on your dog’s skin, and your dog pulling out fur, which can all indicate skin disease.
- A poor hair coat with any scurf or dullness may indicate an underlying illness.
- Skin covers not just the outside but also the inside of your dog’s ears, so any ear problems could be linked to dog skin problems.
- If you see brownish discharge or redness in your dog’s ears, or they keep shaking their head, you should pay a visit to your vet.
Signs of dog skin conditions
The signs of skin conditions in dogs can vary widely, just like they do in humans. Common signs that indicate your dog might have a skin condition include frequent scratching, biting at their skin and irritation such as redness. You might also notice hair loss, flaky skin, texture changes, scabs, lumps and an unusual or unpleasant smell.
These things are considered a symptom of a wide range of skin conditions so it is very difficult to diagnose the exact condition based on the signs alone. If you notice your dog displaying any of these signs it’s best to contact your vet to start the process of diagnosis and treatment.
Some of the most common canine skin problems.
Allergic Dermatitis
Dogs can have allergic reactions to grooming products, food, and environmental irritants, such as pollen or insect bites. A dog with allergies may scratch relentlessly, and a peek at the skin often reveals an ugly rash. Corticosteroids or other, newer medicines can help with itchy rashes. But the most effective treatment is to identify and avoid exposure to the allergens.
Yeast Infection
If your dog can’t seem to stop scratching an ear or licking and chewing their toes, ask your veterinarian to check for a yeast infection. Symptoms include irritated, itchy, or discolored skin. The infection usually strikes the paws or ears, where yeast have a cozy space to grow. Yeast infections are easy to diagnose and often respond well to a topical cream. In some cases, your veterinarian may prescribe oral drugs, medicated sprays, or medicated baths.
Folliculitis
Superficial bacterial folliculitis is an infection that causes sores, bumps, and scabs on the skin. These skin abnormalities are easier to see in shorthaired dogs. In longhaired dogs, the most obvious symptoms may be a dull coat and shedding with scaly skin underneath. Folliculitis often occurs in conjunction with other skin problems, such as mange, allergies, or injury. Treatment may include oral antibiotics and antibacterial ointments or shampoos.
Impetigo
Another type of bacterial infection, impetigo is most common in puppies. It causes pus-filled blisters that may break and crust over. The blisters usually develop on the hairless portion of the abdomen. Impetigo is rarely serious and can be treated with a topical solution. In a small number of cases, the infection may spread or persist.
Seborrhea
Seborrhea causes a dog’s skin to become greasy and develop scales (dandruff). In some cases, it’s a genetic disease that begins when a dog is young and lasts a lifetime. But most dogs with seborrhea develop the scaling as a complication of another medical problem, such as allergies or hormonal abnormalities. In these cases, it is vital to treat the underlying cause so symptoms do not recur. The seborrhea itself typically can be treated with certain medicated shampoos.
Ringworm
Despite its name, ringworm is not caused by a worm, but by a fungus. The term “ring” comes from the circular patches that can form anywhere, but are often found on a dog’s head, paws, ears, and forelegs. Inflammation, scaly patches, and hair loss often surround the lesions. Puppies less than a year old are the most susceptible, and the infection can spread quickly between dogs in a kennel or to pet owners at home. Various anti-fungal treatments are available.
Shedding and Hair Loss (Alopecia)
Anyone who shares their home with dogs knows that they shed. How much shedding is normal depends on breed, time of year, and environment. But sometimes stress, poor nutrition, or illness can cause a dog to lose more hair than usual. If abnormal or excessive shedding persists for more than a week, or you notice patches of missing fur, check with your veterinarian.
Mange (Mites)
Mange is a skin disorder caused by tiny parasites called mites. Sarcoptic mange, also known as canine scabies, spreads easily among dogs and can also be transmitted to people, but the parasites don’t survive on humans. The symptoms are intense itching, red skin, sores, and hair loss. A dog’s ears, face and legs are most commonly affected. Demodectic mange can cause bald spots, scabbing, and sores, but it is not contagious between animals or people. Treatment depends on the type of mange.
Fleas
Fleas are the bane of any pet owner. You may not see the tiny insects themselves, but flea droppings or eggs are usually visible in a dog’s coat. Other symptoms include excessive licking or scratching, scabs, and hot spots. Severe flea infestations can cause blood loss and anemia, and even expose your dog to other parasites, such as tapeworms. Treatment may include a topical and/or oral flea killer and a thorough cleaning of the pet’s home and yard.
Ticks
Ticks, like fleas, are external parasites that feed on the blood of their hosts. You can spot a tick feeding on your dog with the naked eye. To properly remove a tick, grasp the tick with tweezers close to the dog’s skin, and gently pull it straight out. Twisting or pulling too hard may cause the head to remain lodged in your dog’s skin, which can lead to infection. Place the tick in a jar with some alcohol for a couple of days. If your pet gets ill, your vet may need it to analyze what’s wrong. In addition to causing blood loss and anemia, ticks can transmit Lyme disease and other potentially serious bacterial infections. If you live in an area where ticks are common, talk to your veterinarian about tick control products.
