The scabs on the dog's skin always indicate that his he alth is being affected by a certain cause. In this article on our site we will review the most common causes of the production of scabs in the dog's dermis and we will detail the main symptoms of each one. Keep reading, discover with us why your dog has scabs on the skin and, once the reason has been identified, don't hesitate to go to the specialist to start the best treatment.
To identify the cause, examine the scabs
A scab on the dog's skin in a certain area can be synonymous with a wound caused by excessive scratching, a blow or a bite from another animal, while several scabs indicate that the problem that causes is much more serious. Therefore, analyzing the appearance of the scabs, size and proximity between them is one of the previous steps that must be done to find out why the dog has scabs on the skin. As well as, pay attention to the behavior of the dog, observe if it shows signs of pain, has changed its character or has lost its appetite. Here are the most common causes, related symptoms, and possible solutions.
Dermatitis, the main cause of scabs on the dog's skin
Without a doubt, one of the main causes of scabs on the dog's skin is dermatitis. Of all the types of dermatitis that exist, two stand out above the rest for producing this anomaly in the animal's dermis: atopic dermatitis and seborrheic dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis
atopic dermatitis is a skin condition that not only affects humans, but can also manifest itself in animals. Although its exact cause is unknown, specialists point out that it is an intermittent skin disease, which appears in the presence of certain irritating agents for the skin and usually shows the first symptoms between 3 and 6 months of age, although an adult specimen can also develop it.
In general, it usually produces an intense itching in the dog, which translates into frequent scratching, wounds and the consequent scabs on the skin. Likewise, a clear reddening of certain areas of the animal's skin and even hair loss is observed.
Canine atopic dermatitis has no cure, however, with proper care it is possible to alleviate the symptoms to the point of almost completely eliminating them. It is recommended to adapt the dog's diet and opt for a feed rich in omega 3 fatty acids and linoleic acid, essential to keep the skin and coat in perfect condition. The Atopic Care feed from the Advance Veterinary Diets brand by Affinity has all these characteristics, since it has been manufactured to alleviate the symptoms of this and other inflammatory problems of the dog's skin. And to ensure further relief, the dog's skin barrier can also be strengthened with Affinity's Advance Veterinary Diets brand DermaForte supplements. In addition, the use of a special shampoo for atopic skin stands out, with aloe vera as the main component due to its healing and soothing properties. These properties can be found in the Atopic Care shampoo from the Advance Veterinary Diets brand by Affinity, a product specially designed to treat this type of condition and scientifically proven. Of course, it is essential to identify the irritating agent to avoid it, the most common being pollen, mites, chemicals in cleaning products or certain foods that cause allergies in dogs.
Seborrheic dermatitis
Seborrheic dermatitis, also known as canine seborrhea, is another very common skin condition in dogs, which mainly affects the areas of the face, legs and torso. This type of dermatitis occurs as a result of the excessive creation of sebum by the sebaceous glands. This fact is reflected in the appearance of yellowish or whitish scales attached to the fur, in small scabs on the dog's skin as a result of constant scratching and in an odor body stronger than usual or unpleasant. It is a hereditary disease, which can be exacerbated by stress, poor diet, excessive bathing or the use of an inappropriate shampoo. As with the previous condition, there is no cure and its main treatment consists of using an anti-seborrheic soap, as well as reviewing the dog's diet and adapting it following the instructions of the veterinarian.
Mange, another cause of dog skin scabs and hair loss
Canine scabies is a type of skin infection caused by mites that settle on the animal's skin to feed on the keratin and the sebum of it, reproducing rapidly and distributing itself over large areas of its body. Although there are several types of mange, the most common in dogs are demodectic mange and sarcoptic mange. The first of them can be localized, acting mainly on the head, or generalized, while the second in most cases appears on the torso and legs.
In both types of scabies, the dog presents intense itching in the first stage of the disease, which translates into frequent scratching and reddening of the skin. As the pathology progresses, a hardening of the skin is observed, to the point of visualizing cracks in it and notable scabsLikewise, it produces a partial or total loss of fur in the affected area, bad smell and weight loss.
