Types of skin diseases in dogs and their treatment. Skin diseases in dogs

Skin diseases in dogs is a collective category that unites diseases of different types. Neither stray dogs, deprived of proper care, nor pets under the care of the owner are insured against them. Symptoms and causes for each type of disease are different, as well as the methods of treatment.

The main factors provoking skin pathologies include:

Poor quality food. The diet must be complete, the deficiency of certain substances in the body must not be allowed;
Conditions of detention. Walking a pet in a contaminated area and systematic non-compliance with sanitary standards;
Heredity. There are a number of breeds that are distinguished by the delicacy of the skin, this should be taken into account when introducing a dog.

As a result, skin diseases appear in dogs: the animal suffers from itching, baldness is observed.

Veterinary medicine knows many skin diseases that can affect a pet, regardless of breed or age. This is almost always accompanied by hair loss. Diseases are of several types, depending on what caused the deterioration in health. A correct diagnosis will affect the effectiveness of treatment and accelerate recovery.

Groups of skin diseases in dogs

There are the following groups of diseases:

At the first signs of inflammatory processes on the skin, a conscientious owner is obliged to contact a veterinary clinic. It may seem that the characteristics are obvious and it is not difficult to cure the animal with your own efforts, but this is often mistaken. Even an experienced dog breeder does not have the competence required to accurately diagnose and administer therapy. As soon as alarming symptoms have been detected, certain attitudes should be adhered to:

Avoid tactile contact;
Keep your home clean and hygienic;
Do not allow the pet to be on the bed;
Children should not touch the animal.

To prevent the situation from aggravating, you need to make sure that the dog does not scratch the sore spot. For her own good, one should scold at such moments and make it clear that this is prohibited. In no case do not undertake to treat the dog on your own, it is risky and can be fatal. Even a primitive application of universal greenery for humans will complicate the procedure for examination by a veterinarian. To isolate the focus of inflammation, it is permissible to shear the fur around the wounds and soak them with salicylic alcohol.

Types of skin diseases in dogs

Sarcoptic mange. The carriers of this infection, mites, and their offspring, feed on the epidermis and move under the skin through a kind of "undermines". They are not easy to spot, and each individual lives approximately twenty-one days. Sarcoptic mites, finding themselves in an unnatural environment for them, die within one or two days.

They get rid of sarcoptic mange by bathing the animal in special decoctions, using injections and oral medication. Infection of the hosts is not excluded, which can manifest itself in itching of body parts in contact with a sick pet.

Demodectic mange. It is also called red scabies. This form is much easier to detect, but it is also more painful to tolerate. Small inclusions with a rough surface scattered over the head, paws and body will serve as an alarm signal. If you do not monitor the behavior of the dog, he can scratch the skin from itchy spots.

Finding a clinic is not difficult, ready to provide assistance in the fight against this difficult problem. But the difficulty lies in the fact that red scabies can spread to internal organs. The result is also difficult to achieve if the mite has settled in the root system of the coat.

To get rid of ticks, the animal is shaved off - this allows the drugs to penetrate into the inner layers of the skin. With timely medical care and following treatment procedures, recovery will occur within a couple of weeks.

Harmful fungal diseases

Microscopy in our smaller brothers is the most common attack. Microsporia is popularly known as ringworm. Its causative agent is fungi, known to science as trichophyton and microsporum.

Microsporum is more widespread, with complaints about which the overwhelming majority of visitors to zoo clinics apply. When viewed with ultraviolet rays, Microsporum can be identified by the specific green light emitted by the fungus.

Other known fungal skin lesions, although more rare, are no less dangerous, including for the owner. The infected are prescribed medication, combined with therapeutic baths and local application of ointments. Long-haired dogs are cut immediately.

It should be noted that fungal spores calmly exist in a neutral environment and can fill the house in which the dog lives. In order to avoid relapse, cleaning and disinfection of the living quarters are mandatory.

Infection with bacteria

Pyoderma is a bacterial skin inflammation that occurs more often than others. Microorganisms penetrate the inner layers of the skin. The main pathogen is considered to be the bacterium Staphylococcus intermedius. In moderate quantities, it is present on the skin everywhere, but when the animal gets into unfavorable conditions, staphylococcus progresses and causes inflammation. In this case, symptoms are noticeable on the thighs or around the anus.

When bacteria multiply, their foci are on the head and face, near the mouth and even in the oral cavity. Puppies are also susceptible to skin diseases of this type: in this case, small dark spots appear on the body. In the absence of proper treatment, the infection deepens, including the hair follicles.

