We all know that the skin is the largest part of the body, but pet owners tend to neglect it. More pet owners are concerned about heart, lung, and kidney issues than skin conditions. However, skin illness in dogs and cats (and their owners) can drastically reduce their quality of life. All veterinarians want pet owners to be aware of the most prevalent skin conditions that their dogs, cats, and other pets may suffer and how to treat and prevent them.
The Most Common Pet Skin Problems
Despite having different causes and treatments, many different skin disorders might have similar clinical signs. To help your pet feel better, a veterinary dermatologist can diagnose and treat skin disorders. The following are some of the most common skin issues that pets have:
Ringworm
Ringworm is a fungus that causes hair loss, scaling, and irritated skin. Because ringworm is contagious, you should treat it as soon as possible. Also, ringworm can be transmitted to humans, so avoid touching any places that appear to be infected and wash your hands well after handling an infected pet.
Allergic Dermatitis
Allergies can also affect animals. Like humans, pets may be allergic to specific foods, pollens, molds, and dust mites. Ear and skin infections and itchy skin are all possible side effects of allergic dermatitis. For more details about pet care, check out columbiarivervet.com.
Flea Allergies
Fleas and ticks are irritating, but they can also cause allergic reactions in some pets. Allergies to flea saliva can cause irritation, redness, and itching on your pet’s skin when bitten by fleas or ticks. The affected area’s fur may also fall out or become discolored, brittle, and dry. In case of emergency, seek help from 24 hour emergency vet.
Yeast Infection
Another cause of itchy, inflamed skin is a yeast infection, which commonly affects the ears, paws, and folds. Yeast infections, fortunately, are not contagious. Yeast is a spore-producing fungus always present on a dog’s skin as part of the normal flora, usually in small numbers. A yeast infection is caused by a yeast in a specific area.
Mange
Sarcoptic and demodectic are the two types of mange. Both are caused by an excessive number of mites on or on the skin. Scabies is another name for sarcoptic mange. Sarcoptic mange is very irritating and highly contagious, affecting humans and animals. However, it doesn’t usually survive long on humans. Only cats can transmit demodectic mange, but this is not the case with dogs. Redness, air loss, and other symptoms are caused by this mite.
Lick Granuloma
Like hot spots, lick granulomas are chronic self-inflicted wounds created by excessively licking a part of the skin. Lick granulomas can cause hair loss, redness, and deep infections. This can be caused by anxiety, boredom, a lack of socializing, and stress, among other things. It is usually linked to allergies, but it can also be caused by parasites, tumors, or other factors.
Hot Spots
If your pet has an underlying ailment that causes them to lick, bite, or scratch a particular part of their body excessively, this might lead to hot spots. Those red, swollen patches on canines can develop from the size of a quarter to the size of a grapefruit in a short period. Pus or a fluid discharge may leak from hot spots. Hot areas might also have a nasty odor. Hair in the afflicted area may also fall chewed out. Learn more about veterinary dermatology in Vancouver.
When you visit a veterinary dermatologist, they will examine your pet’s symptoms and diagnostics such as allergy testing, skin scrapings, and microscopic evaluation to identify what type of skin disease they are likely to have. Following the diagnosis, the veterinary dermatologist will recommend a treatment plan.