What to look for, What to do.
Diseases of the skin are probably
the most frustrating and common conditions for veterinarians to
treat. A dogs general physical health and care is often reflected
by the condition of its skin and hair coat. Due to this, canine
skin diseases are important for owners to recognize, treat and
prevent. Many skin diseases are lifelong problems requiring
continual or frequent treatments by owners and veterinarians. It is
true that every dog will have its day for canine skin
disease.
Lets begin by defining some terms
veterinarians frequently use to describe canine skin diseases. By
learning how to speak your veterinarians' "skin language" and how
to recognize subtle conditions, you can begin to understand common
canine skin diseases and how to treat or prevent them.
Some common signs veterinarians look for include:
- Alopecia: This term means simply
the absence of hair. Alopecia can be focal, patchy or generalized
in distribution. Certain diseases cause characteristic alopecia
patterns.
- Biopsy: When a small section of a
tumor or organ is removed for microscopic analysis.
- Dermatitis: Inflammation or disease
of the skin.
- Folliculitis is an infection or
pyoderma within the hair follicles.
- Mange: Group of parasitic diseases
caused by mites, which are microscopic skin parasites diagnosed by
skin scrapings.
- Skin scraping: This is a diagnostic
test for mites performed with a scalpel blade scraping across the
skin and then examined microscopically.
- Nodules: raised solid lesions
coming from the skin surface.
- Pruritus: This term is commonly
used by veterinarians to define itchiness, chewing, scratching, or
biting by the animal at a particular site or sites.
- Pustules: These are collections of
pus within the skin and are typical with bacterial
infections.
- Scales: these are accumulations of
loose fragments of skin on the surface of the skin. Typical scales
are referred to as dandruff.
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RINGWORM
RINGWORM is not caused by a worm but
a fungus. The fungus lives in the outer layers of skin, hair
shafts, and toe nails. It invades the hair follicles damaging the
actual hair itself. The hairs become fragile and break easily. As
the infection progresses, more and more hair may be lost.
Dogs become infected with the fungus
by contact with other infected animals such as cats, or
contaminated soil. Diagnosis is made by specific tests including
microscopic examination of hair shafts, ultraviolet light
observation, fungal cultures, and sometimes skin biopsy.
TREATMENT for RINGWORM
INCLUDES:
Shaving the hair in the infected
area or the entire coat for severe cases. Following the clipping,
medicated shampoos and dips should be used. The pets bedding and
kennel should be thoroughly washed with Clorox - 4 oz. mixed in one
gallon of water. Oral anti-fungal medication can be prescribed by
your veterinarian. For local infections anti-fungal ointments or
creams can be applied to the skin lesions several times each day.
When applying these, wear gloves, ringworm is contagious to people.
In fact, athletes foot is a form of ringworm in people.
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Bacterial
Dermatitis
Pyoderma is a common disease in dogs
and is caused by bacteria infecting the skin. Most bacterial skin
diseases are usually treated with daily oral antibiotics and
medicated baths 2-3 times weekly. There are three main types of
pyoderma, depending on severity: surface, superficial, and
deep.
Surface pyodermas are often called
"Hot Spots". This condition causes a painful, inflamed area of skin
and usually has a discharge and bad odor. Contributing causes are
allergies, parasites, and poor grooming. Lesions often spread
rapidly to the surrounding skin. Successful treatment involves
controlling the itch with corticosteroids, and sprays and clipping
the hair away to prevent spreading.
Superficial pyodermas are deeper
infections and frequently have pustules and folliculitis present.
They can be recurrent chronic problems. Staph bacteria may be very
pruritic and can actually be a cause of allergies in some dogs.
Treatment includes antibiotics, and benzoyl peroxide
shampoos.
Deep Pyodermas may be localized or
generalized, but usually involve the face, feet, and pressure
points. The infections frequently drain pus and need long term (4-8
weeks) antibiotic therapy to control ,in addition to the medicated
baths. Sometimes immune stimulants, such as immunoreglan or staph
lysate, can be given by your veterinarian to help heal these
serious infections.