The skin is treated with antiseptics, baths and antibiotics are prescribed. Ignoring the disease is fraught with the occurrence of abscesses, which negatively affect the state of the blood and the level of hemoglobin.

Current medicine is testing antibiotics in an effort to improve treatment outcomes for pyoderma. You can reduce soreness by preventing irritated skin from getting hurt.

Allergic diseases of dogs, skin allergies

An allergic reaction is the opposition of the dog's body to the influence of allergens on it. It is accompanied by the activation of histamine particles, the interaction of which with the blood provokes an inflammatory process. The reasons may be:

Allergies are quite unpredictable. Its appearance can be expected both instantly and within a couple of days after interacting with an irritant.

Summer dermatitis in dogs

Eczema or summer dermatitis, as the name implies, mostly makes itself felt at certain times of the year. But once a dog faces this scourge, it cannot be avoided to return next spring, and the animal will suffer from dermatitis until the onset of autumn. With the transition of the disease into a chronic form, the pauses in the cold season cease.

This disease occurs spontaneously, affecting the body in 2-3 days. First of all, the back and tail of the dog suffer: inflammations form aching wounds. The dog itches and bites its teeth into damaged areas, increasing the degree of health threat, because if they are injured, there is a risk of bacteria getting inside, leading to secondary skin diseases in dogs.

Veterinarians do not advise treating the dog on their own, since the owner cannot be known for certain what exactly caused the dermatitis, and therefore what method of treatment is rational to use.

Weeping eczema

The disease differs in the shortest possible time. Often, the disease is accompanied by bacterial infection. A dog with eczema tends to aggressively bite and tear the skin in the affected area. Symptoms include fever, swollen lymph nodes, and vomiting. A wet red bald patch becomes noticeable on the pet's body. Any touch to it gives the animal unbearable pain.

In no case should treatment be postponed, since this disease is painfully tolerated by the dog. The cause of the disease is eliminated, a course of antibiotics, anesthetic and a special diet are prescribed.

Acrodermatitis ("licked granuloma")

The licking dog experiences a rush of endorphins. And if the dog lacks this hormone, it can systematically lick the same area on the body, which leads to thickening of the skin. When the dog continues to constantly lick the skin in this area, it turns red, abscesses appear, and tumors appear. These side effects are accompanied by itching, which again provokes licking. Also, as in the case of eczema, with a licked granuloma, a bacterial infection may develop.

To achieve a result in treatment, you need to find out what caused the unusual behavior of the pet. Often the problem is psychological trauma, such as loneliness or resentment against the owner.

Seborrhea

A common pathology is seborrhea. This is a disease that is expressed in malfunctioning keratinization of the skin. It is clearly seen on the dog's face, ears, neck and tail. Under the influence of the disease, too many scales are formed, the body begins to itch, emit an unpleasant odor, and the regulation of the sebaceous glands is disrupted.

You can get rid of seborrhea by using a complex of vitamins, corticosteroid drugs and amino acids, steroid hormones. A special soap will help to cope with the smell and reduce flaking.

To relieve the pain, relieve the pet from unbearable itching and burning, aloe juice is applied to the inflamed areas. You can prepare it yourself or purchase it at the pharmacy. Medicinal chamomile works on a similar principle. Baths with a decoction of chamomile will have a beneficial effect on the condition of a sick animal and relieve inflammation. Calendula and echinacea are also good options.

If the once cheerful and active pet has become lethargic and sickly, refuses favorite food and games, continuously itches and licks itself, it should be immediately shown to the doctor. And it is better to do everything possible to prevent treatment: proper care, love and care will ensure a long life for the dog.

The health status of a pet is determined by the appearance of the skin. All ailments of a dog can affect its coat and skin. In this article, we will consider some skin diseases of our pets so that the owners can navigate in general, but only an experienced doctor can see the exact picture of the disease, additionally making the necessary tests and then prescribing treatment.

The skin of a dog is a very important organ of the body, it carries a great functional load and serves to protect the animal from the penetration of everything foreign into the body, participates in thermoregulation, has a high sensitivity and, together with the lungs, participates in the process of respiration.

Internal factors

Improper nutrition. We often like to treat our four-legged friends from our table. It can be sweets, smoked meats, baked goods. From all this, with regular use, the dog can develop gastrointestinal disorders. Further skin problems appear. To avoid this situation, feed your pet with specialized food.
Avitaminosis. It comes with a monotonous pet diet. The feed must always be balanced and of good quality. When feeding with natural food, you should take care of the presence of vitamins and minerals in it.
Food allergies in dogs. Unfortunately, this phenomenon is not uncommon, and you can help the animal by changing its diet to hypoallergenic feed. Only this is done after consulting a veterinarian, since only he can determine the symptoms of the body in the form of allergic reactions.

