Skin Infection in Dogs Kingston: Dry, flaky skin can be a sign of parasites that cause mange, such as the Demodex mite, canine scabies, and cheyletiellosis (Walking Dandruff), or it could indicate that your dog has lice. Diagnosing parasites that cause dry skin on dogs requires a trip to the veterinarian.
10 Reasons Why Your Dog Has Dry Flaky Skin and Scabs
There are plenty of reasons but you should be able to identify your dog’s problem among the following reasons.
Below, you’ll also get to know how you can get rid of dry dog skin and finally free your dog from nasty itching and scratching.
- Allergies
- Parasites
- Yeast Infection
- Immune disorder
- Atopic Dermatitis
- Folliculitis
- Impetigo
- Seborrhea
- Ringworm
- Diet Deficiency
Allergies in dogs:
Allergies are common in all breeds of dogs and can cause itching, irritation, discomfort, and pain. Environmental allergens in dogs, like residue, dust, and shape, can cause atopic unfavorably susceptible responses or atopic dermatitis.
One of the first signs you will see is your dog itching himself more often than normal. He may also lick, bite, and scratch to ease the itch.
Environmental allergies can include:
- Pollen
- Grass
- Pollution
- Products like dog shampoo, soap, and other cleaning products
- Even the laundry detergent you use on your own blankets and towels could be making your pooch itchy
- Food allergies are also possible
Identify the source of your dog’s allergy with testing at the vet and proceed from there.
It’s best not to expose your dog to the environmental trigger. Change diets or household products if these are the trigger.
Parasite control in dogs:
Fleas, ticks, and mites are all pesky parasites that many dogs come in contact with at some point. They cause itching and skin issues.
Mites can cause a kind of skin disease called mange. It is common, but painful and often seen in dogs that have been neglected. Ticks can go in size from 1mm to 1cm, so little unfed ticks can be very hard to distinguish. So, you need to protect your pet by Pet Parasite Control service.
There are 2 types of mange: sarcoptic mange (also known as scabies) and demodectic mange (also known as red mange or Demodex).
Parasites are a natural and common occurrence. Most dogs will get attacked by some kind of parasite at some stage in their life.
They can be easily picked up from the environment (lawn, dirt, or gardens) or from other animals.
Atopic Dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis is an itchy skin disease. It is not contagious but dogs with a family history are predisposed and can pass it down from generation to generation.
An allergic reaction happens when an animal breathes in something they are sensitive to such as dust or pollen. The allergic reaction causes the dog to rub, lick, bite or scratch.
Immune disorder
There are many different kinds of immune disorders. Sadly, a lot of them are not curable but can be controlled with medication.
If your dog has an immune disorder, his immune system will attack itself causing illness and symptoms that can include skin issues.
Yeast Infection
Yeast infections can be seen on the skin and are a very common hazard.
Yeast dermatitis or Malassezia dermatitis is caused by the fungus Malassezia pachydermatous. As numerous proprietors know unreasonably well, ear infections in dogs and cats can be incredibly awkward. The scratching, head shaking, and self-injury that is related to ear infections or ear inflammation can be incessant and may even keep pets and proprietors up in the center of the evening.
Folliculitis
Folliculitis is the fancy name for an inflamed hair follicle. It’s one of the most common skin problems a dog can suffer from.
Folliculitis in dogs is most commonly caused by bacteria, but other culprits include:
- Parasitism
- Fungal infections
- Systemic disease
- Immune system disorders
- Endocrine issues
- Injury
In this case, dry skin mostly occurs on specific spots where your dog may scratch himself violently.
Impetigo
Canine impetigo is a common problem that usually appears on the face or paws. A rash turns into blisters with pus and then a yellow or brown crust will form when they burst.
Unclean conditions will be a breeding ground for impetigo and puppies are especially at risk.
Seborrhea
Seborrhea or seborrheic dermatitis is a skin disorder. Basically, it’s dog dandruff.
It usually shows on the back, face, and flanks and is worse in the folds of the skin. You will also see it in the bedding.
The sebaceous glands of the skin make too much sebum causing scaly, flaky, itchy, and red skin.
Ringworm
Ringworm is also called dermatophytosis and is very common, especially for dogs who live outside or on a farm. A red circle will show up on the skin.
It’ll be itchy and can be scaly. Scabs and hair loss can follow if the dog is scratching a lot.
Dogs can pick up ringworm from dirt and soil. It can be passed onto humans and is quite contagious.
Diet Deficiency
A poor diet can cause a dog to have skin problems.
If a dog is lacking the nutrients, vitamins, and minerals he needs, that can result in an itchy rash, skin irritation, and painful sores.
This can have a snowball effect and your dog could be prone to infection by parasites.
As your dog grows up, his diet requirements can change. Or if you suddenly have more time and your dog gets more exercise, a diet change may also be necessary.
