Check out Part 1 here. If you don’t brush your dogs regularly, you will miss out on the chance to detect any skin infections that your dogs may have developed and thus forego the opportunity to provide early treatment.
Since skin is the largest organ of your dog’s body, it is almost always exposed to all sorts of skin infections, ticks, and mites. In the first article, we covered fleas, sarcoptic mange, demodectic mange, ringworm, and allergies. Here are a few more dog skin problems to watch out for:
1. Skin infections caused by bacteria or yeast
If your dogs have a pre-existing skin condition or if they have a wound, bacteria or yeast can easily enter their bodies and cause itching, bleeding, and inflammation. This condition requires powerful steroids and antibiotics for successful treatment.
2. Grooming products
If your dog is using a certain grooming product or shampoo, keep using the same one as changing products frequently can sometimes cause skin irritation. If your dog’s skin is sensitive be sure to get an okay from the vet regarding the kind of grooming products you use on your dog’s skin. Ask the vet to recommend products suitable for your dog’s skin type.
3. Anxiety
If your dogs are prone to anxiety and stress they may lick and chew their skin, especially their legs. This habit can lead to self-harm from itching or chewing aggressively. If this is the case give your dogs enough mental stimulation or physical activity to keep boredom at bay.
4. Hormonal problems
Hormone imbalance can cause hair loss and Alopecia and short-haired dogs are more prone to it. Please speak to your vet if this is the case so you’re able to get help for your dog.
5. Metabolic diseases
Diseases like Cushing’s and Addison’s have the ability to affect the adrenal glands that may change your dog’s hair coat or cause skin discolouration.
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