Varieties of skin diseases, their signs and treatment

Now we will consider in more detail the types of skin diseases, and how in each specific case, we can help a four-legged friend.

Fungal ailments in dogs

In everyday life they are called simply - lichens, and in veterinary medicine they are usually called dermatophytosis. In most cases, young dogs are affected, or those that do not eat properly or live in poor conditions.

The main symptoms are a sharp baldness of the skin area. Visually, concomitant lesions may not be visible, itching is rare. Sometimes there is a fungal infection of the animal's claws (onychomycosis). A dog has a special form of lichen - a nodular lesion of the skin (kerion). It is characterized by rapid development. Breeds such as boxers and retrievers are at risk.

For the purpose of treatment, the affected animal is treated with the affected areas and bathed with antifungal agents. They also treat lichen with systemic drugs that kill dermatophytosis. These medications are: Terbinafine, Ketoconazole, or Itraconazole. At the same time, cleaning and disinfection of the territory where the sick animal lives is carried out in order to destroy the fungal spores.

Symptoms that appear with this:

Sarcoptic mange - pronounced itching on the head, neck, paws. Because of this, the animal, combing the skin, has wounds and inflamed skin. When scratching, it pulls out its own fur, and self-induced baldness is obtained.
Demodectic mange - first, itching occurs, the pet itches continuously for several hours. Further, reddening at the base of the coat becomes noticeable. After a couple of days, swelling appears with a clay-colored liquid. Then comes the period of hair loss, and the swellings burst. An unpleasant smelling liquid leaks out.
Otodectosis - there is also itching on the ears, then wax fills them in large quantities. Shaking the head leads to the appearance of hematomas of the auricles.

Allergies

This disease is not easy to diagnose. To do this, you first need to isolate a specific allergen.

Allergic reactions in dogs are divided into:

food;
household.

Its symptoms are redness of the skin, because before that they are tormented by severe itching, and they scratch the skin until it bleeds. Then ulcers, infected wounds, and rashes appear. As a result, bald patches are formed.

During treatment, a sick animal is kept on a specific hypoallergenic diet. But, as practice shows, more often dogs have household allergies. If irritants are known to your pet, then they should be removed. In fact, it is often impossible to do this.

Skin cancer is not common in pets. Tumors are composed of epithelial cells. These skin lesions are often found on both the head and the toes of dogs. It hurts for pets. For diagnosis, a smear is taken.

This disease leaves no chance for treatment other than surgery. Surgery is done first, then chemotherapy or radiation.

In custody

You need to know that it is very difficult to carry out the correct diagnosis, relying only on external signs. Laboratory tests should always be performed.

None of the owners is insured that skin diseases in dogs will bypass their pets, however, timely and adequate treatment gives satisfactory results.

It may sound strange, but skin conditions are common in dogs. In veterinary medicine, this is one of the main problems faced by owners. There are many reasons for this, but the most common are allergic reactions, the development of infections, or a genetic predisposition. As a rule, the owner can notice skin diseases himself with the naked eye.

Varieties of skin diseases in animals

Skin diseases in dogs are divided into different groups depending on what cause caused the pathology:

If the owner discovers that his pet has damage to the skin, then he should immediately show the animal to the veterinarian... The disease may have obvious symptoms, but sometimes it is very difficult to make an accurate diagnosis, and then the treatment can be delayed for a long period.

When the first suspicions of skin diseases appear, the dog owner should take the following actions:

before identifying the cause of the pet's disease, it is better not to iron;
you must follow the rules of personal hygiene;
do not allow the dog to climb on the owner's bed;
prohibit contact with small children;
to avoid spreading the infection, you should stop brushing your pet.

Before visiting a doctor, you should not lubricate the affected areas with brilliant green, iodine and other ointments. You can only cut the hair on the affected areas.

Fungal diseases and their symptoms

Fungal diseases have a common name - dermatophytosis. Those animals with weakened immunity and young individuals are especially susceptible to them. The fungus can cause diseases such as microsporia or trichophytosis. Microsporia is not dangerous for people. But the second type of ailment can lead to infection of the owner and his family members.

