Skin Conditions

In addition to irritations caused by fleas, lice and ticks, dogs are often plagued by chronic or acute skin conditions and disease. There are various causes of skin diseases, among them mites, fungi, faulty metabolism, poor diet and allergy. Vet­erinarians probably treat more cases involving the skin than any other single disease.

Generally, skin conditions are considered to be of parasitic or nonparasitic origin. The parasitic conditions include those caused by insects, mites and minute plants. Fleas and lice are examples of parasitic insects. Ticks and mange mites are para­sitic mites. And the fungi causing ringworms and favus are examples of the parasitic plants. The nonparasitic skin con­ditions include those caused by micro-organisms, faulty metabolism, poor diet, mechanical irritation (rubbing and scratching, for instance) and allergy to chemicals, pollen, plants, etc.

The treatment of skin conditions and diseases, especially those suspected of being of allergic origin, is often complex and long drawn out. In the case of some of the minor skin conditions, you will be able to help the dog. In others that are more serious or persistent, you will have to seek veteri­nary advice.

MANGE

The two major types of mange—Demodectic and Sarcoptic —are caused by mites. Otodectic or ear mange is also caused by mites, although the actual skin condition in this type of mange results more from decomposing secretions and the con­stant rubbing and scratching by the irritated dog.

Demodectic mange

The mite responsible for Demodectic mange is called Demodex folliculorum. It burrows into the skin and causes inflammation and mild irritation. There are two forms of Demodectic mange: 1) the squamous form, in which there is a mild inflammation and loss of hair, and 2) the pustular form, in which the dog's skin becomes very red with a bloody discharge.

Demodectic mange is characterized by shedding of the hair, a reddening of the affected skin parts, thickened and wrinkled skin, denuded areas around the eyes, elbows, hocks and toes, and bloody or scabby lesions. Unlike Sarcoptic mange, there may be little or no itching. Very often the lesions in Demo­dectic mange are localized to one area and do not spread to other parts of the body. The squamous form of Demodectic mange is often confused with other skin conditions or dis­eases. The only positive method of diagnosis is to have the veterinarian take some skin scrapings and examine them under the microscope for the Demodex folliculorum mites.

Treatment:Demodectic mange is very persistent and should receive veterinary attention. The squamous form responds to treatment much quicker than the pustular form. Also, if the mange is localized, treatment will be more effective. How­ever, you will have to keep in mind that some dogs do not respond to treatment as readily as others. And some cases of Demodectic mange will recur. Treatment usually consists of clipping the dog and washing the skin with a germicidal so­lution. Next, the affected parts are treated with special mange preparations to kill the mange mites. A good diet is essential during treatment.

You can provide some emergency treatment by clipping the hair around the affected areas, washing them with mild soap and water, and applying a sulphur and cold-cream oint­ment. Flowers of sulphur is usually available in drugstores.

Sarcoptic mange

Sarcoptic mange is caused by a mite belonging to the genus Sarcoptes. We don't expect you to be able to differ­entiate between these mites, but a knowledge of them and their damage will help you to understand the treatment and course of the condition. Sarcoptic mange often starts on the dog's head, but it may also show up on the lower abdomen, chest, under the front legs, at the root of the tail, and at the base of the ears.

The symptoms of Sarcoptic mange include itching, red dots or blisters, a discharge, scabs and crusts, loss of hair, and a moldy or musty odor. A positive diagnosis can only be made by an examination of a skin scraping under a microscope for the Sarcoptic mange mite.

Treatment:Neglected cases of Sarcoptic mange have proved fatal. So, prompt veterinary attention is vital. The treatment more or less follows that for Demodectic mange. You can give the dog temporary relief by applying a sulphur and cold-cream ointment, but put the dog under the veterinarian's care.

Otodectic or ear mange

The mites causing Otodectic or ear mange live inside the ears. They are often visible to the naked eye as small specks that move. If untreated, ear mange can lead to severe com­plications.
The symptoms include a tilted head, pawing at the ears, whining or whimpering, poor balance, an ear discharge with a foul odor, and the presence o£ the mites themselves. Some of these symptoms are also indicative of ear canker and hematoma. (See Chapter 13)

Ear mites require veterinary attention. You can ease the dog's misery by cleaning the ears with mineral or baby oil on cotton swabs.

