Beneath the fur, our pet’s skin plays a vitally important role in their health and wellbeing. Not only does it provide a protective barrier that keeps germs and bacteria outside of their body which is essential to prevent infection and other illnesses, but it also enables them to maintain normal body temperature, regulating it if it gets too high or low. In fact, you may be surprised to discover that your pet’s skin (and our own) is classed as an organ and is the largest body organ that they and we possess. 
 

Many people think that issues affecting the skin are usually fairly minor and nothing to worry about. However, they are often more serious than they expect and if they are left untreated, they can have serious repercussions for the health of our animals. Therefore, if you suspect that your pet may have a problem with their skin, it is advisable to schedule them an appointment with your veterinarian to determine what is causing the issue and how it can be treated.

 

Common Skin Issues Affecting Our Pets

There are just as many skin issues that can affect our pets as there are those that can affect us as humans. However, some are more common than others. Some of the skin issues that are regularly seen and treated by veterinarians include:

• Acral lick granuloma

• Alopecia

• Environmental allergies that cause skin-based symptoms 

• Flea-allergy dermatitis 

• Folliculitis

• Food allergies that cause skin-based symptoms

• Hot spots

• Impetigo

• Mange

• Ringworm

• Seborrhea

• Ticks

• Yeast infections 
  
   

The Challenge of Diagnosing Skin Issues in Pets

You probably know your pet’s behavior very well and this is important because animals are naturally inclined to try and mask illness or weakness. They do this so as not to appear vulnerable. Nevertheless, there will come a point where your pet will find it impossible to hide how they are feeling inside. When this happens, they will exhibit behavior changes that you can pick up on that will tell you that they need medical attention. In addition to this, there may be visible indicators that your pet is struggling with a health problem. This is true of skin issues as well as other health problems. 

 

Symptoms of Pet Skin Issues

There is a wide range of different symptoms that could indicate that your pet is suffering from a skin issue. These include, but are not limited to the following:

 

Itching

By far the most common symptom of a skin complaint is itching. Most pets scratch a little anyway, but any significant increase could indicate a problem. If their itching is disturbing them or you, if it is keeping them or you awake, their fur is coming out or they are in obvious pain, it is time to make an appointment with your vet.

 

Rashes

Unsurprisingly, your pet’s fur may make it difficult to spot any rashes that may be affecting their skin. Nevertheless, they can still occur and can range from slight irritation to severe redness, swelling, soreness, oozing, and being hot to the touch. Skin rashes that are scratched can easily develop infections, putting your pet at risk of more serious problems. As such, any rashes should be assessed by your vet. 

 

Dry skin

If you have ever had dry skin before, you will know just how uncomfortable it can be. Our pets can also experience dryness, flaking, and even cracking as a result of a variety of issues including allergies and parasite infections. 

 

Hair loss

Some hair loss is quite common in furry pets, but excessive hair loss and the development of bald spots may be a sign of infection or disease. If you notice any patches of hair missing on your animal, we recommend that you take them to get examined in case they have an underlying problem. 

 

Behavior changes

Being permanently itchy or sore can have a significant psychological effect on your pet, causing their mood to change. As a result, you may also notice some differences in their behavior. Perhaps they are less inclined to play than usual, or they don’t want to be touched. Any unusual behavior should be explored, particularly if it is accompanied by other symptoms of a skin issue.

If you would like more information about diagnosing skin issues in your pet, please speak to our veterinary team in Evansville, IN.