Dermatophytosis can be easily transmitted from one animal to another with the help of fungal spores, but Yorkshire Terriers are most prone to it. Symptoms caused by a fungal skin infection include:

baldness... At the same time, concomitant lesions are not noted and itching is quite rare;
the area of the periungual bed and the claw may be affected... At the same time, it can begin to turn yellow and exfoliate;
in rare cases, nodular lesions may appear areas of skin with purulent discharge;
when severe canine disease develops, even the paw pads can be damaged by microspores.

If a dog is diagnosed with a fungal skin disease, then the veterinarian usually prescribes treatment with special shampoos. Usually Nizoral or Dermazole is used, but Imaverol is sometimes prescribed. In this case, it is necessary to undergo a course of therapy with antifungal drugs, which include Terbinafine, Itraconazole, Ketonazole.

In addition, litter and other pet habitats need to be treated to kill fungal spores. It is especially important to pay attention to which parts of the back the dogs begin to scratch. It is not uncommon for a rash to cover the chin and neck. And if the combed place starts to rot, a re-examination by a veterinarian is urgently required.

Allergic reactions

Another cause of skin lesions in dogs is allergies. In diagnosis, allergy is quite difficult, since the allergen can be difficult to identify. The most common allergens include:

food products;
dust;
insect bites;
pollen from plants;
mold;
household chemicals;
medicines.

Often, four-legged pets are allergic to drugs used to remove fleas, and even the most harmless of them can cause an allergic reaction. The main symptoms of allergy are:

the appearance of severe itching;
the occurrence of salivation;
runny nose;
the appearance of a sudden cough;
nettle fever;
edema.

As a rule, allergic reactions cause a decrease in the protective properties of the skin, therefore, after a while all sorts of rashes may appear, redness, blemishes, pustules and crusting. Due to severe itching and scratching, bald patches may appear.

When allergies occur quickly, it is easier to identify them. A veterinarian, with a thorough examination, can determine and eliminate the cause of such a reaction. More often, it is characterized by the sudden onset of a runny nose and cough. Sometimes hives appear, in which the animal experiences severe itching, and blisters appear in the muzzle. They can also be present in the groin and armpits.

The urticaria is usually short-lived. However, the pet during this time, when combing, can introduce an infection there. Areas that are inflamed can be wipe with salicylic alcohol or vodka... Also, at the same time, the dog is given antihistamines, such as Suprastin, Tavegil and others.

Allergic problems and probable allergens are identified in stages. All of this includes the following steps:

If your pet has a food allergy, then it is necessary to exclude allergenic foods. However, it is not so common. Allergies are treated in the following ways:

the ears of the animal are affected, and sulfur accumulates in them (with otodectosis);
the pet experiences severe itching in the neck, paws and head (with sarcoptic mange). Sometimes it brushes the affected areas so hard that it brushes out the hair, and the skin becomes inflamed.

The main symptom of scabies is severe itching. Most often, areas of the skin on the elbows and in the ears are affected. When the dog begins to suspect scabies, it must be shown to the veterinarian as soon as possible to confirm or deny the diagnosis and prescribe treatment. In especially severe cases of the disease, everything can be fatal.

Attention, only TODAY!

Dogs, especially those taken from the kennel or on the street, rarely boast good health. But even quite a pets, which almost never leave the apartment, may well "please" the owner with something "like". Skin diseases in dogs are especially unpleasant (in every sense), since some of these pathologies may well be transmitted to humans.

It is much easier to prevent almost all diseases than to try to cure them for a long time and dreary. We will help you with a description of the most dangerous predisposing factors that directly contribute to the rate of development of all diseases described in the article.

First, feeding. The dog's diet should be balanced, with the right amount of vitamins and minerals. If the dog eats normally, then his skin will be all right. The diet must be approved by a veterinarian or an experienced breeder.

The influence of the external environment should also not be discounted. If a dog lives in a city, breathes dirty air and walks in the winter without a cape, when it is constantly doused with chemical reagents, it will definitely not have healthy skin.

On the contrary, a long stay in an apartment with a complete absence of walking will also not end well.

Genetic diseases. Some dog breeds (Bulldogs, Chow Chows) are particularly prone to inflammatory skin conditions.

Immune system disorders

Many breeders often forget that the cause of the external manifestation often needs to be looked for within. In recent years, people and their pets are increasingly being diagnosed with autoimmune diseases, as well as hundreds and thousands of types of allergic reactions. Such skin diseases are especially common in small breed dogs. Many of them are genetically predisposed to them.