RINGWORM

Ringworm is a contagious skin disease caused by a fungus. It is transmissible to man and other animals. Two genera of fungi are responsible for ringworm. They have long names: Trichophyton megalosporon and Trichophyton microsporon. The T. microsporon fungus is the type most often encoun­tered in dogs.

The fungi causing ringworm more or less limit their activi­ties to the epidermis or outer layer of skin. They grow onto the hair follicles and in between the hair sheaths, finally kill­ing off the hair and causing it to fall out. Ringworm usually starts on the head, neck, legs and will spread to other parts of the body.

The symptoms of ringworm are round or oval-shaped lesions on the head, face, legs or body; scabs and crusts; and loss of hair. The lesions may appear in several forms: 1) as well-defined scaly patches, which form an irregular circle up to two inches in diameter; 2) as small red and raised areas on the hairless parts of the dog's body; 3) as scaly lesions with reddish pustules around the edges or rims.

Treatment:Localized lesions can be treated with tincture of iodine or iodine ointment. Since ringworm is contagious, wear rubber gloves when handling the dog. Stand him on newspapers, clip the hair from around the lesions, and re­move the scabs and crusts by washing with a mild soap and warm water. After the lesions are cleaned, apply tincture of iodine or iodine ointment. Wrap up the trimmed hair, scabs or crusts and burn them. Oral medication for ringworm is available and can be procured through your veterinarian.

FAVUS

Favus is another skin disease caused by a fungus. Under the microscope, the fungus causing favus is quite distinct from that causing ringworm; its name is Anchorion Schon-leinii. And like the ringworm fungus, the one causing favus is transmissible to man, birds and other animals.

The favus fungus grows into the hair follicles, over the outer part of the hair and penetrates between the layers of the epidermis. In other words, the fungus causing favus goes deeper into the skin. Favus is characterized by cups or in­dentations found on the face, ears, head and paws. The cups have raised margins that are silver-gray in color. In the center of these cups or indentations may be found stumps of broken hair. A positive diagnosis can only be made by a skin scraping examined under a microscope.

Treatment: Favus responds to treatment with tincture of iodine or iodine ointment. There are also various commer­cial ringworm and favus preparations that are effective. Treat­ment should start at the first sign of the condition. Favus is contagious, so wear rubber gloves and follow the same pro­cedure as for treating ringworm. Clip the hair around the affected parts, wash with mild soap and warm water to re­move the scabs and crusts, then apply iodine ointment, tinc­ture of iodine or a commercial preparation. If the condition persists, consult your veterinarian.

NONPARASITIC SKIN CONDITIONS

The nonparasitic skin conditions are often very puzzling and in the absence of parasites, the treatment has to be more or less experimental. In many of the nonparasitic skin con­ditions, the treatment depends on the cause. And it may take some time to locate the cause. We mention this so that you will know that when the veterinarian asks for you to bring the dog back for several visits or treatments, he is not trying to stretch out the treatment.

ECZEMA

Eczema has long been a controversial skin condition, both in animals and human beings. It is more a symptom of a dis­order than a disease in itself. Various theories have been ad­vanced as to the causes of eczema. For example, dermatologists believe that eczema is caused by faulty diet, hormone im­balance, fleas, lice and ticks, kidney troubles, and vitamin deficiencies. Other factors may be involved. As to vitamin de­ficiencies, it is well known that a deficiency of vitamins A and E, as well as inadequate amounts of the essential fatty acids, will cause skin eruptions.

The symptoms of eczema can easily be confused with those of other skin conditions or diseases. They include intense itching, pustules, discharge, scabs and dandruff.

Treatment: First, before any treatment can be started, the cause must be discovered. This may require many tests and the subsequent treatment may be extended over a long period. You can give the dog temporary relief by washing off the scabs with mild soap and water, and applying a soothing agent such as calomine solution or cold cream. The diagnosis and subsequent treatment will have to be done by the vet­erinarian.