Color or Texture Changes
Changes in a dog’s skin color or coat texture can be a warning sign of several common metabolic or hormone problems. They can also result from an infection or other skin disorder. Usually a simple blood test can identify the underlying cause. Be sure to ask your veterinarian about any significant changes to your dog’s coat.
Dry, Flaky Skin
Dry, flaky skin can be a red flag for a number of problems. It’s a common symptom of allergies, mange, and other skin diseases. But most often, dry or flaky skin is nothing serious. Make sure you are feeding Fido high quality food. Like people, some dogs simply get dry skin in the winter. If this seems to cause your pet discomfort, consult your veterinarian. Ask whether a fatty acid supplement or a humidifier might help.
Acral Lick Granuloma
Also called acral lick dermatitis, this is a frustrating skin condition caused by compulsive, relentless licking of a single area — most often on the front of the lower leg. The area is unable to heal, and the resulting pain and itching can lead the dog to keep licking the same spot. Treatment includes discouraging the dog from licking, either by using a bad-tasting topical solution or an Elizabethan collar. Also ask your dog’s vet about other treatment options.
Skin Tumors
If you notice a lump on your dog’s skin, point it out to your vet as soon as possible. Dogs can develop cancerous tumors in their skin. The only way to confirm a diagnosis of cancer is to biopsy the tumor. If the lump is small enough, your veterinarian may recommend removing it entirely. This can yield a diagnosis and treatment with a single procedure. For tumors that have not spread, this may be the only treatment needed.
Hot Spots
Hot spots, also called acute moist dermatitis, are small areas that appear red, irritated, and inflamed. They are most commonly found on a dog’s head, hips, or chest, and often feel hot to the touch. Hot spots can result from a wide range of conditions, including infections, allergies, insect bites, or excessive licking and chewing. Treatment consists of cleansing the hot spot and addressing the underlying condition.
Immune Disorders
In rare cases, skin lesions or infections that won’t heal can indicate an immune disorder in your dog. One of the best known is lupus, a disease that affects dogs and people. Lupus is an autoimmune disorder, meaning the body’s immune system attacks its own cells. Symptoms include skin abnormalities and kidney problems. It can be fatal if untreated.
Anal Sac Disease
As if dog poop weren’t smelly enough, dogs release a foul-smelling substance when they do their business. The substance comes from small anal sacs, which can become impacted if they don’t empty properly. The hallmark of impacted anal sacs is a dog scooting their bottom along the ground. Other symptoms include biting or licking the anal area. A vet can manually express full anal sacs, but in severe cases, the sacs may be surgically removed.
WHAT IS A SKIN ISSUE?
A skin “issue” is a very broad term and can include both the skin and the coat. According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, skin issues can be divided further into dermatitis, or inflammation of the skin, and pruritus, or abnormal itching [1]. Skin issues can affect only the coat, the top layer of the skin called the epidermis, deeper in the skin layers such as the dermis and subcutaneous layer, or all layers at once.
(Photo from Merck Veterinary Manual )
WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF SKIN PROBLEMS?
Most skin issues have similar signs and symptoms, making them hard to distinguish at times. This includes dermatitis, or inflammation of the skin, and pruritis, or itching. Dermatitis often presents as a red rash, raised bump, swelling or even blister-like appearance on the skin. Pruritis will manifest as excessive itching at these spots, leading to an increase in dermatitis signs.
Hair loss and poor coat quality can also be a sign of a skin problem, and may be in response to inflammation and itching, or its own problem.
WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON CAUSES OF SKIN ISSUES?
Causes of skin problems can be divided up into six groups: allergies, infections, parasites, illness, poor care, and side effects.
Allergies: Allergies are one of the most commonly seen causes of itching and redness in dogs and they are on the rise . They can be caused by environmental allergens, such as pollens, dust, and chemicals, as well as food allergens to ingredients such as wheat, corn, soy, and certain proteins. Environmental allergies often show up as full-body symptoms with itching, redness and hair loss covering the entire body. Your dog may also cough or sneeze, or even have a runny nose. Food based allergies may present with both itching and scratching as well as digestive problems such as vomiting or diarrhea.
Infections: Infections are the next cause of skin problems in dogs, and can be caused by bacteria, yeast or fungi. They can be a primary cause of your dog’s issues, or may be secondary to another cause as a result of excessive scratching and chewing at the irritation. Bacterial infections often create swellings and redness that ooze discolored discharge, while yeast infections may have an additional “corn chip” smell to them. Fungal infections, such as ringworm, may show up as strange growths or discolorations on the skin that slowly spread out and grow.