An ideal example of such a pathology is. It is a manifestation of the body's response to pollen, food allergens, and other substances that can be found everywhere. The disease is very widespread, in other cases affecting up to 15% of all dogs, regardless of gender, age and physiological condition.

Important! Atopic dermatitis differs from a common allergy in that in its case large, practically non-healing inflammatory skin lesions appear.

At the same time, first on the sides and abdomen, and then on the entire surface of the body, areas are crawling, where bubbles with unclear pus appear, inflammation rapidly develops, which goes deep into the depths. Very often such dogs are at risk of fungal diseases. Treatment is complicated by the fact that sometimes it is extremely difficult to make the correct diagnosis. Only a veterinary specialist should be involved in prescribing medicines, since the breeder simply will not have the necessary experience!

Read also: Renal coma in cats and dogs: causes, diagnosis, treatment

Other dermatitis

In general, dermatitis is an inflammatory disease of the skin (shown in the photo), and the reasons can be very diverse. We have just talked about the allergic variety, but it is just a grain of sand in the "friendly ranks" of this pathology. Here is a relatively detailed classification:

Allergic (including flea).

Traumatic (with constant exposure to the skin of some kind of negative factor).

Inflammation of the skin folds (in mastiffs, bulldogs, chow-chow).

The first most common is flea dermatitis. As you might guess, it appears if your dog is bitten by small, hardworking bloodsuckers day and night. Their saliva is full of harmful substances, so it is not surprising that a response begins to develop in the body: the bite sites swell, turn red, and the general body temperature may rise. If the dog begins to comb them, then the matter is complicated by purulent dermatitis.

Do not forget about the contact varieties of this disease, when the skin lesion is caused by the effect of some substance that has fallen on its surface. Most often, contact dermatitis manifests itself in the abdomen (there is little wool there) and is a response to a new shampoo (for example).

As for the inflammation of the skin folds, it is difficult to notice the onset of the disease. At first, small diaper rash forms, which very quickly become infected and rot. The sick animal gives off a very bad smell, the dog's temperature rises sharply. The main thing is to get the dog to the veterinarian as soon as possible, since the mortality from this pathology is quite high.

Diseases of fungal origin

There are several varieties, but all of them are more often combined into the group of dermatomycosis. Especially known, which everyone knows under the name "ringworm". Zooanthroponosis, that is, a disease transmitted from animal to human. Caused by a pathogenic fungus. Carriers can be both other sick animals and blood-sucking insects. Almost all dog breeds are susceptible to disease, but smooth-haired dogs become infected more easily.

The symptoms are pretty simple: round, asymmetrically scattered spots on the surface of the body, the skin on the surface of which peels off, forming "cigarette ash". Concentric circles formed in these places are also characteristic.

Treatment is quite specific and includes the introduction of therapeutic vaccines ("Vakderm", for example), the application of Yam ointment and the introduction of griseofulvin. The latter substance is quite toxic, and therefore only a veterinarian should deal with its appointment. It is worth noting that with this pathology, you will have to wash the entire apartment (if the dog lived there) with the obligatory disinfection of bed linen, clothing and household items, since the fungus is very tenacious and easily "takes root" on a person.

Read also: Heart disease in dogs: basics, diagnosis and treatment

Diseases caused by pathogenic ticks

Symptoms are quite specific, which greatly facilitates the diagnosis in a veterinary clinic: it all starts with reddening of the skin and the formation of foci of baldness. Scales appear. Most often, the lesions are localized on the head. The disease progresses rapidly, pronounced scabs, bleeding erosion and pus-filled vesicles (pyoderma) appear. As a rule, the disease is not transmitted from dog to dog. They even performed experiments with transplanting affected skin areas, but with normal immunity of the puppy, nothing happened.

This disease is in some way unique, as veterinarians and doctors (yes, it occurs in humans) are still arguing about its causes:

Some believe that any contact with a sick individual ends in infection.

Others suggest that ticks of this genus are ubiquitous, but only in the case of weak immunity, a dog or a person can get sick.

Oddly enough, but practice supports both of these concepts, since the disease proceeds in two forms at once:

Focal, when there are three to four affected areas on the body. In this case, there are often cases of self-healing. This happens when the immune system is strengthened.

Generalized form, in which many small foci merge, gradually capturing the entire surface of the animal's body.

The distribution of sick animals by breed is also interesting:

At least 20% - German Shepherd (not East European, but the original breed).

Rottweilers - 28%!

