Dog Skin Care

Bacterial skin infections are often caused by normal flora (bacteria usually found on the skin in low numbers) which for some reason multiply more than they should. Causes of bacterial infections can be a puppy’s immature immune system (puppy pyoderma), excessive moisture on the skin (e.g. dogs who swim frequently), and inflammation of the skin (usually from an underlying allergy).

Ringworm is an imposter and not a worm at all! Ringworm is a fungal infection. Ringworm only constitutes a small percentage of skin infections seen at our clinic and is most common in warm, humid weather. Diagnosis of Ringworm is done via examination of the lesions (areas of hair loss) by UV light (Wood’s lamp) and by taking a fungal culture that is sent off to a lab for analysis. Treatment is through anti-fungal medication for your pet as prescribed by your veterinarian. Ringworm is a zoonotic disease (one that can be spread from animal to humans) and is highly contagious. Strict hygiene measures are needed when handling a pet with ringworm to prevent cross-contamination. Lesions in people often appear the same as in animals. If you suspect you have contracted Ringworm from your pet, please speak with your doctor about treatment.

Just like people, pets can be allergic to many things. The cause of allergies in pets are broken into two categories, food allergies and atopy – i.e. airborne allergens that your pet inhales/ come in contact with. Any pet can fall victim to allergies with the age of onset typically being between 6 months and three years. Allergies affect male and females equally. Treatment falls into three categories – avoiding the offending allergen, controlling the itching, and providing immunotherapy (e.g. injections to build up a tolerance to the allergen). The best course of action is often a combination of treatments with regular medical progress consultations to assess how your pet is doing. It is important to understand that identifying the cause of your pet’s itching can be a lengthy process and following your Veterinarian’s instructions to the T is necessary to keep treatment and diagnosis on track. For some pets, it takes many months for treatment to have positive effects, but the investment of your time is well worth it for you and your pet.

The most common external parasite found in our neck of the woods is the flea. The flea is one of the leading causes of pruritis (severe itching) in pets. Other skin parasites include lice, mites, and the ever-increasing population of ticks. Aside from uncomfortable itching, these parasites bring with them some other potential health concerns for your pet such as tapeworm, anemia, tick-borne diseases including Lyme disease, and secondary bacterial infections as a result of intense, repetitive scratching. With the many safe and effective parasite control products available from your veterinary clinic these pests are easy to avoid. Taking a preventive approach to parasites will save you and your pet a lot of unwanted and unnecessary discomfort and expense.

Hormone imbalances can affect your pet’s health in many ways. Hormonal skin disease happens when there is an overabundance (hyper) or not enough of a hormone (hypo). Symptoms typically involve hair loss and thinning or thickening of the skin. Pets suffering from hormonal skin disease are usually not itchy. Certain hormonal skin diseases can be diagnosed through blood tests and successfully managed with medications or other treatments. Skin issues related to sex hormones can often be addressed through neutering. Some hormonal skin diseases are difficult to diagnose, and it is important to note that whenever there is a hormonal issue, other areas of the body besides the skin are affected and can lead to issues beyond skin and coat condition.