Dermatitis in dogs is an allergy condition that affects a dog’s skin. While it’s not life threatening, it is highly uncomfortable, and can lead to associated health risks.
In this article, we’ll cover the different causes of dermatitis in dogs, common signs, and possible treatment plans. As always, it’s best to get the input from your dog’s vet about how to address dermatitis. But when you know more about the condition, you’ll be able to make observations that will help your vet put together a plan!
What is dermatitis in dogs?
If you were to dive into the scientific literature on dermatitis in dogs, you might feel overwhelmed by the jargon. Atopic, pruritic, glucocorticoids—the vocabulary alone can be confusing.
But essentially, dermatitis is an allergic reaction to food, surfaces or plants that they come into contact with, or something in the air. Dogs may also be prone to flea dermatitis, which is when an allergic reaction happens in response to flea bites. The trigger causes your dog’s immune system to go into overdrive, causing itchy (pruritic) skin, redness, and sometimes a yeast-like odour.
If your dog is suffering from dermatitis, you might notice your dog licking, chewing, biting, or scratching at various areas of their body, especially their face, ears, feet and armpits. Symptoms of flea dermatitis are most common in the groin, tail, and back legs.
Unfortunately, untreated dermatitis in dogs can also lead to other complications, such as hair loss or infection from excessive scratching.
What are the common triggers for dermatitis?
The list of potential triggers can vary from dog to dog, but the most common factors include:
- Pollen
- Dust
- Household mould
- Dander from other animals
- Contact with grass or underbrush
- An ingredient in their diet
Given that many of the triggers for dermatitis in dogs are seasonal, you can also expect an increase of symptoms at certain times of the year.
Is there a hereditary component to dermatitis in dogs?
Atopic means that there is a genetic component to the condition, and dermatitis in dogs is typically inherited. Exactly when atopic dermatitis will develop can vary, but symptoms typically appear within the first three years.
Some of the dogs at highest risk for dermatitis include the West Highland White Terrier, Boxer, Bull Terrier, German Shepherd, Labrador Retriever, and Golden Retriever.
That said, all dogs can develop atopic dermatitis, so it’s a good idea to know the signs and talk to your vet about any skin discomfort.
Can dermatitis in dogs be cured?
There is no cure for dermatitis in dogs, but your vet can prescribe a range of treatment options to help manage allergic reactions and soothe symptoms.
The first step will be a proper diagnosis. With the use of clinical tests and the information that you can provide about potential triggers, your vet will get a better understanding of what’s causing the dermatitis. From there, they’ll be able to suggest behavioural changes and possible medical treatments.
Hyposensitisation therapy is one option for treating dermatitis in dogs which involves injecting your pup with the triggering allergens in small doses. While effective, this treatment plan can take months of regular visits.
Medications may also be effective, and your vet will suggest the ones that are most appropriate for your dog’s allergy triggers. These may include antihistamines, immunosuppressive medications, or medicated shampoos.
Helping your dog live comfortably with dermatitis
In addition to the specific steps that your vet recommends, there are a few simple things that you can do to make life more comfortable for your dog:
- When cleaning the house, take your dog out of the room.
- Replace or clean your home air filters, as needed.
- Wash your dog’s bedding and toys regularly.
- Stay up-to-date on your dog’s flea prevention.
- Avoid long grasses and open fields where there are pollen-producing plants. Because of wind patterns, you may not be able to avoid pollen completely, but you and your local Pet Sitter can avoid places where the pollen concentration is highest.
- Keep your pup inside the car while driving.
- Trim your dog’s nails regularly to lower the risk of injury while scratching, and make sure to disinfect any broken skin to prevent infection.
- If your dog’s dermatitis is food-related, opt for food companies who are transparent about their ingredient list.
- Stick with some indoor activities when it’s raining. Contrary to popular belief, rain can exacerbate allergies by breaking up and dispersing pollen clusters.
- After every outing, wipe down your pup’s paws. They’ll be tracking in those pesky allergens in their toe fluff.
Overall, dermatitis in dogs can be well-managed
While your dog’s dermatitis may never go away completely, your commitment to their treatment plan will make a huge difference. With some simple lifestyle changes and the advice from your vet, your pup can be healthy and comfortable.
And the more you know about dermatitis in dogs, the better you can track and treat this irritating condition!