Boxer - 20%

Skin lesions differ from other canine diseases in that they are primarily visually detected by their owners. This especially applies to the city dogs living in apartments, and of them, first of all, to the short-haired and the smallest ones.
Up to 3/4 of the skin lesions in dogs are usually associated in some way with fleas and, in particular, scratching and infection. Many of these diseases are purely local and non-infectious and are easily cured by the owners themselves in the usual way, like their own pimples.

Unfortunately, not everything is so simple, and it is unacceptable to treat all diseases of the skin of dogs in this way. Better to be too careful and share your concerns with your doctor. This is necessary because the skin of dogs can undergo its own specific and highly infectious infections for humans and other animals.

To avoid contamination of your dog:

Do not use other people's care items and equipment.
Avoid her contact with stray and domestic dogs that have visible baldness and any sores on the skin.
Avoid contact with any unfamiliar cats.

However, the owners themselves can bring some skin infections into the house with outdoor shoes.

The dog cannot tell about the localization and nature of the ailments. Understanding and prescribing treatment is the doctor's task. Responsibilities of the owners of the dog immediately after detecting symptoms of its skin lesions to collect as much information about its physical condition and to contact the doctor. At the same time, keep in mind that, despite all the manifestation of the manifestations and the rather early detection of skin diseases, many of them are quite difficult to diagnose, and the treatment can be delayed for a long time.

At the slightest suspicion of a serious dog skin disease, you must:

Stop brushing the dog's coat immediately to avoid spreading the infection.
Forbid people to pet the dog.
Exclude contact of the dog with children.
Strictly follow the rules of personal hygiene.
Do not allow your dog to sleep on your bed until he is fully recovered.

In order to avoid masking the symptoms of the disease, before visiting the veterinarian, it is forbidden to smear sore spots with iodine, brilliant green and any ointments. It is only allowed to wash the affected areas of the skin with salicylic alcohol and cut the hair on the affected area of the skin and around it.

Be prepared that your veterinarian may need microscopic examinations of the dog's skin and coat scrapes to diagnose the disease. You will need to ensure that material can be safely sampled for analysis. In principle, this procedure is completely painless for the dog, but it can still cause some anxiety.

>For treatment, ointments, emulsions and solutions are widely used, which are clearly unpleasant for the dog. When applied externally, they are safe and can only stain surrounding objects, but if they enter the mouth (when licking), they can cause poisoning. Therefore, to prevent licking and scratching the treated areas and the spread of infection throughout the body, a sick dog should be muzzled.

Many experts prefer to use a more versatile tool instead of a muzzle: the so-called Elizabethan collar. This homemade "collar" is a wide ring of lightweight cardboard cut along a radius. The inner diameter of such a ring should be 20-30% larger than the diameter of the dog's neck, and the outer one depends on its size and the desired degree of restriction of its freedom of movement. A series of lacing holes are drilled along the radial section on both sides of it along obliquely directed lines, through which the ring, after being put on the dog's neck, should be pulled into a more or less flattened cone.

It should be noted that such a "structure" is not always calmly perceived by an animal, which can make every effort to free itself from it and arrange a mess. Therefore, it is best to sit next to the dog for 30-40 minutes after treatment, stopping its attempts to lick off the medicine and free itself from the restraint.

Instead of the Elizabethan collar, similar structures made of plastic pots or buckets with removed bottoms and cut lengthways can be used to restrict the dog's movements, pulling them around the dog's neck in the manner described above. However, being too rigid, such structures are especially unpleasant for the dog and can even injure him. It is safer for the same purpose to use a long-cut shaft from old rubber boots, provided, of course, that the bell of the shaft is proportional to your dog's head.

To avoid scratching in case of skin diseases, the dog's hind legs should also be bandaged with cotton wool until the claws are hidden or wrapped in strips of thick cloth, and children's socks or mittens should be worn on top. Let the dog flaunt around the apartment in such "shoes" for a while.

In a healthy dog, seborrhea is practically absent or invisible. If dandruff occurs, it is most often observed at the base of the tail and ears, on the face and chest, in the folds of the skin where they are present, and on the elbow and hock joints.
Dandruff with seborrhea can be very profuse and itchy. Seborrhea is of two types:

Dry.
Bold.

Seborrhea of the first type is characterized by dry, scaly, streaking dandruff with obvious dry skin. Oily seborrhea, on the other hand, is characterized by excess sebum, brown patches on the skin, greasy dandruff flakes adhering to the coat, and a rancid odor.

The appearance of any dandruff in a dog can be not only the initial symptom of infectious skin diseases, but also some severe internal diseases that require long-term treatment.

