Common Skin Infections in Dogs.

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Bacterial infections are often a direct consequence of overly-traumatized skin through either excessive chewing, scratching, or rubbing – something dogs find themselves doing all the time. Skin infections – also known as Pyoderma – are very common in dogs, being a complication of other underlying medical conditions such as allergies, hormonal disorder, and even some diseases. Apart from that, since dogs very often engage in physically intensive activities, they sometimes end up hurting themselves – and any cut or wound, no matter how small, has a chance of developing a skin infection.
One of the most common types of skin infections in dogs is in fact caused by the continuous, borderline compulsive licking of a wounded area of the skin. This condition known as Acral Lick Granuloma is often found on the lower front legs – an easily accessible area of the dog’s body, and one they tend to lick as often as possible. Due to the constant licking, the damaged area of skin is unable to heal itself resulting in more pain and infection, which in turn leads to itchiness, and thus more scratching and licking.
Sadly however, not all dog skin infections are as easy to notice as the above mentioned one. So what are the most common symptoms and signs of skin infections? And what are the best ways of figuring out if your dog is suffering from such a condition? Well, luckily for you, almost all skin infections can be identified through a simple visual inspection – that is to say that you can tell whether or not your dog is suffering from one; A clear diagnosis often times requires medical testing. So begin by closely examining your dog’s entire skin surface while looking for signs such as: Pustules; Crusted skin; Patches with less or no hair; Dried discharge on the skin; Crusted skin areas.
At the same time try and monitor your dog and see if they are suffering from itchiness – if you dog is scratching a part of their body more than the rest, or simply scratching itself more than usual, it can be a clear sign that something is wrong. Also worth noting is that some breeds of dogs are far more predisposed to skin infections than others: Breeds such as the ever-popular German Shepherd, as well as almost all breeds with skin folds and pressure calluses are at a risk. Puppies under the age of 12 months are likewise very prone to developing such skin conditions.
If you find that your dog is suffering from infections of the skin, take him to the vet immediately. If you cannot do so for the moment, then proceed to first clean out the wound and/or infection with antibacterial pet shampoo. The hair in the affected area might also require cutting for easier access and reduced risk of further infection. Once this is done, purchase and apply antibacterial creams and ointments for dogs. These often also have itch relieving properties, helping your dog cope with the constant discomfort.

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