Many things can affect a dog's skin, causing mild to severe irritation and infections. Finding out the cause of the irritation is the first step in treating and preventing the infection. A skin infection may also be a symptom of a more severe problem or disease and should be assessed by a veterinarian before the dog receives any kind of treatment.
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Allergies
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Allergies can cause severe problems on your dog's skin if not treated properly. A dog may be allergic to a variety of things, including chemicals that it has inhaled, food that it has eaten or parasites that may have bitten him.
Symptoms of Allergies
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The first signs of skin irritation are excessive chewing, licking and scratching, and can be accompanied by an odd odor, pustules on the skin or a discharge of pus on the skin. If your dog exhibits more severe symptoms such as excessive hair loss, darkening or thickening of the skin or a change in the color of the skin, this can be a sign of a more serious disorder such as diabetes, hyperthyroidism or Cushing's disease, according to vetinfo.com.
Parasites
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Parasites such as fleas, chiggers, scabies and mites can cause an allergic reaction in your dog because of the saliva left on your dog. Their bites can also create wounds in the skin that have to heal, causing irritation to the skin.
Yeast Infection
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Malassezia is another name for a yeast infection that a dog can develop in the skin around the ear canal, anal sacs, rectum and vagina. It can occur in all breeds and ages of dogs. However, it is most likely to be seen in breeds such as Australian, Maltese, poodles, Shetland sheepdogs, German shepherds and West Highland white terriers. This infection often appears in the humid summer months, and the dog may have a foul odor, with oily, scaly skin. This infection is often misdiagnosed as a skin allergy. The treatment for skin allergies will not have the same effect on Malassezia.
Bacterial Infection
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Dog's can develop a bacterial infection called staphylococcal pyoderma, or staph infection. This infection may appear on the skin as crusty lesions around the area of the abdomen. Severe cases will cause excessive itching and redness. Bacterial infections can also be greasy looking and have an odor. Staph infections can progress quickly and should be treated promptly.
Treatment
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Treatment for skin infections vary, depending on test results done by a veterinarian. The dog may be required to take antibiotics, steroids or injections, or use medicated shampoo. Dogs suffering from Malassezia may be given a topical cream and may also use medicated shampoos. Lipids that form on the skin will need to be removed before treatment, according to peteducation.com.
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