Common Skin Problems and General Care for Dogs

Hong Kong is hot and humid in spring and summer, mosquitoes breed, and dogs are prone to skin diseases. If your dog scratches frequently and has skin problems such as hair loss, redness, swelling, dandruff and rashes, it may be a skin disease and you need to prevent zoonotic skin problems. Below, GGH will take you through common skin problems and general care for dogs.

The causes of common skin problems in dogs can be divided into four main categories: parasitic infection, fungal infection, bacterial infection and atopic dermatitis. (*High-energy reminder: The pictures of dog skin problems below may cause discomfort, please pay attention)

parasitic infection

Flea Infestation Mite infestation

After being bitten by ringworms, fleas, and mites, dogs will feel very itchy. They will scratch frequently and even bite themselves. They will become anxious and may exhibit abnormal behaviors such as shaking their heads and shaking their bodies involuntarily. In addition, the dog may experience hair loss. If you scratch the scabs and pull out the hair roots for a careful inspection, you may see small bumps, adult worms, redness, swelling, and damage on the scratched skin. Some worms are so tiny that they are difficult to detect with the naked eye. They are usually identified through the skin and hair combined with the dog’s color. If the gums are pale, it often means that parasites are sucking your pet's blood. In addition to infecting the dog's skin, mites also parasitize in the dog's ear canal, causing the ears to become oily and black excrement to accumulate in the ears. Dogs will scratch their ears frequently, causing them to break and bleed. Ear mites need to be controlled in a timely manner. Long-term infection can cause otitis media in dogs, affecting the pet's hearing and overall immunity.

If a parasitic infection occurs, contact a veterinarian immediately and the treatment plan will take about 1-3 months. Veterinarians usually prescribe topical ointments to apply to the pet's neck and ear canals, as well as insecticide washes. If a dog is infected with parasites, it means that the home environment is also infested with parasites and needs to be sprayed with safe insecticides. If the insect infestation is serious, you will need to use aerosol to kill the insects. When using aerosol to kill the insects, make sure that the area is clear and the house is thoroughly ventilated before entering. It is best for pet-keeping households to vacuum weekly to reduce the number of insect eggs and tiny insects. Dog beds, toys, pillows, fabrics and blankets are breeding grounds for parasites and should be cleaned, exposed to the sun or disinfected with heat regularly. It is recommended to deworm dogs regularly and wear deworming collars, because dogs often go out, play in the grass, and come into contact with other animals, which will increase the risk of parasite infection.

fungal infection

Yeast infection is a fungal infection, commonly known as dog ringworm, also known as ringworm, because the skin at the infected area appears as ring-shaped raised protrusions that are interlocked like the shape of a coin. The affected area may develop scaling, scabs, redness, papules and melanin deposits. Ringworm spreads quickly. When a dog licks it, it can spread throughout the body and can also be transmitted to people and animals in the same environment. It must be isolated and controlled in a timely manner. If fungal infection occurs, it is necessary to check the infected parts of the puppy's body, trim the hair of the affected area, disinfect the affected area with special medicine, and apply natural anti-ringworm ointment for dogs as required. Remember to put a collar on your dog to prevent licking. If the condition is more inflammatory, the veterinarian may need to prescribe a medicated bath. The source of mold may be a humid home environment, which needs to be thoroughly disinfected and sterilized. Buying a dog house or dog bed for your dog can prevent the dog from being exposed to moisture on the ground for a long time.

Bacterial infections

Bacterial infection inflammation mainly manifests as papules or pustules on the skin over bony prominences and folds, accompanied by pain. Topical antibiotic ointments and powders are used during treatment. Bacterial infections are mostly caused by low immunity of dogs. Oral administration of omega-3 and collagen can speed up the repair of the skin barrier.

Atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is allergic dermatitis, commonly known as eczema, which manifests as dense red bumps. The affected areas are usually the abdomen, legs, armpits, anus, around the eyes, around the mouth, and ears, accompanied by unstoppable itching. Dust mites, insects, dander, fabric materials, grooming products and even food in the environment can cause atopic dermatitis, which is more common in dogs aged six months to three years and in older dogs. Veterinarians generally treat the disease by injecting anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory drugs. When taking care of the dog on a daily basis, the owner should pay attention to helping the dog supplement nutrition, exercise more, improve the immune level, and better prevent the recurrence of dermatitis.

seborrheic dermatitis

Seborrheic dermatitis is caused by abnormal oil secretion of the skin, which manifests as excessive oil, sticky hair, strong body odor, or conversely dry skin and increased dandruff. The causes of seborrheic dermatitis are relatively complex. It may be due to unbalanced vitamin intake, especially a lack of vitamin B complex. It is also related to abnormal thyroid function and diabetes.

A dog’s skin problems require careful care and persistent medication from the owner in order to recover. Gogo Herbs' professional veterinary team is dedicated to improving your pet's health. We recommend pet health products that can boost your pet's immunity from within and build a strong skin barrier, such as 30 capsules of the dog skin and hair formula, which is rich in Cordyceps powder Cs-4, lecithin, Omega-3 (EPA and DHA), and vitamins (B7 and B12). It is made from 852% natural ingredients and can promote healthy hair growth, enhance brain cell and retinal development, promote lung and tracheal health, and help reduce tear stains. Please feel free to contact us via WhatsApp +5483 0695 XNUMX to learn more about the health products that are more suitable for your pet. Our veterinary and nutritionist teams are dedicated to serving you.