Your dog’s skin is a vital organ, serving numerous functions to keep them healthy and comfortable. However, skin conditions are among the most frequent reasons dogs visit the veterinarian. Understanding these common ailments can help you identify and address potential issues with your furry companion.
Recognizing Symptoms of Skin Problems in Dogs
Healthy dog skin should feel soft and be free from bumps, scales, or discoloration. If your dog is experiencing a skin issue, you might observe the following symptoms:
- Redness
- Scales or flakes
- Itching
- Hair loss
- Odor
- Discoloration
- Bumps
- Oozing sores
- Greasiness
- Scabbing
Top 10 Dog Skin Disorders
1. Allergies
Allergies are a prevalent cause of skin problems in dogs. These can be triggered by various factors, including flea bites, specific food ingredients, or environmental elements like pollen, grass, dust, and mold. It’s common for dogs to be allergic to a combination of these, such as both chicken and pollen. When exposed to an allergen, a dog’s body releases histamine, leading to intense itching. Managing allergies often involves medication or diligently avoiding the identified allergen.
2. Parasites
External parasites are a frequent culprit behind skin issues in dogs. The most common culprits are fleas, ticks, and mites. Fortunately, effective prevention products, such as NexGard®, Bravecto®, Credelio™, or Revolution®, can help protect your dog from these unwelcome visitors.
Fleas are known to infest various animal species, and a single flea can lay numerous eggs, quickly populating the environment. You might notice adult fleas or flea dirt (small black specks resembling dirt) in your dog’s fur. Some dogs have extreme reactions to flea bites, experiencing intense itching, hair loss, and self-inflicted wounds from excessive scratching after just one bite.
Ticks can attach to a dog for days while feeding and may transmit various diseases. If you discover a tick on your dog, it’s crucial to remove it promptly and ensure the entire tick, including the head, is removed.
Common mites affecting dogs include:
- Sarcoptes: These mites are highly contagious and easily spread between dogs, causing hair loss and itching.
- Demodex: Typically present in small numbers on the skin, Demodex mites can multiply rapidly in immunocompromised dogs, such as puppies or those with other illnesses. This overgrowth often results in hair loss, particularly around the eyes and feet.
- Cheyletiella: Also known as “walking dandruff,” these mites appear as small white flakes and may or may not cause itching.
3. Bacterial Skin Infections
Bacterial skin infections are a common disorder in dogs, frequently arising from an overgrowth of bacteria naturally present on the skin. This overgrowth can occur when a dog’s immune system is compromised by other conditions, such as allergies or underlying diseases. Signs include red, scaly patches, small red bumps or pustules, or moist areas of inflamed skin. Infections can also develop if bacteria from outside the normal skin flora enter through minor abrasions. Treatment typically involves oral antibiotics or medicated shampoos like KetoChlor® and Douxo®.
4. Hot Spots
Hot spots are intensely itchy, moist, red, and inflamed areas of skin that can appear suddenly. They typically result from an underlying allergy that triggers excessive scratching, licking, or chewing, leading to a hairless wound. These areas are sensitive and can be painful. Treatment usually includes antibiotics and anti-itch medications. An over-the-counter spray like Vetericyn® Plus Antimicrobial may also help provide relief.
5. Yeast Infections
Yeast skin infections occur when the yeast organisms naturally present on a dog’s skin overgrow. These infections often cause a distinct musky odor and itchy skin. Persistent yeast overgrowth can lead to hyperpigmentation, causing the skin on the belly, groin, and armpits to become darker. Black debris may also accumulate at the base of the nails. Treatment involves oral or topical antifungal medications.
6. Ringworm
Despite its name, ringworm is a fungal infection, not caused by a worm. In humans, it’s known for causing a characteristic ring-shaped red rash. In dogs, ringworm manifests as a localized skin infection with hair loss and flaky skin, which may be itchy. Importantly, ringworm is zoonotic, meaning it can be transmitted from animals to humans. Treatment consists of topical and oral antifungal medications.
7. Dry Skin
Dry skin, often accompanied by flakiness (dander), can have numerous causes in dogs. While it can be a normal condition in puppies whose oil glands are still developing, dry weather is a common factor. However, dry skin can also signal inadequate nutrition or an underlying health issue. Treatments may include moisturizing leave-on products or oral omega-3 fatty acid skin supplements.
8. Alopecia
Alopecia, or hair loss, can be a symptom of various underlying conditions, including allergies, external parasites, drug reactions, skin infections, genetic disorders, hypothyroidism, and Cushing’s disease. If your dog experiences hair loss without obvious signs of infection or parasites, your veterinarian might suggest blood tests to check for these underlying diseases.
A specific type of hair loss, known as alopecia X, affects certain breeds with dense undercoats, such as Pomeranians, Chow Chows, and Alaskan Malamutes. Dogs with alopecia X lose hair without skin inflammation. Neutering may improve the condition in male dogs, and melatonin can sometimes be beneficial.
9. Skin Cancer
Skin cancer in dogs can present as hair loss, scabs, oozing lesions, or lumps and bumps. While some skin cancers form obvious masses, others may cause less apparent symptoms. Any non-healing wounds or discolored areas on your dog’s skin should be evaluated by a veterinarian. Diagnosis often involves a biopsy, and treatment may include surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy.
10. Autoimmune Disease
Autoimmune diseases occur when a dog’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own healthy body cells or tissues. These conditions are often inherited, although drug reactions can sometimes trigger their onset. Examples include pemphigus and lupus, which commonly cause crusting lesions and hair loss along the nose and face. Treatment typically involves immunosuppressive medications like prednisone or cyclosporine, tailored to the specific disease. Your veterinarian may also advise limiting sun exposure.
Written by Melissa Boldan, DVM
Dr. Melissa Boldan graduated from the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine in 2012. She initially practiced mixed animal…
