Common Skin Diseases in Pet Dogs: A Comprehensive Guide

What Types of Skin Diseases Affect Dogs?

1. Fleas

Fleas are a common type of parasitic arthropod that often infest a dog's body, including the skin, armpits, groin, neck, and the depths of their fur. In shorthaired breeds, these pests can be visibly spotted by the owner (due to the differences in human body temperature and hair compared to dogs, they struggle to survive on humans, so it's safe to remove them). Flea eggs are typically white, and their feces are dark, so if you notice a ring of small black dots and white spots among the fur, it's likely the feces and eggs left behind by fleas on your dog's skin. These should be removed along with the fleas themselves.

2. Mites

Mites usually reside beneath the skin, in areas like the dog's belly, groin, or ears. There are three main types of mites affecting dogs: scabies mites, demodex mites, and ear mites. When a dog has mites, you might notice small red spots on the skin, redness around the lips, and hair loss. Dogs with ear mites may have coffeecolored discharge from their ears and may scratch at their ears due to itching.

3. Fungal Skin Diseases

When a dog is infected with a fungal skin disease, the affected area may show signs of hair loss and broken hair, with the skin appearing patchy and red and swelling in the affected regions.

4. Other Skin Conditions, Rashes, and Abscesses:

The abdominal wall and inner thighs of the dog may frequently have blisters and abscesses on the skin.

5. Allergies

Skin diseases caused by allergies tend to appear suddenly, with symptoms being quite pronounced, including widespread redness of the skin.

Pet Doctor's Tip: For more information on dog skin diseases, you can read articles like "How to Treat Dog Skin Diseases: Symptoms of Dog Skin Diseases" to learn more.