Skin Disorders

Dog skin disorders fall into two categories - acquired skin disorders and hereditary skin disorders. Many things in the environment can cause skin problems - internal and external parasites, food, pollen, and chemical substances. The most common signs of skin disorders are scratching, itching, inflammation of the skin, yeast infections and discharges. Skin disorders can be prevented and treated.

Acquired Skin Disorders

Skin Allergies - Allergic reactions occur when the immune system overreacts or responds inappropriately to a substance. Often there is no sign of allergy the first time a dog is exposed, but after that first exposure, the immune system builds up a reserve of antibodies to react to that particular allergen. The next time the dog encounters the same allergen, the immune system reacts strongly.

Predisposition to skin allergies is inherited, and many breeds, such as terriers, Dalmatians, golden retrievers, schnauzers, and poodles, are more prone to allergies.

Sources of Skin Allergies

• Flea or mite bites
  
  Saliva and other secretions from these parasites can cause itchy hypersensitivity reactions; the surrounding skin releases histamine and other substances that cause itching and inflammation.
  
  Parasites, both internal and external, can contribute to development of new allergies. As the immune system creates antibodies to the parasites (such as fleas, mites, intestinal worms and heartworms), it may also develop sensitivities to other otherwise harmless environmental substances. Keeping dogs free from parasites, especially while they are puppies, is an essential step in preventing allergies.
  
  
• Food
  
  Dogs are allergic to many foods that are best-sellers and highly recommended by breeders and veterinarians. Changing the brand of food that you buy may not eliminate the problem if the element to which the dog is allergic is contained in the new brand. Dog react to food allergies by itching, scratching and biting.
  
  Although it is quite difficult to recognize a particular source of food allergies, you can handle this problem yourself. Put your dog on a diet that consists only of ingredients that your dog has never eaten before - it can be rabbit meat, or turkey. Keep your dog on this diet (with no additives) for one month. If the symptoms of food allergy disappear, then your dog has a food allergy.
  
  To make sure you know what ingredient caused the food allergy, expand your dog diet by adding one ingredient at a time. Let your dog to stay on that modified diet with one added ingredient for a month before you add another ingredient.
• Household disinfectants or other items (down etc.)

Testing for Allergies

An itchy dog can be tested for allergies through blood tests; high amounts of a certain antibody, called IgE, usually indicate an overreaction to an allergen. Also, veterinarians can perform skin tests, similar to those performed on people, by exposing small areas of skin to different allergens and observing how the skin reacts to each allergen.

Treatment for Allergies

• Avoid some specific allergens (e.g. keep a dog away from down pillows if it is allergic to feathers).
  
  
• Bathe your dog weekly to prevent itchiness. Wash allergens away before they get a chance to penetrate the skin.
• If recommended, add fatty acid supplements to your dog diet.
  
  Many drug treatments, such as antihistamines, anti-inflammatory corticosteroids, and immunosuppressive drugs, can reduce the symptoms, but these drugs generally come with side effects. Another option is immunotherapy, which involves desensitization to the allergen by a series of allergy shots.
  
  

Skin Disorders - Hereditary Skin Disorders

There are several known hereditary skin disorders:
acrodermatitis, cutaneous asthenia, sebaceous adenitis, cuclic hematopoiesis, dermatomyositis, IgA deficiency, color dilution alopecia and nodular dermatofibrosis. Some of these disorders are limited to one or two breeds and others affect a large number of breeds. All inherited diseases must be diagnosed and treated by a veterinarian specialist.

It can be fatal to both dogs and people. It is usually successfully treated with cortisone, prednisolone, but these drugs can have harmful side effects.