There are a number treatments when it comes to pet skin problems.

Bacterial

Much of the initial treatment centres on the area around the lesions. This will include removing the hair around the affected area and after a thorough washing of the whole dog with a suitable antibiotic shampoo, for example benzoyl peroxide, the lesions are treated with special ointment. The dog might also be given oral antibiotics to help clear up the problem and the course might run for three weeks. If the lesion is in an area which can be reached by the dog, then a collar, or dressings, might be employed to prevent the dog from causing harm to itself. In extreme cases, corrective surgery might be considered by the vet.

Over the long term, a regime of shampooing, ointment application and oral antibiotics might continue to be needed. The problem with many bacterial skin conditions, is that they often do not disappear completely and will reoccur throughout the dog’s life.

Ringworm

When it comes to ringworm, the lesions are examined and the hair around the affected areas is clipped, and treated with fungicidal shampoos. Medicated rinses can also be used. Also recommended by vets is topical lime sulphur.

Allergies

Much of the problem surrounding allergies is the identification of what is the root cause. And once the source of the problem has been discovered, it comes down to controlling the dog’s reaction, rather than curing the condition.

A vet will often prescribe antihistamines and corticosteroids which will give the dog relief from the problems of severe itching. These might be given over a period of a few months in decreasing amounts, but their over-use is warned against as they are powerful drugs.

Once the immediate discomfort is treated, the vet can then try to get to the bottom of the problem. This might be via procedure called hyposensitization and the diagnosis is arrived at via intradermal, or blood testing. This involves giving the dog injections of an allergy-causing substance and varying the doses and varying the intervals between the jabs, for around 12 months. This can take up to 12 months to have the desired effect.

Parasitic

Fleas, along with ticks and lice, must be killed whilst on the dog. And this is achieved with special insecticides. The dog’s environment must also be cleansed at the same time. Other treatments include special insecticide shampoos, powders and sprays. Then once the problem has cleared up, there are a number of preventative methods (such as special flea collars) which will help keep the problem at bay in the future.

A vet will treat mange by first clipping the hair away from the affected area and washing it with a antiseptic solution. Antimite dips might also be used as a weekly treatment (which might last a number of months), with a good shampoo before each dip.

With ear mites, a vet might suggest to the owner that their dog is sedated whilst a deep cleaning of the animal’s ears takes place. The dog can they be taken home and the owner can then provide follow-up treatment with special shampoos and solutions.

Hormonal

In the case of hormonal problems which manifest themselves through the dog’s coat, then the vet will have to spend some time on the diagnosis and then suggest a treatment plan which will have to address the problems of the imbalance.

This might take some time and involve complex medical testing, as it’s not just a matter of a straightforward pet skin problem.

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