Top 5 most common skin problems of dog & their solution.

The skin acts as a barometer of your pet’s general state of health. In general, a dog’s skin is either black or pink, depending on the pigments which are common to the breeds. Regardless of skin color, it should be smooth.
Various symptoms of skin issues are:

1. Skin sours 2. Dry skin 3. Rashes 4. Lumps
2. Redness 6. Dandruff 7. Bumps 8. Hairloss

1. Allergic Dermatitis

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Have you seen your dog chewing its paws and scratching its belly, flanks, and ears?

Skin allergies are among the most reported skin conditions for dogs and their remedies vary depending on the stimulant.
Skin allergies pose the risk of bacterial infections and hair loss. As dogs continue to scratch, bite, and lick at their wounds.

What causes skin allergies in dog?

Also known as allergic Dermatitis, it is a misguided reaction by the immune system to a stimulant many substances can serve as allergens and these include:

Flea saliva, common dog food ingredients(corn, beef, dairy products, soya, wheat gluten) environmental irritants(dust, mold, pollen) household chemicals.

How to treat skin allergies in dogs?

• Eliminate problematic food ingredients.
• Putting your pooch in a food trail can help rule out possible food allergens.
• Give your dog fish oil. It contains omega-3 fatty acids that promote optimal skin and healthy coat.
• Get rid of fleas.
• Several over-the-counter flea treatment are available to keep these pesky pests away proactively but if you frown upon chemical-based treatments, there are also home remedies for fleas.

2. Demodectic mange

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Demodectic mange is caused by mites in the dog’s skin, leaving the dog with a red, itchy skin infection. The Demodex mites live on a particular host, so one form of Demodex mite(Demodex canis) lives on dogs.

What causes demodectic mange?

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These eight-legged cigar-shaped mites are a normal part of the skin flora and they take up residence deep in the hair follicle without stirring trouble. However, an impaired immune system can cause mites to increase rapidly.

Treatment

• Seek expect help. Do not treat the condition without expert help, while there are many tropical products designed to address it.
• Sometimes it require aggressive treatment using special shampoos, medicated baths and antibiotic therapy.
• The treatment may take a long time and regular vet appointments to ensure success.

3. Ringworm

The fungus thrives in the outermost layer of the skin and in the deep hair follicles of the infected dogs.

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Treatment

Holistic vets recommend essential oils that have anti-fungal properties.
Oil of oregano, lemongrass, and neem oil can help heal ringworm wounds and prevent them from spreading. But because these oils are concentrated, you need to dilute three drops of each oil in a teaspoon of carrier oil.

4. Dry skin

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Does doggo have white speckles on the coat? If yes, he likely has dry skin. Just like humans, our canine companions are prone to having dry skin, particularly during colder months.

What causes dry skin?

It is mostly caused by nutritional imbalances, climate change, digestive disorders, and intestinal parasites.

How to treat?

• Coconut oil is an excellent moisturizer and it also offers antibacterial and antifungal properties.
• Massage the oil into the coat and skin of your pooch at least once a day, and you will notice your dog’s coat improving.
• Supplement omega-3 & omega-6 fatty acids
• Essential fatty acids nourish the skin, reduce, itching and fight inflammation.

5. Hot spots

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Acute moist dermatitis, commonly called hot spots is an immune-mediated response of the skin. This condition is characterized by red, moist, irritated lesions that sometimes ooze with pus.

Many pets exacerbated the development of these lesions by inflicting self-trauma through excessive biting and itching.

What causes hot spots?

Hot spots can stem from an allergic reaction, flea bite, poor grooming, stress, or an underlying disease. Long-hair and double-coated breeds are most often affected.

How to treat hot spots in dogs?

• Trim the hair around the affected area.
• Clipping the hairs around the affected area prevents matting and helps minimize the spread of bacteria.
• Apply calendula salve
• You can use calendula to treat hot spots and other skin irritations.
• This herb is not able for reducing inflammation but it promotes wounds healing.
• The best part is that it provides fast relief for itch and irritation, and it is safe even if your pet licks it.

Conclusion

Good skin signifies a lot about your pet’s health, so regular grooming is very important to avoid these diseases. Diet also acts as a considerable factor in the maintenance of good skin. Wash your dog once every four weeks. Use various oils in winters to avoid skin disease. And In summers, use humidifiers near their resting area if possible.

“Everything I know I learned from dogs.” – Nora Roberts 

home-remedies for preventing such problems

If you see your dog itching or see rashes/hair-fall then apply a paste containing Azadirachta indica leaves (Neem leaves)+coconut oil on skin twice a weak will help a lot. but try to seek vet advice if available.

what else you can do to make your dog’s fur look brighter & healthier?

• Include omega-3-fatty acid in diet of your dog.
• Bath regularly (once/twice a month is enough).
• Add one tea spoon of coconut oil to his/her meal daily.
• Brush your dog regularly.
• Regular deworming is must.
• Protect your pooch from ticks & flies.

If you face any such skin complication then my dear friend this is the time to visit a vet.

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