Skin Disorders That Effect Our Canine Friends And When It Is Time To Visit Contact The Vet

Just like their human counterparts, our furry canine friends are subject to a broad assortment of dog skin diseases that can appear as a long list of symptoms. It can be tricky for the average dog lovers to decide when to try at-home remedies and when to arrange for animal care for their puppy or adult dog.

The first thing to contemplate is whether the skin problem is causing pain for your pet. Many skin disorders cause some degree of inflammation. If your dog is mildly itchy, or itching occasionally, you could be ready to get by with home treatments to help in eliminating the irritation. However , if your dog is itching to the point of causing redness or alopecia, or if he is so itchy that it’s interfering with his ordinary activities “i.e, he stops in the middle of playing to take a seat and gnaw on himself ” that is thought to be chronic itchiness and he likely needs prescription medicines that only your vet can prescribe.

The second thing to contemplate is the age of your dog. If your dog is a a pup then you need to see the vet for any concerns. Puppies are commonly diagnosed with conditions that are typically unusual in adult dogs. For example, many puppies are either born with worms (roundworms) or acquire them shortly after birth (hookworms, whipworms). These puppies may not show any outward indicators of worm infestation apart from a dreary, dry hair coat. A vet visit is usually required to microscopically identify the kind of worm present and start the baby dog on an acceptable dewormer.

Another condition that is often seen in pups and not in adult dogs is demodecosis, which is a kind of mange (mite plague) that is purchased by the young dog shortly after birth. It causes mild to severe hair loss and secondary illnesses, and needs a vet visit and skin scraping with miniscule analysis for diagnosis.

The next thing to think about is whether your dog has any other symptoms at the same as the skin disorder. A skin condition can be because of either a first skin disease, or can just be a sign of a disease that may also be having an effect on other body systems. For example, an hormonal disease such as hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing’s Disease) could cause severe hair loss and thin/fragile skin, but isn’t a primary skin condition. It may also cause loss of overall condition excessive puffing, a bloated abdomen, and other symptoms. It is really important to be observant and if you happen to spot a change in appetite, activity level, urination habits, or any other changes along with a skin condition, you must seek veterinary care. Your veterinarian should be able to discuss with you potential issues and lab tests needed to rule out those diseases.

In the present day economy, often it is necessary to try home treatments before looking for professional vet care, but there are some circumstances that need immediate veterinary care. If your pet isn’t comfortable due to red and inflamed skin or severe itchiness, if your dog is a young dog with skin illness, or if your dog has other symptoms in addition to the skin illness, don't delay and seek veterinary care sooner rather than later.

The author, Cathy Doggins, is a well known researcher, editor and contributor to leading online publications such as the Dog Health Guide. Cathy has written at length on canine skin problems and other dog health diseasese. When not caring for her dogs, she’s is a supporter of dog adoption foundations and the humane treatment of puppies, kittens, cats and dogs.