Dog Allergies

When your dog develops skin rashes, diagnosing the cause can be tricky. Sometimes it’s an allergy, but there can be other causes of dog skin rashes. In this article, we examine dog skin rashes caused by allergies, as well as a few other common causes of dog skin rashes.

Allergy Related Skin Rashes
Whether your dog has a contact allergy, a food allergy, or a flea allergy, dog skin rashes are a common symptom. Usually, they show up as hives, and usually within a day or two of contact with the allergen. Treatment is possible using a combination of anti histamines, immunotherapy, steroid treatment, and removing the allergen.

Eczema
Another of the very common cause of dog skin rashes is eczema. This, as in humans, is a flaky, itchy rash, which can occur anywhere on the body. Topical treatments, including lotions and creams are usually effective in treating these kinds of dog skin rashes. Your vet may recommend bathing your dog in a special shampoo for this skin disorder, or even prescribe medication.

Ringworm
Just like humans, dog skin rashes might actually be ringworm. This fungal infection is commonly identified by its circular, or ring shape. Treatment with anti fungal topical lotions and creams will usually solve the problem.

Consult Your Veterinarian
These are just a few of the common causes of dog skin rashes, however, identifying them is the first step in treating them, and with so many other common causes of dog skin rashes out there, your first step in identifying the problem, and finding an appropriate treatment, should be to visit your veterinarian. He will examine the rash, and may be able to identify the cause from that examination. Alternatively, he may decide to run tests, which can pinpoint more complex problems.

Establish a Treatment Program
Once your veterinarian has established the cause of your dog skin rashes, you will be provided with a treatment plan, which may include medication, dietary changes, topical treatments like lotions, shampoos or powders, and other possibilities. It’s very important that you stick to these guidelines, and monitor their efficacy.

Stick to the Recommendations
If, for example, you see no change in your dog skin rashes, you may need to alter the treatment. If the treatment does help clear up the problem, you can be assured that your dog has been correctly diagnosed. Always remember though that in the case of dog skin rashes caused by allergies or similar ailments, exposure to the cause will cause a relapse, so make sure you remain vigilant!

Whether your dog skin rashes are from allergies, eczema, ringworm or any other cause, there is a treatment out there, and you owe it to your dog to find it. Dog skin rashes are as uncomfortable and unpleasant as those in humans. You wouldn’t expect your kids to live with the itching and burning would you? So make sure your dog skin rashes don’t go untreated, and keep your best friend happy and healthy.