What are some of the most common skin problems you see in dogs?
Many skin problems I see are allergies with secondary infections because once an allergen gets into the skin, it can create a gap or inflammation in the skin barrier, leading bacteria to overpopulate. I see a lot of itchiness, rashes, ear infections, but mainly itchiness. That's a huge one we see.
What are signs that my dog has a skin condition that needs veterinarian attention?
That is such a good question. First of all, itchiness for sure. That is a big one we see. If they're keeping you up at night or if they're creating a sore, constantly licking. I like to tell people to think, what if I had this? If I was constantly itching something that wouldn't go away or get better, then I'd probably seek medical attention.
How can I tell if my dog has allergies versus an infection?
This one's kind of hard because I do think both go hand in hand. We don't really know if, you know, we like to chalk it up to allergies, but if they do have an infection, sometimes it can just be their skin gets scratched or bitten, causing an infection. Mainly, the two go hand in hand. You can have allergies that cause an infection, and that's the most common thing we see.
What should I do if I find a lump or a growth on my dog?
Call us immediately. I like to tell people that you can monitor if you'd like, but it is always recommended to get any bump, lump, rash, or anything looked at because it can escalate quickly.
Can dogs be allergy tested and how does that work?
Yes, dogs can be allergy tested. There are a couple of caveats to it. There's no really good test for food allergies. Typically, with food allergies, you have to do a specialized diet for 8 to 10 weeks. They can't get anything else, and then you challenge it. For environmental allergies, there are a couple of ways you can do it. You can do intradermal skin testing, similar to when you go to the allergy specialists and they skin prick you with various things. Then there are certain blood tests, although each test has its limitations and isn't always perfect. You have to tailor these tests to each patient and discuss the pros and cons of each because we don't have a definitive method, as allergens are an immune response and it's challenging to study the immune system thoroughly or get an exact answer sometimes.
Are there shampoos or medications that help with chronic skin issues?
I love this question because one thing I like to debunk is when you have an itchy allergy dog, bathing them is actually really helpful. A lot of my clients come in and say, "Well, I didn't want to overbathe them." It's not bad for their skin. It's actually one of the cheapest over-the-counter methods, especially with a medicated shampoo. I have managed itchy dogs with just topicals, and I think that's the most underrated tool.
Bathing your dog and cleaning things can be super helpful because if we wash them and get the allergen off their skin, the body has less time to react. Some clients bathe their dog multiple times a week. Even I do, as my dog has allergies and no medication really works for him except bathing.
Of course, there are medication options as well. I think with allergies, the biggest takeaway is not every treatment plan works for every dog, and sometimes you have to change things. It can be really frustrating. Before you call it quits, like, "Oh, I tried the shampoo, nothing worked," make sure you're reaching out to us or your veterinarian to discuss these things because each patient needs a different treatment plan. It's not a one-size-fits-all kind of thing.
What can pet owners do at home to support their dog's skin health?
Really good omega fatty acids are some of my favorites. They help decrease inflammation. A good diet that is well-studied, has been around for a while, and conducts really good research is essential. If it is environmental, like we talked about, bathing them and even just wiping their paws after they come inside can be super helpful.
If your dog is itching or has any problems, dermatology is one of my favorite things. I'm sure you can tell from this video. Give us a call. I'd love to take a look and discuss what plan could be tailored to you, your pet, and your financial needs. Please give us a call at Animal Oasis.
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