commom skin diseases in pet dogs?

Answer 1

Often, skin disease causes intense pruritis (itchiness). Dogs are like kids, they can’t simply be told to stop scratching. If they scratch excessively, they can develop hot spots. Hot spots are severe moist lesions caused by self-trauma (usually licking and chewing) that arise very quickly. They are extremely painful and usually need to be shaved (often requiring sedation) and disinfected. Oral antibiotics and treatment for the underlying cause (such as fleas) are also required. Sometimes steroids are used to help control the itching and inflammation until the underlying problem can be fixed. The photos on the right are examples of a hot spot under a dog’s ear. In this case, it was caused by an ear infection. The photo on the top is before any treatment. Below it is a photo of what the area looks like after it is shaved and cleaned. Ouch! (Thanks to thepetcenter.com for the use of these photos.)




Allergic skin disease has three causes. The most common cause is flea hypersensitivity. Many dogs are allergic to fleas. A dog that has a flea allergy does not have to be infested with fleas, it takes the bite of just one small flea to cause a dog to be itchy all over. External parasites can be prevented or treated by using medication available from your veterinarian. These products are typically safer and more effective than products you can buy at the store and are critical for keeping flea allergic dogs comfortable and flea free.

The second most common cause is atopy. This is a term that describes allergic skin disease caused by any inhaled allergen. Anything can cause it; dust mites, mold, pollen, etc. Finally, an allergy to a protein source (food allergy) is the third most common. Food allergies are the diagnosis in 1/3 of all cases of allergic skin disease in dogs less than one year of age.



Mange is caused by a parasite that lives in the hair follicles. There are two types, one that is contagious to people and one that is not. Demodectic mange is not contagious to people and is relatively easy to diagnose with a simple office procedure called a skin scraping. The mites are easy to remove from the follicles and are visible under a microscope. Demodex is typically a problem of young or immuno-compromised pets. Mild cases (with few spots of hair loss) tend to resolve without treatment. Severe, generalized Demodex is more difficult to manage. Demodectic mange does not typically cause severe pruritis, but does cause the hair to fall out, usually in a circular pattern. Sarcoptic mange causes severe pruritis. The mite that causes Sarcoptic mange, or scabies, is much more difficult to locate, even with multiple skin scrapings. Puppies that are very itchy should be treated for Sarcoptic mange, even if it cannot be found. This type of parasite will infect humans, so if you have itchy red bumps on your skin and your dog is very itchy, you need to see your MD and your dog needs to see your DVM!



Ringworm is not a worm at all, but a fungal infection. The fungus actually lives in the soil so all pets are exposed to it when they are outside. Ringworm is more prevalent in animals that are immuno-compromised, such as very young or very old patients. Once established in a home, it is very difficult to get rid of because it can survive in the carpeting and on upholstery. It is also contagious to people, especially children. Lesions on people look like circular or oval red lesions with a raised outer edge. The lesion looks similar on a dog, but the hair falls out completely in the center. Some of the fungi that cause ringworm will glow or fluoresce when exposed to a black light or Wood’s lamp. Another diagnostic test is called a DTM. A sample of the hair from the edge of the lesion is placed in a special container and kept in the dark. The culture medium in the container turns from yellow to red if positive for ringworm. This takes anywhere from a few days to two weeks.

Bacterial infections of the skin can be very mild, but can become severe if left untreated. Young puppies often get mild bacterial infections in their groin on the exposed skin. This is called puppy pyoderma. It looks like little pimples or even circular sores with skin peeling off the edges. If mild, this does not need to be treated and will resolve on its own. Usually, dogs that have severe bacterial skin infections, have some other problem that actually damaged the skin, allowing it to become infected. An example of this is a hot spot, as discussed above. Hot spots are not caused by bacteria, but once the dog damages the skin with licking and chewing, bacterial invaders worsen the problem.

Endocrine abnormalities can also cause skin disorders. Two of the more common examples are hypothyroidism and hyperadrenocorticism. These are relatively common problems in middle aged and senior dogs. One symptom common to both problems is the loss of hair along the trunk of the body, also called bilateral symmetrical alopecia. Hypothyroidism is relatively easy to diagnose and to treat, but it does require a fair amount of management between you and your veterinarian. Hyperadrenocorticism, or Cushing’s disease, is a little harder to diagnose, and a little harder to manage.

Obviously, most of the above problems need to be dealt with by your veterinarian. Veterinarians are trained to recognize and treat skin problems and also are aware of the potential for transmission to humans (zoonosis). This is especially important for those individuals who are immuno-compromised, including healthy children.

Answer 2

Allergic Dermatitis
Dogs can have allergic reactions to grooming products, food, and environmental irritants, such as pollen or insect bites. A dog with allergies may scratch relentlessly, and a peek at the skin often reveals an ugly rash. Corticosteroids can help with itchy rashes, but the most effective treatment is to identify and avoid exposure to the allergens.
Yeast Infection
If your dog can't seem to stop scratching an ear or licking and chewing her toes, ask your veterinarian to check for a yeast infection. Symptoms include irritated, itchy, or discolored skin. The infection usually strikes the paws or ears, where yeast has a cozy space to grow. Yeast infections are easy to diagnose and often respond well to a topical cream. In some cases, your veterinarian may prescribe oral drugs or medicated baths.
Folliculitis
Superficial bacterial folliculitis is an infection that causes sores, bumps, and scabs on the skin. These skin abnormalities are easier to see in shorthaired dogs. In longhaired dogs, the most obvious symptoms may be a dull coat and shedding with scaly skin underneath. Folliculitis often occurs in conjunction with other skin problems, such as mange, allergies, or injury. Treatment may include oral antibiotics and antibacterial ointments or shampoos.
Impetigo
Another type of bacterial infection, impetigo is most common in puppies. It causes pus-filled blisters that may break and crust over. The blisters usually develop on the hairless portion of the abdomen. Impetigo is rarely serious and can be treated with a topical solution. In a small number of cases, the infection may spread or persist.

http://symbiosisonlinepublishing.com/dermatology/

Answer 3

Making dietary changes is your first line of defense in treating hypothyroidism. Learn here https://tr.im/xDAyn

Many people with hypothyroidism experience crippling fatigue and brain fog, which prompts reaching for non-nutritional forms of energy like sugar and caffeine. I’ve dubbed these rascals the terrible twosome, as they can burn out your thyroid (and destabilize blood sugar).

1. Just say no to the dietary bungee cord. Greatly reduce or eliminate caffeine and sugar, including refined carbohydrates like flour, which the body treats like sugar. Make grain-based carbohydrates lesser of a focus, eating non-starchy vegetables to your heart’s content.

2. Up the protein. Protein transports thyroid hormone to all your tissues and enjoying it at each meal can help normalize thyroid function. Proteins include nuts and nut butters; quinoa; hormone- and antibiotic-free animal products (organic, grass-fed meats, eggs, and sustainably-farmed fish); and legumes.

Answer 4

1

Answer 5

Lipoma is the most common disease in pets