Dogs Skin and Hair Conditions Articles

One of the first signs of vitamin deficiency in your dog is through are dog skin and hair conditions. If your dog is deficient in Vitamin B5, biotin, and Vitamin A, the skin and hair can be less than lackluster and even graying and hair loss can result. Get diet and vitamin supplement tips on how to keep your dog's coat as shiny and healthy as can be. Read about what external factors can affect your dog's skin, the types of conditions, symptoms to look out for and treatment. Prevention is key and the more you are familiar with what causes these conditions, the better you will be in preventing future issues.

• Zoonotic - Ringworm

  How to treat ringworms in cats and dogs and clean up around the house.

• Why Is My Dog Losing Fur?

  If your dog is losing fur, understand that this is a natural process of shedding, which happens typically in the spring and fall. However, if your dog is losing...

• Why Do Dogs Shed?

  All dogs shed their coats. It's a fact of life. Base on the breed of dog or the climate they are in, a dog may not shed as much or may shed year round.

• When a Dog Skin Disease Signals a Problem With Internal Organs

  Certain dog skin disease occurrences signify the possibility of internal organ disease. Some dogs simply have parasites or allergies, but others may have a serious health problem.

• What Is the Best Home Remedy for Dog Mange?

  Many dogs experience an episode of mange in their lifetimes, and pet owners often search for an adequate home remedy for dog mange. While it's possible to use home remedies to prevent the infestation of mange mites, and to partially alleviate the symptoms of mange in your pet, home remedies are rarely as effective as a veterinarian-prescribed treatment.

• What Is the Best Dog Itchy Skin Remedy?

  There are a number of things that can give your dog itchy skin. The potential causes of itchiness in pet dogs include parasites, infections and more serious diseases, among other things.

• What Is the Best Dog Dry Skin Remedy?

  Dog dry skin is a common problem causing excessive itching, shedding and dry, flaky patches under the fur. There are many options available to cure dog dry skin.

• What Is the Best Dog Dry Skin Remedy?

  Dog dry skin is a common problem causing excessive itching, shedding and dry, flaky patches under the fur. There are many options available to cure dog dry skin.

• What a Dry Dog Nose Might Indicate

  There are many things that can make a dog nose dry; the dryness is not necessarily necessarily an indication of an illness or infection. A dog's nose can regulalarly change between hot and cold or wet and dry.

• Waterless Dog Shampoo

  Although dogs do not have the same reputation for hating water and baths that cats do, many pet owners find that a waterless dog shampoo is a beneficial alternative to a standard shampoo when cleaning their animals. Waterless dog shampoos can be used to maintain hygiene and odor and do not require a full bath or any water treatment whatsoever.

• Using Clavamox for Dogs to Treat Skin Infections

  Clavamox for dogs is the brand name for a commonly used medication to prevent or kill certain bacteria found in wounds, bone, bladder and skin infections. There are some possible side effects with this medication but is generally safe for dogs.

• Understanding Dog Eczema

  Dog eczema is a skin condition which is common among all breeds and ages of dogs. The atopic dermatitis may look red, inflamed and itchy, dry and scaly or, in some cases, moist and oozing.

• Treatment Options for Ringworm-Related Hair Loss in Dogs

  Hair loss in dogs can be caused by ringworm, a fungal infection of the skin. There are specific symptoms of ringworm and treatment for hair loss is available.

• Treatment Options for Parasite-Induced Dog Skin Irritation

  Dog skin irritation can be caused by allergies, thyroid issues, parasites, a weak immune system, stress or bacterial infections. Parasite-induced dog skin irritations are fully treatable, once the parasites are gone.

• Treating Skin Allergies in Dogs

  Skin allergies in dogs occur as a negative reaction to an ingested or inhaled allergen, or when the dog comes into contact with a certain material. Stress may also trigger skin irritations.

• Treating Malassezia Dermatitis in Dogs With Ketaconazole

  With Malassezia Dermatitis, dogs respond well to prescription medications like Ketaconazole. The troublesome yeast infection is usually located in the ears and causes extreme itching that resists many common medications.

• Treating Hot Spots on Dogs With Cortisone

  All dogs shed their coats. It's a fact of life. Base on the breed of dog or the climate they are in, a dog may not shed as much or may shed year round.

• Treating Flea Bites on Dogs With Hydrocortisone

  Hydrocortisone is a steroid with anti-inflammatory and antipruritic properties. It that can be used as a topical ointment or medication to treat flea bites.

• Treating Dogs With Dermatitis Using Corticosteroids

  Dermatitis occurs in dogs and cats and generally has numerous causes. In general, dermatitis simply covers any condition that causes red, itchy skin.