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SARCOPTIC
MANGE
Sarcoptic Mange is caused by
Sarcopties scabiei and is sometimes called "Scabies". Unlike
Demodex, scabies is highly contagious from pet to pet and from pet
to owner.. This mite and its larva burrow and wander in tunnels in
the skin. This burrowing causes extreme pruritus, red skin, and
secondary scab and crust lesions from the dog traumatizing the
area.
Treatment involves either weekly
paramite dips or biweekly injections with ivermectin until no mites
are detected on skin scrapings for 2 consecutive scrapings.
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SEBORRHEA
Seborrhea is a skin disease caused
by the increased activity of the skin cells and glands. There are
two main types of seborrhea: seborrhea sicca, which is a dry
scaling, and seborrhea oleosa which causes a greasy skin and
haircoat. Most animals with either type of seborrhea have a poor
coat appearance and itchy skin.
There are many causes of seborrhea.
Seborrhea sicca may be hereditary in some breeds such as German
shephards, Irish setters, Labradors, and Dobermans. Other dogs have
seborrhea because of a thyroid hormone deficiency, or other hormone
problems. Many localized seborrhea problems are seen secondarily to
skin parasites, fungal or bacterial infections, or allergies.
Because of this, your veterinarian will always first search for a
primary cause when treating seborrhea.
Antiseborrheic shampoos are the most
important part of successful management of seborrhea. Depending on
the cause and type of the seborrhea, different products can be
used. Sometimes with seborrhea sicca all that is necessary is a
good moisturizing shampoo and conditioner. Seborrhea oleosa
frequently requires shampoos containing salicylic acid, sulfur, and
coal tar. It is important when using these medicated shampoos to
leave the lather on the pet for at least 10 minutes before rinsing.
In addition, a good diet with adequate fatty acids is beneficial
with seborrhea sicca.
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LUMPS AND
TUMORS
Lumps or tumors are common findings
in the skin of both young and old dogs. Many types occur, and about
80% are benign. In young dogs, causes include a benign tumor called
a histiocytoma. Histiocytomas are most common around the face and
ears of dogs less than 3 years of age. Although they frequently go
away with time, many owners have them removed and biopsied to be
certain they are benign. Warts are common in older dogs and may
bleed when cut or rubbed, but are not malignant or dangerous. Fatty
tumors also occur in older dogs. Fatty tumors may be large or small
and can occur anywhere, but are most commonly found in the armpit,
side, and abdominal area. Fatty tumors can grow to enormous sizes
and because of this sometimes have to be removed.
Sarcomas, and carcinomas are common
malignant growths. They can occur anywhere on the skin. All dogs
and especially Boston's and boxers get mast cell tumors. Mast cell
tumors start as small red nodules raised above the skin, but are
capable of spreading rapidly and returning quickly when removed.
Squamous cell carcinomas are common malignancies causing skin
ulcers which spread through the skin and lymph nodes. Most
malignant tumors require surgery and follow-up care which may
include chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Unfortunately, the
chance for full recovery is not great with malignant tumors.
All tumors should be sampled with a
biopsy to find out whether they are benign or malignant. Many
biopsies can be taken with only a small needle used to aspirate
just a few cells or fat. Owners should check tumors daily for
bleeding, change in color or size, and whether the tumor is
attached firmly to deeper tissues below the skin. Your veterinarian
can biopsy, diagnose, and when necessary, remove skin tumors from
your dogs skin before they cause more serious damage.
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THYROID
PROBLEMS
Canine Hypothyroidism has been
recognized as a common problem causing skin disease in dogs.
