Combat skin diseases in dogs and cats the right way

This article was written by Dr. Shang-Hsiu Chung, a veterinarian at Always Care Veterinary Hospital

What Can I Do About Skin Diseases in Dogs and Cats? Veterinarians Share How to Deal with Pruritus in Pets

Itchy Skin Levels in Dogs and Cats

Symptoms of Pruritus in Dogs and Cats

When scratching occurs, it may indicate a psychological or physical problem. Dogs and cats will scratch and chew on skin frequently, resulting in redness, rashes, dander, and even a scab on a wound. This causes secondary skin infections and ultimately brings about a poorer skin barrier function, further contributing to pruritus for dogs and cats. In addition to frequent scratching and licking, localized signs of skin disease (e.g., redness, rash, pustules, scabs, and hair loss) or abnormal body odor are also clinical signs of skin problems. Common causes of skin diseases include allergies, ectoparasites, bacterial and fungal infections of the skin, seborrheic dermatitis, and endocrine or psychological problems. Besides the above causes, there may be more serious skin tumors or autoimmune diseases. Therefore, when skin conditions occur in fur babies, it is best to find the cause sooner rather than later and to treat the symptoms immediately.

Common Skin Diseases in Dogs and Cats: Atopic Dermatitis

Common Skin Diseases in Dogs and Cats-Flea Allergy

Flea allergies are also a common cause of itchy skin. When a flea bites, some saliva containing at least 15 different antigens is injected into the skin of the fur baby, each of which may cause allergy-induced scratching problems lasting for up to 2 weeks. Scratching sites caused by flea allergy are mostly found on the back, buttocks, tail, and groin, while miliary dermatitis is common in cats. It is interesting to note that flea feces in dark brown pellets instead of fleas are more likely to be found on the bodies of flea-allergic fur babies. Fleas are treated with medicated baths and topical drops, and oral medications are used to prevent acute allergies and secondary diseases caused by scratching. Furthermore, keeping the environment clean is also very important. Fleas can survive in the environment for 2 months to 1 year, and they like to hide in carpets and shaded places. If the environment is not thoroughly and frequently cleaned, the flea problem will often recur.

Master the four approaches to effectively preventing skin diseases in pets.

1. Regular use of deworming medications is effective in reducing parasite infections.
2. Adjust bathing frequency and pet shampoo: Pet shampoo and bathing frequency need to be modified according to the dog's or cat's skin condition and living environment to reduce exposure to allergens.
3. Adjust the pet's diet: When a food allergy is suspected, the diet can be simplified first, and a food sensitivity test can be performed if necessary to ensure whether there is a possibility of food allergy.
4. Nutritional supplement

• Choose the proper probiotic: adjust the intestinal flora to stabilize the immune system.
• Omega-3 fish oil is rich in DHA and EPA to inhibit skin inflammation and enhance the immune system.
• Ceramide, hyaluronic acid, and collagen help skin elasticity and water retention to strengthen the skin barrier.
• Lecithin and zinc can help skin and hair growth.

Itchy skin is not immediately life-threatening, but it can definitely affect the quality of life of your fur babies. Therefore, when you find your dogs or cats are troubled by itchy skin, seek help from your veterinarian as soon as possible and give them appropriate treatment and anti-itching plans in time to prevent skin problems from worsening!