Skin Diseases in Dogs and Cats—How to Deal with Them?

The skin is the largest organ in the body.Its role is to protect organs, muscles, and bones, and it also acts as a barrier against bacteria and parasites.It is this that allows a dog or cat’s body to maintain a proper temperature—regardless of the weather outside.

The skin consists of three layers:

• epidermis,
• the dermis,
• subcutaneous tissue – hypodermis.

Skin inflammation can be caused by very mundane factors that we may not have noticed at first.Both a lack of proper hygiene for your pet and excessive grooming of its coat can lead to allergies or skin problems.Shampoos that are too harsh, as well as bathing too often, can strip the skin of its natural protective layer, causing your pet to scratch and even start losing its fur.Other causes include:

• contact between the animal's skin and the detergent,
• sunburn,
• contact with a plant to which a dog or cat may be allergic,
• mechanical damage to the skin.

The most common diseases associated with external parasites are:

• fleas,
• local scabies,
• generalized scabies,
• cat scabies,
• mange in dogs,
• cat scabies,
• pityriasis versicolor – tinea versicolor,
• ear mites,
• ticks,
• head lice,
• head louse,
• skin inflammation caused by fly bites.

Skin diseases – causes

Fungal infection

Fungal infections can be transmitted between dogs or cats, and even to humans, which is why it is so important to recognize the early symptoms quickly and begin treatment.It causes easily noticeable but nonspecific changes in a dog’s or cat’s skin, which is why it is often undiagnosed or treated incorrectly.The disease can affect various parts of a pet's body, such as the ears or back, as well as internal organs like the liver or stomach.

There are two types of fungal infections that can affect our pets.The first type is called superficial—these are skin lesions that appear on a dog’s or cat’s body.This includes, for example, fungal infections of the claws, back, or ears.Any skin lesions, i.e., so-called dermatophytes, are more common.The second type of condition is deep fungal infection , which occurs in internal organs; it is difficult to diagnose because all symptoms are invisible to the naked eye, just as in the case of superficial mycosis.Deep fungal infections are less common, but consequently more difficult to diagnose.Often, a dog doesn't show any concerning symptoms or loss of appetite, so only a visit to a specialist can help diagnose a fungal infection.

Allergies

Skin conditions are becoming increasingly common in dogs that are allergic to various allergens found in food, shampoo, toys, or flea saliva.Allergies are among the most difficult skin conditions to diagnose, because the number of allergens is constantly growing and it is hard to pinpoint the one responsible.Allergy symptoms usually occur around the head, ears, chest, front legs, and abdomen.The animal suffers from severe itching and often has seborrhea, recurrent pyoderma, or hives.Scratching, biting, and licking itchy areas can lead to bald spots and sores.

Treatment of the skin symptoms of food allergies involves the immediate administration of an anti-itch medication, followed by an elimination diet—that is, a diet consisting of foods containing only a single source of protein, most commonly meat that the dog’s body has not yet encountered.If your child is allergic to personal care products, toys, or textiles, it is recommended that you purchase eco-friendly alternatives: mild soap instead of chemical shampoo, and natural teething toys.For pet beds and blankets, you can choose fabrics made from organic cotton or other eco-friendly fibers.

Demodicosis in dogs

Like ringworm, demodicosis is caused by an overgrowth of fungi living on the skin, is also caused by excessive reproduction of parasites—in this case, mites that naturally occur on the skin of healthy dogs.The dog demodex mite (Demodex canis) measures about a quarter of a millimeter and causes two types of skin disease—localized and generalized.The localized form is characterized by fewer lesions, in the generalized form, there are more lesions and they affect the entire body.Local symptoms include erythema and scaling, primarily around the muzzle, head, and eyes.Dermatitis of the toes - visible redness on and between the toes, occurring mainly in very large dogs, such as St. Bernards.The diagnosis involves examining skin scrapings obtained through a quick and painless sampling procedure.However, treatment is a tedious and lengthy process: in addition to using acaricides and giving baths, the most important thing is to achieve a lasting improvement in the dog’s immune system.Demodicosis most commonly affects puppies and dogs with weakened immune systems—it is a typical disease of neglected pets.

