Skin problems in animals
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Also known as scabies in horses, mange is a skin disease caused by the infestation of mites. It is a disease which is most associated with dogs. This is because the specific mite that causes sarcoptic mange in animals is Sarcoptes scabiei var. canis, a mite of the genus Sarcoptes which is highly contagious....
Cutaneous histiocytoma is a tumor that frequently occurs in young dogs less than 4 years of age. It is a tumor that appears in the form of reddish hairless nodules, generally in the head and neck area. Once they appear, the lesions grow rapidly, often causing great concern for caregivers. Despite their threatening...
Sebaceous cysts in dogs are benign lesions that frequently appear on the skin, especially in older animals. They are cavities surrounded by epithelium tissue that contains the fatty secretion of a sebaceous gland. Sebaceous cysts on dogs can look both painful and potentially harmful, but they are a...
Pododermatitis, commonly referred to as Fur Pad Dermatitis (FPD), is a condition that affects rabbits, primarily manifesting in the sensitive paw pads on their feet. This ailment is characterized by inflammation and dermatitis, often stemming from a combination of factors such as pressure, poor bedding,...
Commonly known as puppy strangles, juvenile cellulitis is a disease that is characterized by producing severe inflammation of the skin and lymph nodes of dogs. It is a rare, immune-mediated disease of unknown origin. Despite our lack of understanding concerning its causes, there are effective treatments...
Ear disorders are a common reason for consultation in veterinary clinics. We often first see there is a problem by repeated scratching of the area, something which can exacerbate the problem by causing trauma from the dog's nails or introducing secondary bacteria. The initial agitation is often due to...
Also known as otohematomas, aural hematomas are an accumulation of bloody fluid in the ear. Specifically, the blood accumulates between the cartilage of the ear and the skin causing inflammation. There are various causes of feline aural hematoma, both primary and secondary. For example, a primary cause...
Petting our cat is not only an enjoyable experience for both animal and guardian, it is an important practical resource in caring for our cat's well-being. It allows us to enrich the emotional bond we have with our cat and it provides the opportunity for observing certain clinical symptoms. A subcutaneous...
There are various reasons why a cat may have scabs on their skin, so we need to look at the larger clinical picture to understand which one is affecting our cat. This includes the size, extent and purulence of the scabs, among others. Another important factor is their location. For example, if we see...
Feline solar dermatitis is a pathology of the skin of our cats that arises as a result of frequent or continuous exposure to the sun. Also known as actinic dermatitis, it is especially prevalent in white cats and in those areas with less hair. The most affected area is the head, specifically the ears, eyes...
Dogs are known for their sensitive ears. While the size, shape and texture of these ears can vary greatly according to the individual dog, they all serve the same purpose. Not only do dogs use their ears to hear, but they are very important in maintaining balance. Any pathologies or other medical conditions...
It is difficult to overstate the importance of proper footcare in our dogs. The skin on the plantar area of the paw pads is both resistant and sensitive. As dogs move, their paws come in contact with the ground which can be of various textures and materials. The paw pad itself is made up of fatty tissue...
A cat's wound should start to heal as soon as it occurs. The healing process is a part of the feline's natural defenses which is vital to sustain life after trauma and other threats to their health. While healing is something we often take for granted, for a cat's wound to heal properly many different processes...
Wound healing is a process which is affected by various factors. A serious of macroscopic, microscopic and molecular events need to occur for a dog's wound to heal properly. Tissue regeneration is a marvelous process which helps organisms survive, but is often a more delicate process than we would like...
Feline atopic dermatitis is a type of allergic response. When a cat has a hypersensitivity to a particular environmental allergen, they body reacts in an exaggerated way. These allergens can include dusts, mites, pollen or other common environmental stimuli. These allergens do not affect those without...
For many cats, it is normal to have a thinner patch of hair in the area between their eyes and the base of their ears. As with humans, it is also common for parts of their coat to become thinner as they age. Unlike humans, most cats have hair all over their body. Despite this fact, the area above the...
