Does dog skin disease occur frequently? What are the reasons behind this?

Mastering this knowledge makes it easy to cope!

Fungus infection

Fungal infection is a common type of skin disease in dogs, usually caused by dogs not completely drying their hair after frequent bathing, malnutrition, weak immunity, or abrasions on the skin surface that come into contact with sick dogs or contaminated objects. The affected area is generally prone to occur on the top of the head, around the mouth, and in the limbs, appearing elliptical or circular, with a clear boundary from healthy skin. There are scabs on it, which are easy to peel off. After peeling off, the skin is smooth and will not thicken, but it will form large areas of honeycomb like ringworm spots. The itching sensation is not strong, and there may be small scales like flakes.

Mite

Mites are also a frequent occurrence of skin diseases in dogs. Damp, unhygienic environments, or contact with pathogens in sick dogs can all lead to the infection of mites in dogs. The shape of the affected area is irregular, with many small bumps, and the boundary with healthy skin is not clear. The area is large and wide. The skin will thicken, accompanied by bleeding and liquid secretions, and dogs will feel extremely itchy, with large scales or scabs.

Lice flea

The appearance of lice and fleas is mainly due to the owner’s failure to give the dog a regular bath and cleaning in a timely manner. If you can see small black spots (feces) and white spots (eggs) by removing the dog’s fur, it indicates that there are fleas and lice on the dog’s body. These fleas and lice can make dogs feel itchy and restless, constantly scratching and affecting their normal life.

Pyoderma

Sepsis is mainly caused by the invasion of hair follicle worms and is prone to occur on the back, hind legs, and buttocks of dogs. Puss blisters, small pustules, and purulent secretions may appear on the skin, severe hair loss may occur, and a foul odor may also be emitted. If you find that your dog has these symptoms, you must take it to see a doctor in a timely manner, otherwise the condition will become more and more serious. I once saw a stray dog with pyoderma in the community, emitting an unpleasant odor and having ulcerated skin, which made me feel particularly heartbroken.

Seborrheic dermatitis

The causes of seborrheic dermatitis are complex, including genetics, endocrine disorders, lack of nutrition, and skin infections. There will be gray white or silver scales scattered in the hair, itching and hair loss in the affected area. The tail root and fur with well-developed sebaceous glands contain a large amount of oil or adhere to yellow brown oil blocks, which are often found on the back, ear, tail back, chest, elbow, joints and other parts. They are often bitten by dogs, causing the affected area to expand and the condition to worsen. My family’s pet dog suffers from seborrheic dermatitis, and the base of its tail is always greasy and shedding hair, which looks particularly uncomfortable.

Eczema

The causes of eczema are complex and generally related to allergic constitution. Under the influence of external physical and chemical factors, such as mechanical compression, friction, biting, scratching, and mosquito bites; Certain internal medications, external medications, and disinfectants; Unclean skin, dirt irritation, and dampness in the kennel can stimulate the body and cause allergies, which can easily lead to eczema. Lack of vitamins, trace elements, etc. can lead to low skin resistance and also cause eczema. The initial affected area of acute eczema presents as punctate or differently shaped erythematous eczema with itching sensation. As the condition progresses, papular, vesicular, and pustular phases may appear. Chronic eczema is often caused by the transformation from acute eczema, with repeated stimulation and attacks. Its characteristics include thickening, shedding, pigmentation, rough and hard fur, standing back, and increased itching. It is more common in the back or limbs.

Parasitic infection

Dogs are born to love playing, and grasslands and shrubs are their happy havens, but these places are also the “nests” of parasites. Fleas, lice, ticks, mites and other parasites like to “camp” on dogs the most. Let’s talk about fleas, they are the “number one culprit” of dog skin diseases. After a flea bites a dog, it will leave small red dots on the skin, causing the dog to feel extremely itchy and constantly scratching, resulting in skin damage and ultimately leading to infection. My friend’s dog once came back from playing on the grass and was infected with fleas. There were marks of flea bites all over his body, and the dog was itching so much that it rolled around, which made him feel particularly heartbroken.

