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Canine Skin Conditions: From Simple to Serious

Dogs > Skin and Hair Conditions > Canine Skin Conditions: From Simple to Serious

also see Dog Skin Allergies

also see Dog Skin Problems

also see Dog Hair Allergy

also see Dog Itchy Skin

also see Dog Skin Rash

also see Dog Skin Disorders

also see Dog Eczema

Canine skin conditions are commonly caused by allergies, parasites or infections. However, they can also be signs of serious illness.

Parasites

Almost all dogs suffer from fleas, ticks or other parasites during their lives. A flea allergy can cause your dog severe skin problems. Mange is another dog skin problem caused by parasitical mites.

Allergies

Many dogs suffer from contact, inhalant and food allergies. You may be able to determine if your dog's skin conditions are due to an allergy; look for a pattern to your dog's chewing and scratching behaviors.

Skin Infections

Skin infections are common, especially in dogs who are already suffering allergy or parasite-related skin conditions. Symptoms of canine skin infections include:

Pustules
Odor
Purulent (pus) discharge

Yeast infections appear in areas where moisture could collect, such as the ears. They smell foul and make the skin greasy, red, and itchy.

Serious Symptoms

There are some canine skin conditions that indicate more serious conditions, such as diabetes, Cushing's disease, or hypothyroidism. They include:

Unexplained hair loss
Change in pigmentation or color of the skin
Thickening or darkening of the skin
Thinning of the skin

also see How to Inspect Dog Food for Canine Parasites

also see Three Dog Allergy Relief Tips

also see Treating Malassezia Dermatitis in Dogs With Ketaconazole

also see Mitaban Toxicity: Evaluating Effectiveness vs Risks

also see How Hypoallergenic Dog Food Can Prevent Intestinal and Skin Problems

also see Soothe Dog Skin Allergies with Homemade Remedies

also see Does Allergy Free Dog Food Really Work?

also see Dog Parasites: How to detect, prevent, and treat canine parasites