When exposed to pollen for the first time, a dog's immune system will produce antibodies, thus becoming sensitized to the foreign protein. Inhalant or atopic allergies are the most common form. Nutritional modifications can help with pollen. To cut down on mold allergies, keep their environment less humid to disable mold spores. Regarding food, a pet may be allergic to the protein percentage of grains. Wheat gluten is often a source for itching as well as dog food with soy. Food allergies in pets account for roughly fifteen percent of cases. Flea bites can pose greater problems due to the severe scratching from flea saliva. This is not limited to the location of the bite. Maintain your pet's preventative flea regimen, especially during the warmer months.
Constant scratching can cause secondary infections such as superficial pyoderma - a bacterial infection of the epidermis and hair follicle near the skin surface. Excessive scratching damages the skin and breaks down the animal's natural defenses. Bacteria then penetrates the skin.
Dog hot spots are warm, moist, swollen areas of skin that can smell very awful. Oftentimes, pus is excreted. This is an extremely painful dog skin problem. The dog further irritates the area through incessant chewing. Unfortunately, dogs with thick fur like a German Shepherd, will be in terrible distress – sometimes ripping out pieces of fur. Specifically in canines with long coats, moisture gets trapped more easily in those areas adjacent to their skin. Hence the developed bacteria invades.
Since dog's skin has a different pH value than humans, use shampoo formulated for canines. The letters pH stands for potential hydrogen and reflects the measure of alkalinity or acidity of a substance. The pH scales ranges from 0 to 14 with 7 being neutral. Human skin pH is more acidic. The skin and fur pH values for a canine tends toward a more alkaline measure. Dog shampoo will not upset the pH balance. By washing your pet thoroughly, some of the excess bacteria and dirt, can also be removed.
There are dangerous dog skin problems. One type is mange or canine scabies. Tiny microscopic mites attack the dog's body and reproduce on the skin surface. They feed on the nutrients of the dog's body. A rapid spread of mites is very serious and will require prompt medical attention.
When not presenting in the ears, unhealthy yeast infections are difficult to ascertain. Yeast is a single cell organism found on your dog. It normally resides in the mucous membrane of the digestive tract. Yeast toxins adversely affect the immune system and cause many infections. Once the immune system has been compromised, yeast will grow. Toxic activity will increase. Proper diet and nutrition can keep yeast under control.
Ninety percent of canine yeast infections occur in the ear, where in canines the ear canal is also an extension of their skin. An obvious sign of infection is noticed when a pet is scratching their ear relentlessly. The ear is crusty and red. There is discharge. There is a bad odor from an overproduction of sebum. Possibly, the dog may appear off-balance. It's time to see the doctor. They can determine if the yeast is either a primary or secondary infection. Mange also could mimic these symptoms. In these complicated cases, dog skin problems are harder to diagnose.
Sometimes a dog may acquire a contact allergy such as ringworm - a fungal disease affecting the skin. Soil, animals and people are the homestead for fungi. When contracted by your pet, the fungus resides in dead skin cells found on the surface and expands in an outward ring. The skin becomes red and swollen eventually becoming crusty. After spreading, patches of hair are lost.
- Good grooming: Simply brush your dog.
- Make sure their ears are clean.
- Dry your dog thoroughly after a bath or swim.
- Keep up with flea and tick medications for parasite prevention.
- Try a nutritional supplement with dog food.
- Have an annual wellness check after the puppy stage of development.
If your dog shows signs of skin problems and distress, seek veterinary advice. Delaying treatment can cause more complications and heartache. A dog is loyal and eager to please, even if suffering from health issues. Dog skin problems can be helped so your pet can thrive.
