What skin diseases can pet dogs get from shedding fur

In the days spent with pet dogs, their soft and smooth fur is often the part we love to touch and get close to. However, when dogs start shedding hair frequently, many owners feel anxious and worried about whether their dogs have skin diseases. Indeed, shedding hair is often an important manifestation of dog skin diseases, and the symptoms of shedding hair caused by different skin diseases and their impact on dog health are also different.

Firstly, the most common skin disease is caused by mite infection. Mites are tiny parasites that like to parasitize on the surface of dogs' skin and hair follicles. Common mites include scabies mites and demodex mites. When infected with scabies mites, dogs will experience severe itching and often scratch their skin incessantly, leading to skin damage. In the early stages of infection, small red dots may only appear on the dog's elbows, ears, abdomen, and other areas, gradually developing into depilation and scabbing. Due to unbearable itching, dogs can become restless and even affect their normal diet and sleep. Watching a dog suffer from scabies mite infection can be very distressing for the owner.

Demodex infection is relatively complex. It is divided into two situations: local infection and systemic infection. When infected locally, the shedding of hair in dogs is mainly concentrated on the face, around the eyelids, and on the legs, and the skin will show redness, scales, and sparse hair. The situation of systemic infection is more serious, as most of the dog's skin will be affected, the shedding area will expand, the skin will become rough and thickened, and may also be accompanied by purulent inflammation. Demodex infection is usually related to the dog's own immunity, and puppies and dogs with weakened immunity are more susceptible to infection. For dogs infected with Demodex mites, owners need to spend more time and energy taking care of them, applying ointments and medicated baths on time, while also paying attention to enhancing their immunity, hoping that they can recover their health as soon as possible.

In addition to mite infections, fungal skin diseases are also a common cause of hair loss in dogs. The main causes of fungal skin diseases in dogs are Microsporidia canis and Microsporidia gypsum. Fungi like to grow and reproduce in warm and humid environments, so if a dog's skin is in a damp state for a long time, it is susceptible to fungal invasion. The symptoms of fungal skin disease usually manifest as round or oval depilation spots, with clear edges and a thin layer of scales covering them. After a dog is infected with fungi, although the itching symptoms may not be as severe as mite infections, it may still occasionally lick or scratch due to skin discomfort. Moreover, fungal skin diseases have a certain degree of infectivity, which can not only be transmitted to other pets, but also to humans, especially children and the elderly with weaker immune systems. Therefore, when a dog is found to have fungal skin disease, the owner should take timely isolation measures, thoroughly disinfect the dog's living environment, and avoid the spread of the disease.

In addition, allergic skin diseases can also cause dogs to shed hair. There are various reasons for dogs' allergies, which may be allergies to certain ingredients in food such as beef, chicken, milk, etc; It may also be an allergy to pollen, dust mites, mold, and other substances in the environment. When dogs come into contact with allergens, their immune system will overreact, causing inflammation of the skin and ultimately leading to hair loss. In addition to shedding hair, allergic skin diseases may also be accompanied by skin itching, erythema, papules, and other symptoms. Dogs may constantly scratch and even break their skin due to itching, leading to infection. For dogs with allergies, owners need to carefully observe their living environment and diet, identify allergens, and try to avoid contact with their dogs. At the same time, it may be necessary to use anti allergic drugs and skin care products for dogs under the guidance of veterinarians to help alleviate symptoms.

Another special skin disease is hair loss caused by endocrine disorders. The endocrine system of dogs plays an important regulatory role in maintaining normal bodily functions. When a dog's endocrine system is disrupted, such as hypothyroidism, adrenal cortex hyperfunction, etc., it can affect the normal metabolism of the skin and hair, leading to hair loss. Hair loss caused by endocrine disorders is usually systemic, and dogs' hair will become sparse, dry, and lose its luster. In this case, treating only skin symptoms is not enough, a comprehensive examination and treatment of the dog's endocrine system is also needed. Owners need to take their dogs to a professional pet hospital for relevant examinations, such as blood tests, hormone level tests, etc., in order to accurately diagnose the cause and take corresponding treatment measures.

Pet dogs may have various skin diseases hidden behind their shedding hair, each with its unique symptoms and treatment methods. As owners, we should always pay attention to the condition of our dog's hair. Once abnormal hair loss is detected, we should promptly take our dog to see a veterinarian for accurate diagnosis and treatment. At the same time, we should also pay attention to providing a good living environment for dogs, keeping their skin clean and dry, eating a reasonable diet, enhancing their immunity, so that our pet dogs can grow up healthy and happy, and accompany us to spend more wonderful time. Watching our dog regain healthy and beautiful fur, our hearts are filled with joy and satisfaction.