Diagnosis and Treatment of Common Skin Diseases in Dogs

Canine skin diseases are relatively complex conditions, caused by bacterial, viral, and neoplastic factors, as well as allergies. In winter, the most common clinical cases are acariasis (mite infestation) and fungal infections.

Acariasis

Acariasis is contagious through contact. Affected dogs sometimes show no obvious external signs other than severe itching. Predisposed areas: ear pinnae, elbows, hocks, and abdomen. Lesions range from papules to crusts, sometimes with excoriation or ulcers. Clinical testing: scrape at the junction between affected and healthy skin with a surgical blade (until fresh blood appears), and examine the scrapings under a microscope for the presence of mites.

Treatment

(1) Ivermectin subcutaneous injection at 0.1 mL/kg body weight (contraindicated in Collies and Scottish Sheepdogs), once every 7 days, for 3 to 5 consecutive treatments.

(2) Chulai Ling, developed by Tianjin Baoling Animal Health Products Co., Ltd., 10 mL per dog; when using, add 3.2 kg to 6.4 kg of water and apply by rubbing or soaking.

(3) Traditional Chinese medicine soak: Aiquan Jingsu Yao pure Chinese medicine No. 1 and Mite No. 2, developed by Beijing Huazhitang Traditional Chinese Medicine Research Institute. Boil in water for 30 minutes, then use the liquid for soaking and drinking; it has special efficacy against stubborn mite infestations.

(4) Treatment of ear mite disease: after cleaning with a cotton swab dipped in sterile water, apply ear drops, and inject ivermectin subcutaneously.

Fungal Infections

Lesions commonly occur on the face, ears, toes and claws of the limbs, and trunk of affected dogs. The typical skin lesion is hair loss in a circular pattern that rapidly expands outward.

Confirmation of Diagnosis

Pluck a few hairs from the affected area and examine them under an ultraviolet lamp for fluorescence. Fluorescence suggests fungal infection. Common late-stage acariasis can be secondarily infected with fungi.

Treatment

(1) Apply clotrimazole or Dakning (miconazole nitrate) to the affected area.

(2) Oral griseofulvin for 7 to 8 consecutive days.

(3) Soak and apply Aiquan Jingsu Yao pure Chinese medicine No. 1.

In diagnosing the above skin diseases, care should be taken to distinguish them from hair loss caused by estrogen excess and hair loss caused by prolonged use of dexamethasone.

Prevention of Skin Diseases

Canine skin is neutral. Human shampoos and body washes are generally alkaline, because human skin is mostly acidic. Therefore, when bathing dogs, neutral shampoo or dog-specific shampoo should be used. Also, canine skin is relatively thin, so bathing should not be too frequent.

During treatment of skin diseases, bathing the dog with sulfur soap and oral vitamin B can be beneficial to treatment.

Because skin diseases are characterized by severe itching, scratching can cause skin damage and even infection. Therefore, antibiotic treatment should be combined with skin disease treatment to prevent Staphylococcus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa from worsening the condition.