Pet skin conditions vary widely in terms of causes, their effect on pet health, and their treatment. The skin may be the primary target, or skin conditions may be secondary to an underlying disease or condition. No matter the cause, pets with skin problems can be uncomfortable at the least or may be in serious pain. Our Williamsburg Animal Clinic team wants to help you identify common skin conditions in pets, so we can collaborate to alleviate your furry pal’s discomfort.

Skin conditions affecting pets

Skin issues are one of the most common reasons pet owners take their pets to the vet. While some conditions relate to a genetic predisposition, others are caused by parasites, bacteria, and environmental allergens. The following skin conditions are frequently diagnosed in pets:

  • Flea allergy — Many pets are allergic to flea saliva and a single flea bite can lead to intense itching, redness, and hair loss. A particularly severe reaction is known as flea allergy dermatitis (FAD).
  • Atopic dermatitis — Atopic dermatitis, also called atopy, is a reaction to environmental allergens, such as grasses, pollen, and dust mites. An affected pet will itch and scratch, their skin will be inflamed, and sometimes they will have respiratory issues, including sneezing and watery eyes.
  • Hot spots — Hot spots, or red, moist, inflamed areas on the skin (i.e., acute moist dermatitis) are typically the result of excessive licking, scratching, or self-infected wounds, but a bacterial infection can also be the cause. They can also result from another skin condition or underlying health issue. 
  • Ringworm — While the name seems to imply otherwise, ringworm (i.e., dermatophytosis) is not related to worms, but is a fungal infection characterized by circular patches of hair loss, redness, and scaling. Ringworm is highly contagious to both pets and humans, so you must use caution when dealing with ringworm-infected pets. 
  • Mange — Mange is caused by mites (i.e., Sarcoptes demodex) that burrow into the skin, causing intense itching, hair loss, dry, scaly skin, and skin inflammation.
  • Pyoderma — This bacterial skin infection causes pustules, redness, and hair loss and can be a secondary infection to an underlying condition, such as an allergy or trauma.
  • Seborrhea — Also known as seborrheic dermatitis, this disease affects skin areas rich in sebaceous (i.e., oil-producing) glands that go into overdrive, producing too much or too little oil, leading to, respectively, greasy or dry, flaking skin, and sometimes infections.
  • Ear infections (Otitis externa) — Many pets develop inflammation and infection in the ear canal caused by bacteria or yeast. Ear infections include scratching and head shaking, foul odor, and sometimes pain. 
  • Allergic dermatitis — This form of dermatitis causes skin inflammation from food allergies and contact allergies (e.g., fabrics, cleaning products).
  • Alopecia — Like people, pets can develop alopecia, a condition characterized by hair loss that can be caused by various factors, such as hormonal imbalance, stress, infections, or autoimmune diseases.
  • Folliculitis — Folliculitis is an Inflammation of hair follicles that presents with red, swollen bumps or pustules. Bacteria, fungi, or parasites can contribute to folliculitis. 
  • Lick granuloma — These granulomas are self-injuries from the pet repeatedly licking a localized skin area. The condition, also known as acral lick dermatitis, manifests as raised, hairless lesions that can become infected if left untreated. 

Diagnosing and treating pet skin conditions

To diagnose your pet’s skin condition, our Williamsburg Animal Clinic veterinarian must first perform a thorough physical exam. They will also need blood and skin tests to evaluate potential diseases, parasites, or infections contributing to your pet’s physical effects.

Treatments vary according to the cause of the skin condition. At our clinic, we often use systemic medications (i.e., antifungals, antibiotics, corticosteroids, medicated shampoos, and topical insecticides) to treat the underlying medical issues that manifest as skin conditions.

At-home care entails ensuring your pet stays on their parasite prevention plan year-round—not missing a dose is vital. Shampoo your pet regularly with a medicated shampoo, use an air purifier to minimize allergic responses, wash your furry pal’s skin and paws after coming in from the outdoors, and keep pet beds and blankets laundered.

Many skin conditions can cause discomfort in your four-legged friend. However, most conditions can be managed through veterinary and at-home care.

If your furry pal has skin issues, contact our Williamsburg Animal Clinic team as soon as possible, because they are likely seriously uncomfortable. We will diagnose their problem and develop an appropriate treatment plan that will alleviate their itchiness and make their skin healthy again.