7 Common skin conditions in dogs

Is your dog’s skin dry, flaky, scabbed or smelly? Whether your furry friend is a puppy, a golden oldie or somewhere in between, you’ll want to know about the symptoms and treatments for these common skin conditions in dogs.

Ringworm

Ringworm is a fungal skin condition that is contagious to animals and humans. It spreads when your dog comes into contact with an infected object, animal or person. Puppies, senior dogs and immunocompromised dogs are prone to more serious ringworm cases. While ringworm generally doesn’t result in itchiness, symptoms include hair loss (alopecia) in a circular shape which can become scabbed or inflamed, as well as brittle claws and hair. If you notice these symptoms, contact your vet immediately to find a treatment for your dog and prevent it from spreading. Treatments can include topical creams or shampoos, oral antifungal medications and cleaning your home to remove contaminated hair, which can be contagious for months.   

Mange

Mange in dogs is caused by sarcoptic, demodectic or ear mites, which are microscopic bugs. Sarcoptic mites are contagious, and dogs can catch this type of scabies mange from other animals or contaminated objects. Symptoms include severe itching, hair loss and skin infections.

Dogs naturally have non-contagious demodectic mites in their fur, but your dog can develop demodectic mange or demodex if their immune system cannot keep this mite population under control. Symptoms include hair loss, skin thickening and infections.

Ear mites can cause otodectic mange, which is particularly common in puppies. These mites feed on the oils and wax in dogs’ ears, leading to symptoms like head shaking, head and ear scratching and odour or dark discharge from the ears.

Visit your vet so they can determine what type of mites your dog has and the treatment options, such as medications.

Folliculitis

A common skin condition in both dogs and humans, folliculitis involves a dog’s hair follicles inflaming. Causes of folliculitis in dogs typically encompass bacteria, mites or fungi such as ringworm. Symptoms can include an unusual odour, itching, hair loss, redness, swelling, pimples (pustules), black scabs and black patches (hyperpigmentation). Your vet may suggest folliculitis treatments like oral antibiotics, topical creams or antifungal and antibacterial shampoos. Each dog may also have unique underlying conditions that need to be treated.

Hot Spots

Sometimes called moist dermatitis, hot spots in dogs are inflamed or infected skin lesions. They are typically caused by dogs scratching and therefore opening an old wound or creating a new wound. Hot spots are usually moist, resembling red bumps or raw areas of skin that can bleed or ooze pus or fluids, potentially resulting in a dog having matted or crusty hair. Other symptoms include itching and licking the affected area. While they can occur anywhere on a dog’s body and can spread to other areas, hot spots most commonly appear on a dog’s hips, limbs and head. Your vet may recommend using collars or bandages to prevent your dog from causing further damage, while they may prescribe medications like topical or oral steroids and antihistamines to reduce itching. 

Yeast Infection 

Yeast infections are caused by an overabundance of yeast, which is a type of fungi. They usually develop in warm areas on a dog’s body, like the groin and perineum, in the ears and between the toes. Greasy, scaly, thickened or discoloured skin, scratching, licking, drooling, swelling and hair loss are common symptoms of yeast infections, along with a distinct odour that may be musty or cheesy. A vet can diagnose and treat yeast infections using topical creams and medications.  

Dandruff

While humans usually get dandruff on their heads, dogs tend to get this dry and flaky condition on their back, face or flanks, particularly in the winter. Dandruff is made of dead skin cells and looks like small white flakes that can cause your dog to itch, lick or bite the skin. Some cases of dandruff can be treated using shampoos, but since it is usually a secondary condition, you need to visit your vet to check for underlying causes. 

Flea Allergy Dermatitis

There are many reasons why your dog may be itchy. Flea Allergy Dermatitis (FAD) is a common cause of itchiness and allergic reactions in dogs. It involves one or more fleas biting and inserting saliva into their skin. This saliva contains antigens or proteins that cause intense itchiness, particularly for dogs with other allergies. Fortunately, products that get rid of fleas in pets are available, and your vet can recommend the best treatments and preventatives for flea allergy dermatitis for your dog. 

There are many skin conditions in dogs, and some can be contagious or a sign of underlying health issues. If you suspect that your dog has a skin condition, call us on (03) 9842 5330 to get advice from an experienced vet in Melbourne.