Warts may be easier to see on human skin, but cats are also susceptible to them. As with humans, warts on cats can have various underlying causes. They are generally benign skin growths, but the types of warts cats can develop are specific to the species. Many are related to the feline papillomavirus, but...
Calcinosis cutis is a disorder characterized by the lesions of calcium salts in the skin. The result is the appearance of hard nodules or crusted plaques. In the canine medicine, it usually appears in individuals with Cushing's syndrome or those subjected to prolonged treatment with corticosteroids. There...
While swelling and redness of a dog's paws can be observed, it is common for guardians to be first aware of this problem when we notice our dog keeps licking their paws. Whatever the underlying cause, if there is swelling and redness it is likely to be irritating for the dog. Licking their paws is a...
Panniculitis is an inflammatory process that affects adipose tissue, the tissue we associate with body fat. It has multiple causes, both infectious and non-infectious. There are also many cases of idiopathic panniculitis in dogs where the etiology is unknown. The main clinical sign associated with panniculitis...
Ichthyosis is a skin disease that is known for its hardening of the skin. This seborrheic condition causes grey scales to appear, but it can result in secondary infections, blisters, onychogryphosis and hyperkeratosis.
It is a fortunately rare disease, but it does affect puppies more than adult dogs....
When your dog drags their butt against the floor, it can often be a very humorous sight. They sit down, raise their back legs and pull themselves along with their front paws. The pose they create and the often-strained face they make when doing so add to the picture. If this is a one-off experience, then...
It is common for caregivers to panic when they detect a lump on any part of a cat's body. Some ignore it for fear that it is some kind of skin cancer, but the truth is that not all lumps are synonymous with cancer. In any case, lumps can be curable so the soonest possible detection and treatment is essential.
In...
When kittens are born, they are not the same color they will be when they become adult. Even their eyes are not usually the same since all cats are born with blue eyes. Only later will different pigments develop. However, after 12 to 18 months most cats should be the color they will be for the rest of their...
We may not feel our dog's paws very often. Not only do we prefer to pet them on their fur, but generally dog's do not like their paws to be touched. However, it is very important we check on them regularly as injuries to their paws can cause pain, mobility issues and other problems. The skin on our...
Although rare, cats can suffer from autoimmune skin diseases which includes pemphigus foliaceus, pemphigus vulgaris, pemphigus erythematosus and paraneoplastic pemphigus.
In this AnimalWised article we're going to talk about autoimmune skin disease in cats, including the different types of pemphigus...
There is a key difference between a cat having floppy ears and a cat having one floppy ear. In the case of the former, the reason is likely due to their breed. Some cat breeds have been specially bred to promote ear shapes different from most other domestic cats. These include long eared cat breeds,...
A cat scratching itself is a normal and healthy behavior. If we had the dexterity of most cats, we'd be scratching just as much. However, as with any behavior, when it becomes excessive it signals a problem. If your cat won't stop scratching, the first thing we might think of is a skin problem. However,...
Purple spots on a dog's ear can be sign that they are suffering from vasculitis in dogs. Canine Vasculitis is the inflammation of a dog's blood vessels. This pathology affects not only the skin of the dog, but in some cases, other organs too. Although vasculitis in dogs is easy to define, is very difficult...
Skin diseases are one of the most frustrating pathologies for both dogs and their tutors. Apart from the obvious fact they jeopardize the health of the dog, they also reduce their quality of life. With sores, lesions, rashes and other symptoms of skin disease, the dog will often bite and scratch out of frustration....
Knowing the different skin disease which affect dogs is an essential part of their care. Identifying changes to the condition of their skin can mean early signs of serious conditions are treated promptly. Observation of the dog's guardian is crucial as this is the way we can bring an issue to the attention...
Hives in dogs, also referred to as Urticaria, can be defined as visible bulges on skin, in addition to noticeable reddened skin inflammation. Have you noticed your dog scratching more than normal? This, in addition to a swollen face, are common symptoms of hives in dogs.
For more aboutthe causes, symptoms,...
