Dubbed one of “dogdom’s true aristocrats” by the AKC,1 Poodles rose from humble origins as German-bred duck hunting dogs to show, circus, and lap dogs amongst French nobility.
Unfortunately, these dogs’ graceful appearance sometimes comes at the cost of certain inherited skin conditions—but most Poodle skin problems are easily treatable if you know what to look for.
Skin Allergies
Just like you might steer clear of peanut butter, gluten, or the outdoors in April, your dog might suffer from an array of allergies (many of which Poodles may inherit). One of the most common allergic reactions in dogs is allergic dermatitis, colloquially known as itchy skin.2
Causes
Allergic dermatitis can result from virtually any canine allergy. This might include food allergies (though canine food allergies are not as common as you might think, and anaphylaxis in dogs is rare). Dog food allergy culprits may include3:
- Dairy
- Beef
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Soy
- Wheat gluten
Your pup’s itchiness might also be the result of classic seasonal allergies (i.e. dust, pollen, mold). Research has yet to determine whether these allergens make their way into the bloodstream via the lungs or are absorbed directly through the skin. Regardless, your dog’s body reacts to the skin allergy by releasing itch-triggering histamines.
The final and perhaps most dreaded allergen for Poodles is flea saliva. If your pet has fleas and is allergic to the saliva they inject while feeding, the dog’s skin at the site of the bite will become inflamed and scab (similarly to a particularly angry mosquito bite). Luckily, while a flea allergy may indicate a larger flea problem, thos dog skin problem very easily treatable with one trip to the vet.
Symptoms
Scratching is a telltale way to determine if your Poodle is experiencing allergic dermatitis. The area your dog is scratching may actually be an indicator of which allergy they’re experiencing. For instance, the paws and ears are the most common itch spots associated with food allergies.
Seasonal allergies may plague your pet’s paws and ears as well, but will likely also affect:
- Wrists
- Ankles
- Muzzle
- Underarms
- Groin
- Around the eyes
- Between the toes
Finally, a flea allergy will typically cause itching around the base of the tail. You’ll also notice that red, inflamed, scabby skin, and may even catch a flea or flea dirt (which looks like black pepper).
Treatment Options
If you notice your dog struggling with an allergy, it’s always a good idea to consult your vet. If a food allergy is the culprit, an elimination diet is likely to determine which food caused the reaction. Unfortunately, food allergies in dogs can’t be cured, so a hypoallergenic diet is your best bet.
Your vet can easily treat a flea allergy by applying a solution that kills fleas before they bite. Moving forward, you may need to introduce a more robust flea and tick prevention plan to address this skin condition.
Finally, in the case of seasonal or environmental allergies, your vet will likely inject your pet with different allergens to find the offender. From there, a medication (such as a canine antihistamine) or allergy injections can be prescribed.
Keep in mind that skin allergies carry the risk of secondary infection. Persistent scratching may open your dog’s skin to yeast or bacterial infections that will require additional treatment.
Dermatitis
Allergic dermatitis isn’t the only type of dermatitis common in Poodles. Unfortunately, a variety of other conditions may also cause inflamed or itchy skin, and “dermatitis” is an umbrella term encompassing all of them.
According to veterinary dermatologist Dr. Domenico Santoro, dermatitis is involved in about 90% of cases he sees.4 Even more serious infections (from bacteria, fungi, viruses, or external parasites) can cause seemingly innocent itching.
Causes
Common causes of canine dermatitis include:
- Ear mites – Common in puppies, these highly contagious small bugs are typically found inside the ears.
- Malassezia yeast – This fungus is already naturally present on your dog’s skin, but can overproduce and cause irritation.
- Mange – This painful skin condition is caused by the overpopulation of Demodex mites (which naturally live on your dog’s skin) within hair follicles. It can also be caused by highly contagious scabies.
- “Walking dandruff” – These contagious mites look like moving dandruff and can live on a dog’s back and trunk for up to 10 days.
