Puppy Excessive Panting
Skin Illness That Effect Our Furry Friends And When It Is Time To Visit Take A Trip To The Veterinarian
Just like their human opposite numbers, our furry canine friends are at the mercy of a good assortment of dog skin diseases that cause a number of symptoms. It can be tricky for the average dog lovers to determine when to try at-home treatments and when to seek vet care for their pet.
The initial thing to determine is whether the skin condition is causing pain for your pet. Many skin sicknesses cause some degree of inflammation. If your dog is mildly itchy, or itching now and then, you may be able to get by with home treatments to aid in eliminating the itching. But if your dog is itching to the point of causing redness or baldness, or if he is so itchy that it’s getting in the way his ordinary activities “i.e, he stops in the middle of playing to sit and chew on himself ” that is thought to be severe itching and he likely needs prescription medications that only your veterinarian can prescribe.
The second thing to contemplate is the age of your dog. If your dog is a puppy, then you should see the vet for any concerns. Puppies are commonly diagnosed with conditions that are typically uncommon in adult dogs. For instance, many puppies are either born with worms (roundworms) or acquire them straight after birth (hookworms, whipworms). These puppies may not show any outward indications of worm infestation aside from a dreary, dry hair coat. A veterinarian visit is typically required to microscopically identify the sort of worm present and start the little puppy on a suitable dewormer.
Another illness that's often seen in young pups and not adults is demodecosis, which is a sort of mange (mite infestation) that is bought by the young dog shortly after birth. It causes mild to harsh hair loss and secondary illnesses, and requires a vet visit and skin scraping with miniscule research for diagnosis.
The third thing to consider is whether or not your dog has any other symptoms at the same as the skin condition. A skin condition can be due to either a first skin illness, or can just be a symptom of a disease that may also be having an effect on other body systems. For instance, an hormonal disease such as hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing’s Disease) can cause severe alopecia and thin/frail skin, but isn’t a primary skin condition. It may also cause loss of muscle, excessive puffing, a bloated stomach, and other symptoms. It's critical to be observant and if you notice a change in appetite, activity level, urination habits, or any other changes together with a skin problem, you need to seek veterinary care. Your veterinarian should be well positioned to review with you potential problems and lab tests required to eliminate or rule out those diseases.
In today’s economy, many times it is necessary to try home treatments before seeking professional animal care, but there are some scenarios that require immediate vet care. If your pet is in pain or having his or her quality of life interrupted due to reddish and inflamed skin or grim itching, if your dog is a young dog with skin disease, or if your dog has other symptoms in addition to the skin illness, do not delay and seek veterinary care as soon as you can get an appointment.
The author, Cathy Doggins, is a well known contributor to leading online publications such as the Dog Health Guide. Cathy has written at length on canine skin problems and other dog health disorders. When not caring for her dogs, she is is an advocate of small animal adoption foundations and the compassionate treatment of our pets.
Max Bichon Frise Dog Panting
