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The Top Six Skin Ailments

by Jeff Grognet, DVM, BSc (Agr) and Louise Janes, BSc(Agr), DVM

Canine skin disease is the most common health issue seen by veterinarians. It can be frustrating because many diseases look the same, yet need different treatment. However, just a few diseases account for the majority of dermatologic cases. This makes it easier for veterinarians to make a diagnosis and create a treatment plan. It also means dog owners can play the odds game, and come to a logical conclusion of what their dog is suffering from and how to resolve it.

 

The most common skin ailment, and the one that generates the most itch for dogs and pity from their owners, is allergies. Three types of allergies plague dogs, each treated in a different way.

The first one is flea allergies – a reaction to the flea saliva left behind when a flea takes a blood meal. Of course, flea allergies only occur if the little insects are around to cause them. Look for evidence of fleas – flea dirt in the hair, especially on the back above the tail. If found, get the fleas under control.

The second allergy is food allergies – a reaction to specific proteins in the food. Though food allergies get a lot of attention, they are actually quite rare, only comprising about five percent of allergies. Feeding a hypoallergenic food is the solution.

 

The last allergic reaction – atopy – accounts for more than 80 percent of allergies in dogs. This is a reaction to allergens in the air, such as house dust, molds, funguses, and pollens that are either inhaled into the lungs or absorbed through the skin.

Dog shouldn’t produce antibodies against these allergens, but for some unknown reason, the immune system gets out of control. The combination of antibody and allergen cause release of histamine and the generation of intense irritation. It’s been likened to being bitten by hundreds of mosquitoes, all at one time.

Most atopic dogs only itch in one particular season. It could be spring or summer when certain pollens appear. It may be winter if the reaction is to house dust or molds. However, some dogs have year-long allergies, reacting to pollen in the summer and house dust in the winter.

A drug that’s been used for decades to treat atopy is prednisone. It’s usually effective, but it is fraught with side effects – excessive drinking, weight gain, skin infections, and lack of energy. Atopica is a dog-designed form of cyclosporine that controls the itch associated with atopy, yet it has no side effects. It was introduced just over a year ago.

Skin parasites – fleas and ticks – are second behind allergic skin disease. Of course, when it comes to irritation, fleas are the winner. They scoot around on the skin surface and take blood meals by biting. They cause physical trauma to the skin, but also an intense allergic reaction to their saliva.

Once fleas have ingested enough blood, they lay eggs – a tremendous number of eggs! These minute white spheres are so smooth, they are sometimes called “Teflon balls”. They fall off the dog and into the cracks in the couch, deep in the carpet, underneath the skirting boards, or wherever your dog spends time, including the garden.

Flea eggs hatch when it’s warm and humid. Vibrations and exhaled carbon dioxide generated by a suitable host are the trigger for them to explode from their shells. Once they find their next victim, they consume blood, lay eggs, and start the cycle all over again.

If your dog is suffering from fleas, use a product that kills fleas before they bite. Many topical products are available for this purpose. Some also control ticks. Ask your veterinarian for advice.

The third most prevalent skin issue veterinarians see is recurrent bacterial and yeast infections. These only occur under unique circumstances.

Healthy skin normally resists infections, so we only see them when other diseases – such as chronic allergies, thyroid imbalances, or Cushing’s disease – impair immunity. In fact, if you see a skin infection in an older dog that does not usually have skin problems, look for an underlying disease.

There is also a serious problem looming on the horizon – Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). MRSA is the number one infectious cause of human emergency-room admissions. This “super-bacterium” possesses a gene that makes it resistant to methicillin and other common antibiotics. It is hard to kill. Veterinary dermatologists believe the same pattern of resistance in Staph bacteria will erupt in dogs. The key is to control allergies and other diseases so that immunity is not compromised.

Ear problems – otitis – rank fourth on the list of skin diseases. The ear is just a specialized type of skin. Ear ailments can be in the outer ear (otitis externa) or the middle ear (otitis media). Usually categorized as inflammatory or infectious, they are often both. Many are secondary to allergies. The problem with otitis is that it’s self-perpetuating. The glands that line the ear canal respond to inflammation by stepping up wax production. The wax keeps the ear moist, promoting bacterial and yeast growth. As these organisms grow, and they produce more inflammation, perpetuating the cycle.

There is no point putting ointment in a dirty ear because the medication will never reach the skin surface so the first step in treating otitis is to clean the ear. Then, a steroid medication is used to quieten down the glands, reduce wax production and break the cycle.

Ear problems need early detection and treatment. This means checking the ears on a regular basis (perhaps weekly), and if wax is present, clean it out. A mixture of 50:50 water and vinegar can help clean the ear and kill infectious organisms.

The number five skin ailment is mites, both on the skin and in the ears. Ear mites – tiny bugs that feed on ear debris – defecate in the ear canal. This induces inflammation which leads to itching and secondary infections. There are many effective treatments for mites, but all in-contact dogs must be treated to eliminate carriers.

Skin mites (Demodex and Sarcoptes) cause mange. Sarcoptes (scabies) creates a persistent itch that can trigger skin damage, especially on the ear flaps and elbows. It is easy to treat with one dose of Revolution or ivermectin. In contrast, Demodex mites live deep in the hair follicles. They tend to concentrate on the face and legs and create infections that only later become itchy. Demodectic mange is very hard to treat and sometimes requires lifetime therapy.

The last skin issue is keratinization disorders. These tend to occur in particular breeds such as Cocker and Springer Spaniels, Doberman Pinschers, West Highland White Terriers, and Irish Setters. Commonly called seborrhea, it is due to a fault in the proliferation and maturation of the cells on the skin surface.

The end result is dry or greasy accumulations of scale on the skin surface. Dogs with this type of dermatologic problem have a rancid odor, can be very itchy, and they lose hair. A related syndrome is sebaceous adenitis – a hereditary disease in Standard Poodles, Akitas and Samoyeds. In sebaceous adenitis and the keratinization disorders, the only treatment available is supplementation with certain forms of vitamin A, controlling infections with antibiotics, and copious bathing and moisterizing. Treatment is life-long.

Though each skin disease requires a different treatment, there are some things you can still do at home. If there are fleas present, get them under control. If there is excessive scale on the skin surface, use a shampoo to clean it off. This often helps reduce the itch. If the ears are filled with wax, clean them out.

If the problem continues, it’s time for help. Your best resource is your veterinarian. Her expertise can determine what the problem is and how to control it.

For more information contact Dr. Jeff Grognet or Dr. Louise Janes at

Mid-Isle Veterinary Hospital
5-161 Fern Road West,
Qualicum Beach, B.C.
Tel (250) 752-8969

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