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Common Dog Skin Problems
At some point during the life of a dog they will suffer from one form of skin problem or another. Most dog skin problems are very treatable and if treated promptly will not turn into any serious health issues for the dog.
Often the skin problems, diseases or irritations are the same kinds of problems humans encounter. Dogs can contract eczema, dermatitis, abscesses, warts and acne. Other things that may cause skin problems in dogs would include fleabites, tick bites and allergic reactions to certain foods, shampoos, medicines or other factors.
A common allergy that can easily have a negative effect on a dog’s skin is an allergy to fleabites. The main way to see if this is an issue is the dog will chew between the base of the tail and just over the rump. Dogs will chew this area to alleviate the itching and frequently need to do so to a point where the area becomes raw and begins to bleed.
Dogs can also get skin staph infections of the skin, which are non-contagious and can be contracted via common bacteria on the dog’s skin. In addition to staph infections, another common skin infection dog’s get is ringworm. Ringworm is caused by one of two fungi, Microsporum or Trichophyton, and is most often found on the skin of younger dogs.
Hormones can also attribute to some common skin problems in dogs. When hormonal imbalances are the cause of skin problems the result is typically a large loss of hair that occurs evenly on each side of the dog’s body. These kinds of skin problems can be very difficult to detect, as they often do not result in the dog becoming itchy or sometimes even irritated by them.
The easiest way to notice if a dog has a skin problem is he or she will itch abnormally often, will lose or shed more than normal amounts of hair and in many cases the skin problem is visible on the skin itself. When any of these signs are noticed the dog’s skin should be carefully looked at for anything that doesn’t look normal.
Herbal-based medications are typically the most effective treatments for common dog skin problems. Some of these include horsetail, dandelion, spiraling, and focus. In addition to aiding with the dog’s skin, some of these herbs also provide additional health benefits for dogs.
As with any potential health problems relating to dogs it is always advised to consult with a veterinary to be sure the diagnosis is correct and the proper treatment is used.
About the Author: Matt is the operator of A Happy Dog - all gone to the dogs
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