Symmetrical - hair loss on opposite sides of the body.Regional - alopecia that occurs in one region of the body such as a single leg.Multi-focal - several small circular patches.

The key to understanding which condition your dog is suffering from is to do your best to match the characteristics of each cause with the symptoms exhibited by your dog.Īlopecia (hair loss): occurs in four patterns. Identifying canine skin diseases and conditions can be difficult since there are many causes. Secondary dog skin issues occur when a disease progresses or from a self-injury such as itching or scratching as is common with dog skin allergy. Primary skin lesions are caused by a specific disease. Your vet will try and determine if a dog skin problem is primary or secondary. Treatment for dog skin conditions involve keeping the skin clean and treating the underlying cause such as bacterial infection or parasites. Other symptoms which accompany dog skin problems such as severe hair loss and excessive panting could indicate an underlying disorder such as an endocrine disease such as hyperadrenocorticism or Cushing's Disease. Mange, a parasitic condition that causes patches of baldness, is the next leading cause and is primarily seen in puppies. Dog flea allergy is the leading cause of skin problems, followed by other types of allergies such as environmental dog allergies ( atopy) and dog food allergy. Flea allergy is the leading cause of problems, and is often present even when there are no signs of fleas in the home.'ĭog Skin Problem Picture Dog Skin Allergy Source: WSU Veterinary School Start Here: How to Diagnose Dog Skin ProblemsĪ veterinarian will attempt to narrow the list of possible causes by taking a thorough history along with a physical exam and diagnostic lab tests.

For adult dogs, diagnosis of dog skin diseases are based on the appearance of the skin and if any other symptoms exist. Puppies should always be diagnosed by a veterinarian since a dull coat and hair indicates a case of dog worms.ĭemodicosis mange is also seen in puppies just after being born. If dog skin itch or scratching causes redness, hair loss (alopecia) or an interruption of your dog's normal routine, such as stopping in the middle of play to chew on the skin, then it's smart to visit a veterinarian for a definitive diagnosis and prescription medication.

If your dog is suffering from mild discomfort, then home treatment such as medicated shampoo therapy to eliminate itch and scratching is worth a try. 'There is a long list of canine skin diseases and conditions that need to be considered before diagnosing any problem (see below for pictures and descriptions).

Dog road rash