Skin issues are one of the commonest presenting conditions in a pet health practice. Many dog and puppy dermal rashes are close in how they appear to the eye, yet have various possible underlying causes, so an in office palpatation (touching the skin) alone often does not reveal the answers necessary to counsel a initial approach toward a treatment plan. Prior to the skin examination one of the most significant diagnostic approaches is the taking of a dog's medical and skin history. By asking a a predetermined set of questions regarding a dog's medical hsitory, a doctor can attempt to reduce likely causes of the problem. This will save the owner time and assit the vet in eliminating high-priced tests by narrowing down the extensive list of possible dog skin conditions.
Most vets start the office visit with a written history. The vet will then review the answers with you and discuss any implications. Standard questions include:
1. What is the type of dog? There are several skin diseases possessing a higher incidence in certain breeds. Note this info can change by area. For instance, several breeds are predisposed to atopy, which are inhaled seasonal allergies including Basset Hounds, Beagles, Boston Terriers, Boxers, Bullterriers, Cairn Terrier, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Dalmatians, and German Shepherds.
2. Do you know the age of the patient? Certain cutaneous conditions are seen in younger dogs including inherited conditions. Others are due to a malfunctioning or immature immune system, which isn't strong enough to avoid issues to develop such as parasitic disorders. Middle age dogs are at the mercy of allergic response to inhaled or food allergies, while older dogs are frequently subject to skin melonoma.
3. How long has the dog suffered from the issue? Illnesses that appear in an instant are associated with parasitic illnesses or a dietary allergy. Continuing conditions such as itch can be due to food or dermatitis. Problems that have gone on for years without other issues, allow issues such as hormonal conditions to be discarded. Dog baldness without other symptoms can be hereditary or an issue called follicular dysplasia. Depending on the cause identified, a doctor can test for scabies, diet allergy, or infection.
4. Where on the body did the difficulty begin? Location is an indication of a possible cause. For example, problems on the ears can be caused by seasonal allergy, dietary allergy, parasitic disorders, skin polyps, and secondary infection. Issues on the extremities are usually caused by seasonal allergy, food sensitivity, parasites like mange, vasculitis and pemphigus (pus filled pimples). Issues on the head include mites, seasonal allergens, diet allergy or fungal infection.
5. What are the symptoms? Symptoms like itchy skin are related to many conditions and are not especially beneficial in determining the reason that the problem occurred. Also, owners may mis-interpret pruritis (itch) as being serious when it is is a small issue.
There are plenty of more questions, including seasons when the problem occurs, other signs and symptoms that aren't related to the skin such as desire to eat and behavioral change, recent changes in diet, the presence of other pets and whether or not the owner has any skin conditions that could have been passed from a family member to the dog. The benefit of all this is that by taking the time by responding to several inquiries can reduce the price of treatment and get your dog on the path to a great result.
Most vets start the office visit with a written history. The vet will then review the answers with you and discuss any implications. Standard questions include:
1. What is the type of dog? There are several skin diseases possessing a higher incidence in certain breeds. Note this info can change by area. For instance, several breeds are predisposed to atopy, which are inhaled seasonal allergies including Basset Hounds, Beagles, Boston Terriers, Boxers, Bullterriers, Cairn Terrier, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Dalmatians, and German Shepherds.
2. Do you know the age of the patient? Certain cutaneous conditions are seen in younger dogs including inherited conditions. Others are due to a malfunctioning or immature immune system, which isn't strong enough to avoid issues to develop such as parasitic disorders. Middle age dogs are at the mercy of allergic response to inhaled or food allergies, while older dogs are frequently subject to skin melonoma.
3. How long has the dog suffered from the issue? Illnesses that appear in an instant are associated with parasitic illnesses or a dietary allergy. Continuing conditions such as itch can be due to food or dermatitis. Problems that have gone on for years without other issues, allow issues such as hormonal conditions to be discarded. Dog baldness without other symptoms can be hereditary or an issue called follicular dysplasia. Depending on the cause identified, a doctor can test for scabies, diet allergy, or infection.
4. Where on the body did the difficulty begin? Location is an indication of a possible cause. For example, problems on the ears can be caused by seasonal allergy, dietary allergy, parasitic disorders, skin polyps, and secondary infection. Issues on the extremities are usually caused by seasonal allergy, food sensitivity, parasites like mange, vasculitis and pemphigus (pus filled pimples). Issues on the head include mites, seasonal allergens, diet allergy or fungal infection.
5. What are the symptoms? Symptoms like itchy skin are related to many conditions and are not especially beneficial in determining the reason that the problem occurred. Also, owners may mis-interpret pruritis (itch) as being serious when it is is a small issue.
There are plenty of more questions, including seasons when the problem occurs, other signs and symptoms that aren't related to the skin such as desire to eat and behavioral change, recent changes in diet, the presence of other pets and whether or not the owner has any skin conditions that could have been passed from a family member to the dog. The benefit of all this is that by taking the time by responding to several inquiries can reduce the price of treatment and get your dog on the path to a great result.
About the Author:
Cathy Doggins is the editor of at least 50 feature stories on canine health. She is the number 1 contributor to the Internet resource, the Dog Health Guide, Cathy is passionate about puppy and dog wellness and has penned published on canine skin disease.
