A dog's skin and coat can tell you a lot about the overall health of the dog. If a dog has a lot of cracked skin and cysts on the skin, there is a high chance that even if it is active, it might not be in the best of shape. Canine skin problems and cysts can occur quickly and with no warning. This can be due to allergies, infection or simply a behavioral issue that has been left to progress. No matter what the cause, it is vital to the dog's health that it is treated and that the skin is allowed to heal.
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Symptoms
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Most of a dog's skin problems are difficult to see because fur covers most of the skin. These problems are often noticed when the dog engages in excessive scratching, licking or biting of a section of the body, particularly the paws or legs. This can eventually cause the fur to fall off the dog and reveal the very irritated skin below. Excessive dander and a lack of shine in the dog's coat can also be indicators of a dog's irritated skin. Cysts can be easier to spot in a short-haired dog and will often appear as small blisters, although they can vary depending upon the cause. A discoloration of the skin can also occur, indicating a serious skin problem or allergy.
Medical Conditions
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Allergies are the primary culprit in skin irritations and cysts. Dogs can be allergic to several things, with the most common things being fleas and certain types of food. Fleas can cause allergic reactions through their saliva, which dries on the skin around the flea bite. The saliva can also enter the bloodstream and cause other allergic reactions. The bite wound itself can also become infected causing skin irritation and discomfort. Food can cause allergic reactions due to the use of white flour and low-quality meat products.
Behavioral Conditions
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Some dogs do not have a medical reason for licking or biting themselves. These dogs instead have a behavioral issue that causes them to mutilate themselves. This is most often seen in dogs who have high stress levels or dogs who become excessively anxious about an owner leaving them. The primary spots for this type of licking and biting include the paws and the tail, although anywhere the dog can reach can be mutilated through excessive biting and licking.
Treatment
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Antibiotics can be administered to treat skin irritation and cysts. A veterinarian might suggest changing the dog's food to a higher quality one if the condition is thought to be allergy-related. For extreme cases, steroids might be used to help the skin to heal and the body to respond to the allergies. Fish oil pills can also be recommended to help with the skin's conditioning. For behavioral problems, a veterinarian might suggest a trainer or prescribe a relaxant. A trainer can help to diagnose the dog's source of stress and concern. An Elizabethian collar can be used in both cases to help with deterring the dog from licking or biting the area.
Seriousness
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Not only are skin conditions and cysts unappealing to look at, they can also expose the dog to various infections. The skin is the dog's first layer of defense against the world's germs and infections. In addition, the skin can help a veterinarian determine if there are underlying concerns with the dog that might not otherwise be noticed. Yeast infections are common in dogs and difficult to treat but are often not diagnosed until serious skin conditions and cysts form.
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