What are some signs that my dog may have a skin condition?
Okay, like I said, the list is long. Scratching, number one. Irritated skin, number two. Skin that might be swollen and infected and even oozing drainage. We see that a lot. Growth on the skin, we can see that a lot. Hair loss is a very common problem we see with dermatology problems. Excoriations, ulcerations, anything going on in the skin are one of the symptoms. Now the skin, the integument, is the largest organ in the whole body, so you can imagine the list of problems with the biggest organ, the list is the biggest. So, what's another question?
Dr. Robert Gribble
Vets of East Texas
What are some causes of skin problems in dogs and how are they treated?
Causes of skin problems, you can break them down into a few causes. Allergies are the biggest, most likely. Infections of microorganisms, like bacteria. Also, parasitic organisms, like fleas and mites and sarcoptes and demodex, those type of external parasites, ticks as well, can't leave them out. Autoimmune problems can cause skin problems, where their own body starts saying, hey, we don't like our skin and we're going to start doing some damage to it. And then there's caustic reasons. You could walk across a very irritating substance and the feet become infected. You can have dogs who just got their brand-new haircut and spent all day out in the sun, got sunburned. A thorough physical exam and some history will help us decide what causes that.
What if my dog's skin problems go untreated?
If they go untreated, obviously, they're going to get worse. Parasitic infections get worse. Autoimmune problems get worse. Sometimes the caustic or damaging thing, like sunburn or walking across some type of irritating substance, those aren't going to get worse as long as the exposure is not continued.
Are there any skin conditions in dogs that resolve on their own?
Well, the two things I just mentioned, sunburned dogs will get better on their own if you take them out of the sun. And dogs that were exposed to some chemical that they walked in that was very caustic to their foot pads or something, those will usually get better as long as they're not continuing to walk on it.
When do I need to see my veterinarian for my dog's skin condition?
Anytime your dog is uncomfortable. If they're scratching, staying awake scratching, keeping you awake scratching. If they've caused any damage to the skin by scratching, we need to see that. It can lead to a very highly prolific bacteria growing on the skin, called a hot spot. I've seen a hot spot go from small to large overnight. So, we definitely need to see those dogs causing self-trauma by itching and scratching.
Why are recheck exams so important?
Recheck exams, especially for bacterial type infections, are important to ensure the antibiotic we chose is working on the actual bug growing. We want to see that hair start popping back in as well. Many hair loss dogs are allergy dogs, and we want to make sure that hair is starting to grow back, indicating we've gotten the skin condition under control.
Can anxiety or stress cause skin conditions in my dog?
Anxiety and stress can cause a dog to chronically lick their feet and other parts of their body, leading to irritation of the skin. So, definitely need to look at that as soon as we can to help prevent it from getting worse.
Are there any natural over-the-counter products or supplements I can use on my dog's skin?
Absolutely. There are topical ointments that may have hydrocortisone in them, which may help smaller lesions without damaging the GI tract if a dog licks it off. We often see patients that had something minor treated with ointment; some get better, and those that don't are the ones we see at our practice.
What kinds of skin cancers can my dogs get?
There's a long list of skin cancers in dogs. According to Nationwide Pet Insurance, benign skin tumors are the eighth most diagnosed problem. Dogs can get adenomas, hemangiomas, mast cell tumors, round cell tumors, and more. They range from not very serious, like a sebaceous adenoma, to very serious, like a squamous cell carcinoma. Many tumors look alike, so we take cells from skin lesions to determine what they are before deciding on treatment.
What can I do to help prevent skin cancer in my dog?
There's no specific prevention for skin cancer in dogs. In humans, staying out of the sun is advised. Most dogs with a normal hair coat are not usually susceptible to the sun's rays. Early detection is key—finding and removing tumors when they're small is better than letting them grow and spread.
Are certain dog breeds more prone to skin cancer?
Absolutely. Boxers are at the top of the list. Any abnormal looking area on a boxer needs to be seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Is skin cancer diagnosis in dogs a death sentence?
No, it is not a death sentence, but it depends on the type of tumor. Squamous cell carcinoma is very aggressive and can spread, causing a lot of damage. Sebaceous adenomas are less serious and can be removed easily. Mast cell tumors vary widely in aggressiveness, from benign to very serious.
What does a skin tumor in a dog feel like?
There are many types of skin tumors, and diagnosis is usually not made on a physical exam but through cytology or histopathology. They can look and feel different, so any questions about skin growths should be addressed by a veterinarian. Early detection and removal are crucial for your dog's health.
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