Our pets are prone to skin diseases no less than their owners. However, under thick hair it is sometimes difficult to notice the symptoms of an onset disease and start treatment on time. The most common ailment is eczema in dogs. Today we want to tell you in detail what this disease is, how to recognize it, and also describe the most effective methods of treatment.
General classification
So, how can you determine exactly what eczema in a dog is? Symptoms can be quite diverse, so it will be much better to show the animal to a professional than to self-medicate. By this disease is meant inflammation of the surface layers of the skin. And subsequently, a secondary bacterial infection can connect to it, and the symptoms will be lubricated even more.
Eczema is usually classified as acute, subacute and dry. Moreover, all three species can be wet or dry. Most often, chronic is dry, although it causes a lot of problems.
Symptoms
Eczema in dogs manifests itself brightly enough so that you can suspect this disease. First of all, itching and scratching of the skin by the dog, its weight loss and sometimes fever are diagnosed. However, symptoms do not develop in one day. First, we observe redness on the skin. If the coat is thick, the hosts usually skip this point. Then comes the turn of nodules or papules, then bubbles and pustules appear. Only after that you can observe the process of formation of scales and crusts. The whole process usually lasts no more than four weeks.
Weeping eczema
This is the most unpleasant subspecies of this disease. In fact, this is the appearance of acute wet dermatitis. Moreover, both the superficial and deeper layers of the skin can be affected. The lesion site looks like a limited area of inflamed skin, very reddened and secreting exudate. Of course, the animal begins to lick and scratch this area, which leads to its growth. Weeping eczema in dogs requires a long, systemic treatment.
Reasons for the appearance
This is a more complex question than it might seem at first glance. Eczema in dogs can appear against a background of a variety of external factors, and it is impossible to say unequivocally that one or more of them in 100% of cases would lead to dermatological disease.
- First of all, veterinarians emit stress and low immunity, however, they are usually not the cause, but the result of poor diet, prolonged loneliness, moving and other factors.
- Chronic diseases This category includes digestive and liver problems, a tendency to allergic reactions, which together leads to chronic dermatological diseases.
- Living on the street without proper shelter. In this case, diaper rash can occur from the scorching sun on the skin of the animal,
- Eczema in dogs can occur as a result of exposure to aggressive substances: acids, alkalis, household chemicals.
- Swimming in open water is also fraught with the spread of the disease. The presence of skin lesions in a complex with low immunity leads to the development of an acute form of the disease.
Localization of lesions
Most often, wet eczema in dogs is localized under the ears and on the neck, at the base of the tail and in the area of the outer surface of the thigh. Moreover, the older the animal becomes, the more it is susceptible to this disease, so you need to constantly monitor the behavior of your pet. In dog world veterans, the nose and neck, cheeks and auricles, scrotum and eye arches are primarily affected. Therefore, any new spot should alert you, and if it also itches, then be sure to consult a doctor.
Choose a clinic
Do not try to self-medicate, you will only make your pet worse. The weeping eczema in dogs is treated for a long time. The treatment is symptomatic, that is, the animal must constantly be examined by a doctor and adjust its appointments. Therapy is carried out necessarily taking into account the stage of the disease and the condition of the animal. That is why the closer the veterinary clinic is located, the easier it will be to comply with the treatment regimen and regularly come for examinations.
The first task of the doctor
Since treating eczema in a dog is necessary in a complex, it is first of all important to establish the cause of its appearance. For this, a variety of tests are given that will give us a complete picture of the condition of internal organs and systems. Next, the owner receives a recommendation regarding the nutrition of a sick animal. A sparing diet is essential for a speedy recovery, as well as for the prevention of new outbreaks.
After the preparatory measures, the doctor proceeds to his main task, it is necessary to remove irritating factors and protect the site of damage from spillage and scratching.
Individual therapy
Very often, doctors resort to the use of sedatives. They help the animal to experience less suffering, the dog spends most of his time in a dream. In addition, many sleeping pills and antihistamines are close relatives, that is, you will simultaneously remove severe itching. The most commonly used caffeine, bromine and chloral hydrate. However, this is far from the complete arsenal used by veterinarians. Often the dog is prescribed desensitizing therapy by internal administration of sodium thiosulfate and calcium chloride, sodium gluconate and plasmol. In addition, the doctor can choose Suprastin or Diphenhydramine, as well as multivitamins.
With a running form of eczema
Novocaine and glucocorticoid therapy have proven very good. Most often this refers to the prolonged course of the disease, when other methods of treatment do not give the desired effect. Corticosteroids in this case are exactly the option that will provide a fairly quick result. This is primarily "Prednisolone" (in injections or as an ointment), as well as "Hydrocortisone ointment". Remember that only the doctor should choose the form and dosage.
Treatment of affected surfaces
Only with an integrated approach is it possible to quickly get rid of a problem such as eczema in a dog. Treatment involves compulsory cutting of the eczema zones. The surface is pre-treated with 70% alcohol. At first, more emphasis is placed on treating the causes of the disease and relieving itching. The wet surface of the wounds does not favor the application of medicinal compounds, which means that you need to wait a bit.
At the cure stage, when the exudation decreases, the time comes for healing of eczema. Local antibiotics, drying zinc and salicylic ointments are perfectly suitable for this. As drying and reduction of the focus can be reduced the frequency of daily treatments. If at the initial stage it is recommended to lubricate the damaged areas 5-7 times a day, then gradually you can switch to two-time treatment.
If, over and over again, eczema returns, doctors recommend changing the diet and revising the diet. Consult your doctor about bathing your pet, as well as the selection of shampoos and hair care products. In the fight against a chronic disease, "Vishnevsky Ointment" helps well .
Folk remedies
In parallel with drug treatment, traditional medicine is also widely used. Moreover, it is recommended to combine compresses for eczema and tincture of medicinal herbs for oral administration. An effective remedy is an ointment from burdock leaves. It is very easy to prepare it, it is enough to mix in equal proportions burdock juice and petroleum jelly, or syntomycin, or salicylic ointment.
Nettle is a plant that helps restore immunity, and also improves tissue regeneration. Therefore, as part of the fight against eczema, it is recommended to take an infusion of nettle leaves inside. Herbal treatment is not fast, a course of 2-3 months is required.
It is very good to use compresses from fresh blueberries to improve healing. It is very good to apply fresh cabbage leaf to the lesion sites. For lotions, an ideal option is an infusion of birch buds. The regular use of this alcoholic infusion allows you to speed up the healing several times.
Therapeutic diet
First of all, you need to provide the dog with full walks and constant access to fresh water. Be sure to include raw beef and poultry liver, as well as butter. A complete diet with fat-soluble vitamins gives excellent results. Eczema is a disease that is easier to prevent than to cure.