Bacterial and viral invasion

When a dog’s skin resistance decreases, bacteria and viruses will take advantage. Bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Malassezia, as well as viruses such as canine distemper virus and herpes virus, can all cause skin diseases. For example, Staphylococcus infection can cause symptoms such as redness, papules, and pustules on the skin of dogs, as well as emitting unpleasant odors. If dogs come into contact with other animals with skin diseases or live in unsanitary environments, they are easily infected with these bacteria and viruses.

Nutritional deficiency

Balanced nutrition is crucial for the health of dogs. If dogs suffer from long-term malnutrition and lack nutrients such as vitamins (such as B vitamins) and minerals (such as zinc and iron), their skin immunity will decrease and they are more susceptible to skin diseases. For example, a lack of vitamin B can lead to dry and flaky skin, rough and dull hair in dogs. Some dog owners only feed their dogs a single dog food without paying attention to supplementing other nutrients. Over time, dogs may develop skin diseases due to nutritional deficiencies.

Moist skin

Long term exposure of dog skin to moisture is also a major cause of skin diseases. For example, if a dog is not dried in a timely manner after bathing, or if the dog often plays or sleeps in damp places, the skin is prone to bacterial and fungal growth, leading to eczema, fungal skin diseases, and so on. There is a stray dog near my house who often rolls in a puddle, and its fur is always wet. Later, it suffered from a serious skin disease, with red spots and ringworm all over its body.

Scientific Response: A Comprehensive Guide to Treating Dog Skin Diseases

Topical drugs

Topical medication is one of the most commonly used methods for treating dog skin diseases, including sprays, ointments, and lotions. Different types of skin diseases require the use of different topical medications. When using topical medications, the affected area of the dog’s hair should be shaved off first, the affected area should be cleaned with physiological saline or iodine, and then the medication should be applied to facilitate better absorption. After applying the medication, put an Elizabeth ring on the dog to prevent it from licking the medication.

Oral medication

When dogs suffer from skin diseases, taking some vitamins orally can help restore skin health, such as compound vitamin B: it contains multiple B vitamins that work together. When dogs suffer from fungal or bacterial skin diseases, or have skin itching, hair loss, and other conditions, taking compound vitamin B can improve the nutritional status of the skin from multiple perspectives, promote normal metabolism of skin cells, and help alleviate skin disease symptoms. Generally, according to the instructions, use it reasonably based on the dog’s weight and other conditions.

Medicinal bath

Medicinal baths are also an effective method for treating skin diseases in dogs. The frequency of medicinal baths is generally 1-2 times a week, and the specific frequency should be determined based on the dog’s condition and the advice of the veterinarian. During the medicated bath, it is important to prevent dogs from licking the bath solution to avoid poisoning. After taking a medicinal bath, the dog should be wiped dry with a towel in a timely manner to avoid catching a cold.

Precautions

In the process of treating dog skin diseases, it is important to pay attention to the following points:

Avoid self treatment: Do not self medicate with human drugs or other treatments not recommended by a veterinarian to avoid delaying the condition or causing harm to the dog. Different types of skin diseases have different treatment methods, and using the wrong medication may worsen the condition. calm

Regular follow-up visits: Follow the veterinarian’s instructions to regularly bring the dog for follow-up visits, so that the veterinarian can understand the treatment effect and adjust the treatment plan in a timely manner. If the dog’s condition does not improve or other abnormal symptoms appear during the treatment process, it should be taken to see a doctor in a timely manner.

Pay attention to care: Keep your dog’s living environment clean and dry, regularly clean dog beds, mats, and other items to avoid the growth of bacteria and fungi. Provide dogs with nutritious and balanced food to enhance their immunity. Also pay attention to avoid dogs contacting substances that may irritate the skin, such as chemical cleaners, perfume, etc.

Prevent scratching: Skin diseases can make dogs feel itchy, and they will constantly scratch and bite, causing skin damage and infection. So it is necessary to put an Elizabeth ring on the dog to prevent it from scratching the affected area. If the itching symptoms of the dog are severe, some anti itch drugs can be used under the guidance of a veterinarian.

