What does dermatitis look like on my dog
Dermatitis in Dogs: What to Know
Dermatitis in dogs is a common diagnosis, but what does it actually mean? Heres what to know about this group of skin conditions, including possible symptoms and treatments.
What Is Dermatitis in Dogs?
Dermatitis refers to a variety of issues that cause inflamed, often itchy, skin in dogs. Unfortunately, the word dermatitis is extremely generic, explains Dr. Domenico Santoro, DVM, Associate Professor of Dermatology at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. Essentially it just means inflammation of the skin, which is about 90% of what we see in a multitude of diseases.
Signs and Symptoms of Dermatitis in Dogs
Itching, scratching, and excessive licking or biting are common signs of dermatitis in dogs. Dermatitis may occur because of secondary bacterial infections. A skin problem may start as a minor itch, but as the dog scratches, then chews and licks, they open the skin, introducing bacteria. Small, pimple-like bumps erupt, burst open, and lead to crusting and scaling.
If the problem moves from the skins upper layer to deeper layers, the infected area may become painful and leak fluid. Dead skin may even fall off.
When inflammation doesnt go away, the skin becomes thickened and darkens. It may start to become scaly, discharge more fluid, or give off a strong odor. If your dog has dermatitis, you may also see pus-filled blisters, scabs, and hair loss, among other symptoms.
Causes of Different Kinds of Dermatitis in Dogs
Because dermatitis refers to so many different conditions, there are many possible causes, including: irritants that touch the skin, burns, trauma, allergies, such as atopic dermatitis or food sensitivities, and systemic diseases, which are conditions that affect the whole body. Infections can also cause dermatitis, and can be caused by bacteria, viruses, external parasites (like mites or fleas), or fungi (such as yeast).
Ear Mites in Dogs
Ear mites are highly contagious mites (a type of small bug). As their name suggests, ear mites usually show up in dogs ears (especially puppies).
Hot Spots in Dogs
Hot spots, also called pyotraumatic dermatitis, usually result from underlying issues (like flea bites or pyoderma) that encourage a dog to scratch and chew. The scratching creates opportunities for bacteria to enter, while the chewing creates a moist environment where the bacteria thrive, causing the lesion to quickly worsen, hence the name hot.
Malassezia Dermatitis in Dogs
Malassezia yeast is a yeast (a type of fungus) thats already present on dog skin. But when it overproduces, it can irritate your dogs skin and result in canine yeast dermatitis.
Mange in Dogs
Mange is a skin disease caused by mites on your dog. There are two types of mange in dogs: demodectic mange and sarcoptic mange (also known as canine scabies). Demodectic mange, or demodicosis, occurs when Demodex mites, which normally live on your dogs skin, multiply unchecked in hair follicles. In contrast, dogs get sarcoptic mange, a highly contagious condition, when a mite called Sarcoptes scabiei moves from host to host.
Pyoderma in Dogs
A bacterial skin disease, canine pyoderma has several main forms. Often caused by the bacteria Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, skin fold (or surface) pyoderma appears in moist folds of skin or wrinkles. In superficial pyoderma, the infection has penetrated a bit deeper. Deep pyoderma occurs once the infection spreads to the skin layer closest to the dogs muscle.
Seborrheic Dermatitis in Dogs
Seborrhea is a condition where the outer layer of skin is renewed at an abnormally fast rate. Primary seborrhea in dogs is hereditary, while secondary seborrhea results from underlying medical conditions (like allergies or hormonal problems).
Skin Allergies in Dogs
Skin allergies (also known as allergic dermatitis) are the most common type of allergic reaction in dogs. They are often caused by allergies to flea bites, food, or environmental factors (atopic dermatitis).
Walking Dandruff in Dogs
Also known as walking dandruff, cheyletiella mites are contagious and can live off a dog for up to 10 days. Youll spot tiny, white moving specks on your dogs back and trunk.
Diagnosing Dermatitis in Dogs
Your vet will take your dogs medical history, then examine them and analyze their symptoms. This will help inform them about what type of dermatitis your dog may have. In the case of flea allergies, for example, your doctor will be able to see flea bites on your dog.
In many cases, your vet will perform skin scrapings or remove discharge. Once they obtain these samples, the vet will examine them under the microscope to look for yeast, parasites, mites, or other organisms.
If there are underlying causes, your vet will determine what they are. This may involve blood work or other examinations. For example, your vet may conduct an intradermal skin test to identify environmental allergens. To identify food allergies, they may change your dogs diet.
Dog Dermatitis Treatment
Treating dermatitis ultimately depends on the underlying source causing the inflammation of your dogs skin. Additionally, treating the specific symptoms of your dogs skin condition is important to prevent them from causing further trauma to themselves.
To treat itching, your vet may prescribe antihistamines, steroids, or other oral medications. They may also add fatty acids to your dogs diet. Topical anti-itch sprays can help minimize discomfort. A recovery collar can prevent further infection due to chewing and scratching.
