‘This week with the vet’ felt more like a month… and not because it dragged by but because it felt as if in one week I’d seen a month’s worth of dogs with coat and skin problems.

Skin problems are one of the most common problems dogs suffer from and the reason why they are most often taken to a vet. The time of year being the end of summer aggravates the number of cases that we typically attend to because of the increased incidence of dehydrated skin as a direct result of the hot dry season.

The skin is not only the body’s largest organ; it is also the most visible and there are many and varied types of disorders that the skin can signal. The skin should also be considered as a reflection of total well-being of the dog. Therefore, when the skin and coat are not in good condition, this should tell you that you need to take your pet to the veterinarian for a full examination.

The most common type of skin condition is caused by parasites such as fleas, ticks and mites.

Chiara is a Labrador cross. She had been itching for the past three weeks and the hair loss that she had was typical of a flea allergy. While her owner protested that Chiara is washed every week and never has fleas, careful examination of her skin revealed a live flea on her back as proof of the root of the problem.

Inborn allergies or dietary deficiencies often disguise themselves as skin conditions.

Bruno is a Cocker Spaniel that had been having skin problems for the past seven months. I had first seen Bruno as a home visit and I must say that I have never seen such a quantity and variety of doggy treats – a whole kitchen cupboard dedicated to Bruno. This week, he came in for a follow-up. He has been following a special cleansing diet and has made considerable improvement with very little medication needed.

Skin problems may be caused by bacterial, fungal or yeast diseases. Mona is a West Highland terrier who occasionally suffers from Malassezia, a yeast commonly found naturally present yet which occasionally causes a typically smelly dermatitis due to a different underlying condition.

Skin conditions may also be an outward symptom of infectious diseases that are present in the body, such as Leishmaniasis (Sandfly disease). Bella the Pug came in with a very dry flaky skin. Unfortunately she tested positive for Sandfly disease and had to be immediately put onto the appropriate medication.

Hormonal issues can also give rise to skin and coat problems. Arko was an interesting case, but a bit frustrating for the owner. Arko is a one-year-old boxer with papules on his chin. Dogs suffer from acne just like we do when passing through puberty. Though there are certain medications that help in the short term, it is only the growing out of it which eventually solves the problem. There are other far more serious hormonal conditions which often affect the skin and coat – such as hypothyroidism and Cushing’s disease.

Calluses on pressure points are sometimes a problem. Monty is an overweight Rottweiller who has infected calluses on both sides of his knee joints. As dogs do, he had spent a summer sleeping on a tiled floor and now the skin over his joints has gone hard and thick and very susceptible to skin infection. Monty is now being pampered on a daily basis to the application of a skin softening cream and confined to sleeping on a special bed.

The skin also sometimes reacts to its environment. Delilah the Dalmatian came in with the underside of her body all red and raw. Clinical examination found that she had a habit of lying down on wet floors whenever they were washed, with disinfectant invariably added to the water. Delilah will now be tied up when the floors are being washed, and her body spared the contact with abrasive chemicals found in the disinfectant.

These cases by no means exhaust the extent of skin problems that may occur, but they certainly give an insight into the variety of reasons as to why the skin and coat may not be in good condition. Apart from being detrimental to the dog, it is often frustrating for the dog owner as well. Unless the real cause of the problem is found, the dog might benefit only from temporary relief, and a return to the original condition is inevitable soon after medical treatment has been concluded.

When this happens, there are various things which need to be done in order to try and avoid disappointment. Good communication with your veterinarian is obviously paramount. Your vet will ask many questions and examine your dog to identify where the problem may lie and what would be the best action to take to solve the problem.

Questions asked will include issues such as how often your dog scratches itself, how long has the condition been evident, whether it is seasonal, whether there are other dogs or cats in the same household, your dog’s diet, how often your pet is washed, with what, and more. An action plan for treatment will then be formulated.

Because the skin disguises so many different and varied health problems, skin conditions collectively represent one of the most challenging medical problems that veterinarians deal with. Chiara, Bella, Bruno, Monty, Delilah and Arko all have different types of skin conditions, and I hope that they will soon be rid of their problems and return to having the healthy skin and glossy coat that every dog in our care deserves and every owner longs for.

thisweekwiththevet@gmail.com

Dr Martin Debattista is a ­veterinary surgeon.