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Skin Conditions Common In Dogs

Cats Are Also Impacted You love having your dog sleep at the foot of your bed, snoozing away in comfort. But there haven’t been many silent nights, as your dog seems to pick this time to bite, scratch and lick himself. It’s often more than just an annoyance. It could be atopic dermatitis.

Itching To Get To The Vet Atopic dermatitis and pyoderma—skin conditions most commonly affecting dogs—are two of the top reasons pets visited vets. In fact, more than 90,000 claims for skin conditions were filed by VPI Pet Insurance policyholders in 2007.       Skin conditions affect cats, too: atopic dermatitis was the fifth most common reason VPI policyholders brought their cats to the veterinarian last year. What Is Atopic Dermatitis? Atopic dermatitis is an allergic skin disease caused by an immunological hypersensitivity to common environmental substances, such as pollen, dust mites or mold. The condition can also lead to others: atopic dermatitis is the No. 1 underlying cause of ear infections, according to the International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP). Perhaps not coincidentally, ear infections are also the No. 1 reason VPI policyholders take their dogs to veterinarians. Signs of Atopic Dermatitis The dog incessantly bites, licks and scratches specific areas of its body, causing irritation of the skin. The corners of your dog’s mouth, chin, groin, armpits or between the toes can be stained red-brown from saliva. Black mottling, called hyperpigmentation, is seen on formerly pink skin after the red, irritated skin has gone. Like humans, dogs can get itchy skin through contact with pollen, grass or even carpet. Certain foods can also cause the reaction.    Treating Dermatitis While there is no cure for atopic dermatitis, it can be controlled. Steroids can provide short-term relief but have side affects. Antihistamines can also be effective in controlling the itch.  Oral medication, such as ATOPICA, targets the immune cells associated with the allergic reaction. Fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties and can be a helpful supplement when used in conjunction with other treatments. Immunotherapy is a treatment in which the dog receives a series of shots to desensitize it to a known allergen.  Shampoos, rinses and topical treatments can provide immediate relief but are not effective long term. Pyoderma: Another Common Itch Pyoderma—or “hot spots”—is a bacterial infection of the skin most often caused by an allergic reaction. Just like humans, dogs can get itchy skin through contact with pollen, grass or even carpet. Certain foods can also cause the reaction.      Pyoderma is often seen in dogs allergic to fleabites. The skin will become very itchy, and the dog will scratch, lick and bite, causing inflammation and infection. What Does Pyoderma Look Like? Signs of pyoderma include red and inflamed skin, commonly called “hot spots.” Look for a rash or lesions, which may look like small bumps or raised, round scabs. Pus-filled or blood-filled blisters may also be evident, along with crusting or scaling with a loss of hair.    Pyoderma most commonly appears inside the ears, in the groin area, in between toes and along the middle of the back.    Acne: Not Just For Teenagers Cats love to rub their chins along different surfaces, releasing oil from their sebaceous glands. If these glands become clogged, acne appears on the cat’s chin or lips. These blackheads, which make your cat’s chin appear dirty, can become swollen and infected. Acne is commonly seen on dogs’ chins, too. Preventing and treating acne is simple, albeit requiring some supervision and patience.  Possible Causes Of Acne Stress Use of plastic food bowls. Plastic is porous and traps bacteria that can be transferred to your cat. Also, some cats are hypersensitive to plastic. Use steel, glass or porcelain dishes instead. Poor grooming habits Overactive sebaceous glands Food allergies   Treating Acne Ask your veterinarian for the best remedy for your pet. Keeping the infected area clean can help with recurrence. Some treatments include: For mild cases, cleansing with antibiotic soap, hydrogen peroxide, iodine or Epsom salts. Your veterinarian might recommend topical Vitamin A or using a cleanser containing benzoyl peroxide.   For more severe cases, antibiotics may be needed to treat infection, or a steroid used to reduce severe inflammation. Clipping the fur around the chin—by your veterinarian—helps enable deep cleaning. Never treat your pets with acne medications made for humans. Ask Your Veterinarian The best thing you can do for your pet is to contact your veterinarian if you suspect a skin issue. Your veterinarian can help you determine whether your dog or cat has a skin condition and the best treatment for it. Return to the VPI Pet HealthZone >>

Suggested Reading Your Pet's Skin Allergies Like humans, animals are prone to allergies that can cause them a great amount of discomfort.  Stress-Free Visits to the Vet Make veterinary experiences better for you and your pet. Sara's Story After adopting Sara, her parents used to rely on her pet health insurance mainly for routine care, until she suddenly became ill. Read More >>