Skin Care

When a dog’s skin is cut or wounded there is an increased risk of infection. Pyoderma refers to a bacterial infection of the skin that is very common in dogs. Symptoms include itchiness, pustules, lesions and hair loss. Each patient can be treated differently, and treatment can consist of topical or oral medications.

Ringworm is a fungal infection that can affect skin, hair and nails. It is very contagious, spreading through direct contact, or through a contaminated object like a brush or food bowls. The lesions usually appear as hair loss that can grow and spread to other parts of the body appearing ‘patchy.’ The nails can become brittle and break easily. We treat with topical therapy – creams, ointments and anti-fungal shampoos, and oral anti-fungal medications. It is very important to clean the environment.

Atopic dermatitis is an inflammatory disease associated with allergies. Dogs can be allergic or sensitive to certain foods, pollens, fleas and even dust mites to name a few. Dogs will show signs of itchiness, runny eyes, or inflamed ears. We have many different options to help keep your pet comfortable when dealing with the side effects of allergies including steroids, antihistamines, shampoos and topical products. We will come up with a specific plan for each pet, and work with you to figure out what might be making Fluffy so itchy!

Fleas – flea allergy dermatitis can cause excessive scratching, leading to sores and hotspots. Treatment includes a prescription product like Bravecto to kill adults and stop the infestation from growing. Cleaning the environment is also very important in getting rid of eggs and larvae. Mange mites – Sarcoptic mange or ‘canine scabies’ spreads easily among dogs. Symptoms include itchiness, red skin, sores and hair loss. Demodectic mange can cause baldness, scabbing and sores. Treatment depends on the condition of your dog and the type of mite we are dealing with.

Adrenal, thyroid, and pituitary glands, ovaries and testicles all produce hormones, and if they are excessive (hyper-), or deficient (hypo-) changes in skin condition can be seen. Testing and treatment options are laid out individually for each pet.