How to Avoid Dog Skin Problems
Sponsored linksDog skin problems are the reason for almost half of vet’s visits It’s hard to diagnose skin problems in dogs which is why we need a vet’s opinion. If you have an older dog, it’s important to have any lumps and bumps on your dog’s skin examined in case of tumors.
If your dog is constantly scratching, you need to find the cause. Treating the itch alone will not solve the problem and it will keep recurring until it is fixed. Untreated skin problems can also lead to personality changes and aggression and will ultimately affect your dog’s general health.
Skin diseases in dogs can be of two types, autoimmune or immune mediated. Autoimmune skin diseases are caused mainly by allergies whereas immune mediated are caused by a weak immune system. The main symptoms of dog skin problems are inflammation, itching. Hair loss, lesions and lumps on the skin. Your dog will lick scratch and bite himself, or roll around on the ground to try and stop the discomfort.
Your vet will examine the dog’s skin with and ultra violet light and may take a scraping of skin for more accurate diagnosis. Where the problem is hard to diagnose, a sample of blood may be taken as well.
The type of skin disease affecting your dog will dictate which treatment is used. For allergic skin reactions, antihistamines are usually recommended. Fungal skin infections such as ringworm can be treated with an anti fungal shampoo. Bacterial skin infections (pyoderma) will need antibiotics.
Dog skin problems can be partly prevented by a healthy diet and by washing and grooming your dog regularly. For mild skin irritations, here’s a few natural solutions…
Run some water through a bag containing colloidal oatmeal and use this to wash your dog.
Rub your dog’s skin with aloe vera gel after grooming
Mix some garlic with your dog’s food to keep fleas away.
For itchy skin and insect bites, add some baking soda to your dog’s bath.
For itchy feet, dissolve Epsom salts in some cool water.
I hope you find these suggestions helpful. However if the problem doesn’t respond, don’t hesitate to consult your vet. If not treated properly, dog skin problems will only get worse and result in more serious health issues.
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