By Cindy McGovern

Auggie is a 90 pound all American dog with folded ears and a stubborn streak. He is also prone to dry and itchy skin that has sent him and his mom to the vet on multiple occasions. He has dry skin on his elbows and has had allergic dermatitis on his stomach caused by an allergy to potatoes of all things. He has tried limited ingredient food, medication and prescription shampoo. Auggie is not unique, and many dogs suffer from a host of skin conditions, caused by many factors.

How do you know if your dog is suffering from a skin condition? Itching is one of the most obvious symptoms and it’s normal for occasional scratching. But frequent or prolonged itching will manifest in behavior like excessive licking or rubbing the affected body part against furniture or other objects. Be on the lookout for sores or lesions, dry, flaky or scaly skin, rashes, lumps, redness, or bumps.

If you notice these symptoms, it’s always best to consult your vet. Left untreated, an easy to treat condition can quickly lead to an infection or something more serious. Not only that, but chronic itching can be just as debilitating and distressing as chronic pain. Ultimately, skin problems can cause great discomfort and irritation leading your dog to be irritable, withdrawn, or restless.

Some of the most common skin problems in dogs are due to allergies and allergic dermatitis caused by environmental or food allergies. Just like humans, dogs can suffer from allergies to pollen, grass and dust mites, but rather than having watery eyes and a runny nose, dogs will develop irritated, itchy skin. The most common areas affected are the face, feet, chest and stomach. There is a blood test to help determine if your dog has a reaction to certain common allergens. Such allergies can be difficult to treat and may require special shampoos, medication and even injections. You can take simple steps to minimize the risk of irritation from outdoor irritants by wiping your dog with a damp cloth or rinsing them off when coming inside. For dust mites, treat carpeted areas and wash your dog’s bedding regularly.

Dogs can develop food allergies from the type of protein in their food (beef, eggs, chicken, duck and dairy). Less common, but no less concerning are allergies to wheat or vegetables, which can be ingredients in treats and food (like Auggie’s potato allergy). Food allergies usually manifest with increased itching involving the face, feet, ears, and anus. To determine the source of the allergy, dogs must go through an elimination diet process for 8-12 weeks to rule out different causes and triggers. Before starting, consult with your vet on the process. It’s important to not feed your dog any of the suspected allergens during the elimination process to get a clear result. Once you have identified the food allergen, stay away from those foods and be sure to read ingredient labels so you do not inadvertently include them in your dog’s diet.

Another common skin condition in dogs (and cats) is ringworm. Despite the name, it is not a worm but rather a fungus that is highly contagious and can take up to six weeks to eradicate. Ringworm will normally appear as crusty, circular patches and is often found on a dog’s head, paws, ears, and front legs. The skin can also appear inflamed and red from where they have irritated the area from scratching. To confirm a ringworm diagnosis, your vet may use a special ultraviolet lamp called a Wood’s lamp to examine the dog’s skin and coat. However, not all ringworm will respond to the fluorescence. Additional tests, like a culture, may be needed. Ringworm is normally treated with a combination of topical creams, ointments or shampoos and anti-fungal drugs by mouth. Ringworm cultures will be taken periodically after the start of treatment to determine if your pet is still infected. It’s critical to continue treatment until your pet is cleared; stopping treatment too soon can result in a recurrence of the fungus.

Yeast loves to grow in hard to reach, warm areas on your dog, like the ears, between the toes, and groin region. Yeast infections tend to smell unpleasant (musty) and can cause the skin to thicken leading the dog to itch and bite at the infected areas. If left untreated in the ear, extreme yeast infections can cause hearing loss. Diagnosing a yeast infection involves culturing the affected area. Once confirmed, it will be treated with a topical ointment or medicated shampoo. Serious infections will require oral medications.

Like humans, dogs can get dandruff or ‘scurff’ and dry skin particularly in winter. Simple cases of dandruff are normally easy to treat with shampoos but always check with your vet to ensure there isn’t a serious, underlying cause. If approved, you can rub coconut oil or vitamin E oil into your dog’s skin. You can also add omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) to your dog’s food. Auggie’s coat glows when he gets a bit of fish oil.

Ticks, fleas and other parasites can cause itching and irritation for your pet year-round. Flea saliva enters the body after an insect bites, leading to an itching allergic reaction and scratching and chewing for relief. Severe parasite allergies include inflamed red skin and in extreme conditions, a dog’s fur will fall out in patches. The best prevention is to ensure your pet is up to date on the approved preventative treatments. It also helps to be diligent in cleaning your carpets and any bedding. Some parasites, such as ear mites, demodex, and scabies mites are only treated by prescription-strength medications.

I’m happy to report Auggie is doing well and only occasionally gets skin flareups. His mom is alert to his symptoms, is diligent in monitoring his diet and has established a rapport with his vet so he can be his best self.

Sources:

https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/ringworm-in-dogs#

https://www.thewaggintrain.com/services/dogs/dog-skin-problems#

https://www.animaltrust.org.uk/blog/dog-skin-allergies/

https://www.germantownah.com/site/blog-memphis-vet/2022/03/15/yeast-dog-dermatitis

https://www.thewildest.com/dog-nutrition/omega-3-fatty-acid-essential-health