How to Diagnose and Treat Skin Diseases in Dogs

As in humans, allergies in dogs can be managed but cannot be cured. The dog’s body is sensitive to certain stimuli, and the reaction to this sensitivity causes itching. Dogs can be allergic to food, flea bites, grass or pollen in the environment, allergic reactions from direct contact with mixtures such as laundry soap or with hay. The first step is to diagnose the dog’s itching, scratching, and gnawing symptoms such as atopic dermatitis. The challenge for dog owners and veterinarians is finding the cause and effective treatment.

Table of Contents

Monitor dog itching

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Pay attention to the itchy parts of the dog’s body. Are there areas of your dog’s skin that are more itchy than others? Does your dog lick his paws, underneath his tail or along his belly?

The most commonly irritated skin areas when dogs have allergies are the back, tail, abdomen, legs, and nails.

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Look for hot spots on your dog’s skin. A fairly common condition is that dogs itch intensely and have to gnaw at their skin to the point of forming “hot spots”. Such skin lesions can grow very quickly and spread. The dog’s skin will be pink, moist, hot, and sore. You can even see sticky fluid oozing from the wound. These are open wounds that become infected and require a veterinarian’s intervention to relieve the dog’s discomfort.

Chronic cases of itching can lead to thickened and rough skin like elephant skin.
Hot spots on your dog’s skin are often a symptom of an allergy to fleas, food, grass, mold, or other substances in the environment. There are also more complex underlying conditions such as hypothyroidism or Cushing’s syndrome (hyperadrenocorticism). Secondary bacterial and yeast infections are uncommon and require special treatment regimens. ^{[1] X Research Source}

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Consider time. Your dog may be more itchy at particular times of the year. Your dog may itch after playing on the lawn or after eating a certain food. By paying attention to the rules, you can narrow your focus on treating your dog’s itch. ^{[2] X Research Source}

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Check your dog’s overall health. If your dog’s body odor is too strong, your dog seems excessively thirsty, or doesn’t seem to be as agile as usual, you should take him to the vet. Your veterinarian will need to test your dog’s blood and skin scrapings to get more information to help determine the right treatment.

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Make a note of it every time you notice your dog itching. Whenever you see your dog itching, make a note of the situation, including where the dog was, what he ate, and what part of the dog itches. This is extremely helpful for veterinarians, as they will rely on that information to narrow down the cause of the itching and damage on the dog’s skin.

Check for parasites

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Check for fleas . The most common cause of itching in dogs is fleas. They are most active in warm and humid environments (35°C). You may see fleas on your dog, or you may see your dog chewing or scratching his skin. Fleas are fast and can jump very high, so you’ll have to find them quickly. Fleas usually reside in the armpits and groin area of dogs, they are usually dark (almost black) and flattened. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

Check the dog’s ears for signs of scratches, redness, blood, or soil. Check under the dog’s belly, groin, or under the tail for any red bumps.
One way to check for fleas is to have your dog stand on a white surface, such as a tissue or a piece of paper, and then brush the dog’s coat. Flea droppings will fall when you brush the dog’s coat and will be more visible on the white paper.

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Check for scabies. Scabies ( Sarcoptes scabiei ) is a parasite that usually lives on hairless areas of skin such as the lobes of the ears, elbows, or abdomen. These areas of skin are often red and scaly. ^{[4] X Source of Research} Scabies can be very damaging to the skin and harmful to dogs because they cause intense itching. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

Scabies is contagious and can be easily transmitted to people and other dogs.
Your veterinarian can diagnose scabies by taking a scraped specimen from the dog’s skin.

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Check for dog ticks. This disease is caused by a parasite called Cheyletiella that lives by eating the outermost layer of the skin. In addition to scratching a lot, your dog may experience scabs on his skin, hair loss, dandruff, and lesions on his back. ^{[6] X Research Source}

This disease is sometimes called “walking dandruff” because dog ticks cause the skin to scab over as they move, much like dandruff flakes move.
You can see dog ticks, they are yellow.

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Check for lice. Dog lice are different from human lice, so don’t worry about getting them. Head lice live on scraps of skin or feed on dog blood, depending on the species. You can see adult lice on dogs – they are yellow or skin-colored and about the size of a sesame seed. You can sometimes mistake lice for dandruff, but they won’t come off when you shake your dog’s hair. ^{[7] X Trusted Source American Kennel Club Go to Source}

Other signs of lice presence are hair loss (especially around the neck, ears, shoulder blades, groin and anus); rough, dry or dull hair; have minor wounds or infections; tapeworms and other parasites that can be spread by lice; even cause anemia in severe cases or in small dogs.

