October through January is the “peak” season for skin problems in dogs. Symptoms of dog skin diseases include itching, skin breakdown, hair loss, redness, swelling, odor and abscesses. Among the various skin diseases, different kinds of allergic skin diseases are the most common and most annoying to dogs. Allergic skin diseases not only cause discomfort in dogs, but also weaken the skin’s ability to resist external influences, which can easily cause bacterial and fungal infections, and in serious cases, cancer, so owners should not ignore their dogs’ skin diseases. The causes of allergic skin disease are mainly divided into endogenous and exogenous factors: 1. endogenous factors: hereditary, hormonal abnormalities and allergic qualities. 2. exogenous factors: may be body surface parasites, mold, dust, pollen, sun exposure, food, pathogenic infections, improper body surface contact, injection of drugs, physical and chemical factors and other substances caused by dog skin allergies. Treatment 1. Allergic dermatitis with a genetic predisposition requires the use of exclusionary diagnosis, which means that other causes of pruritus and dermatitis need to be ruled out before a diagnosis of atopic dermatitis can be confirmed. Diagnostic methods include food tests, flea treatment tests, drug tests, and skin sampling. Atopic dermatitis with a genetic predisposition is a chronic hereditary inflammatory skin disease with no direct method of eradication, but can be effectively managed with oral and applied topical anti-allergy medications, injections of anti-allergy antibodies, consumption of fish oil supplements, use of medicated shampoos and conditioners, and administration of antihistamines. Allergen testing to identify the allergen followed by immunotherapy is also an option, although the treatment is generally effective.2. If a dog has parasitic allergic dermatitis, parasiticidal medications can be used to prevent bites and stop the reproduction of parasites on the body surface and to get rid of parasites and parasite larvae in the home by cleaning and using a small amount of spray insecticide. In general, most parasites and their larvae can be eliminated by immediately disinfecting or renewing your dog’s bed, cleaning the home at least once a week (be sure to vacuum), and using a small amount of spray insecticide under furniture and in dark corners of the home for six weeks. 3. There is no cure or prevention for dermatitis caused by food allergies. Dogs with food allergy-induced dermatitis can only continue to eat special diets or foods without specific allergenic proteins to prevent and treat skin discomfort. If your pet’s allergy symptoms improve significantly with the special diet, you can add different ingredients to the food after a period of time to confirm which ingredient is the culprit of the allergy. Prevention How to prevent allergic skin disease in dogs is simple and effective?1. Indoor environmental control: The time dogs spend indoors gradually increases in the summer, making it more important to prevent dust mites and mold. Use disinfectant to clean the room weekly and avoid using carpets, fabric sofas and other furniture.2. Indoor humidity: Strictly control humidity, try to keep dry, do not put the dog in the bathroom and kitchen and other places with high humidity.3. Less allergenic food: Try not to give your dog seafood, lobster, hairy crab and other high-protein allergy-prone foods in the summer.4. Reduce the possibility of dogs going to grass, especially bushes. Dogs by nature like to roll in the grass or high bushes scurrying, so it is easy to stimulate the skin, especially in the heat, the dog’s hair is short, it is easy to develop allergic dermatitis. Note that because of the various symptoms of allergic skin disease, there are local manifestations, but also the overall performance, so you need to go to the hospital to confirm the diagnosis before you can use drugs, do not just buy some so-called all-purpose spray to treat your dog.
