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Five Common Skin Problems Affecting your Pooch, Part 1

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Your dog’s skin can be as sensitive as any human’s. Canines suffer from rashes, itches and burns. If you want to ensure your pet retains a healthy skin under a shiny coat, you need to be aware of the 5 most common skin problems that could affect him or her.

 

Atopic Allergies

 

This skin problem is at the top of any veterinarian’s list. It is the number 1 dermatologic disease affecting your canine companion. Atopic allergies, in fact, are greater causal factors in skin problems than food allergies. Atopic Allergies continue to offer a challenge to the owner. While your dog may be allergic to mold, house dust, fungi and pollens, do not expect him or her to sneeze. Dogs do not express their allergies in this way. Generally allergies surface as a skin problem.

 

The exact process is unknown. What does happen is this. There is a release of histamines in the skin. It causes an itch. At the beginning, the itch may be seasonal. Your dog may get a “hot spot” during a particular month or season.

 

Eventually, depending upon the predisposition of the animal and other factors, the itch will extend its stay. Eventually, it will be part of the animal’s every day life. The poor creature will itch all-year round. Changing the diet may help the problem. Some individuals recommend the addition of Omega-3 fatty acids. This is sometimes given in conjunction with Biotin, a B vitamin.

 

Another solution is bathing the animal. Medicated shampoos, however, only offer temporary relief. Medication, on the other hand, can prove to be effective. The most common drugs employed were antihistamines and prednisone and hyposesitization vaccines. Today, a safer drug is in use. This is cyclosporine.

 

Fleas and Ticks

 

Fleas and ticks are common parasites found on dogs. Most dog owners have, at one time or another, seen ticks. They leap around from host to rug and back again. They feed on the blood of the dog, sucking at sensitive areas such as the tail base and the groin. Ticks are also blood suckers. They fasten themselves wherever they can.

 

The dog does not react directly to the bite of the flea, but to its saliva. Ths produces the itch. You can try many treatments - powders, soaps, shampoos. The best solution is preventative. You need to kill them off before they bite.

 

Bacterial and Yeast Infection

 

Bacterial and yeast infections occur after the immune system of the dog becomes compromised. The skin of your dog naturally contains both yeast and bacteria. If the dog suffers some problem resulting in a weakened immune system, infections can occur. The treatment is preventative in nature. You must take care of the causal factor. You need to take care of the health issue creating a weakened immune system. When you manage to control this, you will reduce substantially the chances of either a bacterial or yeast infection. This approach has become critical with the recent appearance of a superbacterium. This particular strand is hard to kill.

 

In the next installment, we will consider 2 other types of skin problems: Ear Infections and Mites.

 

Article written by Lacy Kelley of ohmydogsupplies.com, check out our complete assortment of dog seat covers online.