Skin diseases

The number of applications of cat and dog owners to veterinarians for skin diseases is increasing every year. This is indirectly related to improper feeding, illiterate breeding, lack of physical activity in animals. These risk factors reduce immunity, make pets vulnerable to environmental influences, which negatively affects the condition of the covers. Dermatological diseases themselves rarely lead to death, but cause severe discomfort to furry patients, can be complicated by secondary infections. Avoid the development of dangerous conditions can be avoided by visiting a veterinarian at the first alarming signs.

Types of skin diseases in cats, dogs

The skin is the largest organ of humans and animals. It protects the body from environmental hazards, while the first is exposed to its blows. Dermatological diseases develop for various reasons. Conventionally, risk factors are divided into two groups: primary and secondary.

The former include:

fungi;

mechanical, chemical damage;

parasites.

Among the secondary ones:

Endocrine disorders;

allergies;

deficiency (or excess) of vitamins;

dysfunction of internal organs (e.g. kidneys, liver, GI tract).

Depending on the cause of occurrence, veterinarians distinguish several types of dermatological diseases of pets:

fungal;

parasitic;

infectious;

bacterial

allergic.

In a separate group are pathologies caused by failures in the endocrine system, congenital abnormalities. There are a number of breeds genetically predisposed to lesions of the dermis. Among them are Riesenschnauzers, bulldogs, Ridgebacks, boxers, Manxes, Himalayan cats and others. Their owners should be especially attentive.

In the early stages of development, it can be difficult to notice the problem. It is important to regularly inspect the body of the cat, pay attention to any violations of the integrity of the skin.

Symptoms and methods of diagnosing skin diseases

The owners can suspect a skin disease by the following signs:
persistent itching;

crusting, flaking;

discolouration of the skin;

excessive hair loss;

unpleasant odour from the pet's body;

frequent head shaking;

rashes, pustules, ulcers;

bald patches;

dry skin;

dandruff;

comb marks;

any neoplasms on the surface of the body.

As the lesion develops, secondary symptoms appear. The pet loses appetite, becomes lethargic, irritable. The dog may show aggression towards its own body parts (e.g. limbs or tail) that cause discomfort.

Due to the low specificity of symptoms, a large variety of pathologies, it is impossible to independently identify the cause of the disorder. Only a veterinarian can establish it.

During the appointment, the doctor will examine the animal, ask for a detailed description of the conditions of keeping, feeding peculiarities, periodicity of antiparasitic treatments.

Attention: before a visit to the clinic, it is not allowed to treat the affected areas with colouring agents (iodine, fucarcin, greening). This will complicate diagnosis.

No dermatological disease can be confirmed or ruled out without further examination. A furry patient may need:

Wood's lamp examination;

examination of scrapings from the problem areas, from the ear flaps;

trichoscopy;

biopsy;

blood tests for hormone levels;

cytological examinations;

cultures for evaluation of microflora, detection of sensitivity to antibiotics.

Additional diagnostic difficulties are created by the addition to the original dermatological problem of inflammation of bacterial or fungal etiology. In this case, a longer, more complex therapy will be required.

Treatment of skin diseases in pets

The therapeutic scheme for skin lesions is selected individually. It depends on the cause of the problem, size, age, peculiarities of the pet's organism.

The complex treatment includes the exclusion of the irritant, normalisation of the diet, the use of pharmaceuticals of different action.

Preparations that effectively relieve cats and dogs from skin pathologies are produced by the Apicenna company:

Shampoo with birch tar with natural active substances accelerates the recovery of skin, coat. It has no additional irritating effect, well tolerated by pets of any age;

Dekta Forte is a solution for external use, highly effective against scabies mites in all phases of development. It is used, among other things, for the therapy of pathologies complicated by bacterial infection;

Stop-zud for dogs and cats is available as an oral suspension or spray. Triamcinolone, present in the composition of the means, quickly relieves inflammation, allergic reaction. Enriched with vitamins, methionine, succinic acid, which stimulate cell regeneration. It has a bactericidal effect;

Antimicrobial shampoo with chlorhexidine 4% is convenient to use, foams well, rinses off, retains the therapeutic properties of the active ingredient for a long time. Destroys vegetative forms of bacteria, yeasts, dermatophytes, some viruses. Promotes accelerated restoration of epidermal cells, the natural water-salt balance;

Fungin Forte - antimicrobial solution for external use. Helps even with severe lesions with fungus. Destroys bacterial microflora. Quickly relieves pain, inflammation, swelling, accelerates the healing of scabs.

Attention: any medicines can be used only on the prescription of a veterinarian.

During therapy, it is important to exclude the possibility of self-injury of the pet. To prevent furry patients from licking and scratching itchy areas of the body, it is desirable to use protective collars, ponchos, muzzles, bandaging paws.

To prevent skin diseases, it is necessary to regularly care for the hair of the pet, exclude his contacts with stray relatives. At the first signs of disorders, go to the clinic for examination.