Skin Disease That Effect Our Canine Friends And When Its Time To Contact The Vet
Wednesday, February 1st, 2012Just like their human counterparts, dogs are subject to a large assortment of dog skin diseases that can appear as a number of symptoms. It can be hard for the average dog owners to choose when to try at-home cures and when to seek vet care for their dog.
The very first thing to contemplate is whether the skin disorder is causing pain for your pet. Many skin disorders cause some level of inflammation. If your pet is mildly itchy, or itching occasionally, you could be in a position to get by with home treatments to help in eliminating the itchiness. However , if your dog is scratching to the point of causing redness or hair loss, or if he is so itchy it’s interrupting interrupting his ordinary activities “i.e, he stops in the middle of playing to take a seat and gnaw on himself ” that is thought to be severe itching and he likely needs prescription medications that only your veterinarian can prescribe.
The second thing to think about is the age of your dog. If your dog is a puppy dog, then you must see the vet for any concerns. Puppies are ordinarily diagnosed as having conditions that are often unusual in adult dogs. For example, many puppies are either born with worms (roundworms) or obtain them right after birth (hookworms, whipworms). These puppies may not show any outward signs of worm infestation apart from a dreary, dry hair coat. A vet visit is often needed to microscopically identify the kind of worm present and start the puppy on an appropriate dewormer.
Another disease that is often seen in young pups and not adults is demodecosis, which is a type of mange (mite plague) that is acquired by the puppy straight after birth. It causes mild to harsh hair loss and secondary infections, and needs a vet visit and skin scraping with microscopic research for diagnosis.
The third thing to consider is whether or not your dog has any other symptoms with the skin disorder. A skin condition can be due to either a first skin illness, or can just be an indication of a disease that may be having an effect on other body systems. For instance, an hormonal illness such as hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing’s Disease) may cause severe alopecia and thin/fragile skin, but is not a primary skin condition. It can also cause loss of overall condition excessive gasping, a bloated abdomen, and other symptoms. It's critical to be observant and if you detect a change in appetite, activity level, urination habits, or any other changes along with a skin problem, you should seek vet care. Your veterinarian should be in a position to discuss with you potential problems and office and lab tests needed to eliminate or rule out those conditions.
In today’s economy, many times it is prudent to try home treatments before seeking professional vet care, but there are some conditions that need speedy veterinary care. If your pet is uncomfortable due to reddish and inflamed skin or grim inflammation, if your dog is a puppy with skin illness, or if your dog has other symptoms along with the skin illness, do not delay and seek veterinary care sooner rather than later.
The writer, Cathy Doggins, is a well known researcher, editor and contributor to leading online publications such as the Dog Health Guide. Cathy has written extensively on canine skin problems and other dog health conditions. When not caring for her dogs, she is is a supporter of dog adoption foundations and the humane treatment of our pets.
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