• Treating Dog Skin Infection With Over-the-Counter Products

  There are many types of dog skin infections and skin irritations that can be treated at home with over-the-counter products. Whether a fungal or yeast infection, hives or other types of skin irritation, there are a variety of products available to help alleviate the problem.

• Treating Dog Scratching With Fatty Acid Supplements

  All too frequently people look to the wrong solution when they see their dog scratching. Their immediate thoughts leap to fleas or dirt so their assumption is that the dog needs a bath.

• Treating Dog Scratching with Allergy Hyposensitization Injections

  Itchy skin and dog scratching may be caused by allergies. The allergens need to be detected in order to get a proper treatment. Allergy shots or hyposensitization injections may reduce the allergic reaction and prevent the itchiness.

• Treating Dog Fur Loss Caused by Parasites

  The dog fur reflects the health of the dog. A dog with poor nutrition will have a dull and dry coat.

• Treating Dog Eczema Hot Spots With Anti-Bacterial Ointments

  Canine eczema is a common problem for dogs and can lead to skin lesions. Hot weather can lead to summer sores or hot spots.

• Treating Democectic Mange With Rotenone

  Demodectic mange is a rare skin disease in cats caused by Demodex cati or Demodex gatoi. Also known as red mange or democidosis, demodectic...

• Treating Canine Skin Cancer Through Radiation Therapy

  Early detection is the best way to keep your dog safe from canine skin cancer. Examine him once a month for tumors or other skin lumps or bumps.

• Treating Canine Dry Skin and Dandruff

  When skin cells form, die and then flake at a fast rate, canine dry skin and dandruff persists. Treat your dog to an oatmeal bath or rub on a moisturizer to vanish his flaking skin. A higher level of grooming and better nutrition will result in healthier skin.

• Treating and Removing Matted Fur from Your Dog

  The best way to treat matted fur is actually to ensure that the fur never gets matted by regular grooming either by the owner or a professional groomer.

• Treating a Dog with Dry Skin through Nutrition

  To relieve dog dry skin, improving nutrition can be an effective alternative to drugs or medical treatment. With the right dog food and vitamin supplements, skin and hair problems can be treated safely and with few side effects while benefiting your dog's overall health as well.

• Treating a Broken Dog Nail

  Treating a broken dog nail can be easy when ordered into a step-by-step process. If the nail is not broken, simply trim off the ragged edges with a nail file or a dog nail trimmer, depending on how far away the break is from the quick.

• Topical Treatment Solutions for Dog Itching

  Dog itching can have many causes, both internal and external. To fully address the issue, it's important to address both etiologies.

• Topical Treatment Options for Dogs with Skin Allergies

  There are several topical treatments for dogs with skin allergies. It's important to also address diet as topical treatments alone are often only a temporary solution.

• The Owner’s Guide to Dog Hair Allergy Treatment

  You've discovered you have a dog hair allergy, but you still want to have a dog in your home. First thing to keep in mind is it's not the hair you're allergic to; it's the protein in the dander that causes your allergic reactions.

• The Myth of No Shed Dog Breeds

  There is no such thing as a dog that does not shed, it's a myth. All dogs will shed hair to some extent.

• The Essential Dog Skin Supplement Guide

  A dog skin supplement can help ensure that your dog's skin and coat stay shiny and healthy. All dogs can benefit from a dog skin supplement containing fatty acids.

• The Case Against Home Pet Hair Dye Jobs

  Pet hair dye has become a popular canine accessory for many dog owners. People dye their dogs to celebrate holidays, to dress them up, even to match the owner's clothing or car.

• Symptoms of Dry Skin on Dogs

  Dog dry skin is more frequent during the winter season, as dogs have sensitive skin which is prone to dryness, flaking and itching. Dry skin on dogs may also be caused by an imbalanced diet, parasites or skin infections.

• Symptoms of Dog Skin Allergies

  Dog skin allergies indicate that there is something is off balance in the dog's body. A dog can develop different types of skin problems as a reaction to food, parasites or chemicals he comes into contact with.

• Symptoms of Dermatitis in Dogs

  Dermatitis in dogs causes them to frequently scratch and bite themselves, sometimes to the point where skin becomes raw or patchy. Dermatitis in dogs is a skin disorder caused by any number of conditions that can be diagnosed by different symptoms.

• Supplements for Dog Dry Skin Treatment

  Dog dry skin may be a problem for your pet as flaky skin is also itchy. Your pet may scratch his skin and cause infections. The cause of dry skin must be detected and suitable treatment must be applied. If there are no internal problems causing scaly skin, the problem can be treated with supplements and a change in diet.