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Check for canker sores in dogs. Demodectic mange is a small tick that lives naturally on dogs. This parasite generally does not cause skin problems, other than weakening the dog’s immune system. Coat licking is common on puppies, because the puppy’s immune system is still developing. You can easily notice them in the skin around the eyes and mouth. Your veterinarian can make a diagnosis by taking a scraped sample from the dog’s skin. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

Bristles are not very contagious, and humans cannot. This disease is usually transmitted from mother dogs to nursing puppies. ^{[9] X Research Source}
This disease can be inherited. It’s not uncommon for puppies to get scabies if their parents have also had it at some point. ^{[10] X Research Source}

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Check for ringworm. Black ringworm is actually a fungus. They cause small round, scaly, itchy patches (about 1 cm in diameter) and hair loss in one or more areas of the dog’s skin. Ringworm usually begins to appear on a dog’s face and nails. This is a contagious disease and is very easily transmitted to humans (animal-to-human disease) and other pets. Your veterinarian can diagnose ringworm and recommend a treatment regimen, including a fungicide.

Some pets can be treated with topical medications, while others need antifungal medication.
Ringworm treatment includes disinfecting the home, which can take several months to get under control. ^{[11] X Research Source}

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Understand diseases that do not cause itching. Your dog may have an illness that looks like a parasitic infection or other illnesses that confuse you when determining the cause of the itching. Alopecia and Cushing’s syndrome are two possible cases.

Hair loss can be caused by hypothyroidism and is usually not itchy. Dogs with hypothyroidism are more prone to skin problems than usual. ^{[12] X Research Source}
Dogs with Cushing’s syndrome will drink a lot of water and crave food throughout the day. You will also notice that the dog’s coat is thinner and has fewer baby hairs. The dog’s belly area may be nearly bare and the skin may also appear thinner.

Treating dog itching

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Discuss treatment with your veterinarian. There are many possible causes for this serious problem, so there are also many treatments your veterinarian can prescribe. ^{[13] X Source of Study} Unfortunately, antihistamines are not very effective in dogs, and most cases require short-term treatment with steroids or one of the anti-itch medications such as Apoquel or Atopica. . There are always new products on the market. ^{[14] X Research Source} , ^{[15] X Research Source}

Use prescription medication as directed by your veterinarian. Medicines are used to control itching and start the healing process.

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Apply flea control. Flea atopic dermatitis is one of the most common causes of itching in dogs. ^{[16] X Research Source} Treating flea bites is often the first step in treating pet itch, even if you can’t see fleas. Dogs can develop an allergic reaction to flea saliva and intense itching, even from a single tick. ^{[17] X Research Source}

You need to control fleas for dogs and other pets in the house, in addition to the contact environment must also be treated and continue to do this measure monthly.

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Parasitic treatment for dogs. Each type of parasite requires different treatments. Severe cases of scabies can take several months to treat, while scabies can take a few weeks. ^{[18] X Research Source} , ^{[19] X Research Source} Your veterinarian will prescribe medication to treat parasites.

Scabies can be easily transmitted to other pets and people. You will need to take steps to disinfect your entire surroundings and treat scabies on dogs and other pets that may be infected. ^{[20] X Research Sources}

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Use a prescribed dog bath oil. Veterinarian-prescribed dog bath oils can help relieve itching and treat bacterial and yeast infections. These products can be used in conjunction with oral medications.

Flea shampoos for dogs, such as coal tar bath oils or medicated bath oils, carry the risk of further irritating open wounds. You should consult your veterinarian before trying any over-the-counter treatment for your dog.
Bathing your dog is a good way to treat itchy skin, but don’t use human bath oils. A mild oat bath specially formulated for dogs can provide temporary relief from itching. If your dog’s skin is scratched or infected, do not use any bath oils or lotions without first talking to your veterinarian. You can make the situation worse if you use the wrong products.
Do not bathe the dog too much. Most healthy dogs need a bath once a month, while others need a bath less often. Oil on the dog’s skin will be lost when bathing. If your veterinarian prescribes a special dog oil, he or she will recommend the number of baths depending on your dog’s condition.

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Ask your doctor about the steroid medication Prednisone. The first choice for treatment for moderate to severe cases of itching is the steroid medication Prednisone, which provides temporary relief from itching. Reducing the itching and making the dog more comfortable will facilitate healing of the skin.

Steroids have side effects and should be used with caution. Long-term use may lead to liver or adrenal gland problems. ^{[21] X Research Source} , ^{[22] X Research Source}

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Ask your doctor about antihistamines. Antihistamines may also be used to control allergic reactions. ^{[23] X Source of Research} There are many types of antihistamines on the market, and your veterinarian can recommend over-the-counter medications as well as prescribe prescription medications.

