Common Skin Diseases in Dogs: Quick Guide to Identifica

Section 1: Common Skin Diseases in Dogs

1. Bacterial Skin Diseases, also known as pyoderma, occur when bacteria overgrow on the skin surface, leading to the formation of pusfilled blisters or exudates. Any factor that disrupts the skin's delicate environment can trigger these conditions. Pyoderma can be categorized into superficial, superficialpartialthickness, and deep infections based on the severity of the infection.

2. Fungal Skin Diseases are caused by yeast and dermatophytes. Yeast infections are commonly found in areas such as the neck, lower abdomen, feet, face, and limbs, especially in skin folds. Symptoms include mild itching, redness, papules, crusts, lichenification, hyperpigmentation, and seborrhea. Dermatophytes often present with circular or irregular hair loss patches without distinct characteristics. Lesions may produce scales, redness, or crusts due to scratching, and the hair may become easily broken and fall out, especially in the form of collarlike lesions. Hair loss is often seen on the face, ear flaps, limbs, and tail.

3. Allergic Skin Diseases are primarily characterized by itching and include conditions like allergic dermatitis caused by flea bites and atopic dermatitis.

4. Parasitic Skin Diseases are commonly caused by mites, follicular mites, fleas, and lice. Canine scabies mites live within the epidermis, causing lesions such as hair loss, dandruff, and crusts, which initially appear on the face, around the eyes, ear flaps, and elbows, and then spread throughout the body. Itching is very pronounced, and this condition is more prevalent in puppies and stray dogs. Follicular mites are common ectoparasites of the skin. They can overgrow and cause skin lesions under various conditions, such as immune dysfunction, malnutrition, and rapid growth. Clinical lesions include hair loss, dandruff, or crusts around the eyes, lips, and between fingers or toes, which may eventually spread throughout the body and lead to secondary infections.

5. Endocrine Skin Diseases exhibit typical symptoms such as symmetrical hair loss, hyperpigmentation of the skin, and dry hair that is prone to shedding. Common endocrine skin diseases include hyperadrenocorticism, hypothyroidism, growth hormone deficiency, and hormonal imbalances.

Section 2: How to Determine What Type of Skin Disease Your Dog Has

In clinical practice, skin diseases cannot be diagnosed solely by visual examination; various laboratory tests are required for assistance. Common tests include skin scrapings, hair analysis, direct smears and cytology, pressure smears and tape stripping, potassium hydroxide direct microscopy, bacterial culture and sensitivity testing, fungal culture, Wood's lamp ultraviolet examination, endocrine hormone level serum testing, allergen intradermal testing, and skin tissue pathology examination.

After a professional diagnosis is made, a comprehensive treatment plan should be provided. Treatment typically involves oral and topical medications, including oral antibiotics, antifungal drugs, antiparasitic medications, immunosuppressants, and skinnutritional drugs. Topical treatments include skin drops, sprays, and shampoos. Localized lesions are often treated with topical medications, while systemic skin diseases may require a longer treatment period and are more prone to recurrence. It is essential to maintain a clean living environment, bathe regularly, and deworm. Stay in contact with your veterinarian during treatment, actively follow up, and maintain confidence.

Tip: Click How to Properly Determine Your Dog's Skin Disease for more information on identifying skin diseases in dogs.