The problem of diagnosis of pet skin problems is vital and once an owner thinks there is a particular issue, it usually means a trip to the vet for diagnosis.

Bacterial

With bacterial problems, it may well be that the condition is the visible sign of a more serious medical issue. So, the vet will be on the look out for a range of diseases, including immune system abnormalities, hormonal disorders, or parasite attacks. He might have to undertake blood tests, prepare skin biopsies, or test for allergic reactions, in order to make a full and proper diagnosis.

The vet will also consider the dog’s medical history and it’s current environment. A thorough examination of the animal will be conducted, so as to ascertain the location of the problem on the dog’s skin. The vet might also opt to ask a laboratory to produce a skin culture, effectively growing the bacteria which determines its type and likely reaction to the antibiotic treatments on offer.

Ringworm

When the vet examines a dog for ringworm, he takes into consideration the history behind their development, the look of the lesions on the dog’s skin and the age and general condition of the dog. The Microsporum species can be find out with the use of an ultraviolet light.

The vet might opt for a fungal culture to be prepared, in which a laboratory will grow the species of fungi on a dog’s hair, in order to establish the best course of treatment. The vet will warn the owner about the contagious nature of the disease and how the dog should be kept isolated from other members of the family, and other household pets. This isolation might have to last for two, to three months, depending on the severity of the infection.

The vet will also warn the owner to wash their hands carefully after handling the dog, otherwise infection could spread easily throughout the house.

Allergies

In order to get at the actual allergies that are causing the problem, the vet will want to know about the dog’s lifestyle, environment and habits. Most allergies will cause minor and short-lived problems, so the vet might examine the type and location of the skin lesions, then work from there, ticking off a list of known causes.

Parasitic

When examing a dog for parasites, the vet will need to understand the dog’s case history. They will look at the areas of itching and where the lesions are located, and discover which parasite might be behind the attack. Fleas are comparatively easy to diagnose and treat, with the main issue being the manifestation of the flea bite.

When it comes to mange, much depends on the case history, and the appearance and location of the lesions. A vet will usually perform a skin scraping to help identify the exact type of parasite involved.

Ear mites are only really visible as small white objects, but are usually seen together with a combination of dried blood, ear wax and ear discharges, that create a black mucus in the dog’s ear.

Other forms of lice and ticks will usually be picked up from a close examination of the dog’s skin.

Hormonal

As hormonal imbalances can indicate bigger problems than skin diseases, the vet will move quickly onto the diagnosis of the underlying issues behind the condition. Blood tests can identify hypothyroidism and adrenal gland problems, but other problems can be harder to pick up and the vet will use a number of tests to complete the diagnosis.

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