According to Pet Place, puppy acne is a common condition that affects short-coated breeds. While acne is not socially embarrassing for puppies the way that it is for humans, acne can contribute to the puppy feeling uncomfortable or irritated. Learning more about puppy acne can help you figure out how to treat it in your dog.
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Time Frame
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Though acne can strike dogs at any point, it has a strong tendency to strike puppies between the ages of five months old and eight months old. At this point, they are going through puberty, much like human teenagers are, and their hormones are changing. Happily enough, most puppies will outgrow this condition around the age of one year, when they are young adults.
Identification
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Puppy acne typically manifests as small red bumps and blackheads that are located on the lips or the chin of the puppy. These blemishes may become infected, and the puppy will begin rubbing or scratching the area to relieve the itching or pain.
Changes
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While changing hormones are one cause of puppy acne, it is not the only cause. Acne can also be caused by bacterial infections inside blocked oil lands, and it may also occur when the hair follicles are irritated and inflamed. Allergies may also be play a role in acne in puppies.
Misdiagnosis
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There are several conditions that resemble puppy acne, and a veterinarian's advice is necessary to find the real issue at hand. Puppy strangles is a disease that has the same kind of blemishes that puppy acne has, but it also causes the puppy to become depressed and anorexic. Ringworm and demodicosis are two other conditions that can be mistaken for puppy acne.
Treatments
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There are several treatments which may be used for puppy acne. A mild 2.5 percent benzoyl peroxide solution can be used to clean the acne, and antibiotics may be used to keep down infections. Topical steroids can also decrease the swelling. Giving the dog a stainless steel bowl can help if the puppy has an allergy that makes it sensitive to plastic dog bowls.
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