Dogs: common skin diseases.

It must be said that the dog’s skin is on the front line and faces various environmental aggressions such as parasites or allergens of all kinds.

The skin acts as a barrier against bacteria, temperature variations, water losses, etc. There are several major categories of skin diseases including allergies, infections and skin problems like oily skin and / or dandruff (also called dander). 

Skin diseases or dermatoses generate a high percentage of veterinary consultations. If the symptoms are general enough (itching, dandruff, irritated skin…), the causes can be very diverse.

Skin conditions are among the first reasons for veterinary consultations. Dermatological manifestations can be multiple: an animal that has red skin, scratches, loses hair, gives off a strong smell, has oily skin, dandruff…

Some skin diseases are benign and easy to manage. Others may require heavier support.

There are different types of allergy. Among the most common are allergy to flea bites (flea allergy dermatitis or DAPP), food allergy and canine atopic dermatitis (DAC), which is particularly common.

The latter knows several risk factors including the predisposition of some canine breeds. Atopic dogs can be victims of secondary skin infections, the skin, weakened, no longer playing its role as a barrier against certain microbes.

An allergic dog remains so for life, unless it is desensitized, which can sometimes allow remission in rare cases. Allergy is managed through adapted medical, food and hygienic measures.

Itching is one of the most common symptoms and covers many causes, from parasites to allergies, to behavioural disorders.

Skin problems must therefore be the subject of a rigorous care during which your vet may gather a maximum of information and will carry out any appropriate samples and additional examinations in order to find the precise origin of the disorder. Your vet may then recommend regular local care, use of suitable shampoos, or an appropriate diet.