Skin illnesses in dogs have lots of possible causes, but 1 or 2 skin conditions make up the great majority of skin problems. By far, the commonest skin conditions in dogs are due to allergies of variable types. The most common types of allergic responses are flea allergy, environmental allergy (atopy), and dietary sensitivity, in that exact order. Demodectic mange, a kind of mite invasion, is also fairly common in puppies.
Flea allergy is confusing to dog owners because it'll only take one or two fleas to lead to a dreadful problem for some dogs, and you will not always see the fleas in the house or on the dog. If your dog is severely itchy, particularly round the rump and back end, it is perhaps best to call your vet and ask for a recommendation for a good flea product. Flea allergy can and will affect a dog any time of the year, but has a tendency to be the worst in the latter summer and fall.
Environmental allergy, or atopy, is another typical trigger of skin disease in dogs. Just like people, dogs have an allergic sensitivity to airborne allergens in the environment,eg pollen, ragweed, and mold. Nevertheless unlike people who typically develop watery eyes and a dripping nose, dogs react to the antigens in the shape of itchy skin. Dogs experiencing this problem can be itchy anywhere on their body, but the most typical areas are the feet and the belly. Any sort of dog can be influenced, but smaller dogs such as the West Highland white terrier and the Bichon Frise, as well as the English bulldog are over represented. Atopy tends to appear during specific seasons, with the dog being affected in the spring, summer, and fall, and rarely in winter. Antihistamines and special shampoo therapy are used for atopy treatment.
Food allergy is the next most frequently seen trigger of skin illness in dogs and it's also the one of the toughtest skin disorders to diagnose. Food sensitivity happens when a dog becomes allergic to a protein that is present in the dog's food (or treats, or table scraps). The three commonest antigens that cause diet allergy are beef, dairy, and wheat, although plenty of other proteins can also be implicated. Food allergy can develop in a dog at any time, and often times the dog has been eating the same food for years without problems before it all of a sudden develops a problem. Diet allergy causes a dog to be itchy anywhere on its body and also frequently causes ear illnesses. If your vet suspects a dietary sensitivity, she will doubtless talk with you regarding a food trial for your dog, and prescribe a special kind of hypoallergenic dog diet.
Demodectic mange is a problem frequently seen in puppies, though not in adult dogs. The demodex mite infects the baby dog when it is awfully young, and causes patchy baldness and secondary diseases. Demodectic mange isn't the same as the allergic skin conditions because it is generally not itchy, and a skin scraping at the vet is needed to diagnose it.
Flea allergy is confusing to dog owners because it'll only take one or two fleas to lead to a dreadful problem for some dogs, and you will not always see the fleas in the house or on the dog. If your dog is severely itchy, particularly round the rump and back end, it is perhaps best to call your vet and ask for a recommendation for a good flea product. Flea allergy can and will affect a dog any time of the year, but has a tendency to be the worst in the latter summer and fall.
Environmental allergy, or atopy, is another typical trigger of skin disease in dogs. Just like people, dogs have an allergic sensitivity to airborne allergens in the environment,eg pollen, ragweed, and mold. Nevertheless unlike people who typically develop watery eyes and a dripping nose, dogs react to the antigens in the shape of itchy skin. Dogs experiencing this problem can be itchy anywhere on their body, but the most typical areas are the feet and the belly. Any sort of dog can be influenced, but smaller dogs such as the West Highland white terrier and the Bichon Frise, as well as the English bulldog are over represented. Atopy tends to appear during specific seasons, with the dog being affected in the spring, summer, and fall, and rarely in winter. Antihistamines and special shampoo therapy are used for atopy treatment.
Food allergy is the next most frequently seen trigger of skin illness in dogs and it's also the one of the toughtest skin disorders to diagnose. Food sensitivity happens when a dog becomes allergic to a protein that is present in the dog's food (or treats, or table scraps). The three commonest antigens that cause diet allergy are beef, dairy, and wheat, although plenty of other proteins can also be implicated. Food allergy can develop in a dog at any time, and often times the dog has been eating the same food for years without problems before it all of a sudden develops a problem. Diet allergy causes a dog to be itchy anywhere on its body and also frequently causes ear illnesses. If your vet suspects a dietary sensitivity, she will doubtless talk with you regarding a food trial for your dog, and prescribe a special kind of hypoallergenic dog diet.
Demodectic mange is a problem frequently seen in puppies, though not in adult dogs. The demodex mite infects the baby dog when it is awfully young, and causes patchy baldness and secondary diseases. Demodectic mange isn't the same as the allergic skin conditions because it is generally not itchy, and a skin scraping at the vet is needed to diagnose it.
About the Author:
Cathy Doggins is a well known, publisher, author and editor concentrating on dog health worries such as canine skin conditions. She has commitment to the care and humane treatment of animals and is a common contributor to the Dog Health Guide, one of the most popular online dog health resources online.
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