• Soothe Dog Skin Allergies with Homemade Remedies

  Conventional methods of treating dog skin allergies can be effective, but there are also many ways to soothe dog skin allergies with homemade remedies.

• Skin Problems in Dogs: Health Management Tips

  Skin problems in dogs may require medication, especially if they are due to bacterial or fungal infection. Many skin problems in dogs are related to allergies.

• Skin Inflammation in Dogs

  Canine skin inflammation can occur as a result of a wide variety of medical conditions, ranging from mild infections up to cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Inflammation rarely occurs by itself, and is typically accompanied by other symptoms.

• Skin Disorders of Dogs

  Skin problems common in dogs.

• Skin Care for Hairless Dog Breeds

  Any dog that's hairless requires special skin care because they don't have the natural protection that hair provides. Because of their special circumstances, hairless breeds are prone to a variety of dog skin problems that can be avoided with some basic care.

• Skin Allergies in Dogs

  Skin allergies in a dog may appear due to different environmental factors, stress or food. Skin allergies are more common after the age of 2.

• Skin - Epidermal Inclusion Cysts

  It is possible that your veterinarian meant to say that your dog had an epidermal inclusion cyst. These are common cystic lesions that are not cancerous. Many dogs that have these cysts will have more than one during their lifetime but that is due to a tendency to form them, rather than any one lesion actually spreading as occurs with cancer.

• Skin - Depigmentation or Pigmentation

  Some dogs have permanent depigmentation that occurs spontaneously and does not appear to be related to any underlying disease process. This is depigmentation of patches of skin, leading to patches of white hair in haired areas and to pale skin in other areas. This can affect the nasal planum.

• Shine Bright: Dog Coat Supplement Options

  Dog coat supplements give the cells of your dog's skin the nutrients they need to stay healthy. Many dogs need a dog coat supplement, as some breeds have higher-than-average nutrient needs.

• Shampoo for Itchy Dog Skin

  An itchy dog has special bathing and skin care requirements. There are certain actions to look for in a dog shampoo if your dog has skin problems.

• Selecting and Using A Dog Nail Trimmer

  Selecting a good dog nail trimmer is an important part of maintaining the proper length for your dog's nails. Each type of trimmer has its benefits and detractions and typically is most appropriate for a particular size of dog.

• Sarcoptic Mange, Scabies, Red Mange

  The human species of sarcoptic mange is contagious between people and is a problem in settings like nursing homes where it can spread pretty rapidly through the resident population in some cases. It is often referred to as scabies.

• Relieving Dog Itching with Medicated Dog Shampoo

  If your pet scratches excessively, or if you notice that he has patches of skin that are red, raised or irritated, he may have a skin condition that requires the use of a medicated dog shampoo for treatment. There are a number of canine skin conditions that are treatable with one of several medicated shampoos.

• Pyotraumatic Dermatitis in Dogs

  Dermatitis in dogs is a skin condition that occurs in varying forms and affects the pet’s skin, causing discomfort and inflammation. Pyotraumatic dermatitis is generally seen in pets with long and thick fur coats.

• Puppy Mange: An Overview

  What is Puppy Mange? Puppy mange is a term often used for a certain type of canine mange that is most common in young puppies-- also known as red mange, follicular mange, or demodectic mange.

• Preventing Hot Spots on Dogs

  Hot spots on dogs can be caused by a number of factors, including allergies, fleas or parasites and poor hygiene. Owners should act immediately once a hot spot is seen in order to stop the infection and ease the dog's discomfort.

• Preventative Dog Skin Care Basics

  Following a daily regimen of dog skin care can prevent dry skin, skin infections, matted coats and the discomfort these conditions cause. Following the proper brushing and bathing schedule for your dog's breed, feeding your dog a healthy diet and administering nutritional supplements are measures you can take to keep your dog's skin and coat in top condition.

• Prescription Dog Itching Remedies

  Perfectly healthy dogs spend a significant portion of time scratching themselves. In some cases, dog itching remedies may be necessary to ease your pet’s discomfort. Itching, while a normal behavior, may also serve as a symptom of another underlying medical condition.

• Photo Gallery - Skin Problems- Necrolytic Dermatitis

  Photographs of Superficial Necrolytic Dermatitis seen in a German Shepard dog.

• Photo Gallery - Skin Problems - Acute Moist Pyoderma

  This is often a chronic condition , secondary to other disorders such as immune deficiencies and various allergic conditions.

• Photo Gallery - Skin - Demodectic Mange

  The highly reddened skin has caused this to be called red mange. In localized conditions, loss of hair around the eyes may be all that is noticed.

