Dermatitis in dogs is a condition which causes inflammation and irritation of the skin. The most common causes of dermatitis in dogs are due to flea bite allergies, food allergies, and reactions to allergens in the environment. Dermatitis may also be a symptom of an underlying health problem.
"Hot spots" are localized skin infections in dogs that are usually caused by a bacterium called Staphylococcus intermedius, although other bacteria can be involved. In most cases, the cause remains unknown, although they are often due to some underlying factor such as fleas, mites, bacteria, allergies, or irritants. In some cases, a severe essential fatty acid deficiency may also be the cause.
The symptoms of dermatitis in dogs generally depend on what caused the dermatitis, and how severely the dog’s skin reacted to the cause. Most pet owners notice that their dog begins to develop dermatitis symptoms in the spring and summer months.
Seborrhea in dogs is a condition which upsets a natural skin process known as keratinization. The result is skin which gradually thickens over time and becomes scaly, oily, and crusty. Seborrhea can cause extremely uncomfortable and painful skin conditions, and treatments should begin as soon as possible to reduce any discomfort and pain that the dog may be feeling.
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.
While dermatitis can be frustrating for both the dog and the pet owner, there are treatments that can help to reduce the symptoms of dermatitis. In some cases the cause of dermatitis, such as pollen or grass, cannot always be eliminated from the dog’s environment. Dermatitis is often a chronic condition, or continual flair ups may occur during specific seasons of the year.
The most successful treatment is prevention by applying fly repellent before open wounds from bites develop.The effect of flies on the skin is usually minor, with irritation of the skin from fly bites being the most common problem. Attacks by stable flies and black flies are typically incriminated in skin wounds located on the ear tips or faces of outdoor dogs from late spring until first frost.