How to Get Rid of Dermatitis on Dogs

Canine dermatitis typically presents itself in the form of dry, red, irritated areas on a dog̵7;s skin, possibly made worse or even infected by the dog̵7;s continual scratching. There are a variety of skin conditions that are related to dermatitis, the majority of which are treated with topical ointments, creams and washes, each designed to relieve itching symptoms. An exact treatment plan depends on the origination and extent of the skin disorder.

  1. Determine the Cause of Dermatitis

    • Dogs are susceptible to a number of different types of dermatitis, frequently caused by seasonal allergies, insects and pests, environmental factors and underlying health issues. For best results, a vet should assess a dog̵7;s condition and make a diagnosis on the type of dermatitis present and the best course of treatment. A vet will examine a dog for parasites, take a history and a skin scraping to evaluate the skin condition. The vet may also perform allergy testing, blood work and bacterial cultures.

    Treatment Techniques

    • Treatment of canine dermatitis typically involves cleaning the affected skin and applying topical medications or washes designed to stop itching, reduce inflammation and moisturize skin. If skin is broken or bleeding it maybe require stitches or bandages. Large areas of affected skin may be shaved in order to provide complete and effective treatment. You may need to employ a no-bite Elizabethan collar to keep the dog from licking or biting his treated skin and dressings.

    Dermatitis Treatment Products

    • A vet will select the topical treatment of canine dermatitis based on the severity of the condition and the resulting state of the dog̵7;s skin. A shampoo or wash is applied with warm water and then rinsed from the animal̵7;s skin, whereas a dip is left to dry on the skin without rinsing. In general, moisturizing creams are applied to dermatological conditions that leave skin dry and scaly while medicated shampoos are used if dermatitis is caused by an allergy or insect bites. Antibacterial and antifungal washes may be used to treat skin that has become infected.

    Preventative Treatment

    • In addition to treating and alleviating canine dermatitis, a vet will likely recommend preventative measures to keep the condition from reoccurring. She may prescribe regular grooming regimes, as well as regular flea dips, frequent cleaning of bedding materials and in some cases, allergy medicines or medicated shampoos.