Dog Skin Problems

Your dog needs to see a veterinarian if he or she is scratching all of the time, has open sores, bald patches, crusts on the skin, or weird growths. Many causes of skin problems can be successfully treated at an animal hospital. At Peace Arch Veterinary Hospital, our veterinarians in Surrey look at the most common causes of dog skin problems.

Parasites

The two main types of parasites that bother your dog’s skin are fleas and mites. Many dogs are allergic to flea saliva, so their bites become even more itchy than usual. Mites can cause mange or chronic ear infections. Parasites like fleas and sarcoptic mites are transmissible not only to other pets but to people.

Allergies

The most common allergic reaction in dogs is itchy skin. This can be so itchy that they rip their skin open, or cause bald patches. Other symptoms of allergies include gastrointestinal upsets and upper respiratory problems. Besides flea saliva, dogs can be allergic to foods, certain ingredients in dog food, perfumes, laundry detergent, pollen, mold, tobacco smoke, and more.

Ringworm

Despite its popular name, ringworm is a fungal infection that affects not only a dog’s skin but also the nails. It causes bald spots with edges of bright pink or red. Eventually, the skin in these bald patches gets scabby. Ringworm can also cause a dog’s nails to easily break. Ringworm is contagious to other animals and people.

Yeast Infections

Yeast infections can appear anywhere on a dog but appear often in the ears of floppy-eared dog breeds like hounds, and the folds of wrinkly skin around the mouths of breeds like bulldogs. Yeast infections often have a yeasty odor. They cause bald patches, as well as skin that is red with irritation, and skin with crusts or sheds a lot of flakes. There is often a discharge, which may be greasy or sticky.

Contact Our Veterinarians in Surrey, British Columbia

If you have questions about your dog’s skin problems and live in the Surry area, contact Peace Arch Veterinary Hospital to schedule an appointment with Dr. Virk or Dr. Ghuman. Call our team today at (604) 536-3131 or reach us through our website by using our online contact form.