Scratch the Surface of Skin Problems in Dogs

Lets scratch the surface of the most perplexing and relentless task to treat in your dog, skin problems.    Skin is the body’s largest organ and is used by the dog’s body to rid itself of toxins, by way of excretion through the pores.  It must also defend itself against environmental irritants and pollutants.  The skin and coat help to regulate body temperature and allow perception of heat, cold and touch.  Canine skin problems can be complex. Skin problems in dogs are at the top of the list of reasons people visit the veterinarian with their dogs.  But pinpointing the underlying causes of the issue can be quite difficult and often impossible.

The more general term for diagnosis of dog skin problems is eczema – a broad term used for inflamed skin.
The common pattern of dog skin problems is inflammation or dermatitis which causes itching and irritation.  This discomfort tends to make the dog scratch using his claws and teeth, which results in hair loss, more itching, and further inflammation. Histamines are released when the dog scratches.  This dog skin problem is termed as the itch-scratch-itch cycle. The cycle also causes broken skin and gives way for bacteria to invade.

The following are major signs of dog skin problems and skin disease:  scratching; rashes; reddening of the skin; loss of hair; wet areas from licking – on white dogs, distinguished as stained brown by their saliva; black and gritty material in the coat; insect attraction to the coat; dry coat; infected spots; dandruff; and mats.  Some dogs will have a foul odor about the inflamed area.  There are areas of the dog that should be checked carefully if you suspect that there are skin problems.  Look between your dog’s toes and on the bottom of the pads of the paws.  Investigate the underside of your dog and check under the armpits and in the groin area.  Also, look around the area that is covered by the collar.  If the rump area is involved, look at the base of the tail, behind the rear legs, and around the anal area.  There is a possibility that your dog chews when he thinks that nobody is watching.  Check his gum line for signs of worn teeth and look to see that his incisors have not been worn down unnaturally.  If your canine has chewed or scratched himself for an extended length of time, there may be a change in the skin pigmentation that could be permanent.

Some of the most common skin irritations are caused by obvious irritants, while others are far less obvious and may have a serious problem related to it.

Skin problems are broken down into some of the following categories:

• Ectoparasites- mites, fleas, ticks


• Fungal Infection- ringworm


• Hot spots- acute moist dermatitis that results from self mutilation


• Hypodermal- includes a wide range of infections resulting in pus formation


• Allergic inhalant dermatitis- ITCHY skin disease, which results from airborne particles


• Autoimmune- diagnosed by surgical biopsy


• Secondary skin disease- hypothyroidism

There are safe and effective ways in which to deal with skin problems in your dog. Even if the problem stems from a disease that must be controlled with prescription medications you and your dog can enjoy an itch-free existence.  You might decide to put your dog on a natural, premium quality dog food diet, that is preservative and additive free; some dogs are allergic to grains and need alternative foods to provide complete nutrition for them.  Consider the addition of an essential fatty acid to their diet, which will reduce inflammatory skin conditions; vitamin and mineral supplements may be of some help to heal the skin.  

You might need to remove some of the immediate allergens inside the house that your pet shows sensitivity to.  Scaling back on the number of baths that you give, and using natural shampoos and conditioners that contain healing remedies are helpful.  The use of herbs and homeopathic remedies is sometimes useful when handling skin problems in dogs. Discuss your plans with your dog’s health care professional prior to undertaking any treatments. It is important to recognize, treat, and prevent canine skin diseases.  Healthy skin and coat in a dog, reflects your dog’s good health.