9 Common Dog Skin Problems with Pictures (Prevention and Treatment)
A variety of different skin conditions in dogs are the most common health issues that pet owners have to deal with. There are numerous dog skin problems you’re likely to encounter in your pup’s lifetime, and it’s important to know what they are, how to spot them and deal with them effectively. Here are some of the most common dog skin problems photos and their description.
1. Dry, Flaky Skin
Dry and flaky skin is also often referred to as itchy skin because it will always cause itching related discomfort for the dog. In most cases of dry and flaky dog skin problems, this is not a serious issue. However, it can by a symptom of mange, allergies or other skin diseases discussed below which can be more dangerous to the dog. Many canines will suffer from dry and flaky skin during the winter months.
How to Prevent It:
Since dry dog skin problems have multiple potential causes, it is not easy to pinpoint one exact thing that you can do to prevent it.
Dry skin can be due to nutrient deficiency, so make sure that your dog’s diet is adequate and well-balanced. Note that as seasons change, your dog’s nutritional needs also change and you may need to adjust the foods you’re feeding.
Some other possible causes can be bad hygiene, poor grooming or lack there of. Too much grooming can also be the issue. Bathe your dog once a month, but not more often to avoid over-bathing and stripping of essential oils. Use gentle soaps or vet approved dog shampoos without synthetic ingredients for bathing; oalmeal shampoos are considered the best for dogs. Using human shampoo to bathe a dog can also cause this problem. Brush your dog’s coat daily, particularly in winter, to stimulate natural oils.
How to Treat It:
If the canine suffers from dry or itchy dog skin problems, the first step is to determine the exact cause and this can only be done through examination at the vet clinic. If dry skin is not caused by an underlying disease, allergies or parasites, treating this issue will be simple and likely require a change of habits (better diet and hygiene). If the problem is only a symptom of some other health issue, consult with your vet on treatment options.
2. Allergic Dermatitis
These types of dog skin problems are brought on by allergies. Allergies in dogs are a complex issue for pet owners to investigate because canines can have allergic reactions to many things, including food, grooming products or environmental allergens like pollen or dust mites. Insect bites can also cause allergies in dogs. Some of the symptoms include relentless scratching and licking due to itching and rashes, among other signs.
How to Prevent It:
Keep your house clean to eliminate allergens like dust mites. If you have multiple pets, you can even use pet dander removers to ensure one pet doesn’t cause allergies in another pet.
Wash your dog’s bedding and bathe your dog about once a month. Note that some dog grooming products, particularly shampoos, can cause allergic reactions in dogs too. Most often these are products with a large number of synthetic ingredients or those made for humans. Always rinse off shampoo or soap thoroughly after the bath. You can also try hypoallergenic shampoos or medicated dog shampoos.
If you notice that your dog is scratching or licking more than usual, put a Elizabethan collar on him and keep an “itch diary” to track possible causes and prevent more serious dog skin problems that your pup will cause through constant scratching. Food related allergies in dogs cannot be prevent since there’s no way to know what the dog will be allergic to in advance.
How to Treat It:
Properly identifying the allergen that caused these dog skin problems is important so you can treat the underlying cause and prevent future instances by avoiding exposure to the allergens. Some of the conventional treatments include drugs like Apoquel or Atopica, as well as Hydrocortisone cream (corticosteroids) which can help with rashes and treating infections on the skin. However, there are also many natural remedies you can use, such as green tea, licorice, nettles or supplements like quercetin and colostrum but there’s little to no scientific evidence in terms of their effectiveness.
Despite popular belief, food related allergies in dogs are much less common than those caused by environment. As a last resort, you can investigate a food related allergy by consult with a vet, and your pup is likely to be placed on elimination diet.
3. Parasitic Infection
External parasites are also a common cause of allergies and subsequently of several dog skin problems. Mites, fleas and ticks are the most common culprits, and each are unique in the way they work, how to prevent and treat them.
Mites
Mites found on dogs are tiny parasites that cause a skin condition known as mange. Dogs can suffer from many types of mange, but the two most common ones are sarcoptic mange (canine scabies) and demodectic mange (Demodicosis).
Sarcoptic mange is contagious and spreads easily, while demodectic mange is not contagious. Sarcoptic mange can cause itching, sores, red skin and hair loss, while demodectic mange cause sores, bald spots and scabbing.
Prevention – Preventing mange is only possible by keeping your dog away from already infected dogs.
Treatment – Treatment of mange in dogs will depend on the type that your dog has. Sarcoptic mange is easily treated with topical products that contain selamectin, like Revolution from Zoetis. Some oral products are also used if they contain milbemycin. Milbemycin can also be effective when treating demodectic mange. Other common fixes include bathing your dog once a week with insecticide called amitraz or benzoyl peroxide, commonly found in medicated dog shampoos.
