Dog Skin Diseases & Treatments

Dogs, like every other living thing, are prone to sickness and disease. These include common conditions and diseases that affect their skin. Skin diseases in dogs can be annoying and painful to a dog. Treat painful skin diseases at home or take your dog to a local vet. Dog owners should know what skin diseases could affect their dog, how they can recognize them and what the treatment options are.

  1. Hot Spots

    • Hot spots are painful to dogs. They are large round areas of raw skin that usually appear in times of heat. The hair will probably fall out in these areas. Dogs with longer hair are more disposed to hot spots than other dogs. Dogs have a tendency to scratch these areas and irritate them even more. Fleas sometimes cause hot spots.

      The best thing to do if you think that your dog has hot spots is to take him to the vet. Your vet will be able to determine what is causing the hot spots and advise the best treatment options.

      If your dog has fleas, purchase a flea shampoo at your local pet store and apply it to the dog according to the directions. Keep the hot spot areas clean and protected after using the shampoo. If the hot spots remain after a week take the dog to the vet.

    Dandruff

    • Dandruff is a common problem in dogs and it can be annoying and itchy. Dandruff is a buildup of dry skin cells on the skins surface and looks dry and flaky. There are many causes of dandruff in dogs. These include bathing too much, weather, poor nutrition and more serious things like fleas and mites.

      Most dandruff in dogs can be treated at home with special shampoos made for dandruff. Some people like to massage olive oil into their dog's skin to moisturize the dry skin. Treat poor nutrition at home by feeding your dog foods that are made with natural ingredients, and avoid giving your dog table scraps. To get rid of fleas and mites look for special shampoos or treatments at your local pet store that are made especially for getting rid of them. Follow the directions that are provided with the product that you buy.

    Abscesses

    • Abscesses on the skin are painful, pus-filled infections. Treat abscesses at home by keeping them clean with peroxide and warm water. Keep your dog inside to reduce the risk of further infection. If the abscesses get worse or do not go away, consult your veterinarian.