Common Dog Skin Diseases: Symptoms & Identification
1. Skin Lumps: Dogs may develop skin lumps, which can be warts, cysts, tumors, or boils. These growths often feel firm and protrude, with warts typically appearing in older canines. Warts are pink in color, with a hard base and dark pigmentation. Melanomas are a type of malignant pigmentary tumor that grows slowly in older dogs, often resembling an eggsized, soft lump and are generally benign lipomas.
2. Hair Loss: Hair loss can be attributed to various causes such as ringworm, external parasites, endocrine disorders, scleroderma, local bacterial infections, or even mites. Some breeds, like the Collie, may experience patchy hair loss due to sunburn. Hormonal imbalances in the thyroid, adrenal, pituitary, ovaries, or overall hormonal dysregulation can lead to generalized hair loss.
3. Excessive Licking of the Skin: Dogs with dermatitis, anal gland impaction, external parasites, or other skin issues often resort to licking their skin to clean wounds or remove dirt from their fur. They may also repeatedly scratch at their skin with their front paws.
4. Itching Skin: Skin itching can be triggered by external parasites, allergies, skin irritation, internal diseases, or selfbiting. Fleas are a common source of itching. Sometimes, a dog's scratching may be due to an allergic reaction to pollen or dust. Other times, skin irritation can result from contact with certain shampoos, plants, or after a haircut, as foreign objects may刺激 the skin. Kidney and liver diseases can also cause itching in dogs.
5. Sunburn, Allergies, Foreign Objects, and Skin Inflammation: Dogs can suffer from inflammation or abscesses due to sunburn, allergies, foreign objects like grass seeds caught between toes, or skin irritants. After developing dermatitis (also known as pyoderma), the affected area may become red and discharge fluid. Sometimes, bacteria can thrive in the folds of a dog's skin, leading to dermatitis as well.
Pet Doctor's Tip: For more information on dog skin diseases, click on "What Are Common Dog Skin Diseases" to read more about this topic.
