Dermatitis in dogs

Why the disease develops

Many factors lead to the development of dermatitis in dogs. Among the main reasons can be noted:

• skin damage of varying degrees (insect bite, comb, wound);
• medicines (most often, these are external drugs used for a long time, not for their intended purpose or in high concentrations);
• thermal effects;
• infection of different origin;
• parasites (fleas, lice and others);
• internal disorders (often of an endocrine nature);
• allergy to internal and external influences (food, medicines, hair care products, and so on).

Often dermatitis in dogs is a consequence of the simultaneous influence of several factors. For example, when a flea bite gets bacteria into the wound, an inflammatory process develops. The owner, without contacting a veterinary specialist, uses a drug that "always helps everyone." As a result, the dog gets an allergy, the process drags on, turns into a chronic form.

Common symptoms of dermatitis in dogs

It is possible to identify common signs of pathology that need to be paid close attention to:

• redness of the affected area;
• increased skin temperature in the area of inflammation;
• hair loss (thinning or breaking off of hair, thinning, complete loss);
• thinning of capillary walls (leads to their damage and bleeding);
• itching;
• swelling of the damaged area;
• pain.

In the future, the focus of inflammation increases in size, spreading to other parts of the body. Ulcers, crusts, suppuration occur. The dog's behavior changes, sleep and appetite are disturbed, immunity is greatly reduced.

Photos of dermatitis in dogs

Diagnostics

During the reception, the specialist will not limit himself to one examination of the dog. The owner will need to tell about the conditions of detention, nutrition, prescription and frequency of occurrence of pathology. Laboratory diagnostics of dermatitis in dogs includes blood and urine sampling, scrapings from injury sites for microscopic and bacteriological analysis. If a microbe is detected, it will be necessary to conduct a test for its sensitivity to antibacterial agents, which in the future will serve as a guarantee of successful treatment.

Treatment of dermatitis in dogs

Based on the laboratory results obtained, the veterinarian determines the type of dermatitis in the dog, diagnoses and prescribes treatment. The therapeutic plan includes:

• medications;
• physiotherapy procedures;
• preventive measures to attach a secondary infection.

Before starting treatment, the pet is given primary treatment of the affected areas. As a rule, this is done in the clinic in the presence of the owner, so that later he can independently carry out such manipulations. The procedure consists in cutting the wool from the area (and around it), treating the affected skin with an antiseptic, followed by removing softened crusts, applying a bandage. If necessary, the animal is given an analgesic or is blocked with novocaine.

Drug therapy

Drug therapy of dermatitis in dogs consists in eliminating symptoms, treating the underlying disease (for example, fungus, parasites), increasing the immunity of the animal. To do this, use the following groups of drugs in different forms (drops, sprays, tablets, ointments, and others).

Physical Therapy

Among physiotherapy procedures, ultraviolet and infrared irradiation are popular. UV and infrared rays accelerate the recovery of the skin, kill pathogenic microorganisms, strengthen local immunity. The combined use of physio and drug therapy contributes to a more stable therapeutic effect.

Folk medicine products

Folk medicine can be used as an additional remedy for the treatment of dermatitis in dogs. Ointments, compresses and lotions based on chamomile, celandine, ivan tea, burdock, plantain will help to ease the course of the disease, reduce the severity of symptoms. For example, a compress based on a gruel of raw potatoes or a decoction of pear leaves, from which lotions are made, is popular.

To prepare a medicinal ointment from herbs, take 1 tbsp. l. of the necessary plants (for example, chamomile, ivan tea and plantain), mix with hay powder in a volume of 400 ml, pour boiling water, keep in a "bath" for 5 minutes. The cake is removed from the resulting broth, mixed with 15 g of butter and kept on fire until the mixture takes a homogeneous consistency. After adding the same amount of glycerin, the ointment is ready for use. It should be applied to the damaged areas of the skin four times within a month.

Treatment of dermatitis in dogs at home

It is rare for any owner to completely cure a dog of dermatitis on their own without visiting a clinic. However, if an appointment with a veterinarian is not possible in the near future, you can alleviate the pet's condition by the following actions.

