Ensuring Health - Skin troubles

Skin diseases are some of the most perplexing health problems of dogs. When in normally good condition, the dog’s skin is elastic. When you grasp it over the back, then let it go, it springs right back to its tight fit. In most breeds, the skin is a light pink colour; on a few others, it is blue, dark or spotted. Part the hair and look at your dog’s skin just to make sure it is healthy.

The most common trouble sign is scratching perhaps followed by the appearance of lesions, or a breaking out of blisters or bumps on the surface of the skin. Often the dog’s furious scratching and biting to gain relief aggravates the condition.

It’s best to consult your veterinarian at the first sign of any dermatological problem. The quicker problems are diagnosed and treated, the better the chances of curing them.

Dandruff – This common problem affects all areas of the dog’s skin. Once of the most common causes is dry heat. Most dogs like to sleep near a warm place. Indoors, that is frequently near a heat vent, where the constant flow of hot air can dry out his skin. Brushing often raises many little scales, too. A light spray of a coat conditioner containing mink oil or protein, brushed into the coat and massaged into the skin, usually helps get rid of scaliness.

Skin flakiness can also result from too little rinsing after the bath, when the remaining shampoo dries and irritates the skin. Lack of fat in the diet can also cause dandruff. The introduction to the diet of a nutritional supplement containing unsaturated fatty acids may help solve the problem.
Eczema - This troublesome condition can be caused by allergies, dietary deficiencies, digestive disturbances, external parasites, hormone imbalance, grooming neglect, or pre-disposition. Dogs do not inherit eczema, but some lines seem to be more inclined to develop it.

The condition manifests itself in two forms : dry and moist. Both types occur in smooth and long-coated pure breeds and mixed breeds, especially those that have thick undercoats. Although eczema can occur at any time in any geographic locality, it seems to be more common in hot and damp climates.

In the dry form, the skin becomes scaly, with cracked and inflamed spots. In the moist form, ulcerated red spots form on the skin. In most cases, the affected areas are made worse by the dog’s biting, scratching, licking, and chewing to gain relief. And this can quickly cause a relatively minor condition to mushroom into a serious one. If untreated, it can cause untold misery for a dog.

The best way to deal with eczema is to prevent the initial irritation by maintaining a regular brushing schedule to remove dead hair and dirt and to keep the skin clean, to keep the dog and his environment free of external parasites, and to be on the lookout for any signs of trouble, especially the dog’s constant licking of certain areas. When eczema does develop in spite of preventive measures, however, it usually can be treated successfully in the early stages with antibiotics and corticosteriods.

Mange- This term is used to describe skin and coat damage caused by several types of external parasites. Sarcoptic mange, or scabies, caused by the sarcoptic-mange mite, is an extremely contagious condition that can spread from animal to animal and from animal to man. The mites live on and burrow into the skin, causing it to thicken and become inflamed and intensity itchy. Diagnosis is confirmed by microscopic examination of deep skin scrapings. Treatment generally involves the use of an antiseborrheic shampoo, followed by insecticidal dips. Since sarcoptic mange is extremely contagious, all pets in the family should be treated at the same time. Demodectic, or “red” mange, is caused by the demodectic-mange mite, which lives in the hair follicles. The skin reddens, the hair fall out, and the follicles become infected, sometimes oozing blood and pus. The first signs are often small bare patches around the eyes and muzzle and on the forepaws. Diagnosis involves microscopic examination of hair roots and skin scrapings. Demodectic mange is usually treated by medicated baths or dips and possibly oral medication or injection. Cheyletiella, also called “walking dandruff” is caused by the cheyletiella mite, a large parasite that lives on the skin. It is a very unsightly condition characterized by mild itching and an abundance of yellow-gray scales that resemble dandruff. Treatment involves a through cleansing with an antisborrheic shampoo to remove the scales, followed by insecticidal dips at intervals that depend on the product used.

Ringworm- This condition is caused by a fungus which, like mange, can be identified only under a microscope or by culturing. The disease takes its name form the circular-shaped affected areas. It first may appear as round or irregular rough and scaly patches raised above the normal level of the skin. Some lesions can barely be seen, while others may be scaly or crusted formations which discharge pus.

Treatment involves shaving off the infected hair, the application of dips and fungicidal and fungistatic ointments, plus the drug Griseofuvin.

Ringworm can be transmitted from animal to animal and from animal to man. Wear gloves when handling an affected dog, and wash your hands thoroughly with antibacterial dog, and wash your hands with thoroughly with antibacterial soap before touching any parts of your body. Infected animals should be isolated from contact with people and other pets. It is also necessary to sterilize or destroy bedding, collars, leashes, and other contaminated articles.

Flea-allergy dermatitits- The most common allergic skin disease in dogs is caused by a hypersensitivity to fleabites, and is characterized by intense itching and acute moist dermatitis. The allergic agent is found in the saliva of fleas and is injected into the dog when fleas bite. Some dogs are so sensitive that they will break out from the bite of one flea.

The lesions are concentrated on the top and underside of the lower back, near the base of the tail and on the rump, an don the inside surfaces of the hind legs. The dog will scratch or bite these areas intensely, causing the hair to fall out, the pustules and crusts to form. Although the disease occurs more often in warm months, many dogs suffer constantly through the year.

Treatment is based on keeping the dog and his environment free and of fleas through the use of dips, powders sprays, and flea collars, Corticosteriods will help relieve the symptoms of the allergic reaction.

Other allergies - in addition to allergic reactions to the bites of fleas and mites, skin lesions and other reactions can be caused by allergy to weed, tree, and grass pollens; to the stings of bees, wasps, and hornets; to antibiotics, hormones, and other drugs; and even to certain foods. Suspected allergies should be handled by a veterinarian because a complete history of the dog is necessary to determine correct treatment. Often these cases respond well to antihistamine and corticosteriod therapy.