When you welcome a dog into your family, visiting a local veterinarian to check on their overall health and wellness is a critical first step. They’ll likely review general pet care advice, answer questions, and give you ways to successfully monitor your dog’s behavior. One common behavioral aspect that nearly all breeds share is scratching. If you notice your dog biting and scratching for relief, they may have one of the following skin conditions that will require treatment.

4 Skin Conditions Commonly Seen in Dogs

1. Allergies

Exposure to fleas, certain foods, and outdoor environments can trigger an allergic reaction in your dog’s skin. If they encounter any of the above, you may notice redness and irritation that is exacerbated by their scratching, licking, and biting. As such, monthly flea treatment is highly encouraged, as is landscape maintenance and observing their behavior and reaction when you start feeding them new foods. If you need to trace the possibility of a food allergy backward, an elimination diet may be helpful. 

2. Dry Skin

Certain breeds and individual dogs are prone to dry skin based on their diet, exposure to the outdoors, medication needs, or genetics. Since dry skin can lead to incessant scratching that causes lesions, bumps, and other skin problems, this issue is frequently treated by veterinarians with medication, new shampoos, diet changes, supplements, or humidifiers. 

3. Sores

Parasites, flea bites, mites, and bacterial infections can prompt hot spots or red, sticky sores that are uncomfortable for your dog and may worsen quickly. When you notice a hot spot on your dog or persistent licking of a specific area, it’s best to visit your veterinarian for creams, medicated treatment options, and potentially a cone collar so they’re unable to bite or lick the area while it heals. 

4. Hair Loss

Whether your dog sheds or has a full coat that requires routine grooming, their coat should remain full and cover their body. Bald patches and excessive hair loss are often a sign of an underlying skin condition like a parasite, mites, or an adrenal disorder. To properly identify the culprit, testing and evaluation from a seasoned veterinarian is a must. 

If you’re a pet owner and your beloved furry friend is experiencing any of the issues noted above, High Point Veterinary Hospital is ready to provide friendly, compassionate pet care. Since opening in 2004, this veterinarian has established a reputation throughout the Piedmont Triad region of North Carolina for going above and beyond for every animal they treat. Call (336) 889-3832 today to schedule an appointment and visit their website for a closer look at the services they offer.