When to Bring Your Pet to the Vet About Their Skin Problems

Skin problems are common in both cats and dogs. But this may indicate a much more serious underlying health issue. Itching isn’t just a nuisance when it happens to your pet; it can be a very stressful and even painful situation for them.

Scratching irritates the skin and raises the risk of infection by creating small cuts. The health of your pet as a whole depends on how you look after their skin. So, keep reading to find out about common pet skin problems and learn when to seek aid from a veterinarian.

Medical Conditions Which Typically Cause Itching

Just like humans, our pets will experience itchy skin at one point or another. Since the skin is the largest organ in both people and animals, any issues with it can trigger significant distress. That being said, skin problems need to be checked out by a vet and may require treatment, so they do not end up being worse.

Fleas

One of the most frequent causes of itching in cats and dogs is the bite of one of these tiny bloodsucking, disease-transmitting pests. When a pet develops an allergy to the flea’s saliva, a condition known as flea allergy dermatitis can set in, resulting in extreme itching and even infection, particularly on the pet’s back. 

Your vet can prescribe medications to help with the parasite problem. On the other hand, you can also protect your pet from fleas and other diseases by giving them vaccines. You can search online for “cat vaccinations near me” to locate the closest vet in your area to provide insights on how important vaccinations are to your pet’s health.

Allergies

Many different types of allergies exist. Numerous things in your pet’s surroundings can trigger an allergic reaction, including fleas, their food or treats, dust mites, pollens, grasses and other plants, wool, and a lot more. Allergies in dogs and cats can manifest as a rash, redness, and sometimes even ear and skin infections. So it is crucial to team up with your vet to get an accurate prognosis of your pet’s allergies.

Bacterial and Yeast Infections

Small amounts of bacteria or yeast on your pet’s skin are normal, but when these microbes grow their numbers and an infection sets in, the itching gets out of hand. Allergies and parasites are common causes of secondary diseases in dogs and cats.

Hot Spots

Too much licking, biting, or scratching of one area of the body results in hot spots, usually a symptom of another problem. These spots, most typically seen on dogs, are red and swollen and can overgrow in size, in some instances from the size of a quarter in just a few hours. The discharge from hot spots could be pus or watery, which produces a foul odor. 

If you notice your dog is itching excessively and unable to stop, you must take it to a vet hospital to find the cause and treat it. Additionally, before choosing a vet facility to bring your pet in, check their services to ensure that they offer the necessary treatments for your pet’s condition.

What Can the Vet Do to Help Your Pet’s Skin Problem?

Your veterinarian can provide you with various highly effective and safe treatment choices, like oral medications and injectable serum, to relieve your pet’s itching and infection. First, your veterinarian will take a look at your pet’s history of symptoms and run diagnostics like skin scrapings, allergy testing, and microscopic evaluation to determine the probable nature of your pet’s skin condition. 

After making a prognosis, the veterinarian will decide on a treatment strategy. In addition, your vet may also recommend a specific pharmacy for pets in your area, or you can do your research online and select one that meets your needs.

Final Thoughts

It’s frustrating when your pet has skin problems, and you can’t help them stop scratching. The good news is that you can properly treat your pet’s health condition with the help of your vet and get them feeling better quickly so they can do all their favorite activities once again without suffering from annoying itching.