Dry dandruff is often just a consequence of too much degreasing of the dog's skin, which is important for small sofa dogs, which are too often bathed with unsuitable detergents. Large dogs tend to be bathed less frequently.

Dry dandruff can also be caused by a lack of fat in the dog's food. In this case, try feeding her for some time daily a teaspoon or dessert spoon of vegetable oil (preferably olive or peach oil). If there is no improvement, and the itching intensifies, then consult a doctor. The causes of oily dandruff are always more serious and should see a doctor immediately.

The veterinarian may also prescribe some internal remedies for the treatment of the underlying disease, the symptom of which is seborrhea.

Intense itching of the skin can be caused by insect bites: fleas and gnats. If its source is clear, then the measures are as follows:

If it is a vile, then it is enough to treat the comb with iodine, brilliant green, alcohol, calendula tincture, etc.
If they are fleas, then an insecticidal bath is needed.
After the washed dog has dried, the combs are disinfected with the same means.

If itching continues even after removing fleas, then a mandatory consultation with a veterinarian is required. You can use your own sedatives to relieve your dog's itchiness while reducing his anxiety with an Elizabethan collar and bandages on his hind legs.

Such skin mites belong to different genera and species and, accordingly, their generic names distinguish diseases, of which dogs are most often found:

Itchy scabies (sarcoptic mange, notoedrosis).
Ear scabies (otodectosis).
Zheleznitsa (demodicosis).

All these diseases at the household level are combined under the name of scabies. Some forms of such scabies are contagious to humans, but, fortunately, they heal themselves fairly quickly. These diseases are quite widespread in cities due to stray dogs and cats, of which about 20 - 30% are affected by ticks of various forms. Dogs become infected either from each other or through cats, which the owners allow to roam wherever they please.

The disease is usually very serious and is not limited to just the surface of the skin. Itchy mites do more than just injure the dog's skin and mechanically irritate the nerve endings in it. This causes itching and inflammation to varying degrees. The dog's metabolism is disturbed, depletion develops. In severe cases, it all ends with the death of the animal.

With ear scabies, the lesions are localized in the auricle, but with the development of general intoxication, the inflammation spreads to the middle and inner ear and further to the meninges.

Treatment of scabies is usually complex, aimed at killing ticks and soothing itching, and in parallel - to strengthen the immune system and improve the processes of skin regeneration. It should be noted that in some animals, complete recovery and release from ticks does not occur, and the disease subsequently recurs from time to time.

After successful intensive treatment and complete restoration of the coat, the dog sometimes falls ill again. A variety of factors can contribute to this: stress, changes in the hormonal state (estrus, pregnancy), etc. This is especially typical for demodicosis, in which the intrauterine route of infection is also possible. Therefore, you should not have puppies from a bitch who has had demodicosis, and take puppies from her.

Dermatomycosis in dogs includes a set of infectious diseases that affect the skin, hair follicles and the hair of all domestic animals and humans. The causative agent of these diseases are various types of dermatophyte fungi, colloquially called ringworm, and one of the least attractive forms of such lichen is the common name of scab. Different forms of ringworm are called by the genus of the fungi that cause them: trichophytosis, microsporosis, favus (scab).

Damp weather during the warm season favors the spread of the disease. In the literature, cases of transfer of ringworm by blood-sucking insects are described. But the main distributors of pathogens are sick stray animals. Some forms of ringworm are highly contagious to humans. Self-medication and delaying a visit to the veterinarian in this case is unacceptable, as it is fraught with the possibility of subsequent treatment with the dog and all members of your family. Dogs with ringworm are treated successfully.

The disease is characterized by the appearance on the skin of well-defined round or oval spots, devoid of hair and outlined with a reddish or brownish border. Sometimes such spots appear at the base of the nails, between the toes and on the crumbs of the paws. Such spots quickly increase in size, the skin on them has a flaky surface, covered with scales or crusts. May be reddish! Within spots, the skin may also have a clearly convex surface covered with a crust of dark brown or gray color. At a certain stage, the skin of the hairless patches becomes inflamed and covered with small pustules. In case of fungal diseases, unlike scabies, itching is either slight or completely absent. Treatment should be started at the very first suspicion of ringworm!

The most important thing in the treatment of ringworm is the strictest adherence to all medical prescriptions and procedures. Treatment can be lengthy and requires patience and perseverance, since the prescribed procedures will need to be performed for a long time, sometimes up to 3-4 weeks, and sometimes several times a day. At the same time, it is important to observe the rules of personal hygiene in the strictest manner!