Fleas
Fleas are probably the most common problem for dog owners to deal with and they can cause some dog skin problems. Fleas are tiny insects that often go unnoticed themselves, but you can usually see their eggs or droppings in or on your dog’s coat. Symptoms of fleas to look for are excessive scratching or licking, hot spots and scabs, while severe flea infestations can even lead to anemia and blood loss in dogs.
Prevention – The most well-known prevention is using flea preventatives like flea collars, pills, drops and other. Also, if you have a yard, keep it clean. Mow the grass regularly and keep the bushes and shrubs trimmed. Don’t leave bowls with dog food outside since this can attract wild animals like raccoons or possums, as well as feral cats and dogs who will all carry fleas. You also have to keep your house neat. Vacuum regularly (it’s a good idea to have a separate pet-specific vacuum) and wash your dog’s bedding, toys and crate with hot water. Make it a habit to check your dog for fleas and tick on a regular basis, especially if your dog spends a lot of time outdoors.
Treatment – If you are sure that your dog has fleas, purchase one of many best flea treatments that kill both adult fleas and their larvae. Killing the larvae is crucial to getting completely rid of fleas because flea re-infestation is very common. Check the product to make sure that it contains a larvae-killing chemical like pyriproxyfen or methoprene. Follow the instructions on the product and don’t forget to treat your home for fleas as well using carpet sprays/powders or other solutions to prevent future flea problems.
Ticks
Ticks are external parasites just like fleas that feed on the blood of their host but significantly more dangerous, bringing more serious health issues than just dog skin problems. Ticks are easy to spot with the naked eye. It is important to react fast if you notice that your dog has ticks since they can cause anemia, blood loss and even transmit Lyme disease and other bacterial infections which can be deadly.
Prevention – Take the same steps to prevent your dog from coming in contact with ticks as you would for fleas – most good flea preventatives like like topical creams, shampoos, sprays and powders will also contain tick preventatives, and they go hand in hand. Similarly, clean your home and backyard regularly and check your dog often for ticks.
Treatment – Physically removing ticks is the only available treatment. To remove a tick the right way, grasp it with tweezers and pull it straight out. Be gentle when you do this since pulling too hard, as well as twisting, can lead to tick’s head staying lodged in your dog’s skin which can sometimes lead to infection. You can also use a dog tick remover which helps to avoid that problem. If your dog has a severe tick infestation, take him to the vet to treat the problem, usually with an insecticide dip.
4. Bacterial Infections
In addition to parasitic infections, common dog skin problems can also be caused due to bacterial infections. Although there are many bacteria which can lead to infections visible on the dog’s skin, the most common skin conditions that occur as a result of bacterial infections are folliculitis and impetigo.
Folliculitis
Folliculitis is a bacterial infection which can cause various skin abnormalities in dogs, such as bumps, sores and scabs. These dog skin problems are easily spotted in short-haired dogs, while long-haired dogs may have a dull coat and shed a lot. Folliculitis can also be caused by an allergic reaction described above.
Prevention – There isn’t much you can do to prevent bacterial folliculitis in dogs. However, since the allergic reaction to fleas can sometimes lead to folliculitis, you should follow the steps described above for flea and tick prevention.
Treatment – Treatment of bacterial folliculitis requires a three-pronged approach: topical therapy, systemic therapy, and treatment of any underlying disorder. Antimicrobial drugs are almost always employed, and this must all be done with your veterinarian’s supervision.
Impetigo
Impetigo is also a bacterial infection but unlike folliculitis it’s most often found in puppies. The most prominent symptom of impetigo in dogs are blisters that are filled with pus. These blisters often break and crust over. They usually develop on the pet’s abdomen on hairless pieces of skin. Generally, this is not a serious condition and it is easily treated, although the infection may persist or spread in some cases.
Prevention – Same as with folliculitis, there isn’t much you can do to prevent impetigo. It is mostly caused by the staphylococcus bacteria, which can live easily in a free environment and there’s no way to predict this.
Treatment – Even though impetigo can sometimes resolve on its own, it is best to treat it to prevent further spreading of the disease. The treatment usually entails a combination of medicated shampoo, topical creams and antibiotics.
5. Yeast Infection
Yeast infection symptoms in dogs include itchy, irritated or discolored skin and it usually occurs on pet’s ears and paws. If you notice that your dog is incessantly scratching his ear or chewing and licking his toes, it is possible that he has a yeast infection. It is also common for a yeast infection to smell bad and you might even smell it before you see it.
