Dog Skin Problems: Causes and Solutions

Any dog owner can tell you that there are all kinds of different dog skin problems to be aware of.

Depending on the type of dog you have, his specific makeup and whatever environmental factors he is exposed to, there are all kinds of skin conditions that could arise. Therefore it's of the utmost importance that you gain at least a basic understanding of what some of these issues could be, and how you can go about treating them.

The truth is that most dog skin problems can be solved relatively easily. They made need to be treated by an over the counter medication or even a quick trip to the vet. In other cases it's just a quick switch of food or a prevention of some kind of exposure. Either way, in most cases it's pretty easy to take care of these skin conditions.

One of the most common dog skin problems that arises is called a hot spot. Dog hot spots can actually have many different causes including flea bites, mange, allergies or even gland problems. These are easily detected, you'll see an area on your dog's body that has been scratched and licked, where no more hair remains (hair loss) and the skin may be red, itching and irritating further.

For hot spots, you have to make sure that your dog can no longer scratch or lick this problem area. It needs a chance to heal. This may require putting one of those large lampshade looking collars (Elizabethan collar) around your dog for a few days so that the hot spot can heal. It will need to be cleaned and washed, and the root cause will need to be discovered so that it can be prevented in the future. Topical or oral antibiotics may be needed in some cases depending on the cause.

Another very common of the skin conditions found in dogs is of course a flea problem (Dog Flea Control). Flea problems need to be controlled immediately and there are many different ways that you can quickly tool this. Two medications you will be able to easily find and buy are called Frontline and Advantage. Both are powerful and effective for getting rid of fleas. For topical medications and solutions, you should apply them to the back of the neck where your dog will not be able to scratch, lick or gnaw.

Promeris is another topical flea medication to consider using depending on the success of the other medications. Capstar is a pill that can be taken that is very quick acting but also short lasting, so you'll need to administer it daily in some cases. Besides treating your dog for the skin conditions, don't forget to treat possible exposures and causes as well. Make sure to properly disinfect and kill fleas that could be in your carpet for instance. You can use a powder such as Borax to help you do that prior to vacuuming the area.

Demodex manage and Sarcoptic Mange or scabies are two other common skin conditions. Demodex mange is not contagious and is caused by a superfluous amount of skin mites. It's caused by a deficient immune system that allows these mites to the. On the other hand, scabies is contagious and is caused by the infection of the Sarcoptes mite.

Don't forget that allergies in your dogs can also be the cause of many dog skin problems. Allergies can be to the foods that the dog is eating, exposure to certain elements such as pollens or dust, fleas and other insects and insect bites and more. You will need to first figure out the root cause of the allergy and then you can take quick corrective action such as switching the food that you give your pooch in the case of food allergies, which are usually caused by the protein source of the food.

It's up to you as the owner of the dog to spot any problems as quickly as possible and to take the steps you need to. Far too many owners ignore obvious signs of dog skin problems, such as obsessive scratching or licking because they think that it's just what dogs do. While this might not result in serious harm to your dog, it can make them increasingly more uncomfortable, and it can be quickly fixed as mentioned. So be attentive and tuned in and look out for the warning signs of dog skin problems so you can take corrective action as soon as possible.

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