Like human skin conditions there many similar causes of skin problems in dogs. Actually some dog skin infections,eg ringworm, can be passed between humans and dogs. The following describes the most common symptoms and what should be done in order to identify the problem that is impacting your dog.
Bacterial Contagions
Skin infections are frequently found in dogs and are one of the leading reasons for skin problems. Of all infections the often seen type is bacterial, which is also known as pyoderma or that which contains to pus. Bacterial infections require treatment to stop them from passing through the body and possibly to inner organs. Symptoms include red zits, red bumps, skin chancres, skin scraping, and patches of thinning hair. Infection on the paws takes the form of skin cysts between the toes. Besides diagnosing the issue, your vet will want to comprehend the cause including injury, ingrown hairs, splinters, environmental sensitivities, problematic skin issues such as flaking, autoimmune disease, tumors, poor nutrition, prescription treatments and fungal illnesses such as ringworm. To reach a diagnosis, the vet can study the skin specimen on a slide or send a scraping to a lab to determine the exact infection causing the lesions.
Skin diseases are essentially treated with antibiotics selected to match the infection causing the condition. Medications are provided in either daily, 2 times each day or 3 times times per day dosages. Medicines are taken for another two weeks after the infection is gone to make certain the dog is cured. Also a vet may suggest a medicated shampoo and sprays.
Fungal Skin Conditions (Mycosis)
Most fungal contagions in dogs are called grass contagions, which are sometimes used by veterinarian’s as a catch all name when a veterinarian doesn’t know precisely what sort of fungus is causing the ailment. The condition is generally spread when a dog comes in contact with spore filled dirt. The diagnosis is based on taking a fungal culture in the doctor’s office. Some types of fungus are region specific which is reliant on the animal life in the area and how the dirt is being contaminated. One of the best known, but not common kinds of fungal infection is ringworm. This type of fungus is diagnosed with a woods lamp, which casts ultraviolet light on the infection. Sometimes ringworm is diagnosed on the owner, and then dogs, cats and other pets are inspected for symptoms of infection. Isolated patches may heal without being treated. Diseases that have spread are treated with a dip like lime sulfur. Medications are available, but have other issues like diarrhea and weight loss.
Prevention of infection involves following hygienic measures. Areas where infected dogs and cats have lived must be vacuumed, cleaned and disinfected to avoid the return of any problems. If your pet has any type of infection, use gloves when handling, since problems like Ringworm can pass from dog to family members.
Cathy Doggins is a canine fan, publisher and author of hundreds of articles on skin conditions in dogs. She’s a contributor to well-known online publcations such as the Dog Health Guide and others.