Thyroid hormone is important for maintaining normal skin and hair
growth, oil gland production, and bacteria flora. Although
hypothyroidism can affect any dog, the disease has a higher
incidence in Dobermans, Irish setters, Old English sheepdogs, and
Golden retrievers. The first sign is the development of a dry scaly
coat and constant shedding. Alopecia and failure to regrow hair are
also common signs. Other common signs include lethargy, mental
dullness, and reproductive failure. Veterinarians diagnose
hypothyroidism with a combination of clinical signs and blood
testing. Treatment is lifelong with thyroid replacement hormone
which should be checked for concentration with a biannual blood
test.
Cushing's disease or syndrome is
caused by the excessive production or administration of
glucocorticoid hormones (cortisone). Glucocorticoid hormones in
excess cause thinning of the haircoat, a pot bellied appearance,
and an increased susceptibility to other skin conditions such as
bacterial infections. Owners also notice their dog is drinking more
water than normal and urinating more. The most common cause of this
condition can be controlled by decreasing the amount of cortisone
given to your dog. Whenever possible, hormones such as cortisone
should be administered as infrequently as possible on a alternate
day schedule.
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THE IMPORTANCE OF GOOD
GROOMING
Healthy skin is the foundation of a
fluffy, shiny coat. Healthy skin comes from good nutrition, good
breeding, and proper care and grooming. When bathing or grooming
your dog, owners can look for skin parasites such as ticks, lice,
and fleas. These parasites can contribute to a poor haircoat and
must be eliminated promptly Because fleas will run to the head
during a bath, be sure and rub flea spray around the head before
the bath. Bathing alone is inadequate in controlling fleas, ticks
and lice. Most veterinarians recommend flea and tick sprays, with
insect growth regulator (IGR's) ingredients, 2-3 times weekly for
the ectoparasites. For ticks only, Preventic tick collars work
great for tick prevention ,as do Program flea pills for flea
infestation control.
Besides ectoparasites, an owner or
groomer should look for other skin problems. Examples
include:
* Excessive pruritus. Owners
frequently complain about the scratching dog that kept them up all
night. Dogs that itch excessively need to see a veterinarian for a
cortisone injection or other medication.
* A thin, brittle coat, as well dry
scaly skin (seborrhea) sometimes indicates a hormone problem such
as thyroid deficiency or Cushing's disease.
* Alopecia in certain areas from
poor hair growth or hair loss has many causes. Mange, allergic
dermatitis, ringworm, and bacterial dermatitis, can all appear as
hair loss.
* Lumps and bumps. Many skin tumors
can hide and only be found during grooming and bathing. When found
early, many can be easily removed by your veterinarian.
During your dogs bath and groom,
look closely at the coat and skin for these problems. For most skin
conditions, bathing and grooming is beneficial for your dog.
Consult with your veterinarian for the shampoos and conditioners
that would most benefit your dog's coat and skin.
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HOW TO BATHE YOUR
PET
Your pet's skin is quite different
from human skin. It's thinner, has no sweat glands, and has a
higher pH. Therefore MOST human shampoos are not satisfactory and
are often too harsh. Many over-the- counter pet shampoo products
are also too harsh on some dogs, especially if the pet has any type
of skin abnormality or disease. Bathe the pet whenever it is dirty
or smells bad. We recommend you routinely bathe the pet every 10-14
days to prevent excessively drying the hair coat. BRUSH and COMB
out mats BEFORE the bath and pack cotton in the ears. The eyes
should be lubricated with mineral oil, or an eye ointment to
prevent burning or irritating the eyes with the soap or dipping
solution. WET your dog THOROUGHLY before applying soap and use
luke-warm water for pets comfort. THOROUGHLY LATHER and ADD MORE
WATER (INSTEAD OF SOAP) TO INCREASE the LATHER.
Always allow the soap lather to
stand on the pets body for 3-5 minutes. (Medicated soaps: 5-10
minutes.) This step is very important! Use a sponge to wash the
face. Using the fingers is better than any brush for lathering and
scrubbing the skin! RINSE THOROUGHLY to prevent skin irritation.
Repeat the soap procedure if the pet is extremely dirty. Squeeze
hair to remove excess water before applying dip solution.
