Dermatitis in dogs: from symptoms to treatment

Dermatitis in dogs is a common condition affecting the skin (and coat) of our four-legged friends.
This inflammation of the skin can be caused by many factors and manifests itself with a variety of symptoms including, almost always, itching.
If you have noticed that your furry friend is scratching a lot and is shedding a lot of hair, we urge you to visit your vet as soon as possible.
As well as alleviating the terrible discomfort caused by itching with a specific treatment, only a visit to the vet can determine the cause of the disorder and prevent the presence of more serious pathologies, with which, dermatitis is sometimes associated.
The purpose of this article is to provide you with a brief overview of canine dermatitis, so that you have a more complete picture of the condition and can recognise the symptoms in time to ensure that your four-legged friend receives timely and appropriate treatment.
 

Dog dermatitis: what exactly is it?

 
The skin is one of the most complex and important organs in the body.
It protects against external agents and with its pain receptors, is able to alert the nervous system to contact with a stinging, toxic or burning substance or to a wound.
Dermatitis is a very common skin inflammation in dogs and is one of the processes by which the body reacts and tries to restore a normal physiological state.
This can manifest itself as redness, itching, oedema, dandruff, eczema, scabbing, seborrhoea and general inflammation, and therefore carries high risk of infection.
An inflammatory state is the ideal terrain for the development of bacterial infections (e.g. streptococci, staphylococci and pseudomonas), parasitic infestations (e.g. mange) and fungal infections (Microsporum canis, Microsporum gypseum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes).
 

What are the symptoms of dermatitis in dogs?

 
As mentioned at the beginning of this article, one of the most common symptoms of canine dermatitis is itching.
In some cases, our four-legged friend will continue to scratch so hard and persistently that the skin in certains areas may become red, scaly, blistered and even subject to localised (tufted) hair loss.
Through licking, scratching and biting, the dog may even cause itself wounds, self-inflicted injuries and bleeding, which, if not treated in time, can develop into sores.
The most commonly affected areas are the abdomen, paws and ears.
 

Dog dermatitis: what can cause it?

 
Thre are many possible causes of dermatitis in dogs.
In general, the most common are:
 

• Pest and/or insect infestation (e.g. flea dermatitis);
• Excessive proliferation of organisms naturally present on the animal's skin;
• Exposure to allergens and/or irritating, stinging substances;
• Hormonal imbalances;
• Genetic factors;
• Stress;
• Food allergies;
• Immune system deficiency

 
Apart from the forms that have always existed, currently one of the most common causes of dermatitis in dogs today is intolerance to one or more foods in their diet.
Food intolerance is an increasingly common condition in both veterinary and human medicine, and the inflammatory phenomena we see are nothing more than the body's response to a series of substances it comes into contact with that it considers toxic and harmful.
Such phenomena can affect any part of the body because each individual has a different sensitivity.
Inflammation of the skin is often the only visible manifestation of a food intolerance phenomenon.
Therefore, if the target organ of intolerance to one or more foods is the skin, the only viable solution to treat the resulting dermatitis (and thus prevent relapse) is through a radical change in diet.
It is important to remember, in fact, that even a single intake of a food that the body recognised as toxic can trigger an inflammatory process that lasts a few days (four or five on average). If this  nutrient continues to be part of the daily diet, the inflammatory process will inevitably become chronic and lead to complications.
 

What are the most common types of dermatitis in dogs?

 
Depending on the trigger, there are different types of dermatitis.
The most common are:
 

• Allergic dermatitis is characterised by very rapid inflammation and redness of the skin. This is nothing more than the immune system's reaction to a substance that the dog has come into contact with that is considered harmful.

 

• Atopic dermatitis is characterised by severe itching, which often leads to the dog to injuring itself. It usually occurs in genetically predisposed dogs and is considered to be an inflammatory reaction caused by certain environmental allergens.

 

• Mite, flea and tick dermatitis is an inflammation caused by animal bites. In this case, it is very important to correctly use an antiparasitic recommended by your vet.

