Dog Skin Infections - Identify., Treat and Manage Dog Skin Infections

Dog Skin Infections - Identify., Treat and Manage Dog Skin Infections

Dog Skin Infections

The majority of dog skin infections are caused by bacterial growth, but fungal growth and invasion by parasites and underlying allergies can also be to blame. In addition, many unrelated skin conditions can lead to dog skin infections since they cause inflammation that produces scratching and open sores. To determine the exact cause of a dog skin infection, consult your veterinarian. Antibiotics, anti-fungicides and anti-parasitic agents can all help treat dog skin infections and keep them from spreading.

Identifying Dog Skin Infections

To a point, bacteria serve a healthy function on your dog's skin, ridding it of various parasites and related agents. However, when the bacteria grow beyond a certain point they can cause health problems, just as they do in humans. For instance, Staphylococcus and Streptococci are common causes of skin infections in dogs, just as they are common causes of "staph infections" and "strep throat" in humans. Since other skin conditions such as allergic reactions often look like skin infections, it is important to have your veterinarian make a proper diagnosis so as to commence correct treatment.

Symptoms of Dog Skin Infections

Two parts of your dog's body are especially prone to skin infections. The first is primarily made up of the mouth, lips and groin, all of which provide a warm, moist environment conducive to bacterial growth. The second is located in pressure points such as the elbows, toes, tail, and belly since these are easily bruised or ruptured, allowing infection to penetrate the skin's surface.

While skin infections can appear similar to inflammation resulting from flea infestation, allergies, hormonal imbalances and cancerous growths, it is important to diagnose them correctly as they can ultimately be quite dangerous. This is especially true when skin infections move beyond the superficial level and into the so-called "deep skin." While superficial skin infections are characterized by inflammation, redness, small bumps and possibly hair loss, deeper infections cause severe pain and possible infection of the blood, and are identifiable by the presence of puss, foul odor and bloody-looking lumps on the skin's surface.

Consulting your veterinarian will not only allow for a proper diagnosis, it will insure that you are prescribed the correct antibiotic to treat your dog's specific infection.

Treatment of Dog Skin Infections

Skin infection in dogs is treated primarily with a course of antibiotics. However, to keep the infection from spreading both on your dog and between pets, it is generally a good idea to isolate your dog until the treatment is completed and to bathe it two to four times a week during the first two weeks of treatment and one to two times a week until the infection is resolved. Be sure to use a good medicated shampoo such as Ketochlor.

POST COMMENT

Do Wolf Hybrids Or Wolfdogs Make Good Pets? Bissell 33N8 Spotbot Pet Deep Cleaner Handsfree Spandex Catsuit- Are You Brave Enough To Wear One? Rebuilding a Defunct Team: Is it worth it? or There's a Snake in my Boot! Hummingbird Fish Finders The Challenges Of Raising A Puppy Alopecia Hair Loss In Cats Flying To The Entertaining Universe Of Angry Birds Bird Feeder Varieties and Styles to Suit Your Backyard Visitors Crate Training Your Small Dog Successfully In Very Little Time How working professionals should go for CAT 2010 preparations Benefits and Methods of Brushing Dogs Teeth To get rid of birds use bird spikes