Information Dog Owners Should Know Regarding Acne in Dogs

It is not at all uncommon for dogs to develop acne. In fact, many dogs have been known to suffer from this condition. Most dogs that develop acne only develop a minor case of it, but some dogs are unfortunate enough to go on to develop more severe infections. Puppies typically have the most cases of acne when it comes to dogs. They usually stop being affected by it after they turn a year old though.

Excessive production of sebum is the main reason why dogs develop acne. Sebum is a substance responsible for hydrating the skin. If your dog's body starts producing too much sebum, then acne will occur. The owner may be responsible for their dog suffering from acne because of poor grooming. Other dogs develop it because of a hormone imbalance of some sort. Dogs can also develop the condition if they suffer from allergies, stress, or skin infections.

The main sign of acne is the development of blackheads which can appear on virtually any part of your dog's body. Most dogs develop blackheads on their lips or chin. It is also common for dogs to develop scabs in areas of swelling skin. The scabs by themselves won't cause many problems, but bacteria often use these spots to invade which you should be concerned about. The area will be itchy enough to prompt your dog to scratch it as much as possible.

Your vet should have little trouble diagnosing your dog with acne. The blackheads that develop due to the condition will be quite noticeable. Other conditions may cause this though, so the vet may rule them out with a skin biopsy. In order to get a skin biopsy, your dog will need to be sedated or put under anesthesia.

Although acne can be managed, there really is no medication to cure it. In order to start managing the condition though, the vet will need to find out what's causing the problem with acne. The vet may elect to conduct a food trial to ensure that your dog's diet isn't to blame.

Anti-seborrheic shampoos and soaps can be used to treat acne in dogs. These shampoos or soaps help limit the amount of sebum on the skin. Proper grooming is also required in order to manage acne.

Medication may be needed if the case is more severe. Some dogs will also need to take antibiotics to ensure that they don't go on to develop a bacterial infection. Your dog will surely appreciate anti-inflammatory medications if he's itching constantly. Topical steroids may even be required in order to treat a more severe case.

D Swain - About Author:
As an owner, it is best that you learn all you can about various diseases such as canine ringworm. Recognizing signs quickly that your dog is sick can be very helpful. You can go to common-dog-diseases.com right now to learn about many different canine illnesses.

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