Introduction
Dermatitis comes in many different forms, and pets are affected by it in dozens of different ways. Dermatitis can cause inflammation of the skin, hair loss, skin sores, itching, rashes, dandruff, and overall discomfort. Dermatitis is one of those diseases that can be particularly frustrating to pet owners because there are so many different causes that can contribute to these conditions. The condition can be particularly stressful to both the owner and the pet when the symptoms become severe and the pet is clearly suffering.
Diagnosing Dermatitis in Dogs
If you suspect that your pet has dermatitis, your veterinarian will need to begin a systematic hunt to determine the cause and reach an accurate diagnosis. The search for the cause of dermatitis normally begins with outside factors such as parasites and allergies. Flea bites can cause horrible dermatitis in pets that are allergic to their bites. Other pets may have a parasite called demodex which is causing the dermatitis.
To begin your pet’s examination, the veterinarian will comb through the pet’s coat to check for any obvious signs of parasites. A skin scrapping will be performed next to look for smaller parasites like demodex.
If no obvious signs of dermatitis are found, the search must go on. Blood tests can help to rule out any biological causes of dermatitis such as Cushing’s disease, diabetes, or hypothyroidism. If all the blood tests are normal, factors which may cause an allergic dermatitis reaction are looked closely at next. At this point dietary changes are recommended to check for food allergies, and any shampoos or other products that are normally used on the pet are avoided.
Sometimes when a pet has been diagnosed with dermatitis the cause is never found. In these cases prescription medications and shampoos may reduce the severity of the symptoms and provide relief. If left untreated, dermatitis can lead to secondary bacterial infections on the skin. If your pet is experiencing dermatitis symptoms, make an appointment with a veterinarian as soon as possible.