Dogs and puppies spend much of their time outdoors and often in dirty situations. Subsequently, it is quite common that fungus and bacterial exposure affects their skin causing rashes, sores or irritations, and can range from mild to serious. If your dog has a skin eruption, it's important to recognize it and know how to treat it. Always contact your veterinarian prior to treating your dog’s skin eruption.
-
Mange
-
Mange is one of the most common skin conditions in American dogs. Mange mites invade a dog's coat and build tunnels in the skin for feeding and nesting. This tunneling behavior causes some obvious skin reactions, including flaking, scabbing and hair loss. Intense irritation and itching accompany these symptoms, which start on a dog's face and neck and progress to its entire body. Vets treat mange with chemical dips to kill the mites.
Pyoderma
-
Pyoderma is a skin condition caused by bacteria in the dog's skin. Skin symptoms include red and itchy lesions, pustules and sores. Sores may drain or scab over depending on the severity of the infection. Skin irritation usually occurs around the dog's face and ears, or on its belly and chest inciting intense itching. Pyoderma is most common in dogs that are malnourished or immunosuppressed. Vets treat pyoderma with antibiotics and topical medications.
Dermatitis
-
Dermatitis emerges due to the environment or nutrition, and is an allergic reaction. Symptoms include rash, blisters and hair loss, and may also include wheezing and sneezing. The dog's sensitivity to environmental factors like grasses and pollens, or nutritional allergies and sensitivity to low-quality food cause this condition. Dermatitis as an allergy is treated with lifestyle change and antihistamines.
-