How do you get rid of food allergies in dogs
Hot Spot Treatments and Prevention on Dogs
Hot spots are one of the most common skin conditions in dogs, particularly in the summer months. These painful, oozing sores can appear seemingly out of nowhere and often spread rapidly. While they are frustrating to deal with, this common condition can be aided by hot spot treatments, and even prevented with the right management of your dogs skin and coat.
What Are Hot Spots on Dogs?
Also known as acute moist dermatitis, hot spots in dogs are localized areas of skin inflammation and bacterial infection. Often a hot spot on a dog will begin as a small red area on the skin that owners may mistake for an insect bite. Unlike an insect bite, a hot spot on your dog will rapidly worsen and spread, developing into a hot, red, oozing, and painful lesion.
What Causes Hot Spots on Dogs?
Hot spots on dogs are often triggered by scratching, licking, or chewing the affected area of skin. The resulting trauma to the dogs skin causes inflammation and secondary bacterial infections. Unfortunately, this self-trauma only makes the area more irritated and itchier, which causes a self-perpetuating cycle of itching and scratching. Thus, any condition that causes your dog to feel itchy has the potential to result in a hot spot. Common causes of the itching/scratching cycle in dogs include:
Many of these conditions are chronic problems in dogs that can lead to recurring hot spots if they are not appropriately managed. Identifying and addressing the underlying cause of your dogs hot spot is one of the most important factors in preventing future skin problems.
Some breeds such as Golden Retrievers, St. Bernards, German Shepherd Dogs, Labrador Retrievers, and Rottweilers are predisposed to developing hot spots due to their thicker coats. Hot spots are also more likely to occur during warm weather and periods of high humidity. Dogs that are frequently wet from swimming, bathing, or inclement weather are more prone to developing hot spots due to the excess moisture held against the skin by their coats.
Symptoms of Hot Spots in Dogs
Many skin conditions have similar symptoms to hot spots, so it is important to consult your veterinarian if you are concerned about your dog and think they may have a hot spot that needs treatment. Hot spots are typically well-defined areas of redness, swelling, and hair loss. They can occur anywhere on a dogs body, but are most commonly seen on the head, limbs, and hips. The affected area is moist and may discharge pus or fluid, which can lead to crusting and matting of the surrounding fur or hair. Hot spots on dogs are painful and very itchy, and will rapidly grow as the dogs scratching continues to traumatize the area.
Treatment for Hot Spots in Dogs
If you suspect your dog may have a hot spot, the first step is to consult your veterinarian. While it may be tempting to wait for your dogs hot spot to resolve on its own, delaying treatment will only make the problem worse. In order to treat a hot spot effectively and prevent it from recurring, your veterinarian will need to determine the underlying cause of the irritation. They will perform a full physical examination on your dog, and may recommend additional diagnostic testing, like a skin scrape, to look for parasites. Once the underlying cause of your dogs itching has been diagnosed, your veterinarian will explain the best treatment to help resolve your dogs hot spot.
Treatment for hot spots in dogs typically involves some combination of the following:
Fortunately, once your veterinarian has initiated treatment for the hot spot on your dog, most dogs improve rapidly. In many cases, the hot spot resolves in as little as three to seven days after the start of treatment.
Preventing Hot Spots in Dogs
The best way to prevent additional hot spots from occurring is to identify and address the underlying cause of your dogs itching. Good parasite prevention for dogs, treatment of skin infections, and management of allergies are essential to prevent dogs from starting to scratch and, as a result, prevent trauma to the skin. Good hygiene and routine dog grooming can also help. For dogs that swim or are frequently bathed, it is also important to ensure their coats are thoroughly dry after each session.
If your dog is licking due to stress or boredom,increasing daily exercise and engaging in active play time can help your dog use up that excess energy. Using brain games and enrichment like puzzle toys or slow-feed bowls is a great way to keep dogs mentally stimulated, even if you cant be there to play with them. Your dog will love the additional activity and will be healthier too.
Supplementing fatty acids is another option to prevent and manage skin disease in dogs. The critical omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA are found in fish oil for dogs. These fatty acids not only have anti-inflammatory properties, but they also help promote a healthy skin barrier, making your dog less susceptible to allergens and infection. A small amount of topical aloe vera gel directly from an aloe vera plant can help soothe damaged skin and decrease itching on your dogs skin, but dont use a commercial aloe vera gel made for your human skin on your dog. You can find soothing aloe vera skin spray for dogs thats formulated to be safe if they should lick it.
Hot spots are an itchy and painful problem for your dog and may become a recurring issue if the underlying condition isnt treated. Fortunately, with good management, your dogs hot spot should resolve quickly and will not result in any permanent damage.
Yeast Infections in Dogs
What Are Yeast Infections in Dogs?
Does your dog frantically itch their skin? Have you noticed a bad smell or greasy fur when you pet them?
If so, they may have a yeast infection.
Yeast are fungal organisms that normally live on a dogs skin without causing problems. However, when a dogs immune system weakens or an underlying health condition, such as hypothyroidism, is present, yeast can overgrow and cause an infection.
The yeast that commonly causes skin infections in dogs is Malassezia, which grows on warm, moist areas of the skin. Yeast infections cause extreme itchiness and changes to the skin, such as thickening and discoloration over time.
Yeast infections in dogs are common among pups of all ages.
While yeast infections in dogs are not considered medical emergencies, they should be treated by a veterinarian immediately to prevent symptoms from worsening. If left untreated, yeast infections can cause extreme discomfort, which can lead to a decreased appetite and lethargy, necessitating prompt veterinary care.