How to Prevent It:
Yeast infection is more common in hot summer months, so avoid spending too much time in the sun with your pooch. Regular bathing is also a good way to prevent yeast infection, as well as avoiding sugary treats or very high-carb meals that may feed the infection.
How to Treat It:
The treatment of the yeast infection will often depend on the spot where it occurred. However, it is common for dog yeast infections to be treated with topical creams, or medicated dog shampoo baths, and oral drugs in some cases.
6. Seborrhea
Seborrhea is a skin condition that causes dandruff and greasy skin. Sometimes seborrhea related dog skin problems are caused due to genetic disorders, and if that’s the case then it’ll last for the dog’s entire life and will become apparent during the dog’s first two years of life. However, most commonly it’s a symptom of some other medical problem, like hormonal abnormalities, autoimmune disorders, allergies or parasites.
How to Prevent It:
There is no way to prevent idiopathic (genetic) seborrhea. Preventing seborrhea caused by parasites or allergies is possible if you prevent contact with parasites or allergens using prevention tips mentioned above. Note the dangers of certain medicated shampoos for dogs prone to asthma attacks.
How to Treat It:
Treatment of seborrhea in dogs will depend on the underlying disease. Idiopathic seborrhea can’t be healed, but it can be managed. It is usually managed with proper hygiene and adjusted nutrition, which is best discussed and planned in coordination with your veterinarian. Regular dog dandruff treatments were also found ineffective for idiopathic seborrhea, but were effective for cases caused due to allergies or parasites.
7. Alopecia
Alopecia is a disease that causes excessive shedding and hair loss in dogs. Alopecia related dog skin problems have multiple potential causes, including stress and poor nutrition, as well as allergies, parasites and bacterial infections mentioned above. In some cases, alopecia can be caused by genetic disorders in dogs, too.
How to Prevent It:
Because there’s a strong correlation between nutrition and alopecia, prevention of these dog skin problems is achieved with a high-quality diet of top quality foods, using tick or flea repellents and providing a stress-free environment for your pooch. Genetic alopecia can only be avoided with responsible breeding.
How to Treat It:
Treatment of alopecia entails treating the cause, in those cases where that is possible. In addition to topical creams and antibiotics for dogs with alopecia, another common approach includes supplements in diet that will stimulate hair growth, like vitamin D, melatonin and fish oil supplements with omega-3 essential fatty acids.
8. Ringworm
Even though the name suggests otherwise, ringworm is not actually a worm but a fungus. Circular patches that can appear anywhere on your dog’s body are the one specific symptom responsible for the “ring” in the name of this disease. These lesions are often accompanied with scaly patches, inflammation and hair loss among other dog skin problems. This disease is more common in puppies and can spread quickly to other dogs if left untreated.
How to Prevent It:
The best way to prevent ringworm is to ensure there’s no contact between infected and non-infected dogs since outbreaks are more common in puppy mills, animal shelters, pet stores and other similar living conditions where animals are lumped together.
How to Treat It:
The usual and most effective treatment protocol for ringworm is basically a three-step approach with the application of topical medication, using oral medication and dealing with the external environment.
9. Skin Tumors
Skin cancer or tumor, while least common, is the most serious condition among all other mentioned dog skin problems and it requires immediate reaction. If you notice any hard lumps on your dog’s skin, take him to the vet right away to get a full diagnosis.
How to Prevent It:
Skin tumors can be caused by viruses, hormones and genetic factors, but statistically they are most commonly caused by sun exposure, especially in dogs with light-colored or thin fur. Keep your pooch away from unnecessary sun exposure, always provide enough shade in summer and use sunscreen for dogs. Also, inspect your dog’s skin regularly, at least once a month but preferably every time you groom the dog.
How to Treat It:
Even though there are many types of skin cancers, the most common treatment is surgical removal. Depending on the stage in which the tumor has been discovered, this can be a very effective option and prognosis for skin tumors that are localized and not spread is very good. In other cases where tumors have spread, radiation and chemotherapy might also be necessary, but the prognosis is less favorable.
At the Tail’s End
These were some of the most common dog kin problems that you’re likely to deal with, but there are plenty more skin conditions out there to learn about.
The one tip that applies to all of the above mentioned dog skin problems is to maintain regular proper grooming habits, feed high quality and well-balanced diet, check your dog’s skin for any changes regularly and if you notice any color or texture changes, lesions, hot spots, or anything at all unusual, take your pooch to the vet to get a diagnosis. Analyze the above dog skin problems photos to recognize any of them on your pooch and deal with it fast.
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