What is Dermatitis?
Dermatitis generally refers to inflammatory conditions of the skin that may subsequently affect overall health and sheen of your pet’s coat. Persistent itching is a very common, nonspecific sign of dermatitis in dogs and cats. Many conditions may cause dermatitis and prompt an affected animal to scratch or bite itself frequently. Causes of dermatitis include bacterial, fungal, yeast, or parasitic infection; seborrhea; food allergies or sensitivities, flea bites (flea saliva is a common allergen); contact with an irritating substance; metabolic and endocrine disorders; drug reactions; exposure to toxins; breed-specific predisposition, nutritional deficiencies, and sunburn. Sometimes, cancer may give rise to excessive itching due to skin irritation.
A type of dermatitis known as “moist dermatitis” (pyotraumatic dermatitis) may give rise to a red, moist, hairless, painful-looking sore that appears suddenly on your pet’s skin. Veterinarians often refer to this as a “hot spot.”
Thick-coated, longhaired dog breeds, such as golden retrievers, Newfoundlands, German shepherds, and Bernese mountain dogs are particularly susceptible to hot spots. The raw areas develop when something causes such severe itching or irritation that a dog scratches and licks his skin raw. Often, this licking and scratching goes on at night, so the sudden appearance of the sore can be an unpleasant surprise for a pet owner.
Signs that your dog may have dermatitis
The following signs suggest that your dog may have dermatitis. A veterinarian should always be contacted if your pet is frequently scratching her/himself.
- Persistent scratching.
- The appearance of a red, painful-looking sore (hot spot), often overnight.
- Scaly, rough or oozing areas on the skin, usually without hair.
Treatments for dermatitis in dogs
Corticosteroids such as injectable dexamethasone may be recommended by the veterinarian to help calm the itching and inflammation resulting from dermatitis.
Since the condition is likely to result from an allergy or other ongoing irritant, your pet’s lifestyle, food intake, etc. should be closely monitored by yourself and your veterinarian. If the dermatitis results from an allergic reaction to flea bites, action should be taken to rid your home of fleas.
If your dog has a hot spot, it should be treated promptly to prevent a bad infection. The hair around the sore will be clipped so that the sore can be cleaned with an antibacterial solution. Your veterinarian may also recommend a soothing spray or ointment, oral antibiotics, and a few days of oral corticosteroids. A “lampshade” may be required to prevent your pet from scratching the hotspot and further irritating it.
Other ways to help your pet
Recovery®SA
Recovery®SA with Nutricol®, is an elite proprietary performance and wellness supplement for pets that enhances quality of life. Recovery®SA improves healing by increasing circulation of nutrients to affected cells and extracellular structures, halting tissue damage and decreasing inflammation. It may be used on its own or in combination with prescribed medications. Ask your veterinarian how Recovery®SA can help your pet.
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Review in the prestigious Horse Journal in June 2006
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Refer to Tips for a Healthier Pet