Currently, human dermatologists have potent broad-spectrum fungicides for both external (eg clotrimazole) and internal use. These funds are also applicable in veterinary practice. Their only drawback is their high cost, but they allow you to heal fungal skin lesions rather quickly.

Hygiene rules for a dog with ringworm:

Old brushes, combs and all hair care items should be destroyed and replaced with new ones, and new ones should be disinfected periodically.
A sick dog's bedding should be changed regularly by boiling wash.
It is advisable to periodically treat all surfaces around the dog's bed with a chloramine solution.
Both the dog's collar and leash should be treated with chloramine or formalin, and it is better to replace them with new ones.

Skin inflammation with multiple causes. In some cases, they are associated with the age of the dogs or are confined to certain parts of their body.
In puppies and dogs in the first years of life, purple and purulent pustules and blisters on the chin and lips, as well as on the hairless part of the abdomen and groins.
Dogs of all ages have acne-like rashes, pustules and papules along the back and around the knee joints.

Your help to the dog with dermatitis may consist in washing the painful areas with bactericidal soap, followed by daily treatment of pustules with 3% hydrogen peroxide solution. If this is not enough, then you should contact your veterinarian. He may give the dog antibiotic ointments or even antibiotics by mouth. Puppies 2 - 6 months old (up to 1 year old) may have cutaneous plague.

For dogs, allergens can be the same substances as for humans:

House dust.
Mold.
Plant pollen.
Insect bites
Certain foods, especially those with all kinds of "environmentally friendly" chemical enhancers for their quality and appearance.
Medicines such as penicillin or syntomycin.
Household chemicals (insecticides, laundry detergents, shampoos), etc.

Especially often allergies in dogs are the result of too zealous elimination of fleas, even with the use of the safest insecticides from the pyrethroid group.

As in humans, allergic reactions in dogs can occur either immediately after contact with the allergen, or after some, sometimes quite long, time.

Allergic reactions of immediate type are expressed by the following symptoms:

Sudden cough.
Runny nose.
Drooling.
Swelling.
Nettle fever.

Urticaria is characterized by the sudden appearance of itchy blisters on the face, on the inner surfaces of the ears, in the groins and armpits. Urticaria usually occurs within a few tens of minutes after a single contact with an allergen and disappears spontaneously after about a day. However, completely analogous phenomena in a gentle room dog can occur without any contact with allergens as a purely neurological reaction to any master's punishment or even to cruel verbal scolding.

Despite the transience of nettle fever, it must be treated to prevent scratching and subsequent suppuration. For oral treatment, give the dog diphenhydramine, tavegil or suprastin 3 times a day, and wipe the inflamed skin with salicylic alcohol or just vodka.

The immediate causes of allergic reactions are usually the easiest to identify. To identify and eliminate the cause, you only need to conduct a thorough investigation.

It is much more difficult to identify and eliminate the causes of delayed allergic reactions, which can sometimes appear even several weeks after the first contact with the allergen. Such reactions, in addition to sneezing and coughing, can be expressed in the form of spontaneous vomiting, diarrhea and allergic dermatitis, sometimes with severe itching, exhausting the dog. In dogs, as a result of such allergic reactions, even asthma and bronchitis have been described. But similar reactions can be manifested in changes in coat color, especially in light-colored dogs: there are areas of "rusty color" hair around the eyes, in the corners of the lips, in the interdigital spaces, at the root of the tail and in the genital area.

In case of delayed reactions in order to identify the allergen, a long-term investigation will need to be carried out in conjunction with the veterinarian and in parallel with the treatment of the dog prescribed by him. In this case, first of all, exclude an insecticidal collar or medallion if you still decided to make your dog happy with it. Then remove from the dog's household all plastic and rubber products ("toys") that she chews and chews. Try something else in her life, in particular, try to reconsider all the foods that you feed her. If you use branded dog food, then either abandon them altogether, or change the company and brand.

If you have no reason to write off a dog's allergy to one of the branded foods, then think about the products that you systematically feed it. Try making radical changes to your dog's overall monotonous diet.

All detected neoplasms cannot be ignored, even if they do not bother the dog at all. They can be the beginning of a serious illness. Only in your worries, do not overdo it, considering an extra unpaired nipple on the dog's chest or belly for some kind of tumor - this has happened!

In case of inflammation and tenderness of any neoplasms, as well as a noticeable increase in their size, contact your veterinarian immediately. Any dense tumors in the soft tissues of the mouth or on the bones of the skeleton can be very dangerous.