Dog Health Care Article What To Do If Your Dog Has Skin Problems
Under all that copious fur there is skin. Skin that is susceptible to a myriad of diseases and afflictions just as we humans are. The difference being that in humans we can readily see a health problem. In a dog, skin health problems are not readily apparent until the dog gives us an indication. Usually, the indications are excessive licking and scratching. In general we humans tend to take our skin for granted. If we go out into the sun, we use sun screen. If we have dry skin, we use a lotion. And occasionally we notice irregularities and then we go to the doctor. We’re pretty complacent and tend to think of skin as the wrap that molds our body. With dogs, the skin goes beyond being a mold. It is an organ in itself. This organ regulates the heat in a dogs body and works in conjunction with the foot pads which allow the dog to perspire.
As with humans the skin communicates sensations such as pain, heat, cold, touch, etc. to the brain. An animals skin also processes vitamin D just as we do. When we take our pet to the veterinarian, one of the usual examinations done is one of the skin. When the veterinarian back brushes the fur he/she is not only looking for parasites such as fleas and mites, but they are also looking at the skin. Dry skin and fur can indicate illness. Yellow skin can indicate jaundice and blue skin can indicate heart problems. Rashes can mean allergies.
Dogs can have seasonal and environmental allergies as well as food allergies. Food allergies may not always be associated with new foods but can also come from foods they have eaten for years and have become sensitive to due to many reasons. So called ‘hot-spots’, for example may be a result of a dog no longer being able to digest a certain food. Your veterinarian will recommend ways to test your dogs diet and recommend a course of treatment. Many dogs such as spaniels have seasonal and environmental allergies which can manifest themselves not only with sneezing and watery eyes, but also with skin rashes.
Allergies to fleas and medicines can also cause skin rashes. There are now veterinarians who are specializing in animal allergies and dermatology. Should your veterinarian find it necessary a referral could be made for diagnosis and treatment.
There are also genetic skin disorders and glandular skin disorders. There are several diseases associated with ovarian and testicular problems. Diagnosis and treatment can be made by your veterinarian. Dogs are also susceptible to various types of skin fungus. They are highly contagious to humans and other animals. Mange is another skin disease that is contagious. Quick diagnosis and treatment is essential.
In addition to the previously mentioned skin problems, there are also seborreic (seborrhea) skin diseases, tumors, melanomas, infected sores, mites, etc., that can be diagnosed by your veterinarian.
The purpose of this article is to make owners aware that the care and regular examination of your dogs skin is essential. Before buying a dog, consult with the breeder and a veterinarian. Know the diseases which are specific to the breed you desire. Know your dogs body as you should know your own. Check for skin problems during regular grooming.
If you find an area of concern, consult your veterinarian immediately. Do not make a self diagnosis and start a course of treatment. Only a veterinarian can make a proper diagnosis and recommend oral and/or topical treatments. Delay in proper diagnosis and treatment can cause delay in recovery and possible spread of the ailment and unnecessary prolonged discomfort for your beloved pet.
Have any of you, had a vet misdiagnose and end up killing your dog, because of the wrong diagnosis@ treatment?
I had a Chihuahua named Gigi, who I was told had a certain form of Liver Disease! She passed away 2 weeks ago this Sunday! I also have another Chihuahua named Zoe, that I was also told had a certain form of Liver Disease! I just got back from taking Zoe to a different vet for a second opinion, and found out, that both Gigi and Zoe, have a form of Liver Disease, but it’s not the type I was told it was, by my first vet, it’s totally opposite! I can’t really explain it! The new vet told me, that not only did that first vet misdiagnose Gigi and Zoe, with the wrong type of Liver Disease, but she provided them with treatment and medications, that were all wrong, and not at all effective! All these months that I had been shoving, a number of different prescribed medications down their throats, I come to find out, that they were the wrong medications, and none of them were helping neither one of my dogs! All the once a week vet visits, for months, were not necessary! The prescribed diet that the first vet put them both on, and that I was syringe feeding both of them, for the last 3 months, every 3 hours, 24/7, only made their digestive systems a lot worse, than what they already were! The new vet told me, that if the first vet would have had the right diagnosis in the first place, that Gigi would have been alive today and pretty much back to normal! She died for absolutely no reason or for reasons that could have easily been avoided! Right now, my husband and I are fuming at the first vet, because Gigi died for nothing and unnecessarily suffered in the process! Each and every time, Gigi was obviously going downhill, we were at the vet and I had asked the first vet, if we should consider putting her down, because I did not think it was fair that she had to suffer anymore, but she always told me, that she had a new treatment she wanted to try, before she even considered putting Gigi down. Everytime I asked her if Gigi even had a chance at survival, she would bring my hopes up by telling me that she would be fine, but it would take a few months to get her back to normal, to continue what I’m doing at home, giving her, her medication and being that she was a vet, I trusted her advice, and her advice killed Gigi! Hopefully, it’s not too late to save Zoe! My husband and I are already heartbroken over the loss of Gigi, and then to find all this out today, we are both now fuming. Has anyone ever had this happen to them? Is there any kind of action, that I can take against the first vet, so she can pay for killing Gigi and not do the same thing to another innocent dog? Gigi was only 2 years old, with a whole life ahead of her and now she’s gone!!! My husband and I are both so —- pissed right now, it’s not even funny!!! What would you do, if this happened to you?
Would you please do me a great big favor and Star this question? Thanks!
This is Gigi!
http://i38.tinypic.com/6y0ete.jpg
Answer
I am so sorry for the loss of your Gigi.
You can file a complaint with your state’s board of veterinary medicine.
Something similar happened to my dog.
I get too angry when I talk of it..
The last I heard, the vet that killed my dog was losing her practice, as she couldn’t get insurance because of so many other lawsuits and complaints.
Here are some guidelines on dealing with veterinary malpractice>
http://judymyers.tripod.com/tfaq.html
This pertains to laws and procedures concerning vet malpractice>
http://www.animallaw.info/articles/qvusvetmal.htm
Thank you for sharing the picture of Gigi. She is so pretty and sweet.
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