The first thing you need to understand about dogs, is that their skin is covered in a specific oil that protects them and gives their coat a shiny look. Skin allergies can be a real nightmare when it comes to dogs. It can be really difficult finding the cause of the allergy and you need to work fast in order to find the source of the problem. Skin problems are the number one reason why owners take their pets to the vet; this can be because the dog?s skin has only one layer and it is much more sensitive and delicate. Any skin condition is usually called dermatitis, until a more specific diagnosis is found by the vet. It is not hard to figure out something is wrong with your dog?s skin; it all starts with scratching, itching, licking paws and signs of inflammation on different areas of the body.
Just like humans, dogs are allergic to a lot of things. They can be allergic to food, chemicals found in their shampoo and even to fabric and material. Believe it or not, skin problems are not entirely caused by external factors, such as bacteria, parasites, chemicals, shampoos, etc. The food that your dog eats can also affect the animal?s skin, causing it to get dry and flaky. A balanced diet, rich in fatty acids and proteins will keep the animal healthy; you can also add some vegetables in your dog?s food, or give him supplements to make sure it gets all the nutrients needed.
1. Narrowing it down
Once you notice a change in your dog?s appearance or behavior, you need to take immediate action. For instance, if you notice your dog scratching more often than usual, take a close look at his skin. Look for any signs of rash or blotches. If the skin is red or if the animal has scratched himself until bleeding point, take him to the vet right away. Even though he will not like it, he will have to wear a cone. This will help him to stop scratching and getting further injuries. Skin infections caused by bacteria, also called pyoderma, can occur as:
- Abscess (occurs when a wound is infected, usually caused by a bite from another animal);
Eczema (irritation, probably caused by an insect bite that the dog scratched or bit and it became sore and infected). The area is hot and hairless and will develop pus and also a crust.
Flea bites can also affect your dog?s skin, especially if your pet is allergic to the flea?s saliva that comes with the bite. But be careful what flea treatment you give to your dog! Some animals are also allergic to the flea collar, for example, and the skin will get red and irritated around the neck.
Ringworm fungus is also a common cause for hair loss and scabbing skin areas and it is transmissible to humans and other animals that come in contact with your dog. A fungicide treatment (like foot creams) is an effective way to get rid of the problem.
2. Taking out the source of the problem
As part of the treatment, once you find the source of the problem, you will have to take it out. Like we said, dogs can be allergic to something from his regular diet, his shampoo, his bed or his toys even. In order to find out which item triggered the skin allergy, you will need to remove them all at once, and introduce them back into his life one at a time. Pay attention to his health and notice any changes to the things that you bring back into his diet or lifestyle.
3. Getting proper treatment
Even though allergies do not really show for a long period of time, you do need to pay attention to them. You dog needs proper treatment once you have the right diagnosis. The only person that can offer you the right type of treatment is a vet. Only they can tell you exactly what type of medication you can use on your furry friend. And whatever you do, do not try to treat your dog by yourself.
To summarize, the most frequent signs of a dog?s skin condition are:
? Scaly and rough areas
? Hair loss
? Irritation around the back, tail, abdomen
? Itching, chewing and licking some particular skin areas
? Red sports and scabs
Keep in mind that, when dealing with dog skin diseases, while the source of itching may vary (disorders caused by warm weather and moist climate, for example), but the symptoms, scratches, lacerations and opened wounds can be easily cured, with minimum trauma for the skin and animal. You just have to get your furry buddy to the vet as soon as you see any suspicious signs, so that he can diagnose and address the problem ASAP.
For future reference, a proper treatment for skin allergies for dogs includes special baths, creams and ointments. Along with these medications, you will also need to change its diet. The food that your dog should receive needs to have a neutral ph. The best thing to do is to ask your vet what kind of diet your pet needs. There are some characteristics about dog food that you do not or might naught understand.
