Protecting your pet from skin conditions that affect their overall health and quality of life
Skin problems are more than an occasional nuisance for many pets. From allergies to external parasites, conditions that affect the health of your dog’s or cat’s skin, fur, and nails can also affect the overall health and quality of your pet’s life. Dermatology services at Bloomfield Animal Hospital in Lakewood, California, protect against, detect, and manage skin conditions to keep your pet their happiest and healthiest.
How do allergies affect a pet’s skin?
Also known as “atopy,” allergies or hypersensitivity reactions arise when pets come into contact with certain triggers or allergens. These irritating substances may produce “classic” symptoms, such as a red rash and potentially overlooked signs. These less obvious signs may include:
- Ear infections that occur with great frequency
- Skin that appears to slough off
- Scaly skin
- Yellow crusting
- Hair loss
- Thick areas and swelling
Conditions like atopic dermatitis (eczema) are also triggered by various environmental allergens and may manifest as the symptoms mentioned above.
How do you treat allergic skin conditions?
The first step is to understand them! Our team’s knowledge and on-site diagnostics help to rule out other conditions that may be mistaken for allergic reactions or sensitivities. Mange, ringworm, and many other common skin conditions in pets manifest in similar ways. An accurate diagnosis can effectively and promptly relieve these symptoms and resolve the underlying condition. We get to the source of the problem. In turn, we help our clients take action by minimizing or eliminating exposure to the specific allergen. Common household allergens include:
- Pollens
- Grasses
- Beef, dairy, chicken, and other food ingredients
- Dust mites, ticks, fleas, and other critters
What happens if I don’t treat my pet?
Your pet deserves to feel comfortable in its skin. Prompt treatment not only supports its happiest, healthiest self but also helps to avoid serious complications associated with skin allergies. These complications include secondary infections caused by intense itching and untreated sores.
How do parasites affect my pet’s skin?
Some pets are sensitive to fleas. They may develop allergies to the fleas’ saliva. Salivary allergens are introduced when the fleas feed on your pets. Fleas, ticks, mites, and other pests may wreak havoc on your pet by causing hot spots, irritation, ear and skin infections, and other problems. You may notice your pet shaking its head or ears a lot or having persistent scratching, licking, and pawing. These conditions may be so bothersome that your pets lose interest in many of the things they love. These conditions can truly take over their lives and, again, may put them at risk of developing secondary infections and other serious complications.
Are these conditions contagious?
Some skin conditions that affect our beloved animal companions are highly contagious. They may be passed from one pet to another quite easily. For example, ringworm isn’t a worm at all. It is a fungal infection that may be spread from animal to animal via contaminated bedding, brushes, and other supplies. These characteristics of some dermatological conditions underscore the importance of regular, preventative care to keep your pet and other household members comfortable and safe.
If your dog or cat is overdue for a wellness visit at Bloomfield Animal Hospital, contact us today. To schedule, call (562) 383-7788. During an appointment, we not only assess for problems with your pet’s skin, hair/fur, and nails but can also establish a healthy, proactive schedule of topicals and other preventives to protect against threats like fleas and ticks.
