Understand what causes 5 common skin conditions in dogs

It might be incredibly annoying when your animal buddy repeatedly licks or scratches its paws. True, sometimes it’s not their fault. Various skin conditions might make life uncomfortable.

There might be a million and one things wrong with your dog that are making him miserable, such as parasites, allergies, or long-term sickness. Consult your vet if your dog experiences skin issues so that you can be sure it isn’t a sign of anything more severe.

Causes and signs of dog skin problems

One of the most noticeable indications of a skin issue in a dog is itchiness. Still, pet owners may find it difficult to pinpoint precisely what is bothering their dog without a thorough veterinarian examination. Dogs, like humans, might have mild bouts of itching now and again; however, persistent or chronic itching is indicative of a more severe problem.

Dogs may scratch the itchy spot with paws or brush their heads against things. Your dog may also lick their paws or other regions of their body to alleviate the discomfort caused by the rash.

The five most common skin conditions in dogs are listed here.

Itchy, red, and scaly skin caused by allergies

Your dog may suffer from allergic dermatitis if it is sensitive to substances in the environment or the food they eat. Pollen, grass, dirt, home dust mites, and mold spores are some airborne allergens that might induce an allergic reaction in your cat. Dogs often lick, lick, and massage certain body parts, including paws, faces, and behinds.

Your pet may become allergic to certain foods if its immune system perceives them as a harmful invader and goes into protective mode.

Ringworm

Although it may sound like a worm, ringworm is a fungus that may quickly spread from one living thing to another. Crusty, circular patches typical of fungal infections are seen on infected dogs’ heads, paws, ears, and front legs. Your dog’s skin may become red and inflamed if scratched too often or in an inappropriate location. The sooner you notify your vet of any indications of discomfort, the sooner they may prescribe a topical therapy to destroy the fungus and prevent its spread.

Mange

Scabies and Demodex mites are the most prevalent vectors for canine mange, a skin condition. The more frequent kind of mange is called demodectic mange. All dogs will eventually acquire the parasitic mite Demodex. However, they typically pose minimal health risks.

Demodex mites usually cause hair loss and skin damage in dogs, but they flourish when there is an anomaly in the dog’s immune system, either in the skin or the body. There will then be secondary bacterial infections and irritation. Itching is not often the first symptom of Demodex in dogs.

Facial hair loss patches are often the first visible sign of alopecia. Although scabies is more uncommon, it causes severe itching and may be caught by infected dogs or stray local animals like wombats. Scabies, unlike Demodex, may be transmitted to humans. Therefore, if you notice any itching, see your veterinarian.

Candida overgrowth

Dogs have a wide variety of germs and fungi on their skin. The immune system typically prevents any harm from occurring due to these germs. Out-of-control growth of the yeast Malassezia, which lives on canine skin, causes irritation and inflammation.

It is not possible to spread a yeast infection to others. Similarly, a severe ear infection in a dog may cause hearing loss. To promote good health, it’s essential to promote organic food and discourage the consumption of yeast and heavy metals. In severe cases, your vet may prescribe a medication like simplicef tablets to help treat these infections.

Alopecia

Hair thinning or patchy baldness is known as alopecia. Alopecia is often accompanied by itching and skin irritation. Ectoparasites, spider bites, or a skin infection may bring on alopecia.

In dogs, continuous and obsessive licking may cause a skin condition known as acral lick dermatitis, which manifests as bruises on the front of the lower leg.

Constant licking hinders healing; thus, the injured region becomes red, puffy, and thick. Preventing more licking, treating discomfort, and correcting the underlying cause are all part of the therapeutic process. 

Final thoughts on skin conditions in dogs

Even if your pet’s skin problem isn’t an emergency, it’s still crucial to receive a professional diagnosis so you can treat it. When appropriately identified, most skin disorders respond favorably to therapy.

Then be sure avoiding skin problems in the first place is preferable to treating them after they have already appeared.

Lizzie Howard is a Colorado native who, after graduating from the University of Colorado, spends her time as a freelance writer. When Lizzie isn’t writing, she enjoys hikes, baking for her friends and family, and spending time with her beloved yellow lab, Sparky.