Skin Irritations

The great news is that most skin irritations in dogs are treatable. Your first stop is your local vet's so that he or she can properly diagnose your dog’s condition and let you know the best way to treat it. Dogs can suffer from some of the same issues we do, and the information that follows will help you identify them.

Inflammatory itching of the skin that can be chronic or temporary. There are many causes of dermatitis - It’s usually caused by something in your dog's environment eg sensitivity to grass, allergies to fleas, mites, bacteria or poor nutrition. Depending on the cause, the treatment can range from something simple to prolonged medication.

Abscesses are a sac or lump of pus caused by bacteria, parasites or foreign material under the skin, perhaps due to a dog fight or other puncture wound. There’s usually swelling and redness and the skin can get very hot. They are painful and should be treated by your vet.

Warts usually occur on a dog’s skin, around their eyes, inside the mouth, in their nose and on their reproductive organs. Some warts are benign and clear up by themselves. Others can be dangerous to your dog's health, or even a symptom of a more serious medical condition.

Yes, even four-legged adolescents have a right to think the world’s against them. And just like in moping teens, acne usually pops up on dog chins and lips. It’s most common in short-coated breeds like boxers, bulldogs and rottweilers. Acne often starts at puberty - around 5 to 8 months of age - and usually disappears after their first birthday.