• Photo Gallery - Cushings Disease

  Advanced Cushing's Disease in Dog.

• Pet Skin Allergies

  Pet skin allergies, also known as Allergic Dermatitis, can have any number of culprits. When dogs or cats have an allergic reaction to something, it is their skin that will be affected.

• Pemphigus

  There are several related immune mediated skin disorders called pemphigus complex. These have a common mechanism of action in which the body produces antibodies against the outer layer of the skin (the epidermis). Pemphigus foliaceus is the most common of these diseases in the dog.

• Pemphigus

  There are several related immune mediated skin disorders called pemphigus complex. These have a common mechanism of action in which the body produces antibodies against the outer layer of the skin (the epidermis).

• Parasites - Ringworm

  I don't think of ringworm as highly contagious but it definitely is contagious. It will sometimes infect family members. It is most commonly picked up from the environment. Cats can be carriers of ringworm and show no clinical signs so they have to be considered as a source if you also have cats and this does turn out to be ringworm.

• Over-the-Counter Dog Medicine for Canine Skin Conditions

  Dog medicine is available as both prescription medications that should be administered after vet consultation and over the counter drugs that don't require prescriptions. Although over the counter drugs are considered safe to treat minor conditions, it's best to determine the cause of symptoms and use medicines that suit individual health concerns.

• Organic Dog Shampoo

  There are multiple variables that determine which dog shampoo is appropriate for your pet. Although the organic shampoo industry is smaller than its inorganic counterparts, the choices are not limited.

• Odor Problems and Treatments

  Most dogs that have skin odors have either bacterial or yeast skin infections. There is a good commercial product for removal of skunk odor, Skunk-Off (tm). It has the advantage of being formulated in a furniture and rug friendly manner.

• Non Shedding Dogs for Allergic Owners

  Owners with allergies to pet dander will likely have a less irritating experience taking care of non shedding dogs. If you sneeze and have watery eyes when you get close to certain breeds of dogs, you should consider owning a "non-shedding" breed.

• Natural Treatments for Dog Skin Problems

  Dog skin problems manifest as dry, flaky or itchy skin, a dull coat and odor. There may be underlying health problems: dogs who suffer from yeast overgrowth or malnutrition can have skin problems.

• Natural Dog Skin Allergy Remedies

  There are many natural ways to help soothe and heal a dog skin allergy. While some dogs may need medicine to alleviate skin allergies, many dogs respond to treatments you can do at home.

• Mitaban Toxicity: Evaluating Effectiveness vs Risks

  Mitaban is used for treating dog's with skin parasites that lead to demodex mange and to control ticks.

• Mitaban Dip Treatments for Demodectic Mange

  Mitaban dip is currently the most effective treatment for demodectic mange. Demodectic mange can be hard to treat, because the mites live on your dog's skin normally, and only become a problem if your dog's immune system becomes compromised.

• Mange Mites - Demodex Treatment

  There are three treatments for demodectic mange that work for most dogs. The first is the use of amitraz pour on (Mitaban Rx) every other week for 6 to 8 applications or until 2 consecutive skin scrapings are negative, which probably cures demodectic mange in about 80% of dogs when application directions are followed,

• Mange Mites - Demodex

  In this situation it is important to try to look for an underlying cause for the demodecosis. Most dogs with immune system disorders that allow demodecosis to occur develop it at a younger age, usually less than one year of age. In dogs in which demodecosis occurs later, there is often something causing significant compromise of the immune system.

• Malassezia (yeast) dermatitis in Dogs

  For Malassezia (yeast) dermatitis in dogs, ketaconazole usually has to be given for at least 30 days. If it doesn't work, itraconazole (Sporonax Rx) may be helpful, given for the same length of time. It is also important to use topical therapy. Using a shampoo that can help remove the greasiness, such as a tar and sulfur shampoo or other anti-seborrheic shampoo can be helpful.

• Lumps, Bumps, cysts, tags and odd skin growths in Dogs

  It sounds like you are describing a skin tag, also sometimes called fibropapillomas, skin polyps, fibrin tags or achrochordons. These are benign growths that are not cancerous. They can be confused with some forms of cancer, most notably keratoacanthomas (benign) and melanomas (often malignant).

• Lipoma and Sebaceous cysts

  I usually do not surgically remove either lipomas (the fatty cell tumor your first vet suspected) or sebaceous cysts. However, under some circumstances we do recommend removal of these lumps. The other concern here is whether or not this is really just a lipoma or sebaceous cyst.

