Raising and caring for a dog or two is a huge responsibility. Taking care of dogs would mean an experience of a lifetime. Dogs’ personalities are often compared to energetic and playful toddlers. A dog owner should provide for their needs to keep them happy and healthy. These needs include physical and emotional needs, the same as humans. Physical needs can be as simple as food, vitamins, water, and a home. Emotional needs include attention and affection.
Ensuring proper nutrition should make your dog achieve his peak in life. Accurate health monitoring should be observed since, unlike children, dogs can’t talk. Thorough observation from time to time would help as a preventive action for any illness or disease.
However, there are certain diseases that a dog can get at least once in its lifetime. One of the most common diseases is related to skin. Here are seven common skin diseases in dogs you should know about.
Flea Allergy
Dogs are prone to flea allergies. This allergy is when dogs start to itch and lose hair on the spot that it keeps on itching. The usual area of the dog’s body where flea allergy occurs is at its back down to its tail, called the “flea triangle.” The flea saliva from flea bites is the cause of this allergy, and this causes red marks.
Aristopet has advice on flea bites, and they also have products for this allergy. It would be helpful to contact or visit them for advice and products. Ensure that your dog’s shampoo is gentle enough to prevent further irritation, and you can also have steroids to prevent the dog from itching.
Ringworm
For dogs to have this fungal infection is to have direct contact with the fungus itself. Some dogs are naturally playful and energetic, making it hard for owners to control them and behave. So, it is important to keep a clean environment around the dog. A clean environment will promote healthier interactions and prevent skin diseases from happening to the dogs and people living with them.
Remember that humans are also prone to getting fungal infections, so start cleaning your place now. If the dog already caught this skin disease, there are creams, shampoos, and ointments for that.
Rashes
It is essential to visit a veterinarian every once in a while to check on the dog’s current overall health status. Veterinarian check ups can help determine what food your dog can safely eat. However, some dogs can be allergic to certain food. The most common allergic reactions to these foods can be skin rashes.
Mites and ticks can also be the culprit behind rashes. Fortunately, there are medicated shampoos available to help cure the rashes. Always consult a trusted vet before considering any medication for allergies.
Yeast Infection
Some signs and symptoms of yeast infection are excessively oily skin, changes in skin texture and color, odor, etc. Yeast is a fungal infection, so you can address them by letting your dog eat antifungal treats and foods.
Specifically, search for foods and treats with Pau D’Arco since it is rich in a natural quinone called lapachol. Lapachol kills yeast. You can buy Pau D’Arco yourself and put it on your dog’s food. The amount of Pau D’Arco is best discussed with a veterinarian to be sure.
Dandruff
Usually, when a dog has dandruff, it may be because of allergic reactions, hypothyroidism, or worse, endocrine disorder. A visit to the vet is vital to identify the right action to take. You might want to bathe your dog more often if they have dandruff, but do not over-bathe him. To further treat dandruff, there are moisturizing dog shampoos available in the market. These shampoos are specially formulated for dandruff issues.
Mange
Sarcoptic mites are the common cause of mange among dogs. These mites are parasites that would burrow on the dog’s skin which causes itchiness. Your dog would scratch and bite himself more often, which causes skin sores or hair loss around that itchy area. Your dog can get mange through direct contact with other dogs which have mange. Clean bedding to avoid it being contaminated. Trim your dog’s fur and bathe him with medicated shampoos.
Hotspots
Hotspots are painful for dogs. The dog’s skin would swell, become red, and moisture would build up. This is a result of frequent and vigorous scratching of the same spot of the dog’s skin. The itching’s cause may be from different reasons or diseases, so it is better to visit the vet, especially if the spot looks infected already.
Takeaway
As a dog owner, your dog’s overall health is in your hands. Observe your dog well and be keen on letting him have proper nutrition. Make sure to take him on walks or play fetch with him so he can exercise. Most importantly, know when to visit your local vet when you find something wrong with your dog.