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THE
SKIN A pet’s skin and hair are often true indicators of general good health. If abnormal, they also can be a signal that a problem is present. Take a close look at your pet—is it scratching, rubbing or licking excessively? Does its coat lack luster? Is there excessive hair loss? Do you smell any skin or body odor? A
“yes” to any of these questions may be a good reason to check with
your veterinarian. These symptoms may indicate the presence of allergies,
bacterial or fungal infections, parasites, or a hormonal problem. Let’s
examine these causes. Allergies Humans
with allergies usually react by sneezing;
animals scratch! Both are reacting to an allergen, a substance to
which they are sensitive. Most allergens, like pollen, dust, and molds,
are airborne and are inhaled. A few are of the contact type—an allergy
to wool or other materials which react on the skin. And some allergens are
found in food, most commonly in corn, wheat, soy, beef and dairy products.
The first signs of an allergic reaction are scratching, licking, biting,
or rubbing the skin. This can lead to infection which is characterized by
red bumps and pimples. Because of the discomfort and infections, it is
important to get professional help as soon as possible. Some allergens,
such as pollens, are seasonal. However, others, like dust, molds and
foods, can be year-round. It is important to realize that curing an
allergy problem is almost impossible, but most allergies can be
successfully controlled with the help of your veterinarian. In
long-term serious allergies, the identification of the specific allergens
is important. Skin, food, or blood testing may be required. In some cases,
you may be asked to help in the diagnostic procedures—particularly when
a food allergy is suspected. Your veterinarian may recommend a controlled
diet to help identify the food allergy. Allergy
Treatment Anti-inflammatory
drugs may give prompt relief to seasonal or short-term allergies. Your
veterinarian may prescribe some type of steroid, antihistamine, or special
fatty acid supplement. For long-term allergies, once the allergens have
been identified, exposure to the allergens can be avoided or the pet can
be desensitized from them with allergy shots. Bacterial
Infection Bacterial
infection is a very common problem of the skin. However, it is usually
secondary to another underlying disease such as allergies, parasites, or
hormonal problems. It is important to seek professional help to treat the
bacterial infection while searching for the underlying disease.
Treatment
for bacterial infections may include antibiotics given orally and/or applied
in ointments. Your veterinarian may need to culture the bacteria in order to
select the proper antibiotic. Localized treatment also may include cleaning
and bandaging the affected area. Fungal
Infection Fungal
infection, or ringworm, often is mistaken for other skin problems.
Many of the symptoms, such as dry and scaly skin and hair loss, are
similar to other skin diseases. When a fungal disease is suspected, an
ultraviolet light screening can suggest a diagnosis. The diagnosis can be
confirmed by microscopic analysis of affected hairs and laboratory
culturing. Treatments,
including ointments, shampoos, or anti-fungal agents given orally, either
will control or eliminate the infection. External
Parasites Some
common pet parasites, such as fleas, ticks, mange and lice, can be a problem
for your pet. The problem can be compounded if your pet has an allergic
reaction to insect bites. If
you detect external parasites on your pet, your first reaction might be to
apply a flea collar. This is a mistake! First, the pest must be identified.
The type of parasite dictates the treatment and control measures that are
necessary. To
control Lice, the pet is treated. But to control fleas, ticks and mange, it
is important to treat the environment as well as the pet. This may include
spraying or dusting the areas of you home and grounds with pesticides. There
are several excellent products now available to treat fleas, ticks and
mange. Hormonal Hormonal
imbalances can cause skin disease as well as general illness. They often are
difficult to diagnose, as most of them look identical. They are caused by
malfunctions of the thyroid, adrenal, pituitary, or other glands. Hair loss and changes in the skin texture are usually the dermatological sign of a hormone problem. It is important that the condition be correctly identified through blood testing. Once identified, proper therapy can be administered. |
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Note: This article is provided by Claws & Paws Veterinary Hospital® for informational purposes only. |
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