Like people, dogs can be allergic to various substances, including plant particles and other substances in the air or substances in food. These substances are called allergens. Allergens are substances that, when inhaled or absorbed through the skin, respiratory tract, or gastrointestinal tract, stimulate the immune system and the release of histamine and other substances. This results in inflammation, signs of which include reddening of the skin (erythema), swelling
Dogs can be born with or may inherit any of several different kinds of skin abnormalities. Most of these conditions are uncommon to rare. Some occur with greater frequency in particular breeds of dogs, as noted below. Some hereditary conditions are present at birth, whereas others can take months to appear.
Congenital Skin Disorders
Epitheliogenesis imperfecta, also called
Successful treatment of skin disorders requires identification of the underlying cause. Not surprisingly, many treatments for skin diseases are applied directly to the skin surface (topically). It may be the preferred method of treatment for some diseases or beneficial in addition to systemic treatment (medications taken by mouth or injected and distributed throughout the body). Examples of products applied directly to the skin include antibiotic ointments, corticost
A precise diagnosis of the causes of a skin disease requires a detailed history, physical examination, and appropriate diagnostic tests. Many skin diseases have similar signs and an immediate diagnosis may not be possible. Based on your dog’s history and the physical examination, your veterinarian may order any of a number of laboratory procedures. These may include microscopic analysis of skin scrapings and hair, cultures of hair or skin swabs, specialized skin test
Dermatitis is a general word for any type of inflammation of the skin. It is the word usually used to describe a skin condition until a specific diagnosis is reached. There are many causes of skin inflammation, including external irritants, burns, allergens, trauma, and infection (bacterial, viral, parasitic, or fungal). Dermatitis can also be associated with internal or body-wide disease.
The skin’s response to insult is generically calle
The skin is the largest organ of your dog’s body. It provides a protective barrier against the environment, regulates temperature, and gives your dog its sense of touch. Depending on the species and age, the skin may be 12 to 24% of a dog’s body weight. The skin has 3 major layers: the epidermis or outermost layer, the dermis or middle layer, and subcutis or innermost layer. Other important parts of the skin include skin appendages (such as hair and claws) and subcut
Transmissible venereal tumors are cancerous tumors of the genitalia in dogs. The tumor cells are passed from dog to dog during breeding. They form cauliflower-like masses that range in size from small (less than 5 millimeters wide) to large (more than 10 centimeters wide). The surface is often ulcerated and inflamed and bleeds easily. The tumors may be single or multiple. Although they are almost always located directly on the genitalia, they may be passed on to the adjacent skin or the
Brucellosis is infection with the bacteria Brucella canis. In dogs, it leads to miscarriage, infection of the sexual organs in males, and infertility. The disease occurs throughout the world, and this species of bacteria primarily affects dogs. It spreads rapidly among closely confined dogs. Infection is transmitted through ingestion of contaminated materials or via sexual transmission. Both sexes appear to be equally susceptible. The primary sign
The frequency of mammary tumors in different species varies tremendously. The dog is by far the most frequently affected domestic species, with a rate that is about 3 times that found in women. About half of all tumors in female dogs are mammary tumors. Approximately 45% of canine mammary tumors are malignant (cancerous).
Mammary glands and tumor, dog
There are many reproductive diseases that can affect female dogs. The most common diseases are discussed in this section.
Abnormal or Difficult Birth (Dystocia)
Many factors can cause a difficult birth (dystocia), including uterine problems, a too-small birth canal, an oversized fetus, or abnormal position of the fetus during birth. Some breeds, such as Boxers, are more likely to have difficult births tha