Dog Skin Conditions With Dr. Andrew Moffatt

In an interview with CareCredit, Dr. Andrew Moffatt discusses skin issues in dogs, including common symptoms, allergies, and fur loss. Here is a summary of some of the questions he answers.*

What Are the Most Common Skin Issues in Dogs?

Common skin issues in dogs are often dye to fleas or allergies and are especially prevalent in spring, summer, and fall.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Skin Issues in Dogs?

Is your dog just itchy, or do they have skin conditions that need treatment? If the answer to any of the following questions is "yes," it's probably a good idea to take them to your vet.

Is your dog:

• Scratching more than usual?
• Do they appear to be anxious because of what’s going on?
• Losing their hair?
• Is there a change to the coat?
• Do you see more dandruff?
• Does their skin or coat look oily?
• Is there redness or inflammation?
• Do you see pimple spots?
• Do you see fleas?
• Are you getting bitten by fleas?

How to Tell the Difference Between Allergies, Fleas, and Infection

The best way to tell the difference between allergies, fleas, and infection is to take your dog in for veterinary care. At a basic level, if you see fleas, they can be easy to identify. However, you'll want to consult with your vet about the best flea treatment and prevention plan.

Treating Dog Skin Issues

Treatment options for skin conditions in dogs depend on the condition. Your vet will put together a management strategy for your dog that may include:

• Bathing with medicated shampoo
• Oral medication
• Supplements
• Medicated wipes
• Antibiotics
• Injectables
• Anti-itch medication
• Antihistamines

Fur Loss in Dogs

If you notice unusual amounts of shedding or bald spots, it's often a sign of a condition that needs treatment. Fur loss in dogs may be caused by:

• Bacteria
• Mites
• Excess scratching

Preventing Flaky/Dry Skin in Dogs

In some cases, if a dog has flaky, dry skin, ointment can help. However, ointment can be very messy, depending on the dog's coat.

Dry, flaky skin can indicate that it's time to rethink your dog's diet. Your dog may need a different balance of fats and oils depending on their life stage. They may even need a specially prescribed dermatology diet.

Flaky skin can also signify a yeast infection, low-grade bacterial infection, or low-grade allergies. Your vet will help you understand the root cause of the dryness and develop the appropriate treatment plan.

What Is a Hot Spot?

Hot spots are uncomfortable or painful red areas on your dog's skin. They are often the result of your dog biting or scratching so much that it damages the skin. In addition, hot spots can be caused by scratches or bites that get infected.

Does Short Fur Help With Skin Issues in Dogs?

Shorter fur doesn't necessarily help prevent skin issues in dogs. Instead, the breed of the dog and how well a dog is groomed impacts whether a dog may experience skin issues.

Skin Tag, Lump, or Tumor in Dogs

It's always unnerving to notice a bump on your dog's skin. Bumps and lumps come in many forms, and taking your dog in to see the vet is likely the best course of action. Your vet will look at the bump and palpate it to feel its size, shape, and firmness. They will then often run some tests to see if the lump is cancerous. When in doubt, if you see an unusual looking bump on your dog’s skin, scheduling a visit with your vet may be a good call.

CareCredit for Veterinarian Care

The CareCredit credit card provides promotional financing that helps make it easy to pay for vet bills over time.** CareCredit is like having a separate line of credit for your vet care and healthcare needs. Once approved for a CareCredit card, you can use it repeatedly (as long as credit is available) for veterinarian care at locations that accept CareCredit.

CareCredit can also be used to pay for copays, coinsurance, deductibles, and your health and wellness needs at providers in the CareCredit network. CareCredit is accepted at hundreds of thousands of locations nationwide to pay for care whenever you need and want it.

Visit www.carecredit.com if you're interested in applying for a CareCredit credit card or would like to find a provider in your area who accepts CareCredit.

Meet the Expert

Dr. Moffatt

Dr. Andrew Moffatt is the founder and CEO of Vet and Care, a growing group of AAHA accredited veterinary hospitals in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Author Bio

Kristin Driver

A digital writer with CareCredit. She specializes in writing about health care, finances, and pet care. Her work has been published by Cedars-Sinai, UCLA Health, Stanford Health Care, Risk & Insurance, Modern Health Care, Risk Insider, CIO Review, and more.