Skin Disease in Dogs: Common Causes and First Line Care
Itching, repeated scratching in one spot and patchy hair loss can come from allergies, fleas and ticks, fungal infection or hormones. The causes differ but look alike, so here is what to do first.
Short answer: Skin disease in dogs has many common causes, including allergies, external parasites such as fleas and ticks, microbes such as fungi and bacteria, and hormonal disorders. The usual signs are itching, patchy hair loss, and bumps or red rashes on the skin. If you see these, bring your dog in so the real cause can be found and the lesions kept from spreading.
The skin is the largest organ in the body, and skin problems in dogs are one of the reasons owners bring them to see a veterinarian.
Common causes
Allergies to food or to the environment, external parasites such as fleas, ticks or mange mites, microbes such as fungi or bacteria, and hormonal disorders. All of these can cause skin problems in dogs.
Signs to watch for
Unusually intense itching, scratching or biting the same area repeatedly, red rashes, patchy hair loss, or an unusual smell from the skin. All of these warrant an examination.
First line care
Consistent prevention against external parasites, bathing with a shampoo suited to the skin, and avoiding known allergens all help reduce the risk of skin problems in some cases.
If itching or skin lesions appear, bring your dog in so the real cause can be identified. The causes of skin disease are varied and need further diagnostic work, and an early visit also reduces the risk of lesions spreading.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Does frequent itching always mean allergies?
A: Not always. It can come from external parasites, from microbes such as fungi and bacteria, and from hormonal disorders. Bring your dog in so the cause can be clearly separated out.
Q: Does flea and tick prevention really reduce skin problems?
A: It helps a great deal, because external parasites are one of the main causes of skin problems in dogs.