Allergies, hot spots, dermatitis, mange….just a few irritating issues that can affect your pet’s skin. Some more serious than the others, but all can cause your pet to scratch uncontrollably, itch everywhere and just be miserable.
Pets can have allergic reactions to many different stimuli. The hard part is figuring out the cause and the corresponding solution. Anytime you see something on your pet that concerns you or you are unsure of, contact us for advise or go to the vet…better to be safe than sorry. Feel free to text or email us pictures as well.
Most skin issues will not be life threatening (except in very young or very old pets), but you always want to err on the side of caution when it comes to your furry family members. Visible skin irritations and rashes may appear suddenly or progressively get worse over a period of time. What you need to know is how to handle these issues but first you need to have an understanding of what it is.
Dogs with Atopic Dermatitis: Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Dog’s Abdomen with Atopic Dermatitis
According to WedMD, “Atopic dermatitis is a disease in which there is an inherited tendency
to develop IgE antibodies in response to exposure to allergens that are inhaled or absorbed through the skin. This extremely common allergic skin disease is second only to flea allergy dermatitis in frequency, and affects about 10 percent of dogs.”
“In early canine atopy, itching is seasonal and the skin looks normal. Dogs scratch at the ears and undersides of the body. The itching is often accompanied by face-rubbing, sneezing, a runny nose (known as allergic rhinitis),watery eyes, and licking at the paws (which leaves characteristic brown stains on the feet). In many dogs the disease does not progress beyond this stage.”
To read the full article, please visit Atopic Dermatitis.
Mange in Dogs (Canine Scabies)
According to WebMD, “Mange is a skin disease caused by several species of tiny mites, common external parasites found in companion canines. Some mange mites are normal residents of your dog’s skin and hair follicles, while others are not. All mites can cause mild to severe skin infections if they proliferate.” Please visit the WebMD Article for more information and to read the full article.
There are a few different types of mange, so to determine the best treatment plan, you need to work with a vet to determine what type of mange it is. There are some other great articles on PetPlace.com including the types Sarcoptic Mange, Notoedric Mange, and Demodicosis Red Mange.
Acute Moist Dermatitis (Hot Spots) in Dogs
Hot Spot on Dog’s Face
According to Wed MD, “A hot spot is a warm, painful, swollen patch of skin 1 to 4 inches (2.5 to 10 cm) across that exudes pus and gives off a foul odor. Hair in the area is lost rapidly. The infection progresses when the dog licks and chews the site. These circular patches appear suddenly and enlarge quickly, often within a matter of hours.”
“Hot spots can occur anywhere on the body, often in more than one spot. One very typical location is under the ear flaps in large breeds with heavy, hairy ears,
Hot Spot on a Dog’s Paw
such as Newfoundlands and Golden Retrievers. Hot spots occur most often in breeds with heavy coats, and tend to appear just before shedding, when moist, dead hair is trapped next to the skin. Fleas, mites, and other skin parasites, skin allergies, irritant skin diseases, ear and anal gland infections, and neglected grooming are other factors that can initiate the itch-scratch-itch cycle.
