My Dog Has Dry Flaky Skin and Scabs
If you own a dog, a cat or any other pet, you are expected to have all the knowledge of ensuring that you know how to take care of it. Taking care of your pet requires you to know the right food for your pet, the right fluids, the right medication and understanding some of the diseases and infections that could be contacted by your pets. If you own any kind of a pet, you should be able to know what is good and what is bad for it. Your pet should be able to live comfortably without being disturbed by hunger or infections. In line with that, this report is going to compile and educate the reader on what he or she should do when their dog has a dry flaky skin and scabs.
Firstly, if you own a dog as a pet or for security reasons you are supposed to know that the issue of dry skins and scabs is always frustrating for the dogs and also the owners. Apparently, veterinary officers who have studied more about dogs always say that the dry skin and scabs on dogs is often caused by a wide range of factors. Some of these factors include
1. Allergies
As a pet owner, you are supposed to know that dogs are living things and sometimes what they feed on could react with their bodies. The allergies are also caused by the environment in general and also the changes in the weather conditions of your locality. Apart from that the allergies in dogs can also be caused by fleas, grains, animal dander, feathers, dust, pollen and grass among others. Once your dog’s body reacts with these elements, you may start observing the symptoms of dry flaky skin and scabs. Researchers have said that allergies in dogs often lead to condition known as Atopic Dermatitis. This is a skin disorder in pets that leads to itching, dry skin, inflammation and redness among others. These skin disorders can get serious and lead to very dangerous skin infections if they are not treated or controlled.
2. Infections
Infections have also been considered to be a major cause of dry skins in dogs. Fungal and bacterial infections are the leading causes of skin related infections in dogs. Animal health experts have continuously suggested that the infections should always be diagnosed because they sometimes envelope other dangerous infections in the dogs. Apparently, if you are the owner of a pet you are supposed to know that some infections that are depicted by dry skins can be transmitted to human beings – such as ringworms. That shows how these dry skins should be taken seriously by the dog owners.
3. Parasites
Animal health experts have also shown that dry skins in dogs are sometimes caused by parasites. Parasites are often defined as certain types of organisms or living things that spend their life on other animals. the parasites often look forward to benefiting from the hosts. The parasites sometimes look for food and sometimes shelter. Some of the most common types of parasites that can be found externally in dogs include, fleas, mites, lice, ticks and flies. On the other hands internal parasites that can be found in the body of dogs include, whipworms, giardia, liver flukes, tapeworms, roundworms and coccidian among others. As the owner of a dog you are supposed to know that your dog will never benefit from the parasites. In relation to that some of the external and internal parasites are likely to cause dry skins and flaps in dogs and that calls for all owners to ensure that their dogs are free from all kinds of pests.
4. Other factors
There are several other factors that can lead to dry skins in dogs. One thing, is that sometimes you may be using the wrong soap to wash your dog pet. Sometimes a wrong soap may hurt the skin of your pet dog. Additionally, the food that you provide your dog with, may lack the vital elements of stopping hair loss. A dog that feeds on imbalanced diets is likely to face the challenge of hair loss. Finally, complex diseases could be making your dog’s skin to be dry and that might require you to seek the services of a veterinary officer.
Even as you try to diagnose the possible reasons why your dog’s skin is becoming flaky and dry, you are supposed to know that dogs tend to lose hair after some period. you are therefore to look at the symptoms closely. The following are some of the symptoms of dry flaky skin and scabs in dogs.
Symptoms of dry flaky skins and scabs in dogs
1. Dandruff
2. Pimples
3. Flaking
4. Hair loss
5. Itchiness
6. Inflammation
7. An increase of skin oiliness
8. Odor
9. Scabs
The above symptoms may vary from one dog to another. Some dogs will only show one or two symptoms and other will depict more than four symptoms. A careful dog owner will always keep a close eye on his or her dog so that the veterinary officer can diagnose and treat it better.
Prevention of dry flaky skin and scabs on dogs
1. Research. You can research more about your dog so that you can know what could cause allergies and what is safe for it
2. Ensure that your dog is thoroughly checked for external and internal parasites
3. Ensuring that your dog is clean and well-groomed at all times
4. Giving your dog supplements such as vitamins that can protect hair loss
5. Employing the right soaps and shampoos when cleaning your dog
6. Ensuring that your dog feeds on balanced diets at all times
To sum it all, it is quite clear that dogs are precious animals that should be protected from this condition of dry flaky skin and scabs. If you own a dog as a pet or for security reasons you are supposed to ensure that the dog is happy and settled at all times. Your dog should be settled and happy. If you find that your dog still has the symptoms discussed above, you are supposed to seek the services of a dog health expert.