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Pet Chronic Skin Disorders
Mold is a problem for many pets, especially those with allergies and health problems. Learn how we can work together to make this issue easier for your pet.
- Frequent itching and scratching
- Paw chewing
- Hair loss
- Persistent ear infections
- Other unpleasant sensations for dogs
Hundreds of distinct diseases have been discovered that affect the skin and the ears, including allergies, severe infections, hormonal disorders, skin cancer, and a range of other illnesses. And because several of these issues resemble one another and can happen simultaneously, diagnosis and treatment may be difficult.
Veterinarians at the Missouri Veterinary Dermatology Center have a lot of expertise in detecting and treating even the most complicated of these issues. Veterinarians specializing in dermatology frequently collaborate with general practice veterinarians, who refer their most challenging patients for further evaluation and treatment.
Many persistent disorders, particularly skin and ear diseases, necessitate a long-term or frequent therapy strategy. This may start as crisis management to alleviate severe symptoms. Still, the dermatologist’s goal is to find an ongoing treatment that controls the factors and symptoms involved in the least harmful way to the pet and is simple for the pet parent to administer once issues are better managed. Because each instance is unique, as well as each pet and its surroundings, it is critical to adapt this approach to each animal’s individual needs.
Pet Chronic Skin Disorders FAQs
What are the most common skin disorders in pets?
There are several different kinds of pet skin issues. Environmental allergies, food allergies, bacterial infections, and yeast infections are some of the most frequent ones among pets. Immune-mediated illnesses, hormonal disorders, and various sorts of neoplasia (cancer) are all less common concerns. Veterinary dermatologists have received specialized training to identify differences between a wide range of skin and ear ailments and to conduct the required tests in order to establish a diagnosis and recommend effective therapy.
Can skin issues be transmitted between animals?
Skin diseases that are easily transferred between animals include infections and parasites. While not every infection is transmissible between creatures, ringworm (dermatophytosis), a fungal infection, scabies parasites (Sarcoptes, sarcoptic mange), ear mites, and Cheyletiella (walking dandruff) can all be contagious. Because many of these disorders can resemble other types of skin disease, it’s best to visit your veterinarian or a veterinary dermatologist if you suspect your pet has one of them.
What are the symptoms of skin infections?
Small red, raised papules, pustules, circular plaques or collarettes, and hair loss are all possible signs of skin infection in dogs and cats. More severe infections can progress to red, oozing, wet or bleeding lesions in some cases. Because most skin problems are due to a secondary source, determining the original or underlying reason is critical in order to cure the disease and prevent a recurrence.
Veterinary dermatologists are physician specialists with advanced training in diagnosing and treating a wide range of skin and ear ailments.
What are the best treatments for skin issues?
There is no one-size-fits-all remedy for canine or feline skin diseases, nor for any other species. Diverse kinds of skin ailments may resemble each other in dogs and cats, although there are hundreds of distinct ones. It’s tempting to try to cure illness with home cures, while a veterinary dermatologist can often give a speedy diagnosis and treatment plan. Bacterial infections, yeast infections, ear problems, environmental allergies, and food allergies are just a few examples of common dog skin disorders.