 

• Stress dermatitis, is the result of the dog’s psychological state, which is often due to sudden changes (moving house or renovating, the arrival of another animal in the house, the arrival of a baby in the family...). It is generally noticeable by the dog’s tendency to lick itself persistently and nervously.

 

What exactly is atopic dermatitis in dogs?

 
We want to talk specifically about this type of dermatitis beacause it is one of the most common and also one of the most complex: in factn it is the most common dermatitis in dogs after flea dermatitis.
Atopic dermatitis in dogs is characterised by intense itching ,mainly affecting the muzzle and limbs, and is associated with an individual predisposition to develop an allergic reaction to environmental allergens (mites, moulds, fungi, pollens).
Although some breeds are considered to be more prone to developing atopic dermatitis (West Highland White Terrier, Shih-tzu, Sharpei, Golden Retriever, Dalmatian, English and Irish Setter, Labrador, Boxer, Dwarf Schnauzer and German Shepherd), it is important to remember that it can affect anyone, regardless of breed, age or sex.
This inflammation of the dog's skin can have a seasonal pattern when it is related to environmental allergens such as pollen, while it is constant throughout the year when it is triggered by moulds and dust mites.
However, it is true that atopic animals often develop a hypersensitivity to a wide range of substances, so that the seasonal characteristics disappear.
This is not a strictly food-related form of allergy, but a special diet can certainly help to manage this very annoying and sometimes disabling condition.
Since atopic dermatitis is a form of hypersensitivity to contact or inhaled substances, the best method to counteract it is to strengthen the dog's immune system.
A diet that contains as few high quality ingredients as possible, that is strictly controlled and sourced from uncontaminated areas, and possibly supplemented with herbal active ingredients, will help to raise the dog's threshold of reactivity and reduce the stimuli to which the immune system is exposed.
 

Dog dermatitis: which breeds are most susceptible?

 
With regard to atopic dermatitis in particular, it has now been established that dogs have a genetic predisposition to the disease.
In fact, Scottish Terriers, Fox Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Boxers, Lhasa Apso, Labradors, German Shepherds, Dalmatians, Shar Pei and West Highland White Terriers have been found to be particulary susceptible.
In general, it has been found that dogs such as the Shar Pei (but also the English Bulldog), whose breed is characterised by numerous wrinkles on the face and body, are naturally predisposed to facial wrinkle dermatitis, interdigital dermatitis and axillary dermatitis.
However, despite the predisposition of these breeds, a difference was found depending on the country of residence.
In general, females are more frequently affected than males, and the disease usually manifests itself in subjects between the ages of 6 months and 3-4 years. In fact, the onset of atopic dermatitis before the age of 6 months is extremely rare.[1]
 

Dog dermatitis: how to treat it and what is the best diet

 
As we saw a few paragraphs above, the cause of dog dermatitis is often a food intolerance.
In this case, then, the real remedy for the condition is a radical change in diet.
In fact, a healthy, balanced diet is the first step in ensuring the health and well-being of our furry friends.
Diets based on a small number of controlled, high quality ingredients, a single source of protein and selected sources of carbohydrates, for example, reduce the risk of intolerances.
In addition, foods with added selected botanicals can support more appropriate nutritional management of skin conditions. 
Aloe, for example, has anti-inflammatory properties and has the ability to strengthen the intestinal barrier, making it less sensitive to the passage of toxic substances, thus limiting sensitisation phenomena and the possibility of skin rashes.
If you notice any symptoms of dermatitis in your dog, see your vet immediately so that he can carry out diagnostic tests and prescribe the most appropriate treatment for your four-legged friend to relieve syntoms and prevent complications.
During and after treatment, you can also feed your dog FORZA10 Dermo Active, a complete and balanced dietetic food for adult dogs, designed to provide nutritional support for skin function in cases of dermatosis and excessive hair loss.
Dermatitis is a complex problem, do not delay its treatment!