Parasites: External parasites are another factor for itching, scratching and irritated skin. Even if you think your dog is flea-free, these parasites may sneakily invade your dog’s skin and coat from the environment, house, and other areas. Fleas often show up as black specks that quickly hop away from view, leaving behind flea “dirt” on the skin and hairs. Ticks tend to stick to one spot on the body and grow in size as they gorge themselves on your dog’s blood. Lice and other smaller parasites may be harder to see, and may show up as small specks stuck to the base of your dog’s hair, or may only be visible under a microscope.
Illness: Illness is an often overlooked cause for itchy skin and poor coat quality, but it is an important cause to rule out. Metabolic illnesses such as thyroid problems or adrenal gland dysfunctions can cause your dog’s skin and coat quality to change. You may see the skin darken in strange places such as the pits of your dog’s legs or along their back, or you may see hair loss begin on the chest or along the flank. Your dog may also be itchy in these areas, or have patches of hair loss that don’t go away. In most cases, this cause of skin problems often has other signs and symptoms such as changes in eating and bowel habits, and can easily be ruled out with bloodwork from your vet.
Poor Care: Poor care is a broad term, and doesn’t mean you’re neglecting your dog! Poor care simply means your dog may not be getting the right nutrients he or she needs, or may have a need for a supplement to boost their health. Signs of poor care can include a dull or dry coat, dry and flaky skin, or hair that has thinned out. Your dog may not be itchy or bothered by this, but may still benefit from extra care and a checkup.
Side Effects: Some medications for treating illness or chronic conditions may cause side effects to your dog’s skin or coat. You may see a dulling of the coat or hair loss, or skin that is slower to heal. Redness and extreme itching may also appear if your dog is having an allergic reaction to a particular ingredient in a medication or supplement.
HOW CAN I TREAT MY DOG’S SKIN PROBLEM?
The first step to treating your dog’s skin problems is figuring out their cause. Depending on what’s causing your dog’s problems, the treatment may vary.
You may also want to invest in an old T-shirt or Elizabethan (cone) collar. These can help stop your dog from licking and chewing at the affected area, preventing further bacteria from causing a secondary infection and worsening of symptoms. T-shirts are great if the affected area rests on the body, while Elizabethan collars can prevent problems on the legs, ears, tail, and feet.
Changing Diet: If your dog’s symptoms are caused by a food allergy, changing your dog’s diet is the easiest way to solve it! Look for allergen-friendly foods that are grain-free or avoid filler products such as wheat, corn, and soy which can cause an allergic response. Some dogs can also be allergic to certain protein sources, and may need a prescription diet or one with a “novel”, or not previously eaten, protein source. While dogs can be allergic to any ingredient, the above are the most commonly seen causes.
Be sure to switch your dog’s diet over gradually to avoid digestive upset during the change. A period of 7-9 days is best for changing the food over with the first 3 days including 25% new food, the next 3 days a mix of 50/50 and the final 2-3 days 75% new food. After this period, you can have your dog fully on the new diet.
Medication: Medications are the next step for treating your dog’s skin problems and may be used long or short-term depending on the cause . Long-term medications such as allergy medications or those used for metabolic diseases are often given daily to prevent an allergic response or regulate your dog’s metabolic needs. Short-term medications such as antibiotics, antifungals, and more can be used to treat infections of bacteria, yeast, and fungus. Your vet may also recommend medicated wipes or shampoo in addition to oral medications to soothe the skin and help dry it out.
Parasite Prevention: Parasite prevention is important even if external parasites aren’t currently bothering your dog! Fleas can transmit tapeworms to your dog, while mosquitos and ticks can transmit other worms such as heartworm and diseases such as Lyme to your dog. Keeping your dog on a monthly preventive medication can help prevent parasites before they can harm your dog, keeping him free from itching, scratching, AND chronic illness. Be sure to also keep your dog’s environment clean; washing bedding, vacuuming baseboards, and clearing brush where parasites may want to lurk.
Natural Supplements: If there is no known cause to your dog’s dull coat or itchy skin, or if you just want to boost the diet and medications your dog is already on, then a supplement may help. Supplements with a variety of ingredients such as fish oils or Vitamin E may help your dog’s coat in a number of ways. They provide needed nutrients to help increase luster and prevent skin dryness, and may also play a role in reducing inflammation and pain.
Your dog doesn’t have to suffer from itchy, irritated skin! Knowing the causes behind your dog’s scratching and ways to treat them can save your dog from misery and prevent long-term damage to the skin and coat. Knowing your dog is the healthiest they can be not only offers peace of mind but helps your dog look great too
SOURCES:ON REQUEST.
https://www.pashudhanpraharee.com/dogs-skin-care-management-tips/
https://firstvet.com/us/articles/common-skin-diseases-in-dogs