Be on the lookout for these conditions (as well as dermatitis resulting from other common skin problems, like dermatitis or hot spots).
Symptoms
The symptoms of dermatitis in dogs are those you might expect from someone with extremely itchy skin: itching, scratching, licking, or biting. In excess, this might create small, pimple-like bumps, which burst and cause crusting and scaling.
In extreme cases, the infected area might become painful, thicken, darken, smell, or even leak fluid. Dead skin may fall off. You might also notice pus-filled blisters, scabs, or hair loss.
Treatment Options
While treatment depends on the cause of the dermatitis (i.e. antifungals or antibiotics might be necessary), your vet will likely prescribe an antihistamine, steroid, or other oral medication.
Topical sprays can be used to minimize itching sensations in the meantime, and your dog may need to wear a recovery collar to prevent chewing or scratching. Your vet might also recommend adding fatty acids to your dog’s diet.
In recent years, new anti-itch-specific medications have hit the market for dogs. Your vet might prescribe one of these anti-inflammatory agents, including Cytopoint and Apoquel.
Hot Spots
Hot spots are just what they sound like: red, inflamed skin lesions that appear like spots on a dog’s skin.5 A type of dermatitis (known as pyotraumatic or acute moist dermatitis), hot spots are usually created by self-trauma (i.e. a dog scratching at one spot so much that they leave behind an open wound).
Causes
While self-trauma is the most common cause of hot spots, the underlying cause of the initial itch varies. Common culprits include:
- Allergies
- Reactions to bites (from fleas, mites, or any other small insect, like wasps or even caterpillars)
- Ear infections
- Bacterial or fungal/yeast infections (the secondary skin infection from scratching at an initial infection is known as pyoderma)
- Unkempt hair/poor grooming
- Boredom (your dog might lick their limbs the way you’d bite your nails)
- Orthopedic problems (i.e. an arthritic dog lying on one side too much)
- Anal gland inflammation
If you notice your Poodle scratching or licking at one particular spot, discourage them if possible and be on the lookout for a subsequent hot spot.
Symptoms
Hot spots typically appear quickly, most commonly around the head, legs, or hips. They might contain pus and can even ooze or smell. Typically visibly itchy and painful, hot spots might appear in plain sight or might be hidden beneath matted hair.
Treatment Options
The first step in eliminating a hot spot is to discourage your dog from exacerbating it. This might involve a recovery collar or using a bandage or sock as a barrier. Your vet might prescribe topical or oral steroids or antihistamines to help kick the itching.
Next, your vet will handle the hot spot’s underlying cause (i.e. treating an ear infection, testing for allergies, or seeking a professional groomer).
Sebaceous Adenitis
Common in young adult to middle-aged dogs, sebaceous adenitis is an immune system disorder in which the sebaceous glands in the skin become inflamed.6 Since these glands are associated with the hair follicles, the condition affects the coat as well as the skin. To manage this, it’s important to understand: ‘do poodles shed?’ and to better maintain their coat.
Causes
Sebaceous adenitis is genetic and not contagious (which is why certain breeds, like Poodles, are prone to it).7 Your dog’s case might additionally involve inflammation of the glands thanks to an overactive nervous system.
Symptoms
Signs of sebaceous adenitis vary depending on your dog’s hair type. In long-haired dogs (like Poodles), symptoms may include):
- Symmetrical (side-to-side) areas of hair loss
- Dull, brittle hair
- White scales that are difficult to flake off
- Tufts of matted hair around the body
- Lesions along the spine (starting at the head)
- Severe cases may include deep skin infection, fever, fatigue, and weight loss—though these cases aren’t as common in Poodles
If you notice any of these signs, it’s best to consult your vet before the condition progresses.
Treatment Options
To soothe your pet’s irritated skin and reduce flaking, your vet might prescribe topical treatments and hair products (i.e. shampoos, sprays, mousses). Oral antibiotics or other medications like Atopica might be needed to fight any associated bacterial infections (as well as antibiotic resistance). Vitamin A and fatty acid supplements may also help.