Fungi are very resistant organisms that can access an animal and/or human’s body through skin wounds, the respiratory tract or by ingestion. Sporothrix schenckii, for example, is a fungus which can cause sporotrichosis in cats. If not treated in time, it can be fatal. Itraconazole is one of the most...
Vitiligo in dogs is a rare condition with a relative lack of research in the area. Although not zoonotic or contagious, it is a skin condition which can also affect humans. Characterized by the development of white patches on the skin and hair, it is relatively uncommon. You might notice your dog gradually...
Canine folliculitis is an infection of the hair follicles that usually occurs as a consequence of another skin disease. This dermatological disease directly affects a dog’s hair follicle health. Folliculitis in dogs is an infection that can appear in animals of all ages, but is more common in puppies...
When we think of an abscess, it is common for many to first think of a dental problem. If a cat tooth abscess occurs, it might be difficult to tell until the symptoms become acute. But a cat can get an abscess in various places, including their, neck, head, tail or anywhere fluid can accumulate. These...
Are you wondering why does my dog keep getting abscesses? If so, you’ve come to the right place! Dog abscesses result in an accumulation of pus under or on the skin. They can appear anywhere on the body and originate from an infection. Abscesses in dogs require veterinary attention. There are, however,...
Malassezia is a genus of fungi, a yeast that is usually found in human and animal skin surfaces. Malassezia pachydermatitis is the most common type of malassezia found on both dogs and cats. Normally, these yeasts do not cause any harm. However, malassezia infections can occur when the number of malassezia...
Feline acne is a dermatological problem which can occur in cats of any age. Feline acne on a cat’s skin is visible through the formation of blackheads. Symptoms of feline acne include inflammation, pain and sores. But, what causes feline acne and how do you treat it? And, most importantly, is feline...
If you see that your cat has scabs, it means their skin has broken and is trying to repair itself. Unless you have a hairless cat, the hair will fall out if the skin breaks in this way. Any reason for hair loss in cats is worrying, but if you see wounds or scabs, there is particular cause for concern....
When we think of pimples, we might have the stereotype of an oily teenager with acne in mind. Dog acne isn't something we necessarily associate with dogs. This is partly because they are covered in fur and we might not even think to check their skin underneath. This is a common mistake guardians make with...
Warts on dogs can appear relatively frequently, especially as the dog ages. Warts are characterized as benign superficial tumors which usually do not have any serious ramifications for canine health. We do need to be careful as there can be complications if the dog's wart starts bleeding. The warts may...
The causes of open wounds on cats are varied, but they are most commonly related to a trauma. These can range from being minor to life threatening, depending on the tissue affected, amount of blood loss and the risk of bacterial infection. If a bacterial infection does occur, the cat's open wound will likely...
There are different reasons a dog may have black skin, some of which should be concerning. This is the case when it a symptom of an underlying condition. This can be a hormonal imbalance which is causing changes in their physicality and likely their behavior. It is also important to remember that black...
Dogs can sometimes experience skin irritation which can appear as red or itchy areas on the skin. This irritation can cause severe discomfort for our canines. Skin irritation is dogs is known as dermatitis. The causes for skin problems in dogs can vary, therefore, if you notice that your dog is experiencing...
When people have dandruff, you can normally see it resting on the shoulders of their jacket or at the back of their collar. With cats, it isn't as always easy to notice. The most common time to spot it is when you are petting them. You may feel something at the tips of your fingers or even see it shedding...
The reason your cat has patches of hair missing from their coat is that something is wrong physically or mentally. A cat's hair is a signifier of their well-being. A healthy cat will have a thick and lustrous coat (excluding naturally hairless cats), an unhealthy cat will lose not only their shine, but...
Sporotrichosis is zoonotic, or a disease that can be transmitted from animals to people.The agent of this disease is a fungus, which usually uses a wound on the skin as the perfect means to enter a body.
This terrible disease can affect several animals, including dogs and cats! As it can be transmitted...
Feline miliary dermatitis is a disease complex that manifests itself in cats through the appearance of inflammation and rashes with crust around different areas of the cat's body such as the neck, head, back and other places. If you notice that your cat has recently been scratching and has several patches...
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