Skin Infections in Dogs and Effective Prevention Solutions

Skin infections, or dermatitis, are among the most common health issues seen in pets, especially dogs. The early symptoms often include itching, redness, and lesions on the skin in areas such as the eyes, mouth, belly, elbows, and knees.
1. Causes:
  • Unhygienic living conditions: A dirty or damp environment encourages the growth of parasites. Dogs that aren't bathed regularly or do not get enough sun exposure are at a higher risk.
  • Allergies: Dogs may have allergies to food, dust, medication, or soap, which can lead to skin irritation.
  • Infections: Bacterial infections, often from open wounds, or as a complication of other illnesses (such as canine distemper), can cause lesions and eruptions on the skin.
  • Transmission from the mother: Puppies may acquire skin infections from their mother while nursing.
  • Contact with infected dogs: Direct contact with other dogs that have skin infections can lead to the spread of the disease.
2. Symptoms:
  • Hair loss: Dogs often experience hair thinning or bald patches, especially on the face (around the eyes), four legs, and anus.
  • Itching and scratching: Dogs with skin infections often scratch or rub affected areas, causing redness, thickening, and flaking of the skin.
  • Open sores: The affected areas may become ulcerated due to scratching, which can lead to further infection and rapid spread.
  • Pus and foul odor: If untreated, the infection may result in pus discharge. In more severe cases, a yellowish fluid may leak from the sores, and the dog may develop a strong, unpleasant odor.
3. Treatment:
  • Check for external parasites: Inspect the dog’s coat carefully to check for parasites like fleas, ticks, mites, or dandruff. If parasites are found, treat the dog with appropriate anti-parasitic treatments.
  • Shaving the affected area: If no parasites are found but the skin remains rough and irritated, shave the infected area to expose the skin. This will allow you to clean the area properly and prevent the infection from spreading.
  • Clean the infection site: Use a cotton ball soaked in antiseptic solutions (such as iodine, 70% alcohol, or hydrogen peroxide) to gently clean the infected area. Be sure to clean only the infected patches—avoid using the antiseptic all over the skin to prevent further spreading of pus.
  • Medications: In some cases, medications such as Vimectin 0.1% or Bivermectin 0.1% may be prescribed for oral administration or injection to treat the infection. Always follow the dosage instructions carefully.
Note: Certain breeds (like Collies, Australian Shepherds, Bobtails, Shetland Sheepdogs, and Long-haired Whippets) may be sensitive to Bivermectin, so avoid using this medication for those dogs.
Antifungal treatments: If the infection is fungal in nature (e.g., mange), apply topical antifungal medications as directed by your vet.