If the cause is yeast, your vet will prescribe topical and oral antifungals. Your vet may recommend washing with canine shampoos with benzoyl peroxide, selenium disulfide, or other products designed to remove scale and grease. They may also prescribe an antifungal dog shampoo containing chlorhexidine, miconazole, or ketoconazole.
If the cause is bacteria, your vet may prescribe oral antibiotics. Theyll likely recommend regular cleansing with a mild antiseptic or antimicrobial shampoo, then using an oatmeal-based dog shampoo to soothe irritated skin. Its important to thoroughly dry your dog after bathing them. Dampness creates a breeding ground for bacteria or fungi.
If there are mites or fleas present, your vet will likely recommend topical and oral products designed to kill them. If your dog has a flea allergy, use the veterinarian-recommended flea treatment on your dog, and add a flea and tick preventative to avoid re-infestation.
Mites can be hard to find, so your vet may treat suspected cases the same way they would treat confirmed cases. Your vet will likely recommend oral medications like antibiotics and antihistamines, as well as topical options like miticidal shampoo. You will want to wash all canine bedding repeatedly. Treat the environment with dog-safe insecticidal sprays and be sure to disinfect grooming equipment.
If necessary, your vet may refer your dog to a veterinary dermatologist.
New Medications for Dogs With Dermatitis
In recent years, newer, safer anti-inflammatory treatments for dermatitis in dogs have become available. In terms of therapies, you have the antipruritic anti-itch medications, Dr. Santoro explains. These include lokivetmab, brand name Cytopoint, and oclacitinib, brand name Apoquel.
Lokivetmab fights one type of protein that helps create allergies. Administered by an injection just under the skin, each dose of lokivetmab lasts from four to eight weeks. Oclacitinib is a daily oral medication that reduces itchiness and inflammation due to allergic reactions.
Theres also the new liquid oral formulation of cyclosporine, adds Dr. Santoro. Cyclosporine decreases a dogs immune response, which in turn decreases allergy-related itching and inflammation. Talk to your vet about whether one of these medications could be helpful to your dog.
Seasonal Allergies in Dogs
What Are Seasonal Allergies in Dogs?
Dogs can be allergic to various things in the environment, such as pollen from trees and grass. If a dog displays allergy symptoms only during certain seasons, such as spring and fall, a seasonal allergy rather than a year-round allergy is suspected. This means that the dog is allergic to allergens that are in the environment only during certain times of the year.
Dogs with seasonal allergies can be itchy in specific areas, such as their paws, or be itchy all over. They can also have recurring ear infections and skin infections when they are exposed to various environmental allergens at certain times during the year.
Seasonal allergies are different from year-round environmental allergies and food allergies because symptoms are observed only during specific times of the year, depending on what the dog is allergic to and when the specific allergens are prevalent in the environment. In contrast, dogs with year-round allergies will have skin issues all year long.
Most dogs with seasonal allergies have symptoms during the spring (March through May) and fall (September through November), but this can vary based on weather and location.
Types of Seasonal Allergies in Dogs
The following allergens commonly cause seasonal allergies in dogs:
Symptoms of Seasonal Allergies in Dogs
Symptoms will vary depending upon the dog, but may include:
Excessive licking, usually of the paws, but the licking can be anywhere on the body
Saliva staining of the fur where the dog is licking the skin excessively
Chewing/gnawing
Scratching
Hair loss
Redness of the skin
Crusts
Moist skin
Darkening of the skin (black pigmented skin)
Thickening of the skin (elephant skin)
Odor to the skin or ears
Head shaking
Pawing at the ears, eyes, or face
Recurring scooting or licking of the anus due to anal sacs becoming problematic secondary to allergies
Watery eyes
Reverse sneezing
The most common areas of a dogs body that are affected by seasonal allergies are the paws (especially between the digits), limbs, mouth, ears, abdomen, groin, armpits, tail, and around the eyes.
Causes of Seasonal Allergies in Dogs
A dog that suffers from seasonal allergies has an immune system that is hypersensitive to specific allergens in the environment. When the levels of the allergens become high, the dogs immune system becomes triggered, leading to an allergic response and the development of symptoms.
How Veterinarians Diagnose Seasonal Allergies in Dogs
Seasonal allergies are diagnosed based on physical exam findings, symptoms, and a history of having recurring symptoms and infections during the same seasons annually.
Other skin conditions that can cause similar symptoms must also be ruled out, such as skin mites, fleas, or a food allergy, to reach a diagnosis of seasonal allergies. If fleas are found on a dog with symptoms of severe itchiness, redness, and hair loss, then a flea allergy is diagnosed and the dog is started on effective flea and tick prevention and anti-itch medication to see if symptoms resolve.
Treatment of Seasonal Allergies in Dogs
Seasonal allergies are a chronic condition, which means there is no cure. However, there are ways to treat and manage symptoms to keep your dog comfortable, including:
Year-round flea and tick prevention such as NexGard, Simparica, Bravecto, Seresto collar,and K9 Advantix II
Anti-itch medications such as Apoquel, Cytopoint, and prednisone are prescribed to alleviate any current itchiness and to manage the itch during flare-ups. If the itch can be controlled, the dog will remain comfortable and be at less risk for secondary skin infections.
