Introduction
Dermatitis, which refers to any inflammation of the skin, can be caused by many things, including contact with animal, vegetable, or chemical substances, heat or cold, mechanical irritation, malnutrition or infectious disease. In dogs, dermatitis is a particularly frustrating condition because it can be caused by so many different things and contributes to so many different clinical signs.
Diagnosing Dermatitis in Dogs
If you suspect that your pet has dermatitis, your veterinarian will begin a systematic “hunt” to determine the cause of your dog’s clinical signs. This diagnostic challenge normally begins with a thorough assessment of outside factors, such as parasites and any known environmental allergies. Flea bites can cause horrible dermatitis in dogs, and demodectic mange can also cause significant dermatitis. Your veterinarian will examine your dog’s hair coat to look for signs of external parasites. She may also do a skin scraping to help identify any parasites that have burrowed deep into the hair follicles.
If no obvious cause of dermatitis is found, the search must go on. Blood tests can help to rule out any systemic causes of dermatitis (such as hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing’s disease), diabetes or hypothyroidism). If blood tests are normal, the veterinarian will next focus on possible causes of hypersensitivity (allergic) reactions that could contribute to skin inflammation. Dietary changes may be recommended to assess possible food allergies, and shampoos or other topical products will be considered as well.
Sometimes, the underlying cause of canine dermatitis will never be discovered. In those cases, prescription medications and shampoos may be used to help reduce the severity of the symptoms. If left untreated, dermatitis can progress to secondary bacterial skin infections. If your pet shows signs of dermatitis, make an appointment with your veterinarian as soon as possible.