Old golden retriever in the sun

Dog Skin Conditions and Infection

Dog skin conditions can come with or without a warning. Despite all the constant washing with the best shampoos, a dog sometimes cannot seem to stay out of trouble. More often than not, dogs end up with a skin condition that may need them to be taken to a vet for inspection. You might think some of the behavior exhibited by your furry pet is perfectly normal, but it could be a sign of a dog skin infection. We need to know some of these symptoms, what they symbolize, and how to go about in preserving the health of our dogs. Assuming that a certain behavior is an allergic reaction that would go away could lead to more serious problems over time. Serious problems can lead to more fatal situations for your dog. Do not worry, knowing ahead of time and preparing yourself for these conditions, if they come or not, will help both you and your dog immensely in the future.

When Do Dog Skin Conditions Start?

Dog skin conditions seem to manifest mostly in the wet season. This is because fungal cells flourish in humid conditions, making it easy for the dog to get an infection. There are two types of infections: Fungal yeast infections and bacterial infections.

What to Look For?

If your dog has been infected with any of the two types of a dog skin infection, there is no need to panic. There is an option for your furry friend that will have him up and running in a few days. You need to examine your dog closely for any of these symptoms.

Symptoms of a Yeast Infection

  • A smelly or pungent smell coming from the dog's skin.
  • Shaking of the head constantly.
  • The ears could have a brown discharge.

Symptoms of a Bacterial Infection.

  • The dog's skin seems to have bumps, pimples or open sores.
  • The dog shakes his head, vigorously scratches the ears or holds their head to one side.
  • The ears could excrete a yellowish or sometimes green discharge.

You might be wondering what could have given your fairly hygienic dog some of these infections. These are some of the conditions that could make a dog vulnerable to a dog skin infection:

Drooping Ears - A dog that has large drooping ears traps a lot of moisture in between the ears and the skin.

Folded Skin - A dog that has folded skin such as a bulldog also has humid areas in between its skin's folds, where fungal cells could easily thrive.

Fleas - A dog that has fleas could easily scratch and hurt its own skin, giving way to another dog skin condition.

Playing in the Mud - If your dog is constantly playing in mud or puddles, then he is a pretty good candidate for a dog skin infection.

How Can these Dog Skin Conditions Be Avoided/Treated?

When looking for a way to treat or avoid these dog skin conditions, follow these instructions and methods:

  • A dog needs to be thoroughly dried after a day out in the puddles, and also after a bath. Any moisture from creating a habitat for fungal cells.
  • Take your dog to a vet as soon as you notice signs of a dog skin infection. Sometimes you might need to seek a second opinion, especially if the vet keeps dismissing the infections.
  • Check your dog's skin constantly for any presence of pimples or fleas, then take the right course of action.
  • Use a good, quality shampoo on a regular basis.

Condition Specific Treatments

Here are a few other common dog skin conditions, and their solutions:

Mange - usually caused by insufficient immunity in the dog's system. Some of the symptoms include fur loss, scaliness, or itching. Take the dog to the vet immediately, the dog will be diagnosed and properly treated.

Puppy Acne - Characterized by pimples on the puppy's skin or face. Make sure that you constantly bathe the puppy with a good shampoo, then dry it well.

Hormonal Dog Skin Conditions - A hormonal dog skin condition, although quite rare, could be potentially dangerous. This is because the hormonal abnormality affects the dog's inner glands, and the outer manifestation is a change in the dog's fur color or even fur loss. The problem is that these conditions are very difficult to diagnose, but if caught early, the vet could know what to do.

Taking Care of Our Dogs

Just like us, our canine friends need constant care and thorough monitoring to ensure that their skin condition is at its best. Since they cannot do some of the hygienic procedures such as a proper shampoo bath or properly drying themselves, we need to ensure that we take care of our dogs to our best level. Most of the dog skin conditions or infections start with an itch. While this can be treated easily, it is important to do a thorough check up to find the core of the problem to avoid constant or repeated visits to the vet. You have to admit, the costs may not be that pocket-friendly!

Check out our K9 Ear Solution and Spot Shot spray for help in fighting many of these conditions