Chronic skin diseases are common in pets. These skin infections include allergic, bacterial, fungal, hormonal, and parasitic diseases. All these have one common symptom – itching. The persistence of pets in scratching often leads to skin damage through self-mutilation.

Types of Infection:

• Parasitic Skin Diseases – Fleas, mites, lice and ticks are the most common parasitic organisms that can cause skin diseases in pets. Not only do these parasites cause skin problems but also irritation which leads the pet to self-mutilation. Sarcoptic mange triggers the intense skin itch, hair loss and skin crusting. A pet’s abdomen, chest, ears, and front legs are affected areas.

In demodectic mange there redness and scaling of the skin, and also the occurrence of loss of hair in circular patches appearing to be ‘ringworms.’ Although some cases may be generalized, there are also local affected areas such as the face and front legs.

Cases of Mange are treated by extracting the areas affected and by applying antiseptic. Weekly or biweekly anti-mite dips with shampoos are also helpful for several months. Remember to pay extra care to the pet’s eyes in dipping. Before dipping, they should be covered with eye ointment or mineral oil and the ears be protected with cotton.

Proper treatment for ear mites can be done by frequent visits to your veterinarian who may prescribe cleansing treatment for your pet’s ears. After this, home treatments such as ointments or special solutions to eliminate the mites may well be applied.

• Bacterial Skin Infections – In the early stages of this infection, itchy skin and yellow pustules are the common symptoms, and there is apparent redness of the skin. As the skin condition prolongs, dry and crusted areas become visible coupled with hair loss in local areas (lesions) and the presence odor.
General infection may be involved, but usually it is isolated to the trunk of the pet’s body. The chin is also a common body part where symptoms may appear. This condition, also known as chin acne, is a penetrating bacterial infection.

Initially, treatments include hair removal in areas surrounding the lesions, application of antibiotic shampoos such as benzoyl peroxide and antibiotic ointments. These antibiotics are to be given orally for 3-4 weeks. Bandages and protective collars are helpful in preventing the pet from further damaging the lesions.

There should also be maintenance of antibiotic ointment, antiseptic shampooing, and administering home antibiotics.

• Fungal Infections - Ringworms are usually visible in young dogs. The fungus dwells on hairs, dead skin tissues, and nails. Loss of hair is usually present in round patches. If there happens to be a second infection, the core of the patches may dry up and crusts may appearance. Ringworms affect the head and the legs of the pet, although there is also the risk of spreading the disease over other parts of the pet’s body if left untreated.
The hair surrounding the affected areas is clipped during treatment, and special fungicidal shampoos are applied when bathing the pet. Mandatory systemics and Topical lime sulfur should be maintained.