Mary Allen
Skin problems are often tough for dogs and may need to be investigated. But there are some things you can try for yourself before seeking help.
Knots and Lumps
The most common skin tumors are benign sebaceous glands and sebaceous glands. Dangerous mast cell tumors are also common and can be very difficult, if not impossible, to distinguish from other nodules just by feeling them.
If you find a lump or lump, ask for a cell sample. It goes quickly and smoothly and provides good information. And done when the dog is awake, it does not even need soothing.
Allergy
Allergies are often the cause of recurring skin problems with ears, paws, and skin infections.
Problems that recur should not be worked on yourself but taken to a veterinarian for investigation.
Mite
Hair loss can be demodex, small hair follicle mites that are part of the normal flora that for some reason have multiplied abnormally.
If the dog gets bald spots and is under a year old, you can suspect demodex. Pug, Staffie, and Amstaff are breeds that are particularly affected. Research is underway on which genes are prone to demodex.
Boils
Furunculosis is called a deep infection in the paws and around the lips and chin. It is a type of skin infection that causes abscesses with blood-mixed var.
Furunculosis is a symptom and not a diagnosis and requires a veterinary visit.
Fungus in Skin Folds
In skin folds, bacteria and fungi can thrive and cause skin problems.
Pugs are particularly affected. Keep track, light with a lamp, and wipe out the folds regularly. If there is a lot of folds, you can wipe them off with alcohol.
Lice
The most common cause of skin problems is external parasites such as lice, ticks, dandruff and ear scabies.
Fleas are not so common in Sweden, but lice can be seen with the naked eye if you have good eyesight or use a magnifying glass. An ordinary lice comb works well. Lice are often found at the ears and neck. The lice eggs are glued to the base of the hair. It is never wrong to try treatment with an over-the-counter remedy for ticks and vermin.
Skin Infection
If the dog has red “pimples”, or crusts, it can be a skin infection of some kind. It can, for example, be staphylococcal bacteria that are found naturally on the skin that for some reason have “gained a foothold”.
Try shampooing your dog with over-the-counter bactericidal dog shampoo with chlorhexidine. If the problems go away, everything is fine. If they return, the cause must be investigated by a veterinarian. This is especially true of ear problems.
Hanging Tail After Bath
Hunting dogs, bird retrievers, and water-loving breeds that have bathed or been out in the rain and then become cold on the buttocks are sometimes affected by water tails.
There has not been much research on this but it is probably an inflammation in the nerves that makes the tail hang down. It is very painful but can go away on its own if the dog is allowed to rest and is kept dry and warm. In case of severe pain, consult a veterinarian.
Rides a Sledgehammer on the Buttocks
If the dog slides on the buttocks, it may have suffered from anal sac inflammation. The anal sacs sit on either side of the anus and store a foul-smelling secretion that is emptied when the dog poops or gets scared. It is quite common for them to become overcrowded and inflamed.
But it is not just overcrowded sacks that are the reason why dogs go canoeing. It can also be due to allergies, dogs have extra allergy cells in their ears, paws, and buttocks. And it can also be a question of anal fistulas. A veterinarian should be contacted.
Eczema With Moisture and Heat
In summer, hot spots are a common skin condition. They are also called moisture eczema. Hot spots appear from one day to the next as bacteria have grown at a record rate. Suddenly, a 10 x 10 centimeter moist, itchy eczema can flare up, especially where the coat is dense.
There is always a trigger for hot spots – lice, allergies, wounds after fights, other small wounds but also moisture after swimming. And they can just as well perform in the winter. It is especially dogged with dense fur such as the golden retriever that is affected. This is how they are sometimes also called retriever eczema.
If the dog is not in pain, you can try shaving clean around eczema and washing with rubbing alcohol. But if it hurts too much, you have to take the dog to the vet.
Fox Scabies
Fox scabies is more common than you might think. City dogs are affected, often infected by another dog. So no fox needs to be involved.
No over-the-counter remedies bite here. The dog must go to the vet for sampling.
Dry Spots on Elbows
Pressure changes in combination with thinning of the fur can affect the elbows of dogs weighing 25 kilos and are five years or older.
Most dogs are not bothered by it and you do not need to do anything. Occasional dogs can get an infection, which can be difficult to treat. If the dog is overweight: Lose weight. If the dog is lying on a stone floor: Try to get it to lie on a soft surface.