5 Common Dog Skin Problems

Underneath your dog’s healthy coat, whether it is a full and luscious mane or a short and bristly pelt, is a whole lot of skin. And what’s more, a dog’s skin is very sensitive, which is why it’s so important to use the right pet shampoo. When it comes to canine skin care, we may be dismissive at times, or even downright forgetful, because our dogs' skin is often less visible. However, dogs are susceptible to skin problems, and below are the top 5 common dog skin problems you could encounter as a dog owner.

For the most part, hair loss in dogs is the symptom of a more severe skin issue rather than the underlying cause. When you begin to notice your dog losing hair, it is important to pay close attention to whether the hair is falling out on its own or if your dog is chewing it off as a result of irritated skin underneath the fur. If the hair is falling out on its own, it may be due to one of the following skin conditions that are the underlying cause of the hair loss.

Causes

The two leading skin conditions that cause hair loss in dogs are pressure sores and parasite infestation. Pressure sores are more prevalent in older dogs, but can manifest themselves at any age, depending on your dog’s predisposition to them. Parasite infestations occur as a result of contact with a particular parasite or bug, and an infestation occurs when the contact goes unnoticed or untreated. Most often, parasite infestations come in the form of fleas, ticks, and occasionally, ringworm. Dogs tend to pick up these critters from parks, wooded areas, and even from other dogs.

Signs & Symptoms

Pressure sores can be identified by hard scabs and scaly skin tissue in and around the joints, and an infestation can be identified by vigorous gnawing or scratching at the affected area. Both of these skin conditions are characterized by hair loss. While the cause of hair loss varies slightly for every dog, in both cases, the hair falls out as a direct result of skin irritation. Whether from pressure or parasitic infestation, when your dog’s skin becomes irritated, it begins to scab over. As this happens, the hair will be unable to grow in the affected areas, and it will start to fall out. Look for bald spots or patches of thin hair as signs that your dog’s skin may be under attack from an external source. 

Treatments

The treatments for pressure sores are two-fold and include topical creams to soothe the affected areas, as well as introducing padded surfaces, such as a dog bed, to provide your dog with a more comfortable surface and reduce abrasive pressure. Bug and parasite infestations are often treated with a combination of topical antifungals and, in some cases, more intense chemicals to kill and eradicate the pests from your dog’s skin. Be sure to consult with and work closely with your veterinarian to develop a treatment plan tailored to your dog's specific needs.

Hot spots are also called moist dermatitis and can be categorized as wet open sores on your dog’s skin. A related skin issue to hot spots is dandruff, where, instead of the surface being irritated by too much moisture, it is caused by a lack of moisture, turning the skin scaly and flaky.

Causes 

Hot spots occur as a result of excessive licking or scratching, or sometimes as a combination of both. Much like hair loss, hot spots are often the result of a different, more deep-seated skin issue that causes your dog to attempt to lick and scratch the irritation into submission. This irritation could be the result of something as simple as a flea bite or a thorn that is stuck between the skin and fur.

Dandruff is often caused by a lack of moisture in the skin, and if your dog suffers from dandruff, hot spots are likely to follow. As your dog deals with the dry, flaky irritation of dandruff, it will try to compensate by licking and scratching at the skin surface. This inevitably causes more serious skin issues, like hot spots, to wreak havoc on the skin.

Signs & Symptoms

Dandruff is an easily noticeable skin condition. As the skin dries out and becomes flaky and scaly due to dandruff, small particles of skin, usually white in color, will flake off and either stick in your dog’s fur or fall to the ground. Hot spots are a type of infection and often cannot be seen underneath the coat. Some signs your dog may be experiencing a hot spot include excessive licking, itching, and guarding the surrounding area. If you suspect that your dog is suffering from a hot spot, separate the fur and inspect for an open, wet sore.

Treatments

Dandruff is not curable; however, it is treatable and relatively easy to manage. Because dandruff comes on as the result of dry skin, introducing more fatty acids into your dog’s diet and using a conditioning dog shampoo will both help in keeping dandruff in check by adding moisture to your dog’s skin.

Hot spots should be treated by shaving away the fur around the lesion and applying a topical treatment daily to kill bacteria and prevent further growth. Be sure to keep the area clean and allow it to heal naturally. To prevent your dog from aggravating the hot spot, consider using a cone to keep it from licking and making the area worse.

Allergic dermatitis refers to an allergic reaction that manifests on the skin. This skin condition can be triggered by various external factors that cause a dog’s immune system to overreact with a physical response. Allergies in dogs are relatively common and typically fall into three categories: contact allergies, inhalant allergies, and ingested allergies.

Causes

Brought on by a myriad of sources, allergic dermatitis is most commonly caused by pollen, food, and direct skin contact with foreign bodies like flea saliva or harsh chemicals. Dogs can inherit allergies from their parents, as a predisposition to specific allergens can be passed down through genetic material. Allergic dermatitis occurs when an allergen is exposed to the immune system over a long period. Eventually, the immune system misidentifies a particular allergen, such as pollen, as a threat, triggering an immune response that leads to an allergic reaction.