No single product will work for every dog, so “antihistamine testing” should be done to find out what works best for your dog.
Note that antihistamines may not help severe itching in dogs, but they are often used after steroids to treat the initial problem, thereby helping to control symptoms. allergy.

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Use antibiotics. Your veterinarian may use an antibiotic in combination with an anti-itch medication. That’s because secondary bacterial infections often occur when the skin is damaged by scratching.

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Talk to your veterinarian about allergy testing options. You can give your dog a blood or skin test to narrow down the search for allergy triggers such as pollen, plants, grass, insects, or mold. ^{[24] X Research Sources} The best way to identify a food allergy is through exclusion testing. ^{[25] X Research Source} , ^{[26] X Research Source}

Your veterinarian may recommend immunotherapy if allergies are the cause of the itching.

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Ask a veterinarian who specializes in dermatology. If your dog is itching a lot and scratching to the point of damaging the skin, you can ask your veterinarian to refer you to a veterinarian who specializes in dermatology. This doctor specializes in the treatment of skin diseases in animals.

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Avoid over-the-counter itching relievers. Over-the-counter treatments like medicated bath oils, coal tar bath oils, tea tree oil, ostrich oil, and aloe vera are all last resort treatments that dog owners often try in the hope of some relief. function. You should consult your veterinarian before trying any over-the-counter treatment for your dog.

Other home remedies such as turpentine, Vaseline wax, mouthwash or white vinegar should also be avoided. However, harmless topical treatments like green tea and coconut oil can be effective for mild cases of dry skin and no signs of infection.
Your efforts can make the situation worse for both you and your pet.

Change your dog’s diet

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Consider your dog’s current diet. Improved nutrition will help improve your dog’s overall health, whether they have food allergies or not.

If you feed your dog processed food, you should read the nutrition facts on the product packaging. Make sure the main ingredient is protein, not carbohydrates. Essential fatty acids are good for your dog’s skin and coat and are required in food ingredients. ^{[27] X Research Source} , ^{[28] X Research Source}

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Give your dog a fatty acid supplement. Fatty acid supplements such as fish oil, coconut oil or flaxseed oil will be helpful in cases of skin allergies in dogs. This food is best taken in its whole form (fresh or canned fish, fresh ground flaxseed), but can also be taken in capsule or liquid form. ^{[29] X Research Source} , ^{[30] X Research Source}

Follow the directions on the product label or use as directed by your veterinarian.

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Ask your veterinarian about food exclusion testing. If a food allergy is suspected, your veterinarian may recommend conducting a food exclusion test with a completely new food, including ingredients the dog has never eaten.

For example, if your pet has traditionally eaten dog food consisting of rice and lamb plus beef and wheat as a reward, then the new diet will not include these ingredients.
This testing method is usually done for 2-3 months.
You need to follow your dog’s diet closely (including treats) to get the best test results.
It can take several rounds of food exclusion testing to determine which foods your dog is likely to be sensitive to.
You can buy dog food at a pet store, but a special diet provided by your veterinarian may be necessary in the treatment of food allergies in dogs. ^{[31] X Research Source}
Once you’ve figured out a diet, you can start trying to feed your dog ingredients one at a time in small amounts to see if the dog’s itching returns after adding the ingredient.

Advice

Certain dog breeds such as Gpden Retrievers, Labradors and Cocker Spaniels seem to be more prone to allergies. However, any dog, including hybrid dogs, can develop allergies at any time. ^{[32] X Research Source}
Year-round flea control.
Do not shave the dog’s hair close to the skin. Trimming damaged areas can be helpful, but you should avoid shaving your dog’s entire coat, unless recommended by your veterinarian. In some cases, shaving a dog, even a healthy dog, results in a different color or no regrowth of hair. ^{[33] X Research Sources}
There is no single drug or treatment that is appropriate or effective for all pets. You may have to use a variety of therapies to solve the problem.
Understand that people often treat and control the symptom rather than the cause. Observing and finding the cause of itching in dogs takes time.

Warning

Always take it gradually and step by step when changing your dog’s diet. Change only one ingredient at a time and start with a small amount.
Remember that allergies are manageable, not curable, and that new allergic reactions can develop gradually over a dog’s life. This can sometimes be confusing and frustrating for both dogs and people, but understanding the nature of the illness is important for your pet’s health and well-being.
Steroids and antibiotics may be needed in severe cases of skin allergies in the early stages of treatment. Any medication has side effects, so you need to talk to your veterinarian when starting treatment and in the case of prolonged treatment.

Steps