Canine Skin Disorder; Symptoms and Treatments

Canine skin disorder is the most common problem that dog owners have to deal with. Similar to human being, dog skin is an indicator of its general health; if your dog suffers from skin rashes, it will probable that it going to require persistent treatments from you and your (veterinarian). Thus, it is important for you to prevent disorders and rashes.

Most canine skin disorders are related to immune system, such as demodectic mange, eczema, scalp psoriasis, ringworm, seborrheic dermatitis, yeast infection.

Last researches states dog scabies is not an immune system related dog skin disorder, scabies spread by direct contact with contaminated animals or items.

Canine skin disorder symptoms

Usually bumps are actually hive-like reactions that occur at individual hair follicles. When inflammation of the follicles (folliculitis) occurs, we see secondary infection (superficial pyoderma) by Staphylococcus intermedius, which is one of the normal bacterial flora found on all dogs’ skin. Products of bacterial life cycles can cause intense itching in the skin aggravating the initial itchiness, hair loss (alopecia) is a result of folliculitis stopping the growth of hair and remaining hairs are stained by pigments called porphyrins in the serum which ooze out during the inflammatory process.

The final and lasting result of all of this is the “bronzed” appearance of the coat. The discolored hairs are permanently stained and little can be done to whiten a coat affected.

Canine skin disorder prevention

Veterinarians recommend

- Do not change daily routine, because produces physiological stress and subsequently a somewhat suppressed immune response.

- Keep your dog free of fleas.

- Use hypoallergenic shampoo.

- Do not bathe your dog frequently.

- Do not feed your dog with fat foods.

Canine skin disorder treatment

If your dog begins to “bump up” despite your best efforts on preventative measures, then aggressive treatment is needed to save some coat for the next couple of show circuits. Topical treatments with benzoyl peroxide (Oxydex, Pyoben) or chlorhexidine shampoos (Chlorhexiderm, Nolvasan) act to cleanse the skin, removing superficial bacteria. Under these circumstances, it may be necessary to bathe weekly, following with a hypoallergenic oatmeal cream rinse to prevent excessive drying of the skin and compromise of the skin barrier.

Systemic antibiotics are always prescribed in cases of folliculitis. Unfortunately, skin needs to be treated three to four weeks even in uncomplicated cases. If within seven to ten days of antibiotic therapy no response is noted, you need revaluate antibiotics being used. Antibiotics chosen as first line therapeutic agents should be those known to be effective against Staphylococcus intermedius. Remember that veterinarians are who should do prescriptions, responses by bacteria to antibiotics vary regionally, but an appropriate choice includes oxacillin, cephalexin, ormetaprim-sulfas, and in some instances, amoxicillin with clavulanic acid. It is very important follow treatment regimens conscientiously.