Dermatology FAQs From Collierville Animal Clinic & Surgery Center

Skin and fur issues are relatively common in pets. Your animal's skin can become irritated due to a variety of reasons that same that your skin can. As your pet's owner, it is up to you to be able to recognize the signs that your dog is suffering from a skin or fur issue. The sooner you are able to recognize that there is a problem, the sooner you can make an appointment with a veterinarian.

Itchy Skin/Irritation

If your pet has itchy skin, it is referred to as pruritus. This complaint makes up about 40 percent of all sick visits to the vet. When your pet is scratching and biting themselves all day and night, it can be distracting for you, and it can make the pet miserable. If the problem persists, it can result in secondary skin lesions, skin infections, hair loss, and trauma to the pet's teeth and nails. A few common causes of itchy skin in pets include hot spots, mites, and bacterial infections.

Allergies

Pet allergies are a common cause of skin irritation. In pet dermatology, allergies are broken down into three major categories: fleas, food, and environment.

• Fleas: If your pet has fleas, he will itch. If your pet has an allergic reaction to the bite, it can cause more serious skin issues. Regular flea treatments are necessary to avoid these types of reactions.
• Food: Like humans, dogs can suffer from food allergies. If your dog has a hypersensitivity reaction to a protein in the food, it can cause an allergic reaction. The only way to determine if it is a food allergy that is making your pet miserable is to switch back to the food that your pet was eating before the allergy began.
• Environment: Humans can have an allergic reaction to things in the environment such as pollen, dander, and mites. What you may not know is that pets can suffer from the same allergies. If your pet is suffering from an environmental allergy, also known as atopy, he might require regular medication or allergy shots.

Hair Loss

If your pet is missing patches of fur, it could be due to a variety of reasons. Parasites, such as Demodex mites are a common cause. Another reason is a thyroid condition called Cushing's disease. There are just a few of the many reasons that your pet could be losing his fur. The only way that the cause can be diagnosed is through a visit to the vet. During the visit, the vet may need to scrape the skin and examine the cells under a microscope. 

Schedule an Appointment With Collierville Animal Clinic & Surgery Center Today!

If your pet is suffering from a skin rash or a fur condition, the professionals at Collierville Animal Clinic & Surgery Center can help. The vet will take a full medical history and perform the necessary tests to properly diagnose your pet. The sooner the issue is diagnosed and treated, the sooner your pet will start feeling better.