Dog Skin Infections

Dogs are beloved companions who travel with their owners to a variety of places both indoors and out, so it is not uncommon for a dog to develop a skin infection. Fortunately, skin infections are relatively easy to treat.

  1. Impetigo

    • Impetigo is an infection that usually affects puppies, causing small pus-filled lesions on the chin or abdomen. The lesions are often caused by staph bacteria or other bacterial infections and may become crusty or scaly in appearance.

    Ringworm

    • One of the most common fungal skin infections, ringworm features a round ring that is red, inflamed and highly contagious to other dogs and humans.

    Malassezia

    • Malassezia is a common infection that causes scaly, red and inflamed skin that can also be greasy or have a distinct odor. It is caused by a yeast infection and can also cause mild to severe itching in the affected dog.

    Mange

    • Sarcoptic, demodectic and cheyletiella are the three forms of mange, all of which are caused by mites. Mange causes itching, hair loss, inflamed skin, pus-filled lesions and scaly skin.

    Allergies

    • Allergies vary from dog to dog, but alelrgens can produce reactions in the skin which vary in severity but include itching, hypersensitivity, open wounds which become infected and hair loss.