Staphylococcus in dogs

Just as with certain fungi or mites, staphylococcus bacteria are also part of the skin and mucosal microflora.All known species isolated from animals are potentially pathogenic.Cocci - also known as staphylococci (Latin.Staphylococcus) – are facultative anaerobes, meaning they can survive in both aerobic and anaerobic conditions.Staphylococci are also present in the animal’s environment—in soil, air, water, and on objects—where they thrive, as they are among the microorganisms most resistant to drying out and disinfection.Low-virulence staphylococci may colonize the intact epithelium of healthy dogs—either permanently or temporarily—without causing any pathological changes.However, when the epithelium is compromised, they can attack the body; this can occur as a result of physical trauma, skin infections caused by other microorganisms, or hormonal imbalances.Staphylococcal dermatitis in dogs affects the hair follicles and most commonly occurs on the paws, abdomen, or thighs.In the first stage, hairy papules appear, which eventually turn into pustules and then scabs.

External parasites

Parasites that are particularly troublesome for dogs include mites, fleas, ticks, and lice.The main symptoms of a parasitic infestation are severe itching and various types of skin rashes, such as erythema, pustules, papules, vesicles, and scabs.Dogs or cats that have been attacked scratch, sniff, lick, shake, or rub against objects nervously.The parasites themselves can be distinguished with the naked eye.Severe itching can also occur with fleas and lice.Ticks do not cause itching, but they can transmit dangerous diseases, including Lyme disease and ehrlichiosis; therefore, it is essential to check your pet’s fur regularly and remove any parasites embedded in the skin.

Endocrine disorders

Changes in coat texture or hair loss in dogs or cats can also be caused by problems with internal organs or the endocrine system.Changes in a dog's skin and coat most often result from digestive and thyroid disorders.In Hashimoto’s disease, a form of thyroiditis, dermatological changes often occur, such as discoloration and dullness of the coat, as well as depigmentation of the skin on the muzzle, around the anus, on the scrotum, or on the limbs.In Cushing's syndrome, an adrenal gland disorder, symptoms include hair loss, frequent skin infections, and dark discoloration.The skin also often becomes thin and translucent, like parchment.Dermatological changes are often caused by autoimmune diseases.

Skin Conditions – How to Deal with Them?

Besides taking our four-legged friend to the vet, what else can we do to help treat their skin conditions??When dealing with an allergy, avoiding the irritant plays a very important role in relieving symptoms.This, in turn, can be found in many of the places we encounter.To start with, keep a close eye on your pet—pay attention to what they sniff (contact with other dogs’ or cats’ feces can also trigger allergies)—and also note what plants are in their surroundings.Sometimes it may be helpful to change the route of your daily walks.Unfortunately, in most cases, the factor that causes skin inflammation in dogs or cats is their food, and very often it is a change in their diet that has a positive effect on the condition of their skin and coat.What should you consider when choosing this type of food in such a situation??It’s best to choose one that contains a single type of meat, such as single-protein dog food for dogs with allergies Dolina Noteci Premium.

Prevention and Treatment of Skin Diseases in Dogs and Cats

The treatment of skin conditions is a highly individual matter.First and foremost, you should take your pet to a veterinarian, who will assess its health.Each type of skin condition requires a different approach.For example, in the case of fungal infections, these usually include antifungal medications and immune-boosting agents, while in the case of allergies, they involve avoiding foods that cause harm or avoiding exposure to the allergen.

However, you can prevent skin problems from developing in your pet, m.in.through a proper diet.Above all, dog food should be rich in vitamins and minerals, which are essential for maintaining a healthy immune system.It is also important to ensure that your diet is balanced and contains the right ratio of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates.It’s also important to make sure your pet stays hydrated, as this helps maintain proper fluid and electrolyte balance.If you notice that your furry friend rarely goes to the water bowl, try wet dog food , which contains significantly more water than its dry counterparts.