skin problems
Skin conditions and itching can be caused by many things: environmental allergies, food intolerances/sensitivities, fleas, and food allergies. Itchy dogs with more than three bowel movements per day are more likely to have an adverse reaction to food.
“Generally speaking, the most important nutrients for skin and coat are essential fatty acids. These are linoleic acid, alpha-linolenic acid and arachidonic acid (cats only). Proper water barrier function of the skin is dependent on the content of linoleic acid. When levels of linoleic acid fall below an animal's requirement, the result is dry scaly skin, assuming there are no other underlying issues (NRC, 2006).” [1]
Other Skin Issues
Lipoma - or Fatty Tumor
Mast Cell Tumors
Skin Tags
Sebaceous Cysts
Sebaceous Adenomas
Warts
Eyelid Tumors
“Skinfold pyoderma. A pyoderma is a bacterial infection of the skin, and, not surprisingly, a skinfold pyoderma is a bacterial infection that takes hold in the folds of a dog’s skin. A fold, which allows two adjacent skin surfaces to touch each other or be very near each other, provides the perfect environment for bacteria to thrive: warm and humid. The bacteria are native to the skin, but when they overgrow in that moist environment, problems start. Along with discharge, there’s often a telltale foul, or musty, odor. Wrinkly breeds like shar peis and English bulldogs are particularly susceptible, but any dog could end up developing skinfold pyoderma in the folds of the lip, the groin, or the “arm” pits. Sometimes it develops in female dogs between the mammary glands if they have had multiple litters. A female dog might also develop the condition above her vulva if she has a congenital condition called a recessed vulva, which means there’s a skinfold right above the tissue on the external part of the vagina. Treatment includes using a medicated skin cleanser on the affected area along with antibiotics, and sometimes surgery. Owners need to keep susceptible areas clean and dry to prevent recurrence.”