Wednesday, August 26, 2009

How To Treat Dog Skin Rashes

By Moses Wright

Dogs can develop a rashes and skin irritation just like people can. Often, a dog owner will notice redness, swelling, or an increase in the dog's scratching.

An allergic reaction is a common cause for a dog skin rash. Small bumps on the skin called hives may develop due to allergies. Hives and skin rashes from allergic reactions often clear up on their own, but a dog owner should still consult the veterinarian for instructions on how to treat dog skin rashes.

If a dog owner has started using a new dog shampoo or has changed things in the dog's environment or dog food, these could be the cause of a skin allergy commonly referred to as contact dermatitis. Refraining from using these things new to the dog may allow the allergic reaction to end in the rash to go away.

A common cause for a skin rash or irritation is an allergy to flea bites. For skin rashes and irritation due to an allergic reaction to flea bites, the dog owner should treat the fleas promptly. After the fleas have been eliminated, the dog skin usually clears up and the dog's coat grows back if there has been hairloss.

Some dogs develop what is known as a hot spot. A hot spot is sometimes referred to as moist dermatitis or pyotraumatic dermatitis. A hot spot develops when an initial irritation to the skin causes a dog to bite, lick, and scratch a particular area.

A tick bite, an allergic reaction, fleas, or a bacterial infection are some examples of possible causes for the initial skin irritation that can trigger the development of a hot spot. When the dog licks, bites, and scratches the area, it makes the hot spot worse. The dog may have hairloss in the area of the hot spot.

A veterinarian should be consulted for the best way to treat the hotspot. Hot spots are often treated by shaving the area of the hot spot and applying cool compresses. The veterinarian may prescribe the use of a special shampoo, oral medication, or topical ointment to treat the hot spot.

Dog skin rashes can be caused by several different types of fungal, bacterial, and parasitic skin infections. A dog owner needs to consult a veterinarian for the proper diagnosis and treatment of a dog skin rash.

Some dog shampoos and skin care products claim to be how to treat dog skin rashes. If the underlying cause of the rash is not identified by veterinarian, dog skin care products are often ineffective. Many skin infections require the use of prescribed medication from a veterinarian.

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