Once the allergy seasons are determined for a dog based on prior history, the anti-itch medication is started one month prior to the start of the allergy season and continued one month past when the allergy season ends.
An omega-3 fatty acid (fish oil) supplement, such as Welactin, Vetoquinol, or Dermaquin, will protect the skin barrier and minimize allergy symptoms.
An omega-3 fatty acid supplement can also help with anal gland issues for dogs that tend to need their anal glands expressed more frequently during allergy season. It takes four to sixweeks for an omega-3 fatty acid supplement to become effective, so it is best for a dog with seasonal allergies to be on this supplement year-round.
Routine ear cleaning can help clear a current ear infection and reduce the frequency of future ear infections. If an ear infection is present, treat the infection and clean the ears based on recommendations from your veterinarian. When there is no infection, clean the dogs ears with a routine ear cleaner, like EpiOtic Advanced, on a routine basis throughout the year (typically every two to threeweeks for maintenance).
Ear medications, such as Mometamax, Posatex, and Tresaderm, are prescribed to treat bacterial and/or yeast infections in a dogs ears. After treatment, make sure to schedule a follow-up appointment with your veterinarian to recheck that the infection has resolved.
Oral medications are often needed when a dog has a skin infection on multiple areas of the body. Antibiotics, such as clindamycin and cephalexin, are prescribed to treat bacterial skin infections, and anti-fungal medication, such as ketoconazole, is prescribed to treat fungal skin infections, such as yeast infections.
Topical therapy can be used to soothe the skin and help with treatment of skin infections. There are many topical therapy options, including anti-bacterial and anti-fungal ointments, shampoos, conditioners, mousses, sprays, and wipes. Ask your veterinarian which topical therapy would work best based on your dogs allergy symptoms and current skin condition.
Immunotherapy for Dogs With Seasonal Allergies
Immunotherapy consists of either allergy shots or allergy oral drops that are formulated based on allergy test results. To determine what environmental allergens a dog is most allergic to based on where the dog lives, a blood test can be performed by your veterinarian using a specific blood test (Heskas Allercept or Nextmunes Pet Allergy Xplorer) to screen a dog for environmental allergies.
In addition to the allergy blood test, a veterinary dermatologist will also perform intradermal testing, which involves injecting small amounts of various environmental allergens into a dogs skin in specific locations. The injection sites are then monitored over a period of time for signs of a skin reaction. If a reaction is seen, then the dog is likely allergic to the allergen that was injected at that site.
It is important to note that the allergy (blood) testing and the intradermal testing are not performed to provide a diagnosis of seasonal allergies. Rather, they are used to aid in creating immunotherapy treatment for a dog that has been diagnosed with seasonal allergies. The goal with immunotherapy is to desensitize a dog to the environmental allergens that trigger the allergy symptoms. Immunotherapy is usually given long-term at a maintenance dose.
It is difficult to limit a dogs exposure to certain allergens. Pollen from trees, grass, or weeds can be tracked into the house easily. Wiping a pups paws when they come inside can sometimes be helpful.
Recovery and Management of Seasonal Allergies in Dogs
Seasonal allergies are not only frustrating for dogs but also for pet parents, because they are not curable. Fortunately, though, with seasonal allergies, symptoms can be managed by knowing what seasons trigger a dogs symptoms and initiating treatment prior to the start of each allergy season. Anti-itch medication should manage the itch throughout each season so that the dog is not scratching, licking, or chewing at the skin, which can lead to secondary skin infections.
Cleaning your dogs ears every two to three weeks year-round with a routine ear cleaner is important to minimize the risk of an ear infection to develop. The ears should also be cleaned after your dog has a bath or partakes in a water activity, such as swimming, to remove any water from within the ear canals. Giving an omega-3 fatty acid supplement daily year-round can provide skin support as well. Management of seasonal allergies is usually lifelong unless a dog is able to move to an area where the allergen that is causing the reaction is no longer present.
Monitor your pet for the following symptoms throughout the year:
Itchiness (scratching, licking, gnawing, chewing)
Head shaking or pawing at the ears or eyes
Any skin lesions (such as redness, crusts, thickened or black pigmented skin)
Odor to the skin or ears
If you see any of these symptoms, schedule a vet appointment as soon as possible. Your dogs skin condition can worsen quickly if allergy symptoms are not controlled. If your dog is licking or chewing, have them wear an e-collar until the appointment to prevent further worsening of the skin. Your veterinarian will prescribe treatment to make your dog more comfortable and treat for any skin or ear infection, if present. Managing a dogs allergy symptoms with therapy and reporting to your veterinarian any skin issues as they arise are the most effective ways to help a dog with seasonal allergies.
WRITTEN BY
Michelle Diener, DVMVeterinarian
I live in Raleigh, North Carolina. I obtained by BS degree in Biology at UNC-Chapel Hill in 2000 and my DVM degree at NCSU in 2006. I have...
