7 Common Skin Infections in Pets
If you’re a pet owner, you’ve probably noticed that your cat or dog has some skin condition at least once. It’s normal for pets to have a few scabs and scratches from time to time. But if something more serious happens with their skin, it’s essential to see your veterinarian as soon as possible. In this article, we’ll go over seven common skin infections in pets so you can spot them early on:
Ringworm
Ringworm, also known as dermatophytosis, is a common skin infection transmitted between animals and humans. It causes red, scaly patches of skin that may itch or burn. Ringworm is caused by several kinds of fungi (ringworms) that can infect the skin of both people and pets. The fungus can be passed from pet to person or person to pet by direct contact with infected skin or hair.
Impetigo
Impetigo is another common skin infection that occurs mainly in dogs. Impetigo is caused by a bacterial infection, Streptococcus Pyogenes, which causes red bumps or blisters on the skin. These blisters can spread to surrounding hairless areas and other areas of the body.
The most common symptom is crusty sores around the face and mouth, but some cases may not show signs. If your pet does have impetigo, you will notice red bumps on his skin that look like pimples or minor scratches that have dried up and hardened into scabs. Some pets develop lesions inside their noses or ears as well as on their paws and between their toes from scratching at the affected area until it bleeds.
Treatment usually requires antibiotics to clear up the infection quickly before it spreads further into your pet’s body organs or bloodstream. You should also keep him away from other animals until he fully recovers, so none of these infections spread through any shared toys or bowls within your household.
Pyoderma
Pyoderma is a bacterial infection caused by Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, a common staph bacteria. It is a bacteria that can cause superficial skin infections in dogs. It’s most commonly seen on young puppies’ faces, ears, and feet. Staphylococcus pseudintermedius is recognized as an important cause of pyoderma.
The infection may spread to other parts of the body as well. Pyoderma affects dogs and cats, both of whom are more susceptible than humans. The symptoms of pyoderma include redness, swelling, and discharge of pus.
The sad thing is that Staphylococcus Pseudintermedius is resistant to many antibiotics, so it can be challenging to treat. However, certain strong antibiotics can help treat this skin infection, and Cephalexin is one of them. Cephalexin is an antibiotic of the cephalosporins class and can help ease the symptoms of pyoderma and treat it.
The use of Cephalexin for dogs and cats can help treat secondary infections, too. Due to the resistance, Staphylococcus pseudintermedius can lead to some secondary infections apart from pyoderma. Cephalexin is a general antibiotic that can treat various bacterial infections on different body parts of pets. Hence, Cephalexin can help treat secondary infections, too, to alleviate the pain and symptoms.
Dermatophilosis
Dermatophilosis is caused by the bacteria dermatophilus congolensis. This condition causes skin disease in goats, sheep, cattle, horses, and dogs. The most common symptom of dermatophilosis are scabs on the skin that are red or brown. In some cases, hair loss or crusty sores on the skin can be lost.
Dermatophilosis is transmitted by direct contact or sharing food or water with an infected animal. You can also contract this infection through indirect contact if you come in contact with contaminated objects such as feed bowls or grooming equipment used on an infected animal.
Hot Spots or Acute Moist Dermatitis
Hot spots are also known as acute moist dermatitis. They’re areas of inflamed, infected skin that are painful to touch. Hot spots are typically caused by allergies or yeast infections, but any skin infection can cause a hot spot.
Some dogs and cats with hot spots need to be treated with antibiotics for several weeks until their condition clears up completely. Other times, a pet’s immune system will fight off the infection after receiving treatment for five to seven days and clearing most of the sores.
The best way to prevent hot spots is by keeping your pet clean and dry during warm weather—and never leaving them in an area where they’ll get wet or dirty without you knowing about it! Whenever possible, keep your dog indoors with air conditioning, so he doesn’t overheat outside; cats should always have plenty of shade outdoors, so they do not overheat easily either!
Lick Granulomas
Lick granulomas are caused by excessive grooming, which can occur out of anxiety or boredom. If your dog has developed a lick granuloma, it’s crucial to figure out why he or she is licking the area. This will help you determine the best treatment options for your pet. Sometimes, your vet may prescribe an anti-anxiety drug that can help with obsessive-compulsive behaviors caused by anxiety or boredom.
If these behaviors have been going on for a while and have become an established habit, behavioral therapy may be needed to break the excessive grooming and licking cycle.
Saprolegnia
Saprolegnia is a fungal infection caused by the genus Saprolegnia, which includes several species. In fish and amphibians, it affects the skin, gills, and fins. It can also cause disease in cats and dogs. The symptoms of this disease include:
- Swelling of the affected area
- Loss of coloration in the affected area
- Redness with itching
- Inflammation around it
Is this fungus contagious? Pets can get Saprolegnia by touching an infected animal or being exposed to water containing Saprolegnia spores through their nose or mouth. However, since several other bacteria can cause similar symptoms on our pets’ skin—and since Saprolegnia usually forms on areas where your pet spends time outdoors—you should always seek advice from your veterinarian before assuming you know what’s wrong; with your pet’s skin!
Conclusion
We hope this article has helped you identify and understand some of the pets’ more common skin infections. Remember that if your pet is showing any signs of infection, contact your vet immediately so they can prescribe the right treatment. You mustn’t try to diagnose this yourself—if you’re not sure what’s wrong with your cat’s skin, then make an appointment with their vet as soon as possible so they can figure out the cause and get treatment underway.
