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CANINE AND FELINE SKIN CONDITIONS
Our pets can be affected with a variety of skin conditions. These can be represented by skin lumps, redness, thickening, hair loss, as well as a variety of other signs. Your pet may or may not be itchy (pruritic), depending on the duration, severity, and underlying cause of the skin problem.
Skin problems may be broken down into several categories:
- - Hormonal : Thyroid excesses or deficiencies, Cushing’s syndrome, testosterone and estrogen related as well. Blood and urine tests may be used to help rule these out.
- - Parasitic : Fleas, manges (mites), lice, ticks are the most common; others can be involved. Skin scraping samples, microscope slide exams and a variety of special shampoos, dips, or injections may be employed when parasite is a possibility.
- - Allergic: Allergies to food are very itchy and non-seasonal; your pet can even be affected by a food ingredient they have eaten for a long time. Allergies can also be contact, environmental (indoor or outdoor). Combinations of avoidance, new and novel diets, and medications may be used here. Occasionally, allergy tests may be suggested for certain cases.
- - Infection: Bacteria can also play a role in skin problems. The bacteria may be the primary cause, or secondary to another reason. Often antibiotics are used (orally, by injection, or topical shampoos). This can help take bacteria out of the picture and better assess if any other causes are contributing to your pets skin problem.
- - Behavioral: Some cats and dogs can bite or lick as a compulsion or habit.
- - Seborrhea: Oily or dry coat may be the only skin problem your pets may have; however, it may a sign of another underlying condition.
- - Misc.: There are also a variety of other, less common problems that can manifest as skin disease, such as autoimmune, vitamin related, cancer, and yeast to name a few.
- In many cases, a skin condition can be diagnoses upon physical exam, history, breed,
Time of year. In other cases, a few simple tests and medicine trials solve the problem. Occasionally, more extensive tests, such as skin biopsies are used.
The complicating factor in diagnosing skin conditions lies in the fact that often so much self induced skin damage has occurred, that the cause is not readily visible; also often more than one of the above causes can be at work in the same pet. Certain cases take time to work through. Various home medication and diet trials often give us as much information as lab tests. Patience on part of the owner is sometimes needed in chronic, severe, or refractory cases as secondary skin changes over time can cause many conditions to appear the same.
Your pet’s appearance and comfort is very important to us. We will explain the type of tests and reasons they are indicated as the need arises. Results and options will be discussed with the owners, and Dr. Zuczek or the staff will stay in touch to check on your pets progress and answer any questions.
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