Prevention in advance: Daily preventive measures are publicly disclosed

Treatment is important, but prevention is the key. Below are some daily tips for preventing dog skin diseases.

Maintain a dry and tidy living environment

Bacteria and fungi prefer to “camp” in damp and dirty environments, so it is necessary to regularly clean the dog’s living environment, change dog beds and mats frequently, and maintain dryness and ventilation. Pet specific disinfectant can be used to disinfect dog beds, toys, and other items at least 1-2 times a week. My family has prepared pet specific disinfectant, which disinfects the dog’s toys, kennels, and other items once a week, and then exposes them to the sun to effectively kill bacteria and fungi.

Choose the appropriate shower gel

Dogs’ skin is weakly alkaline, which is different from the pH of human skin, so it is not recommended to use human shower gel for dogs. Instead, choose a shower gel specifically designed for dogs. When choosing shower gel, it is important to consider the skin type and hair type of the dog. For example, dogs with sensitive skin can choose shower gel with a low sensitivity formula; Dogs with dry hair can choose moisturizing shower gel. The frequency of bathing dogs should not be too high. Generally, taking a bath once every 1-2 weeks is sufficient. Taking a bath too frequently can damage the protective layer of the dog’s skin, causing dryness and easily leading to skin diseases.

Reasonable diet

A nutritionally balanced diet is the foundation of a dog’s health, and it is important to provide dogs with foods rich in protein, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. You can choose high-quality dog food, or feed your dog some meat, vegetables, fruits, and other foods such as chicken, beef, carrots, apples, etc. appropriately. You can also supplement your dog with some beneficial nutrients for the skin, such as fish oil, B vitamins, lecithin, etc. These nutrients can enhance the dog’s skin immunity and make the dog’s hair smoother and brighter.

Regularly combing hair

Brushing your dog’s hair not only makes it smoother, but also promotes blood circulation and timely detection of parasites and skin problems on your dog’s body. It is recommended to comb your dog’s fur 1-2 times a day for 5-10 minutes each time. When grooming, use a specialized pet comb, starting from the dog’s head and combing along the direction of hair growth, with gentle movements to avoid pulling on the dog’s skin. If you find tangled hair on your dog’s body, you should carefully untangle it with your fingers first, and then comb it with a comb. If it cannot be untied, you can use scissors to cut it off. My dog really likes it when I comb its fur. Every time I comb it, I enjoy it very much and even come over to let me comb it.

Moderate exercise and sun exposure

Exercise can enhance the physical fitness and immune system of dogs, while sun exposure can promote the synthesis of vitamin D, help dogs absorb calcium, and also have a sterilizing effect. Take your dog out for 30 minutes to 1 hour of exercise every day, including walking, running, playing frisbee, and other forms of exercise. The time spent in the sun should not be too long, usually 1-2 hours per day is sufficient, avoiding direct sunlight to prevent sunburn of the dog’s skin. I take my dog for a walk in the park every day, allowing it to play and bask in the sun on the grass. After coming back, the dog is always very happy and healthy.

Regular deworming

Regularly deworming dogs both internally and externally is one of the important measures to prevent skin diseases. External deworming can be done using deworming drops, sprays, etc., once a month; Internal deworming can be done using deworming drugs, once every three months. When using deworming medication, follow the dosage and method stated in the instructions to avoid excessive use of the medication causing harm to the dog. After deworming, it is important to observe the physical condition of the dog. If there are any abnormal symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, or lack of energy, it should be taken to see a doctor in a timely manner.

Love and Responsibility, Building a Healthy Defense Line for Dogs Together

Although skin diseases in dogs are common, as long as we master relevant knowledge, actively prevent and treat them in a timely manner, we can keep dogs away from the troubles of skin diseases. Every dog is our family, accompanying us with unconditional love. We also have a responsibility to give them a healthy and happy life. Let’s start from now on, with love and action, to safeguard the health of dogs and be their strongest support!