• Lipoma

  Lipomas are fatty cell tumors that are quite common in dogs.

• Leishmaniasis

  Leishmaniasis is caused by a protozoan in the Leishmania species.

• Itching Problems - Causes and Treatments

  Insulinomas, the tumor of the pancreas that leads to low blood sugar and high insulin production, will commonly metastasize (some people say this tumor always metastasizes) and recurrences of the tumor after removal do occur in most patients.

• Itch Control

  Cold water will usually reduce itching and produce temporary relief. It doesn't really matter how the water is applied, but it must be at least cool. This effect doesn't last long, usually less than one-half hour. Adding Episoothe Oatmeal Shampoo, Episoothe Oatmeal Creme Rinse, Aveeno Colloidal Oatmeal, Relief Shampoo or Domeboro's solution helps to prolong the effect.

• Is There a Dog Dye That’s Medically Safe to Apply?

  Dog dye has become a trendy accessory for some dog owners, causing a rush to have the latest pink or blue coloring added to their dog's natural color. There are dog dyes out there with "non-toxic" and "hypoallergenic" on their labels, yet if you read further down the label to the warnings, they carry extensive language about how the dye may cause skin irritation, pain and itching.

• Is Puppy Fur Loss Natural?

  Puppies are, of course, young canines with big eyes, wet nose and soft puppy fur. When the fur starts to fall, dog owners wonder if this is natural. The answer: yes and no.

• Is Canine Alopecia More Common in Certain Breeds?

  Bald spots appear on the dog's skin because so much fur falls out. This poses a problem because a dog's fur protects it from the cold air and the sun.

• Is a Dry Puppy Nose a Problem?

  A dry nose in a puppy (or an adult dog) is generally nothing to worry about. Several factors can account for a warm, dry nose such as sitting in the summer heat, air conditioning, central heating, dehydration or spending a lot of time in a room with poor circulation

• Improving the Smell of Your Dog

  A healthy dog smell should not be offensive or foul. Fortunately, improving the smell of your dog is a simple process.

• Immunoregulin and Your Dog

  To the best of my knowledge, propionibacterium acnes (Immunoregulin Rx) injection is only approved as an adjunct therapy for use in controlling resistant skin infections in dogs. It is considered to be an immune stimulant and is therefore used experimentally for many conditions in which immune stimulation seems like a good idea.

• Identifying Dog Skin Conditions When Brushing

  Brushing your dog with the proper tools can help you spot a variety of dog skin conditions early so they may be successfully treated. Left ungroomed, your dog's coat can mask signs of external parasitic infection, bacterial infection, allergic reactions and underlying health conditions.

• How to Stop Dog Wound Licking

  Looking after a dog wound can be problematic, because dogs tend to lick their wounds to relieve pain and remove any irritants.

• How to Stop Dog Shedding

  Oftentimes people want to know how to stop dog shedding. Unfortunately, the answer to that is that you can't.

• How to Remove Dog Hair

  Whether your dog sheds excessively or not, you will no doubt have to remove dog hair from your furniture, clothing and other surfaces at some point in your pet’s life. Pet hair has the tendency to stick to everything, and it is time-consuming to try to remove it by hand.

• How Dog Bald Spots Develop

  Dog bald spots are different than shedding. A variety of diseases and conditions lead to dog hair loss. While some are quite normal, others are indicative of a more serious problem.

• Hot Spots or Acute Moist Pyoderma

• Hot Spots

  A hot spot starts because something irritates the dog's skin. The body's response is to either itch or create an inflammatory response at the site. In cases of itching, the dog then rubs, licks or chews the site and adds to the problem.

• Home Treatments for Dog Rash

  Under the guidance of your vet, you can augment or substitute clinical treatments for a dog rash with home and over-the-counter remedies that do not require a prescription.

• Home Remedies for Dog Hot Spot Treatment

  Following a dog hot spot treatment right in your own home can save you a trip to the vet. Administering a home remedy such as apple cider vinegar...

• Hemangiosarcoma, Hemangiopericytomas and Hemangiomas

  There are two prognostic factors that seem to matter a lot when it comes to hemangiosarcoma tumors of the skin. The first is the exact location of the tumor. The prognosis for hemangiosarcomas confined to the skin itself (intradermal) is good with surgical removal alone and may be improved some by either doxrubricin chemotherapy (Ogilvie, et al. 1996) or radiation therapy (anecdotal).

• Healthy Dog Coats Through Dietary Formulas

  Glossy and healthy dog coats can be easily achieved with the right meal plan. If your dog's coat is not as shiny and ideal as it could be, here are a few tips and tricks that will make show-quality coats.

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