As many dog owners will attest, canine skin conditions can drive both a dog and you crazy. The dog’s incessant licking, whining and scratching is not only heartbreaking to watch, it’s maddening to listen to hour after hour, day after day.
There are five types of canine skin diseases. They include allergies, autoimmune/immune, infectious skin diseases, hereditary/developmental circumstances, and internal diseases. In addition to that, secondary infections such as fungal infections can occur if the problem is not addressed immediately.
Types of skin diseases in dogs
allergies
Dogs can be allergic to many things, including: food, insect bites (fleas/ticks), environmental irritants (lawn care chemicals, pollen, household cleaning chemicals, chemicals used to process dog chews, etc.) raw hides, hooves, bones, and horns), medicines, and even products such as plastic feeding bowls.
Autoimmune/immune disorders
Skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis, canine lupus, canine diabetes, kidney problems, hot spots, and acral lick dermatitis can be caused by autoimmune or immune syndromes. These types of skin diseases occur when the dog’s immune system does not work well enough or works overtime and therefore attacks itself. These skin conditions are usually the most serious and can be fatal.
infectious skin disease
Infectious skin diseases can be parasitic, bacterial, viral or fungal. Many are contagious. Some infectious skin diseases are even zoonotic. That means the disease can be passed from pet to owner. Sarcoptic mange, caused by mites, is contagious and can be passed between dog and owner. Demodectic mange also caused by mites is not considered contagious. Ringworm, which is a fungus, not a worm, is a zoonotic disease. Lyme disease, from tick bites, and Dipylidium, (tapeworm) from fleas, can be transmitted from dog to owner. Lice and mites are additional parasites that transmit contagious infectious diseases of the skin.
Hereditary/developmental skin disease
Puppy chokes, seborrhetic dermatitis, Ehlers-Danos, canine folic dysplasia, Cushing’s disease, and hypotrichosis are skin conditions that dogs inherit or contract, either as puppies or later in life. Hypothyroidism is an example.
Internal Diseases Cutaneous Manifestations
Endocrine (hormonal) abnormalities can be the cause of hypothyroidism, Cushing’s disease, and tumors. Impacted anal sacs can also cause irritation to the surrounding area. In mild to moderate cases, the bursa can be squeezed. In severe cases, they may need to be surgically removed.
Symptoms to watch out for
It is easy to distinguish the dog with skin problems from the rest of the pack. There is usually a bad odor from the hair or skin. Hair and skin can appear greasy and matted, or brittle, dull and dry. The skin may be dry, thick, discolored. They may have open sores, ring-shaped sores, redness or weeping sores, baldness, fever, hair loss, anemia, obsessive licking or chewing, scabbing, head tilting or shaking, crooked ears, black debris in the ears, excess wax. in the ears, ear infections, rubbing against objects, rolling, cysts, abscesses, tumors, scaly skin or white scales, irregular sores or hairless areas, excessive shedding, and/or the area feels hot to the touch. The most common skin disease problem areas are the dog’s face, head, ears, paws, between the toes, front paws, armpits, belly, tail, and anal area.
If your dog exhibits any of the above, take him to your veterinarian for examination, diagnosis, and treatment.
Tests and Diagnosis
To diagnose what type of skin disease your dog may have, your vet has several testing options. They include blood tests, skin biopsy, cytology (examining cells under a microscope), intradermal allergy tests, cultures (bacterial and viral), and video oloscopy.
Treatment
Depending on the severity of the problem, treatment options include: daily brushing, medicated shampoo, diet change, oral and topical antibiotics, antifungal ointments, and/or electronic collar. Your vet may recommend oil massages. Skin conditions are commonly treated with corticosteroids. Anal sacs can be squeezed or surgically removed. Tumors can be surgically removed.
Breeds prone to skin problems
The following are some popular breeds that are prone to skin problems and diseases: Akita, Alaskan Malamutes, American Cocker Spaniels, American Water Spaniels, Australian Terriers, Beagles, Bichon Frizes, Boxers, Bull Terriers, Chow-Chows, Collies , Dachshund, Dalmatian German Shepherd, Lhasa Apso, Miniature Pinscher, Miniature Schnauzer, Old English Sheepdog, Poodle (Toy, Miniature and Standard), Samoyed, Scottish Terrier, Shar-Pei, Siberian Husky, Toy Fox Terrier and Wire Fox Terrier.
In short: don’t waste your time. His pet is in extreme discomfort. Don’t let them suffer unnecessarily. Seek veterinary help. It may be nothing; could be serious and possibly fatal.