When the Itch is Too Much - Dog Skin Diseases and Conditions

Skin problems can make a dog miserable. If you own a dog with a skin disorder, you know that skin problems can affect not only its comfort and well-being, but also its health. There are many causes of skin disorders in dogs, and a veterinarian will most likely have to diagnose the problem and recommend a solution.

Why Diagnosis Is Important

Diagnosing skin problems are crucial to determining how to treat the disorder. While in some cases you might be able to spray something on the skin or give a pill, many conditions come from internal reasons such as allergies due to diet or a hormonal problem such as hypothyroidism.

Types

Diagnosis depends on the types of the disease. Allergies and auto-immune diseases cause many of the dog skin disorders. Other causes include exposure to a toxin such as a chemical, fleas and flea allergy dermatitis, skin bacterial or yeast infections, mange, ringworm, external parasites, internal parasites and hormonal imbalances.

How Skin Problems Are Identified

Some skin problems can be easily identified; others may be difficult. With flea and external parasites, you or your veterinarian will need to identify the parasite on your pet through visual inspection. Fleas, which cause flea allergy dermatitis, can be seen on the dog and you can see flea feces as black grains that turn red when wet. Contact dermatitis may be identified by the suddenness of the rash combined with exposure to a chemical or plant that the dog might be allergic to.

Allergies, such as seasonal allergies and food allergies, may be more difficult to identify. Your veterinarian will ask if these problems seem to occur during different times of the year, or if he suspects the problem is a food allergy, he may prescribe a special hypoallergenic diet to determine if diet might be the cause. Your veterinarian can identify hormonal imbalances through blood tests. Skin scrapings and examination may be needed to identify infection and infestations.

Misconceptions

Many pet owners are quick to try to identify and fix the problem by themselves. The problem is that the skin disorder problem may be difficult to fix with a pill or a holistic diet. Many topical medications and over-the-counter antihistamines may address the symptoms but not the problem itself, which means the underlying problem is still there and will continue to appear.

Treatment

Canine skin disorders are often difficult to diagnose, which is why it is important to consult a veterinarian. Treatment may include a diet change, antibiotics, antifungals, antihistamines, allergy shots, corticosteroids and products to eliminate or prevent internal or external parasites.

Reference

"Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook, 3rd Edition," James M. Giffin MD & Liisa D. Carlson DVM, 2000.

ASPCA.org: Skin Problems [http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/dog-care-skin-problems.html

Vetinfo: Dog Skin Rash Diagnosis [http://www.vetinfo.com/dog-skin-rash-diagnosis.html]