Dog's Skin Disease Causing Scratch-Induced Skin Damage:

When a dog first exhibits skin symptoms, pet owners often don't notice them right away, and by the time they do, the condition has become quite severe. Itching and scratching the skin is a common sign of skin diseases in dogs. If a dog excessively scratches itself to the point of causing raw skin, it's crucial for owners to take immediate action to care for the wound and prevent infection while promoting healing. Here are some specific steps and recommendations to follow:

1. Promptly Fit an Elizabethan Collar

Purpose: To prevent the dog from further scratching or biting at the wound, which could exacerbate the infection or lead to more severe injuries.

How to Do It: Select a properly fitting Elizabethan collar (also known as a "cone collar") to ensure the dog cannot reach the affected area.

2. Clean and Disinfect the Wound

Steps:

Shave Hair: If there's hair around the wound, use scissors or an electric clipper to remove it for better cleaning.

Wash: Rinse the wound with physiological saline or sterile saline solution to remove surface dirt and secretions. This is vital as it reduces the number of bacteria on the wound, lowering the risk of infection.

Disinfect: After cleaning, use cotton balls or swabs soaked in disinfectant (like iodine) to disinfect the wound. Iodine has broadspectrum antibacterial properties and can kill most bacteria on the wound surface.

Gently Wipe: Be gentle when wiping to avoid causing further injury. Ensure the iodine dries completely before proceeding to the next step.

3. Identify the Cause of the Itching

Common causes include mites, parasites, fungi, and bacteria. Once the cause is determined, appropriate treatment can be administered.

Mite Infection: Use deworming medication containing ivermectin to kill parasites and apply antiseptic ointment to the affected area. If the infection is widespread, consider shaving the dog's fur and bathing with medication.

Parasite Infection: Determine the specific type of parasite and promptly deworm. Also, apply antiseptic and antibacterial treatments to the infected areas.

Fungal Infection: Use specialized antifungal medications. For mild infections, topical treatments containing terbinafine can be used, such as Pipute (tincture of terbinafine). For severe infections, oral antifungal drugs and medicated baths are necessary.

Bacterial Infection: Use broadspectrum antibacterial medications for mild infections. For dermatitis or eczema, apply zinc oxide ointment, such as Fuant (zinc oxide ointment). If you don't have petspecific ointment, you can use erythromycin ointment from home. For severe cases, consult a veterinarian for oral antibiotics.

4. Maintain Care and Treatment

During treatment, consistently use a head collar on the dog to prevent scratching or licking the wound. Administer medication as directed and continue care until the skin is completely healed. If the dog is extremely itchy, consult a veterinarian for antiitch medication, such as Nuimen (chlorpheniramine maleate tablets).

In summary, the treatment for a dog's skin disease must be tailored to the cause and severity of the condition. Throughout the treatment process, ensure the dog wears a head collar to prevent further injury to the wound. This will help prevent infection and ensure a full recovery.