This list is not exhaustive. Sometimes dry skin is a sign of a more serious problem. For example, diseases such as the following may also display symptoms of dry skin:
- Cushing’s disease
- Skin cancer
- Hypothyroidism
If you’ve ruled out every other cause, check with your vet to detect and treat the underlying medical issue.
Is Your Dog Losing Hair Due to Dry Skin?
If your canine friend is losing hair, there is a strong possibility he has a skin condition.
A dog will instinctively itch and scratch himself when he has a skin condition. That will lead to hair loss.
It’s not easy to discourage a dog from licking, itching, and scratching itself if he feels the urge. Take steps to ease the itching while you get an accurate diagnose of the cause. To help you understand the range of dog skin problems and identify the more obvious symptoms typically associated with each issue, we have summarised the most common skin infections in dogs.
Check your dog all over for dry skin, flaky spots, and irritation. A trip to the vet might be needed if you feel it’s serious.
If this is the first time your pet has developed a skin issue, you might find peace of mind by seeing your veterinarian.
Usually, you can expect the hair to go back once the problem is treated and your dog stops itching.
Below you can find some preventative measures and treatments you can apply at home to help your dog.
Does Your Dog Have Crusty Scabs on His Back?
A scab indicates a spot that has been scratched a lot. Then it heals with a scab forming on top of the sore spot.
If you have a short-haired dog you may be able to see crusty scabs on his back.
On long-haired dogs, it will be more difficult to see.
Check the whole surface of your dog’s body. See if there are any more scabs. If there are only a few, it is possible they were caused by some rough play outside.
Watch your dog see if he’s scratching the area around the scabs. If it is itching more than normal you will know that the skin is irritated.
You can try the remedies listed below or book an appointment with your local vet.
A vet will do a physical examination and may run tests including blood tests, skin scraping, skin biopsy, and skin tests.
What Does Dog Dandruff Look Like?
Dog dandruff is white and flaky and can be seen in a dog’s fur.
The flakes are small and are more easily visible on dark areas of fur. Also, you can see it in bedding, on the couch, and on the floor.
The dog dandruff (practically dead skin cells) will come off any surface the dog hangs out. So you might also notice it on your car seats, sofa, carpet, and other places.
Although messy, don’t worry as dog dandruff can be vacuumed up in a jiffy.
Grooming will help eliminate some of dandruff that is coming off your dog.
A specifically formulated dog dandruff shampoo is recommended to clear up the problem.
How To Get Rid of Dry Skin on Dogs?
Home remedies like coconut oil, apple cider vinegar, and baking powder can help ease and cure your dog’s dry skin problems.
Your veterinarian will prescribe medication for an allergy. This will often cure the problem, but it can return if you stop using the medication and may have side effects.
So, you can try to pinpoint what is causing the allergy and avoid the trigger or take the time to build a stronger immune system in case it’s still a puppy.
Often identifying an allergy is a process that takes time. Eliminate what might be causing the allergy one by and one and watch to see a change in your dog. To help you understand the range of dog skin problems and identify the more obvious symptoms typically associated with each issue, we have summarised the most common skin infections in dogs.
Start with the easiest ones like changing the type of dog shampoo you use.
What about conventional methods like medication prescribed by your veterinarian?
While I do like going the natural route, some cases of ringworms, infestations, or other diseases might require conventional methods, depending on severity and cause.
So, what do vets recommend to get rid of dry skin on dogs?
- Vets might recommend antihistamines or fatty acid therapy for issues like Atopic dermatitis
- Antifungal creams
- Oral medication
- Antimicrobial or medicated shampoo
- Biopsy to confirm the cause
If your dog just experiences itching and seems to be fine otherwise, you can treat your dog at home.
So, what can you do at home to get rid of dry skin on dogs?
- Wash all dog bedding, blankets, and toys
- Deep clean house
- Hire a professional pest control company to eliminate parasites
- Provide your dog with a healthy diet (my Rottweiler is on a raw diet)
- Wash your dog with special shampoo
- Use coconut oil to get rid of fleas and moisturize the skin
- Vitamin E oil to help with skin issues
- Skin Infection in Dogs
How To Prevent Dry Dog Skin?
You get some information about any medical problems or worries about your pets. pet preventive Services and discussions will be tailored to the life stage and lifestyle of your dog and cat. To make sure your dog’s not getting any infections in the future, there are a couple of preventative measures you can take.
- Healthy Diet & Coconut Oil
- Bathing
- Grooming
- Medication
- Protection From Weather Conditions
At GRAH, we have a diverse and talented team of Veterinary professionals. You can trust the skills of our vets, leaving the care and treatment of your pet in their capable hands. Let us earn your trust by becoming one of our veterinary families at GRAH.
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