Pet Health: Common Pet Skin Issues & How to Treat Them

Pet Health By Dr. Scot Trefz, D.V.M.
Bay Moorings Animal Hospital • Dr. Scot Trefz, D.V.M., Medical Director & Owner • 727-867-0118 •  3695 50th Ave South, St. Petersburg, FL 33711
www.baymooringsanimalhospital.com
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Common Pet Skin Issues & How to Treat Them

FLEA BITE DERMATITIS

Fleas will feed on any warm-blooded mammal. Flea symptoms include round, red bumps on the skin, hot spots, scabs, and hair loss. You may be able to see fleas on your pet’s coat. Flea “dirt” is a telltale sign of an infestation. That dirt that looks like black or brown flecks in the fur is flea feces! Your pet rabbit, ferret, hamster, gerbil, or guinea pig may have them too.

Treatment: Flea collars, sprays, baths, and ointments can kill fleas. Before using any flea product on a young, old, sick, or small animal, check with your veterinarian first. Some products and treatments may be toxic for these pets. Prescription chews, pills, and topical treatments kill mature fleas and larvae and should be used year-round to prevent flea infestations.


RINGWORM

Ringworm is a fungal infection that causes raised, red rings on the skin. Other signs 

include a circular pattern of hair loss, dandruff, and scaly, thick or crusty skin. Ringworm can be transmitted between people and pets. If your pet has ringworm, wash your hands after touching them and wash their bedding, dishes, brushes, and combs frequently.

Treatment: Creams, ointments, and medicated shampoo with and may be combined with oral anti-fungal medication.


ALLERGIC OR NUTRITIONAL DERMATITIS

Pets can suffer from allergies too. Red, blistered, thick skin along with hair loss can be a sign that your pet has allergic dermatitis. This condition tends to make pets extremely uncomfortable. 

They ease the itch by scratching, rubbing against furniture or carpeting, biting and licking their skin. Your pet may be allergic to pollen, ragweed, dust mites, mold, or other airborne allergens and can be allergic to food ingredients. Allergies can develop at any time in your pet’s life. 

Treatment: Treatment for dermatitis depends on the cause but may include immunotherapy, change in diet, antihistamines, medicated shampoo,soothing topical medication, corticosteroids to decrease itching and inflammation, or antibiotics or antifungal medication to treat infections that occur with frequent scratching or licking.


SCABIES

Scabies (sarcoptic mange) occurs when tiny microscopic mites reside in your pet’s skin. Signs of scabies are severe itching, rashes, red or flaky skin, and patchy hair loss. Mites cannot reproduce on human skin, so the condition is less serious in people. 

Treatment: Your veterinarian can prescribe topical medications, injections, shampoos, antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medication.

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