Dog Skin Problems
Tips For Correctly Identifying the Causes
When your dog starts his endless routine of scratching, licking and biting, it drives you nuts and more often than not, you assume his dog skin problem is because of fleas. This is natural. Fleas are very often the cause of this type of behavior in your dog. But unless you can positively identify that the problem is a flea infestation, you are making a wrong assumption that is bad for your dog’s health. Listed below are the six major reasons for your dog’s behavior so you can learn to correctly identify the problem and save your dog and yourself some misery.
1. Nutritional
Symptoms – hair loss, skin irritation, itching, scratching, general unhealthy appearance
Causes – being fed an inferior dog food
Treatment – feeding your dog quality food that has as the first ingredient beef, poultry or lamb
2. Environmental
Symptoms – oozy sore that your dog won’t stop licking or biting
Causes – small scratch or wound that stays moist and is invaded by bacteria causing an infection
Treatment – aggressive treatment by a vet that involves clipping and shaving the hair around the wound and antibiotics
3. Neurogenic
Symptoms – obsessive, persistent licking of one particular spot
Causes – boredom, separation anxiety, being confined
Treatment – behavior modification by a dog behaviorist
4. Allergic
Symptoms – overall scratching and biting
Causes – diverse; food, fibers, medications, plants, dust
Treatment – medicated baths, oral antihistamines, ointments
5. Parasitic
Symptoms – scratching, licking biting, bald patches
Causes – fleas, ticks, chiggers, deer flies, gnats, mites
Treatment – Needs to be diagnosed by vet and treated accordingly
6. Infectious
Symptoms – circular bald patches without scratching, greasy, odorous sores
Causes – various fungi, bacteria, and yeast organisms
Treatment – depends on which cause is diagnosed. Fatty acid supplements help prevent these problems.
Learning to identify your dog’s skin problem as one of these six main causes, nutritional, environmental, parasitic, neurogenic, allergic, or infectious is your first step to getting your dog help. Some of these conditions are not only irritating to your dog and you, but can be very serious. Identify your dog’s problem and seek the proper treatment.
For more detailed information on how to identify your dog skin problem, go to http://www.dogskinproblem.info for more articles on symptoms, causes and treatment.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Debra_Proctor
19 Top Tips for Keeping Your Best Friend Healthy!
- Know your dog’s common illnesses, and read up on what you may do when you think your dog has them.
- A dog that refuses to eat might be experiencing some emotional or physical ailments. If your dog refuses to eat, take your dog to the vet immediately.
- To make traveling easier for you and your puppy, take your puppy on short playing and treat trips. This will help your puppy become accustomed to riding in cars.
- Don’t give your puppies or dogs table scraps or real bones. They are hard to digest and may cause bleeding. Purchase commercial dog food. The commercially available varieties are carefully studied to give complete nutrition for dogs.
- A change in behavior of your older dog can be caused by a multitude of conditions that appear with the onset of old age. Have your veterinarian check your dog for muscle or joint pain.
- Fleas love a moist wet environment. Always make sure your dog is dry when it comes into the house. Dry your dog thrououghly after baths too.
- Check the pet shop or consult with your vet regarding the amount of food you should give your dog. It will vary according to the size and breed of your dog.
- Talk to other dog owners. They might have tips and tricks on handling your pet.
- For quick relief from itching caused by flea bites, cover an 8-inch segment of your dog’s coat with cooking oil and rub with garlic powder.
- Buy dog treats that have calories per serving written at the back. A table of nutrients as well as ingredients is also a plus so you’ll know what your dog is getting.
- A microchip implant, if you can afford it, is a great investment if you don’t want your dog to get lost. This is especially useful if you remove your dog’s collar often.You can eliminate excess gas by elevating your dog’s food dish so your dog doesn’t swallow too much air.
- A portable exercise pen is a good housetraining tool for pups. You can leave your pups outside without fear that they’ll run into the street.
- Water should always be readily available to your dog at any time of the day. Dogs don’t have sweat glands and need plenty of water to cool down.
- Bring squeaky toys and chew bones with you on a trip so your dog doesn’t get too bored being cooped up in the car.
- Buy dog supplements rich in glucosamine, calcium and antioxidants to maintain healthy bones and muscles on your pet.
- Make sure balls for fetch and chewing are large enough that they won’t get lodged in your dog’s throat.
- Chocolate can be fatal to dogs. Make sure your dog doesn’t accidentally eat any. If your dog does, take your dog immediately to a vet.
- Equal amounts of vinegar and water can get rid of any skunk smell that your dog might get. Just wash your dog with this solution, shampoo and then rinse again with plain water.
- Chicken and other bird bones break off into sharp pieces. Never give these to your dog because the bones may puncture your dog’s throat or intestines.
Six Reasons Your Dog Can’t Stop Scratching!
Your dog’s skin problem is driving you nuts! He won’t stop scratching, gnawing, licking, and biting. However, stop and think for a moment. If his behavior is driving you nuts, how must your poor dog be feeling?
By identifying the reason for your dog’s itching and scratching, you are one step closer to getting relief for him. Here are the six main reasons for your dog skin problem:
1. Infectious – bacterial, fungal, and yeast are skin and coat pathogens. Fungi cause circular patches of hair loss that usually do not itch. Yeast infections cause greasy, and odor causing sores.
2. Neurogenic – no medical reason for the dog’s incessant licking. Basically, a nervous habit of licking and chewing. This is often brought on by dogs that aren’t getting the proper exercise or attention they need and they bite, chew, and lick themselves as a nervous energy outlet.
3. Allergenic – an allergic reaction to numerous things; food ingredients, synthetic and natural fibers, medications and pharmaceutical products, plant material and even dust. All other causes must be ruled out before this diagnosis is used.
4. Environmental – itching brought on by what the dog is exposed to in his environment; swimming, digging, romping through fields. If the dog is sensitive to grasses or gets scrapes and cut, the wound often stays moist, bacteria sets in and causes and infection. This is most often referred to as a “hot spot.”
5. Nutritional – due to imbalanced diet without proper nutrition. This dog skin problem is often caused by the owner feeding the dog an inferior dog food. Just because a brand of dog food states, “Complete and Balanced” doesn’t mean it is a good source of nutrition for your dog. Owners will often opt for cheaper dog food and feel secure that they are feeding their dog a good diet because of false advertising. Remember, false advertising is just as prevalent when it comes to pet products as it is in human products.
6. Parasitic – fleas, ticks, chiggers, deer flies, and gnats are the most common parasites that cause your dog’s skin problem. Repeated exposure to these parasites can cause sensitivity and eventually infection. Cheyletiella mites, often referred to as “walking dandruff” and Sarcoptic mites which are called scabies or red mange, are much more serious. These mites cause very intense itching and scratching, hair loss and inflamed skin.
Each of these six reasons for your dog’s skin problem needs to be evaluated and considered when deciding how to treat your dog’s itching and scratching. By identifying the source of your dog skin problem, he can be treated and cured. Then, all will be happy – you and your best friend.