It is the owner’s responsibility to account for changes in the environment, such as seasonal blooms, the introduction of new chemicals like fertilizers, or changes in diet, as these can all trigger an allergic reaction in your dog. The most common allergens that a dog is susceptible to developing an aversion to are:

• Heat
• Grass
• Pollen
• Dust Mites
• Mold Spores
• Food
• Bug Bites

Signs & Symptoms

• Itching
• Excessive licking – especially in the paws and feet
• Itchy ears – shaking his head back and forth
• Biting, gnawing at the skin
• Excessive chewing
• Hair Loss
• Red, inflamed skin
• Visible rashes
• Hives and other bumps
• Swollen face and paws

Treatments

Be sure to monitor any strange behavior your dog may be exhibiting in conjunction with the symptoms listed above as they may indicate an allergic response. As with any condition or irritation your dog may be suffering from, it is crucial that you allow your vet to make the official diagnosis regarding your dog’s condition and a compatible treatment plan. 

Rashes, and more specifically hives, are a part of the allergic dermatitis family, with one crucial distinction. While allergic dermatitis is caused by the immune system’s introduction to an allergen over time, rashes and hives are an involuntary, rapid-onset reaction to a specific stimulus.

Causes

For the most part, rashes and hives are the result of a contact allergy. Typically, to produce hives, the skin must come in direct contact with an allergen. There are cases where hives result from ingesting or inhaling an allergen, but for the most part, direct dermal contact will cause a rash or hives. Potential causes for hives and other rashes include bug bites, poisonous plants, pesticides, and fertilizer.

Signs and Symptoms

Hives can appear anywhere on your dog’s body, but are most prevalent on the abdomen, face, and legs. Rashes tend to be red in color and generally exhibit some kind of texture. In the case of hives, look for patches of little red bumps that are clumped together. Hives are a specific rash that includes additional symptoms such as swelling of the jowls, redness around the ears, excessive drooling, and a swollen face and eyes. Hives may not always be visible, and they sometimes hide in your dog’s ears.

Treatments

Rashes can be treated similarly to most skin issues by applying a topical cream. Remember to never give your dog anything without having the substance approved by your veterinarian. Due to the rapid onset of hives and most other rashes, a remedy for the ailment is typically case-specific. 

Infection is one of the most common forms of dog skin problems. Due to the wide variety of skin infections that are possible for a dog, it is vital that you consult your veterinarian before attempting to diagnose your dog yourself. Bacterial infections are often treatable and usually not cause for alarm. When the skin becomes infected, it is referred to as pyoderma, a general term used to describe any type of skin infection.

Causes 

Pyoderma is any disruption of the skin due to bacteria, fungi, or other microbial agents that cause infection. Most commonly, infections occur when a wound goes untreated, but infections can also take root in healthy, undamaged skin. The most common types of skin infections for dogs include yeast infections, impetigo, and ringworm. Impetigo and yeast infections are both bacterial in nature, while ringworm is caused by fungal overgrowth.

Signs and Symptoms 

Depending on the specific infection, symptoms will vary. However, there are a few telltale signs that usually point to some kind of infection. First, skin infections typically include some sort of pus-filled scabs or red bumps on the skin's surface, also known as pustules and lesions. In the case of impetigo, pus-filled bumps will appear on the abdomen and the paws. Second, infections typically cause the skin to turn a discolored mix of red, orange, yellow, and brown, accompanied by some kind of dried discharge. In the case of yeast infections, you will notice a thick coating of yellowish discharge between the toes on your dog’s paws and in the ear flaps. Finally, infections will generally cause the skin to become hard and crusty, which can lead to old hair falling out and prevent new hair from growing. This loss of hair, known as alopecia, is a good indicator that your dog may be suffering from an underlying infection.

Treatments

Treatments for infection are case-specific and vary in intensity depending on the severity of the infection. Typically, vets will prescribe a tandem approach of topical and systemic therapy, such as antibiotics. Traditionally, infections are treated for a few weeks and monitored to prevent any further issues in your dog’s health.

With all the activity your dog gets into, there is a good chance that at some point, your dog will have a problem with his skin. However, with the right knowledge and a willingness to take the proper action, you can keep your dog’s skin healthy all summer long! Skin problems in dogs can be manageable but often require long-term or even lifelong treatment. Be sure to act quickly when you notice a potential problem with your dog’s skin and always consult a vet for a professional diagnosis. 

Sources: 

1. https://www.caninejournal.com/dog-skin-problems/
2. https://pets.webmd.com/dogs/ss/slideshow-skin-problems-in-dogs
3. https://www.petmd.com/dog/centers/nutrition/evr_dg_common-dog-skin-problems
4. https://www.hillspet.com/dog-care/healthcare/5-common-dog-skin-problems
5. https://www.1800petmeds.com/education/pet-medications-common-skin-problems-9.htm
6. https://www.aspcapetinsurance.com/blog/2016/february/22/common-skin-problems-in-dogs/