• Remove the wool on the damaged area.
• Apply peroxide, wait until the dried scabs are soaked. If there are no crusts yet or the stain is wet, then remove the excess peroxide with a dry swab, and then apply an ointment or cream with antiseptic properties, for example, salicylic emulsion.
• Itching with dermatitis is well eliminated by antihistamines. For example, you can give your pet a tablet (having previously calculated the dosage) of Suprastin.
• If symptoms of intoxication are observed, then Furosemide should be given. The same drug will reduce the swelling of tissues with extensive lesions.
• It is necessary to examine the pet for the presence of external parasites. If they are detected, apply appropriate measures.
• Even if, presumably, the dog's dermatitis is not caused by food allergies, transfer it to a hypoallergenic diet – remove sweets, eggs, dairy products, red vegetables.
• Replace the usual wool care products with ordinary household or tar soap.

If treatment at home does not lead to improvement, then you need to try to find a way to contact a veterinarian.

The most common types of dermatitis in dogs

Since there are many causes of dermatitis and their combinations, the disease can be of different types. Each of them is characterized by its own distinctive symptoms and treatment approaches. The most common types of dermatitis in dogs are briefly described below.

Piotraumatic

With pyotraumatic dermatitis in dogs, the infection penetrates from the surface into the deeper layers of the skin, leaving behind plaques and a thickened stratum corneum. The deeper it has penetrated, the more papules (pimples) and pustules (pustules) will be on the pet's skin.

Treatment consists in the use of antibacterial drugs.

Allergic

Allergic dermatitis is considered the most common in dogs, since any object can serve as an allergen. Experts note that in most cases, skin allergies are provoked by external parasites, food and cosmetics for care. Among the symptoms: severe itching, redness of the skin, scratching, rashes, swelling.

Treatment is based on allergen elimination and symptomatic therapy.

Atopic

Atopic dermatitis is one of the varieties of the previous form. The clinical picture is the same: dryness of the epidermis, rashes, very severe itching. Among the additional characteristic signs, the development of otitis and pododermatitis can be distinguished. Pathology develops mainly in dogs that have not reached the age of 5 and have a similar heredity. It is noted that atopic dermatitis "loves" such dog breeds as: dachshunds, sharpies, bulldogs, setters, Dalmatians and a number of others. At the same time, anything can become an allergen.

Treatment consists in identifying and eliminating the allergen, conducting symptomatic therapy, preventive measures to prevent otitis media.

Flea

The salivary secretions of fleas contain more than a dozen allergenic components that lead to flea dermatitis in dogs. The severity of symptoms depends on the individual susceptibility of the animal. Signs of pathology can be: alternating wet areas and areas covered with crusts. In the chronic course of the disease, the pet reveals excessive skin pigmentation on the abdomen, hair loss. It is characteristic that the dog's ears, muzzle and paws are almost not affected.

Treatment consists in getting rid of fleas and symptomatic therapy. Prevention is of great importance for recovery – the use of a collar against parasites, disinsection of the environment in which the dog lives.

Pododermatitis

Interdigital dermatitis in dogs, or pododermatitis, develops between the fingers of the animal mainly on the forelimbs. If the lesions are isolated, it can be assumed that the disease is provoked by injury. With extensive damage to the limbs, the cause may be insects, allergies, infection. Symptoms: bleeding nodules, boils, pain leading to lameness.

Treatment is symptomatic.

Seborrheic

Seborrheic dermatitis is caused by genetics. With this disease, the process of keratinization of the skin accelerates, which is visually manifested in numerous scales, fat content of the epidermis, but dry wool. The pet may have brittle nails; the inflammatory process on the skin is clearly visible, accompanied by severe itching. In the future, the disease is complicated by a secondary infection with all the ensuing consequences.

Treatment is carried out in two directions: local therapy and a systematic approach.

Acral

Symptoms of acral dermatitis are dense ulcerated areas of the skin resulting from excessively frequent licking by the dog of this place. The pathological behavior of an animal can be caused by allergies, parasites, infection and other factors that must be detected and eliminated before treating the skin.

Treatment consists in the initial elimination of the provoking factor, and therapeutic effect on the damaged epidermis. Of great importance is the restriction of pet access to the itchy place. In addition, antidepressants and psychotropic drugs are used in therapy.

Prevention of dermatitis

In many cases, the development of dermatitis in dogs can be avoided. The main preventive measure is proper care of the pet's fur and skin:

• regular hygiene measures as contamination occurs;
• combing, not allowing the wool to roll;
• selection of combs according to the characteristics of the animal;
• regular inspection for the presence of parasites, their removal when detected.

Proper nutrition will also help prevent dermatitis, as well as deworming of the dog, carried out once every three months. In addition, a preventive measure will be a timely appeal to the veterinarian when any pathology is detected, and not an independent choice of medicines.