In This Article:
What is canine dermatitis?
Understanding symptoms
Treatment
WHAT IS CANINE DERMATITIS?
Canine dermatitis is a common condition that affects dogs. Dermatitis in dogs occurs due to exposure to various substances that are harmful to the skin. This can include toxins found in many types of food, such as preservatives, antibiotics and artificial colours.
It’s also possible to develop dermatitis through exposure to man-made chemicals, such as cleaning products and detergents. Most dogs don’t have it, but pets can still develop atopy dermatitis if they come in contact repeatedly with toxic substances. Dogs may also be affected by dermatitis due to environmental factors such as flea infestations and cold weather.
There are a number of causes of canine atopy, but the primary culprit can be dust and pollen. If your dog spends a lot of time outdoors or likes to go down into attics and crawl spaces, he may be allergic to the natural oils produced by his skin. When he comes in contact with pollen and dust mites, he will show signs of itching and irritation, as well as red, swollen eyes, frequent ear infections, and general irritation.
UNDERSTANDING SYMPTOMS
The symptoms of canine atopy vary depending on which part of the body is involved. In dogs that are allergic to pollens, the story will typically affect the face, head, neck, and chest. Other areas will experience secondary infections instead, so your dog could have dermatitis in the ears, eyes, and groin.
Ear infections are frequently caused by bacteria and fungal overgrowth, so your dog’s ears might look inflamed and swollen, even when there are no physical problems present. Groin itching and irritation may accompany other symptoms like nasal discharge and inflammation. Your pet may also scratch excessively and may have secondary infections in his ears and around his groin area.
The good news is that many of the common triggers for allergies in dogs are considered harmless by standard allergy testing. These triggers include pollen, mold, house dust, and food allergies. There are a few instances when these triggers can be an issue, and in those cases, you want to take the dog to the vet to ensure that he is not allergic to something that could be dangerous. For example, some dogs are highly sensitive to dairy products, which can lead to chronic skin issues and other health concerns. Some dogs seem to react more to house dust than other types of allergens, which could be an issue if he lives in a dusty environment.
The good news is that many of the common triggers for allergies in dogs are considered harmless by standard allergy testing. These triggers include pollen, mold, house dust, and food allergies. There are a few instances when these triggers can be an issue, and in those cases, you want to take the dog to the vet to ensure that he is not allergic to something that could be dangerous. For example, some dogs are highly sensitive to dairy products, which can lead to chronic skin issues and other health concerns. Some dogs seem to react more to house dust than other types of allergens, which could be an issue if he lives in a dusty environment.
Some dogs seem to scratch more than others, which can become a real concern if it leads to dermatitis. Secondary infections can be the result of scratching too much, causing tiny holes in the skin. Dogs can also develop dermatitis due to hot spots, which look like red, raised areas. If your dog has frequent hot spots, you should take him to the vet to have this cleared up because it can lead to scarring, skin infections, and even skin disease.
TREATMENT
Treatments for allergic or atopic dermatitis in dogs include topical immunomodulators to decrease inflammation, corticosteroids for relieve itching and redness, and antihistamines to help prevent infections from occurring.
Before reaching for the medications, review the current diet to lower the sugar and starch content, give digestive support and add natural food supplements to help the immune system pathways.
This approach limits the side effects seen with medications and can be a longer lasting solution. CEN has natural supplements with high quality ingredients to assist the immune system and help the skin and coat condition from the inside out.
See more information about the products in the CEN dog supplements range that will help lower the risk of dermatitis in dogs. CEN Dog Oil, CEN Active and CEN Digestive +.
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