Unfortunately, while some dogs show improvement within four months, others may not respond to treatment and may need to continue experimenting with treatment plans throughout their lives.
Candidiasis, Thrush, Yeast Infections
Yeast infections (including thrush, also known as candidiasis, caused by the Candida fungus)8 are common in Poodles. Also known as yeast dermatitis, these common skin infections grow when yeast that naturally occurs on the skin builds up excessively in a certain area.
Causes
Certain dog breeds, including the Poodle, are genetically predisposed to developing yeast infections.9 Aside from genetics, oily skin (often the result of skin allergies) or immune deficiency (even as a result of taking steroids) may be to blame.
Symptoms
Symptoms of a yeast infection include:
- Red, itchy skin
- A musty odor
- Scaly, crusty, flaky skin
- Thickened, “elephant”-esque skin
- Hyperpigmentation (darker skin)
- Chronic/recurring ear infections
If you notice any of these signs, consult your vet—a skin biopsy or blood test may be necessary.
Treatment Options
Topical treatments (i.e. antifungal shampoo) are the most common treatment plan for a yeast infection, and oral antifungal medications might also be necessary in chronic or persistent cases.
Your vet will likely also prescribe a steroid or a medication like Atopica, Apoquel, or Cytopoint to quell itching in the meantime.
Nail Your Poodle’s Skincare Routine with Vetericyn
Like many other breeds, Poodles are prone to a variety of skin conditions, including skin allergies, hot spots, dermatitis, sebaceous adenitis, yeast infections, and more. Don’t fret if you notice these symptoms of Poodle health issues—most of these conditions are easily treatable, and the luscious skin and coat your pet gets in return is well worth the vet visit.
Vetericyn is on your team when it comes to caring for your pup’s skin. Vetericyn Plus Hot Spot Antimicrobial Hydrogel can help soothe irritated skin while it heals naturally.
designed to provide relief from itching and inflammation without harming healthy tissue. Their non-toxic, non-irritating formula sticks in place as an extra layer of protection without alcohol, steroids, or antibiotics.
Once your Poodle’s skin feels great, treat her to a bath with our hypoallergenic FoamCare shampoo, made to relieve dry or itchy skin while enhancing her coat’s shine.
Your Poodle deserves pampered skin worthy of an aristocrat, and Vetericyn is here to deliver that itch-free glow.
Reviewed by C. Scott Van Winkle
Scott has been with Innovacyn for the past 11 years and has been working within the Burlingame portfolio of companies for the past 23 years. Scott brings a diverse background to Innovacyn. With an upbringing as the 5th generation on his families cattle ranch, Scott has a passion for animal health and the continuous improvement surrounding agricultural practices. Scott earned marketing and business management degrees from the University of Idaho and holds an Executive MBA from Pepperdine University.
Sources:
- American Kennel Club. Poodle (Standard.). https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/Poodle-standard/
- American Kennel Club. Dog Skin Allergies: What to Know. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/dog-skin-allergies/
- VCA Animal Hospitals. Food Allergies in Dogs. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/food-allergies-in-dogs
- American Kennel Club. Dermatitis in Dogs: What to Know. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/dermatitis-in-dogs/
- VCA Animal Hospitals. Hot Spots in Dogs. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/hot-spots-in-dogs
- VCA Animal Hospital. Sebaceous Adenitis in Dogs. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/sebaceous-adenitis-in-dogs
- Animal Allergy & Dermatology of Colorado. Sebaceous Adenitis. https://animalallergycolorado.com/animal-disease-index/sebaceous-adenitis
- Web MD. What Is Candidiasis? https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/what-is-candidiasis-yeast-infection
- VCA Animal Hospitals. Yeast Dermatitis in Dogs. Web MD. What Is Candidiasis? https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/yeast-dermatitis-in-dogs
