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Diagnosing
& Treating
a Dog Skin Rash
A dog skin
rash can present itself at a random time for no particular
reason. Humans deal with skin issues constantly, and we have
thousands of creams, rubs and medications to eliminate the issues.
There are many serious skin issues that our dogs can become afflicted
with, but because of their thick coats, it’s slightly more difficult to
diagnose the exact skin problem.
Dog skin rashes are just as common - let's dive into the details...
Characteristics
of a Dog Skin Rash
A simple dog skin rash is comparable to a human skin rash in these ways:
- We’re not always sure why it’s there
- It can pop up on the skin within a matter of
seconds
- It can be very itchy and obnoxious
- It can be cured quite easily with the right
treatment
First, take a close look and the area you have noted to be a possible
rash on your dog’s skin. Does it look red, flakey and
slightly swollen? Has your dog been scratching it with his
paws or nibbling on it with his teeth? Did it just pop up
within the last few hours without any sign of additional symptoms?
If you answered yes to all or most of those questions, the chances are
quite good that your dog is dealing with a rash.
The following symptoms are also sometimes present:
- Itchy
skin (most common symptom for a dog with a food allergy)
- Chronic or recurrent ear infections
- Hair loss
- Excessive scratching
- Hot spots
- Skin
infections (that respond to antibiotics but reoccur after
they are
discontinued)
- Frequent bowel movements
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What Causes
a Dog Skin Rash?
Dog skin rashes have several instigators. Click these links
for more details about each:
Drug allergies may also be the cause. If your dog is taking
medication, call your vet and ask whether it is safe to take them off
for a few days so you can find out whether the drug is causing the
problem.
Finally, they could be caused by an injury to your dog's skin.
As always, it never hurts to schedule a quick visit to your
veterinarian just to be sure!
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Natural Treatments for a Dog Skin Rash
If you are looking to provide your dog with some instant relief, here
are a few natural remedies that will soothe the inflamed skin and
reduce some of the itching:
- Aloe Vera cream or gel - Aloe is natural healer
that is used to treat
various skin issues on humans and animals alike. You can
apply the aloe to the irritated skin either directly from the plant or
in a gel/lotion form sold in stores.
- Milk of Magnesia - this soothing substance has
been found
to benefit
itchy, dry and irritated skin. Just pour onto a cotton ball
and apply to the skin of your dog.
- Baking Soda - Mixing baking soda with water and
applying it to the skin
of your dog could be very beneficial instant relief from
itching.
Consider alternative
therapies to avoid the negative side-effects of
medication – skin rashes are only a minor side-effect among many more
that are longer term and more severe.
Remember: Keep your dog from intense scratching, licking or
biting of the skin spot. This could cause bleeding and
possibly infection…so don’t wait to provide some relief!
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Also see...
Dog Skin Conditions & Disorders
Dog Itchy Skin
Dog Skin Allergies
Back to Illnesses
& Remedies from Dog Skin Rash
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