Canine Leishmania
Canine leishmania, also known as leishmaniosis or leishmaniasis, is a chronic pathology that has no cure, and whose treatment is based on relief of symptoms to improve the patient's quality of life. When infected, the dog experiences an incubation period that can last from three to 18 months, and begins to show the first symptoms once this stage is over. In general, the dog suffers from localized hair loss, with the legs, head and tail being the most affected parts, as well as considerable weight loss, thickening of the skin, wounds and scabs.
As we said, there is no cure for this condition, however, it is possible to ensure a good quality of life through maintenance treatment prescribed by the veterinarian. Leishmaniasis feed from Advance Veterinary Diets by Affinity is a complete and balanced canine diet, formulated for recovery and nutritional support for the pharmacological treatment of dogs with this pathology.
Fungal infection
There are several causes that can cause a topical fungal infection, such as prolonged exposure to humid environments, excessive baths, diseases immunosuppressants, contact with other infected animals or hypersensitivity against environmental allergens. Once the dog has been infected, it will present frequent scratching as a result of intense itching, hair loss from the areas affected by the fungus, skin inflammation, redness, dandruff and scabs. In general, when it comes to fungus the scabs on the dog's skin have a rounded shape and are found in localized areas.
Skin ulcers as a symptom of disease
Skin ulcers appear as a result of certain pathologies, so if this is the cause that explains why the dog has scabs on the skin, it is essential to go to the vet as soon as possible. Before naming the most common diseases that present them, we define an ulcer as an open skin lesion, inflamed, with pus secretion or loss of other substances. If it has gone unnoticed, over time it can show up as a scab on the dog's skin, with some moisture, or just scab over the edges of the ulcer.
The most common conditions or diseases that cause ulcers are the following:
- Burns
- Irritating chemicals
- Pyoderma
- Scabies
- Mushrooms
- Skin cancer
Canine pyoderma
In relation to the previous point, since canine pyoderma is one of the main causes of ulcers and, therefore, of scabs on the dog's skin, it could not be missing from this list. It is a bacterial skin disease that, in general, appears as a simple infection, caused by flea infestation, or complex, produced as a consequence of another pathology or disorder, such as seborrheic symptoms, hypersensitivity of the skin to allergens or leishmaniasis.
As it is a condition caused by bacteria, its proliferation occurs at great speed, and can affect any part of the animal's body, the most common being the areas of the head, torso and legs. paws. Thus, the main symptoms of canine pyoderma are intense itching, redness of the skin, inflammation, wounds, and scabs. If the necessary attention is not paid, the wounds caused tend to worsen and present areas with impressive scabs and purulent or bleeding lesions.
A poor diet or inadequate hygiene
Not all the causes that explain why a dog has scabs on the skin are related to the development of diseases, since sometimes the reason is much simpler and is found in the daily habits of the animal. In this sense, quality food is the basis of a he althy life and a strong immune system. If the dog follows a diet poor in protein, vitamins and essential acids, it will be reflected in the state of its fur and skin, showing a dull, rough coat, and a dry, cracked or crusted dermis. Thus, it is recommended to pay attention to the composition of the feed to choose one that meets the specific needs of the dog in question or, if a homemade diet is followed, consult the veterinarian to offer a balanced diet.
On the other hand, as we have seen in previous sections, inadequate hygiene can lead to the development of pathologies that trigger scabs on the dog's skin, among other symptoms. Within the term "inappropriate", the following habits are found:
- Bathe the dog excessively. The ideal is to bathe the dog every month or month and a half, or do it when it is really dirty.
- Using the wrong shampoo In cases of dermatitis or skin disorders, the use of ordinary shampoo can lead to aggravation of the problem, worsening the clinical picture. Therefore, the condition of the animal's skin should be carefully reviewed to recognize any signs and go to the specialist.
- Using an inappropriate brush Depending on the type of dog's hair, one brush or another should be used, so using one intended for another dog can end up causing skin injuries. Likewise, the coat should always be brushed in favor of the hair.
Finally, it is worth noting the importance of making regular visits to the veterinarian to identify any anomaly and be able to treat it in time, as well as seeing a specialist in the event of any symptom or anomaly.
