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Allergies  
Allergies are some of the most common skin conditions that affect dogs. Dogs may develop skin rather than respiratory symptoms, due to food, nasal or contact allergies. Allergic skin reactions are one of the most common causes of itchy skin in dogs.  If your dog has any skin problem ensure the food you are feeding is not the cause (ie make it wheat gluten free and from a Premium Range such as Delta Premium), and check to see if any of the following is causing the problem:-

Cheyletiella (Walking Dandruff)   
Cheyletiella, or "walking dandruff," is an infestation of the fur by tiny white mites. Three varieties of cheyletiella exist: Cheyletiellayasguri generally infects dogs.

Fleas         
Fleas are the most common cause of skin conditions in dogs. Fast moving parasites, fleas are difficult to detect and can infest dogs blanket's and surroundings. Black debris in the dog's coat suggests a flea infestation, as does scratching and biting.

Hot Spots  
Hot spots, also known as summer sores and wet eczema, are skin conditions caused by bacterial infection. These bacteria usually live on the dog's skin, but some event has triggered a sudden population growth that overwhelms the dog's natural defenses.

Any dog can develop hot spots. Certain factors increase the risk of hot spots, including: allergies,ear infections,flea infestations,heavy coats,tangled hair/mats,warm, humid environment, excessive licking/chewing. Hot spots usually develop as circular patches of baldness. The skin in these bald spots may become red and irritated and develop a foul-smelling pus due to infection. Hot spots are painfully itchy and can lead to licking, scratching and biting that often worsens the infection.

While hot spots usually develop on the legs, feet, rump or flanks, they can develop anywhere on the dog. To treat hot spots the hair is trimmed to reveal the sore. Topical antibiotics or cortisone medications are used to combat infection and relieve itching.

For successful treatment of hot spots the cause of the infection must be found. Regular grooming helps prevent tangled mats that encourage hot spots. If allergies are the cause of hot spots, identifying and avoiding contact with the allergen is essential.

If behavioral problems such as excessive licking or chewing contribute to hot spots, a good deal of time and effort is required to determine why the dog engages in the behavior and to change behavior patterns.

Ticks      
Ticks are large, eight-legged, blood-sucking parasites most common in warm, wet environments. In the United States, ticks can spread Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, two zoonotic diseases that can cause serious health conditions in both dogs and humans.

Scabies  
Scabies is a mite that affects dogs and foxes. Unlike cheyletiella, scabies mites burrow into the skin, and are incredibly difficult to detect even with multiple skin scrapings.

In most cases, scabies initially cause itching in the ears and elbows, before spreading to other areas of the body. Scabies causes skin lesions that mimic skin allergies. Dry, crusted lesions develop, hair loss is common and because the mites actually burrow into the skin, the infection may be so painful that the dog engages in self-injurious biting in an attempt to relieve the pain.

Because scabies is so difficult to diagnose, many cases are misdiagnosed as atopic dermatitis and cortisone is prescribed. Unfortunately, cortisone stimulates the scabies mites reproduction cycle, making the infection even worse. To avoid this most veterinarians will treat the dog for scabies before beginning treatment for dermatitis.

Scabies is usually treated with the topical parasiticide Revolution® (selamectin) monthly for several months. Revolution also treats infestations of fleas, ticks and ear mites and prevents heartworm infection.

As scabies mites can also infect a dog's bedding, treating or replacing his bedding is necessary. Many veterinarians will also recommend supplementing the dog's diet with essential fatty acids.
 

If you require any information then please don't  hesitate to contact DELTA on       0800 191 917

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