Urgent! How to Treat Dog Eczema with Red Pustules and D

Hello everyone, welcome to Oxygen Pet Doctor~

During this summer, smart dogs often find a cool spot to rest, like in the bathroom, on the grass, or in the mud. However, it's not uncommon for them to develop spots of redness on their bellies soon after. Usually, this is due to eczema causing trouble!

Don't worry too much, new dog owners, when you see eczema recurring.

This note will guide you through the symptoms and treatment approaches for dog eczema. ↓↓↓

What is Eczema?

Dog skin eczema, also known as suppurative traumatic dermatitis, refers to an inflammatory reaction of the dog's epidermal cells to allergens. This condition is more common during hot and humid seasons, particularly in China, where it peaks from May to September.

Symptoms and Characteristics of Dog Eczema:

● Commonly Affected Areas: The neck, back, abdomen, base of the tail, scrotum area, and between the toes and pads of dogs.

● Acute Eczema: Moist, small papules with scattered small blisters, some showing a sloughing state.

● Chronic Eczema: Often a result of acute eczema. The course is longer, with thickened, lichenified skin, flaking, hyperpigmentation. Although the moist appearance may seem to improve, itching persists, often on the back or limbs.

Causes of Eczema:

1. Generally related to an allergic constitution, with dogs having easily allergic skin.

2. Stimulated by various factors, such as:

External physical/chemical factors, such as mechanical pressure, friction, biting, scratching, and insect bites that cause the body to become allergic; certain internal medications, topical ointments, and disinfectants; dirt and grime that stimulate the body, such as a damp living environment or unclean skin, leading to allergic reactions and eczema.

3. Poor management conditions, such as diet, environment, feeding habits, and nutritional deficiencies.

Treatment Plans for Dog Eczema:

1. Trim hair around the affected area, disinfect with iodine, and keep the area clean and dry.

2. After the iodine dries, apply antiseptic ointments such as erythromycin or Fusant (zinc oxide ointment).

3. For severe cases, oral administration of Newmin (chlorphenamine maleate tablets) or dexamethasone tablets (which can effectively alleviate the itching, pain, and heat symptoms of eczema) + Vitamin B.

4. If the eczema develops blisters, apply cold compresses with boric acid solution and normal saline. If blisters break, use alum solution to clean the area.

5. Dietary support to reduce the intake of allergens, try hypoallergenic prescription food/canned food, and avoid feeding seafood, such as shrimp and crabs, which are high in protein and easily allergenic, especially in summer.

Important Notes:

● Avoid frequent bathing of the dog, wear a head collar, and prevent scratching.

● Do not cover the wound with bandages; the wound needs to be exposed to the air to keep it dry and heal.

● If the eczema is severe and there is no sign of improvement or it worsens, it is necessary to take the dog to a veterinarian promptly!

Prevention is Better Than Cure

1. After each bath or after a walk in the rain, always make sure to dry your dog's fur thoroughly with a hairdryer! After all, a moist environment is more likely to harbor bacteria.

2. When the weather is nice, take your dog out for some sun and calcium supplementation to boost their immunity. Dogs with eczema can also benefit from more sun exposure to aid in recovery.

3. For dogs that often play in grass and mud, make sure to do regular deworming to avoid parasites and other skin issues caused by insects.

Well, that's all for today!

Eczema is a condition that's not too severe but not too trivial either. As long as the pet parent takes good care, controls the dog's diet, and combines topical treatments, we can definitely win this battle!

Here's to all our furry little ones growing up healthy, happy, and peacefully~