Because yeast infections typically develop secondary to an underlying illness or suppressed immune system, they are not contagious among dogs or to pet parents.
Types of Yeast Infections in Dogs
Yeast infections can affect various areas of the skin, including the ears, skin folds, paws, armpits, vulva, and groin.
EarsYeast infections of the earalso referred to as yeast otitiscause a thick, brown discharge and strong odor in the ear canal. Affected dogs repeatedly scratch their ears to try to relieve the discomfort. They may also shake their heads and develop a head tilt. Ear infections are commonly related to food allergies.
SkinYeast dermatitis refers to a yeast infection anywhere on the skin. Affected dogs have a musty odor, greasy coat, flaky or thickened skin, and hair loss. They tend to lick the affected areas of the body, which leads to brown discoloration of the skin over time.
Dermatitis, which is often due to allergies or a suppressed immune system, can affecta dogs skin folds, armpits, vulva, and groin.
PawsYeast infections that affect the paws are generally related to environmental allergies, such as allergies to grass or pollen. Dogs constantly chew or lick their itchy paws, which leads to brown discoloration between the paw pads. Over time, open sores can develop on the paws.
Symptoms of Yeast Infections in Dogs
Signs of yeast infections in dogs can vary depending on what area of the body is affected.
Symptoms of yeast otitis may include:
Symptoms of yeast dermatitis may include:
Itchy skin
Small, red bumps on the skin
Brown discoloration of the skin
Frequent licking or chewing of the affected area
Greasy hair coat
Thickened skin
Strong odor
Symptoms of a yeast infection affecting the paws may include:
Licking and chewing the paws
Brown discoloration of the skin and fur
Red, moist areas between the paw pads
Causes of Yeast Infections in Dogs
Yeast is opportunistic, which means that although it is naturally present on the skin, it can cause an infection when conditions are favorable.
Yeast infections in dogs can develop if a pup has a weak immune system or an underlying health condition. Underlying environmental or food allergies can predispose dogs to developing yeast infections.
Skin parasites, including fleas and mites, can cause dogs to repeatedly itch their skin, which disrupts the normal skin barrier, making an infection more likely.
Some breedssuch as Pit Bulls, Boxers, and Cocker Spanielsare more frequently affected by yeast infections.
How Veterinarians Diagnose Yeast Infections in Dogs
A vet may use several tests to diagnose a yeast infections in dogs.
First, they will gather a through medical history, including when the symptoms started, if your pet is taking any medications, and if they have previously been diagnosed with any health conditions.
Next, your veterinarian will perform a full physical exam to check your dogs overall health. They may also perform blood work to check for any abnormalities.
Additional tests will depend on what your veterinarian finds during the initial exam, but may include the following:
Tape impressionDuring this test, your vet presses a piece of clear tape to the affected area of skin to collect a sample. Its then stained and examined under a microscope to identify yeast.
CytologyA cotton swab is used to collect a sample from the affected area, and it is then rubbed gently onto a microscope slide. The sample is then stained and examined under a microscope to look for yeast.
CultureA sterile cotton swab is used to collect a sample from the affected area. It is then sent to a lab to identify the type of organism present.
Skin biopsyFor chronic infections or those that are unresponsive to treatment, a small sample of skin can be taken and sent to a lab for a more accurate diagnosis.
Treatment of Yeast Infections in Dogs
Treatment for yeast infections in dogs will depend on the location and severity of the infection. Yeast dermatitis is often treated with antifungal medications and prescription shampoos.
If the infection affects only one area, a topical medication may be all that is needed. For more widespread infections, oral medications and frequent bathing can help resolve the issue.
Yeast otitis is typically treated with topical antifungal medications and steroids to reduce inflammation. Your veterinarian may recommend that you use a medicated ear wash prior to instilling ear medications.
Paw yeast infections may benefit from medicated antifungal wipes and oral medications, including antifungals and steroids.
Recovery and Management of Yeast Infections in Dogs
Because yeast infections in dogs often develop secondary to another health condition, they will not resolve without veterinary treatment.
Determining the underlying cause of the yeast infection and treating it accordingly improves treatment success. For example, if your dog has an underlying food allergy, an accurate diagnosis and treatment can help their skin improve.
It can take a few weeks to a few months for a yeast infection to fully resolve, depending on the severity. Most dogs start to feel relief from their symptoms in a week or two, but it can take several additional weeks for a pet parent to notice significant improvement to their skin and coat.
Prevention of Yeast Infections in Dogs
Ensuring your dog receives regular preventive care and vaccinations keeps them healthy and less likely to develop infections.
Additionally, health conditions that can lead to yeast infections in dogs can be caught and managed early during routine wellness visits.
Yeast Infections in Dogs FAQs
What food causes yeast infections in dogs?
Most of the food ingredients that cause allergies in dogs are proteins. Chicken is the most common food allergen related to yeast infections.
What happens if dog yeast infections go untreated?
If a dogs yeast infection is left untreated, it will progressively worsen and lead to extreme discomfort. Over time, the discomfort can cause the dog to become very sick.
What should I feed my dog when they have a yeast infection?
Unless the yeast infection is due to an underlying food allergy, its generally fine to continue your dogs usual diet. However, it is best to follow your veterinarians recommendations when deciding what to feed your dog.
Featured Image:SerhiiBobyk/iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images
WRITTEN BY
Brittany Kleszynski, DVMVeterinarian
Dr. Brittany Kleszynski is a veterinarian and freelance medical writer who specializes in creating meaningful content that engages readers...
