Your Dog and Skin Problems

Your dog's coat and skin are great indicators of its general health and condition. Skin disease is a common problem among dogs and is attributable to insects, environmental and hormonal issues. These diseases can be very disturbing to your dog and frustrating to you if left untreated, but most skin diseases are treatable and with some preventive measures your dog will enjoy a healthier life.

 Skin and Coat

A dog's skin is different from a human's. Human skin is tough and has a good supply of blood vessels and sweat glands, whereas, a dog's skin is more sensitive and thinner with no sweat glands (except in feet pads). 

In addition, its skin helps retain water in the tissues; it’s essential in producing vitamins, iinsulates for extreme hot and cold temperatures and is a barrier against foreign bodies/bacteria.

A dog's skin consists of two layers. The outer layer (epidermis) covers the nose and feet pads; it is scaly and tough, but the creases of the groin and under the legs are thin. The inside layer (dermis) nourishes the epidermis and produces hair follicles, toenails and the sebaceous glands, which secrete oil for waterproofing the coat. 

Fleas

Fleas are the most common skin problem for dogs. Fleas are a parasite and can be seen as black and white (flea eggs and feces) sand size specs in the coat. Flea bites cause a mild itching and are found around the tail, hindquarters and back. In cases of heavy, untreated flea infestation, severe anemia or death may occur.

To treat flea bites, an owner must rid the dog of fleas with flea shampoo, collar, dusting or spray. Bedding and carpets (in the home) should also be treated.

 

Ticks

Ticks are small, flat insects; they usually attach to a dog around the neck, head and between the toes, and then continually feed on the dog. All ticks are capable of transmitting diseases such as, tularemia, encephalitis, Q-fever or Rocky Mountain spotted fever and may cause tick 'paralysis.

To treat for ticks, you must first kill the tick. Apply alcohol, fingernail polish or ether to the tick with a Q-tip, and then grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and steadily pull until it detaches from the dog. This procedure is the easiest for a few ticks, but for heavier infestations, dips and dusting produce the best results.

Bedding and carpets should also be cleaned, and for outdoor tick control, grass, brushes and weeds should be cut and the area dusted or sprayed with insecticide.

 Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is a deficiency of the thyroid gland, under producing the thyroid hormone. This disease causes the coat to become thin and the hair course and brittle that easy falls out. The skin also becomes thick, dark in color and tough. It also affects the dog's energy level, causing it to become lethargic, have droopy eyelids and lack mental sharpness.

Treatment for hypothyroidism requires a visit to a veterinarian, a blood test and daily thyroid hormone treatments. 

Sores

There are two common types of sores, lick and pressure. Lick sores are found on the ankle or wrist and are caused by constant licking of the same spot, causing the hair to be rubbed off. The spot then becomes red, shiny and itchy. Lick sores are signs that the dog is bored.  Applying cortisone will ease the itching, but interesting activities, a change in environment, being walked every day, a trip to a dog park, or maybe a new playmate will also be needed to prevent reoccurrences.

Pressure sores are found on the elbows, buttocks and sides of the legs. At first, they are gray, thick, hairless pads of skin, but left unchecked, they can cause the skin to break down.

Pressure sores are caused from laying on hard surfaces for long periods of time. 

Treatment is antibiotic cream along with thick, soft bedding to offset the hard surfaces.

 

Prevention

Basic prevention for dog skin problems are baths, brushing and grooming.

Generally, baths should be given once or twice a year.

Brush your dog about 10 minutes each day and clip its toenails as needed. Regularly check the coat, ears, feet pads and toenails for signs of any problems. Consult a veterinarian with any concerns and for the best skin prevention/treatment for your breed of dog.

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