Skin Disorders in Long-Haired Dogs

A dog with long hair may have skin conditions that are caught later than dogs with shorter hair. This is due to the long hair hiding the skin condition where shorter hair allows it to be seen clearly. Dogs who have long hair but experience hair loss due to a skin disorder or disease are often seen as shedding until the loss is extreme, where a short haired dog presents this skin disorder quickly after beginning to lose hair. The coat itself can cause skin conditions and irritation if not properly cared for.

  1. Symtoms

    • Skin conditions in long haired dogs are typically discovered through the hair of the dog. A dog with a skin condition may develop a dull coat of an inconsistent texture. There may also be a lot of dander on the dog. Excessive scratching or licking will also indicate a skin condition that needs a veterinarian to diagnose and address.

    Diagnosis

    • Dogs with long hair will need tests done in order to diagnose the skin condition. Most of these tests can be completed with a skin scraping, although blood work and urine analysis are also be warranted. These tests will determine the type of skin disorder and the cause of the disorder. This will also lead the veterinarian onto the correct path for treatment of the condition.

    Treatment

    • The treatment of the dog's skin condition varies based upon the particular cause of the skin disorder. According to Dr. Holly Nash, DVM, in most cases a veterinarian will recommend shaving the irritated area and the use of a specialized shampoo to calm the skin. Antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medication may be administered. In the case of mange, the dog will need to be treated with a specialized shampoo to kill the mange. This holds true for other parasites such as fleas and skin worms. If the hair is becoming matted and irritating the skin, it will be suggested that the owner keeps the dog in a puppy cut to reduce and eliminate matting.

    Prognosis

    • In general, most skin conditions heal well and the fur of the long-haired dog grows back without difficulty. Skin conditions tend to be easily treated. This does not hold true for the case of skin cancer. Skin cancer requires surgery for cancer removal and depending upon the severity of the cancer, the condition can be terminal.

    Prevention

    • Regularly bathing and trimming the long haired dog's coat is vital to preventing a skin disorder in the dog. A dog that is kept with long hair must be groomed on a regular basis to ensure there are no mats in the hair that can cause irritation. The Pet Place suggests parting the fur of the dog on a regular basis to check for parasites or new moles that may indicate a skin cancer. If a change in the coat is noted or if a change in the dog's grooming behavior is evident, the dog should be immediately taken to a veterinarian for treatments.