ECZEMA NASI (COLLIE NOSE)

This form of eczema affects only the nose, eyes, and the skin surrounding the eyes. It is an abnormal reaction of the dog's skin to bright sunlight. The condition is limited to Collies, Shetland Sheepdogs and mixed breeds containing either of the aforementioned breeds.

The symptoms of eczema nasi are pawing or scratching at the nose; lesions on the nose where the hairless part of the nose blends into the upper hairy section; inflammation of the eyes; bleeding from the lesions; scabs on the bridge of the nose and a loss of hair in the region.

Treatment: Eczema nasi is chronic and should be treated by a veterinarian. You can provide temporary relief by wash­ing off the scabs and crusts, applying calomine solution or cold cream to the affected parts, and treating the inflamed eyes with eye ointment.

DANDRUFF

Dandruff is another skin condition of undetermined origin. Among the suspected causes are too frequent bathings with caustic soap, faulty diet, parasites and other factors.

The most noticeable symptoms of dandruff are dry skin and grayish-white scales or flakes on the skin or hair.

Treatment: The treatment depends upon the cause. Here, again, the dog may have to undergo various tests. And any testing will usually start with the dog's diet. Check it over and make sure he's getting enough fat and the right kind, preferably fat of animal origin. A daily grooming will help get rid of the dandruff that accumulates on the hair or skin. It will not cure it, of course. If, after you've checked and adjusted the diet, the dandruff persists, have the veterinarian examine the dog.

ALOPECIA (BALDNESS)

Alopecia is the loss of hair without any apparent disease or parasites to account for the condition. Among the suspected causes are disease, parasites, friction (such as sleeping or lying on hard surfaces), functional disorders, chemical irritations and dietary deficiencies.

The obvious symptoms of alopecia are either small, local­ized bald spots or large, irregular bald areas. Alopecia is an­other skin condition that requires various tests to determine the cause. While there is no discomfort in many cases of alopecia, it is unsightly. And, of course, a poor coat impairs the dog's insulation against heat and cold.

Home remedies are useless, unless you know the cause. Consult your veteri­narian.

IMPETIGO

Impetigo is an inflammatory skin condition characterized by isolated pustules. These pustules are more shallow than those of mange and they break or rupture very easily. Im­petigo can be treated with daily applications of an antiseptic powder, such as BFI. The condition usually clears up in a short time.

DERMATITIS

The term "dermatitis" means an inflammation of the skin. Dermatitis is another one of those skin conditions with vague and various causes. Some of the causes may be internal, others may be external. The internal causes include food allergy, faulty diet, metabolic disorders and intestinal parasites. The external causes include insect or animal bites, blows, scratches, chemical irritation (acids, alkalis, plant juices, insect poisons, etc.), and burns, scalds, freezing and excessive sunlight.

A thickened skin, scaling, loss of hair and intense itching are the most prominent symptoms of dermatitis. The itching often becomes so intense, the dog will constantly lick the affected parts and will keep rubbing himself against chairs, tables, walls, etc.

Chronic dermatitis should be treated by a veterinarian. You can relieve the dog's misery by washing off any scabs with mild soap and water, then applying calomine solution or an ointment, such as Panthoderm, to alleviate the itching.

ALLERGIES

The problem of allergy in dogs is a complicated one. Dogs are allergic to all kinds of substances. Among them are pollen, serums, raw horse meat, dairy products, insect stings, plants, plant juices, the dog's own hormone (mainly progesterone) and various other substances.

Allergists have discovered that dogs also may suffer from seasonal allergic rhinitis (hay fever) and this has been con­firmed by positive skin tests with offending allergens or sub­stances.

Allergies show up in various ways. Dermatitis, swellings, itching, sores, etc., are all symptoms of allergy. The treatment depends on finding the cause and eliminating it. Most likely the diagnosis and treatment will take some time, so if your dog has a skin condition of undetermined origin, he may have to undergo allergy tests.

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