A new perspective on Dog Skin Problems, Canine Itching and Scratching, and Hot Spot Irritations
There are many differing opinions as to the causes of canine skin disorders that are generally referred to as “Hot Spots”. These dog skin rashes are known as “Summer Itch Hot Spots” because they are often associated with warm weather although under some conditions they can be a year-round problem.
Hot Spots are frequently diagnosed as; Eczema, Pyoderma, Seborrhea, Pemphigus, Atopic Acral Lick Dermatitis, Auto immune disorders, Thyroid problems, Staph and Yeast infections, as well as Allergies to fleas, food, grass, mold, or other substances,
While there does not seem to be a consensus amongst veterinarians as to the cause of these canine Hot Spot skin problems, they do however, have a common set of symptoms. It appears that the common symptom dogs develop is an itch so severe that they lick, chew, scratch and severely traumatize themselves. This process can cause open wounds, infections, loss of hair and sometimes roughening of the skin (elephant hide). These symptoms seem to be more prevalent in warm weather and mild moist climates like the sun belt in the United States. Research has also shown that these canine skin problems are world wide and affect millions of dogs. Statistically, it does not appear that one breed of dog is more or less likely to develop these skin problems, and mixed breeds are just as likely to develop Hot Spot skin conditions as a pedigreed show dog. Age also does not seem to be a major factor; puppies can develop skin problems as early as a few months of age and geriatric dogs may suddenly show signs of Hot Spots even though they have never had a previous skin problem their entire lives.
Because of the varying opinions as to the cause of these skin problems, there are many different treatments prescribed by the veterinary community. It appears that the first treatment of choice is usually Prednisone or perhaps an anti-histamine in an effort to temporarily relieve the itch and inflammation . The use of steroids is a severe treatment and can result in negative side-effects such as liver and kidney and reproductive damage. Another widely used treatment is usually an antibiotic or other treatments to fight infection, because the dog has irritated the skin to such an extent that it is an open wound. These treatments are only designed to temporarily relieve the itching and treat the skin infections which are caused by self induced trauma from the scratching and biting the result of the dogs attempt to relieve the itching. These treatments may also include special diets, allergy shots, natural holistic and herbal therapies, home remedies such as coal tar and sulfer shampoos and are all basically a scatter-gun approach used by veterinarians in the hopes that something will work. Aside from the temporary relief of pain or the treatment of infections there is no statistical evidence to show that any of these treatments actually do work to eradicate the itch causing the dogs to scratch and bite themselves.
About 25 years ago, a major eastern university veterinary school did a large scale study of these dog skin problems to determine the efficacy of any of the standard treatments for these skin problems. The test results of the treatments provided were inconclusive and showed that approximately 30% of the dogs that were treated showed signs of improvement. Their study also showed that about 30% of the dogs in the untreated control group with the same skin problems showed signs of improvement as well even though they received no treatment at all.
According to the study, none of the standard veterinary treatments employed in this study statistically were an improvement from the control group which did not receive any treatment at all.
Unfortunately, this 30% recovery rate with or without treatment has given rise to a large, unregulated industry that produces questionable treatments for this painful Hot Spot canine skin disorder. These treatments are unsupported by statistical or scientific evidence and referred to only in “Testimonials” with little, if any, scientific proof to back up such claims.
Recent research has come up with some treatments with real scientific and statistical evidence which gives new hope for the 100 million or more dogs world wide that suffer from this problem may in fact get some relief. The results of this new research is readily available on the internet and can be found under such topics as “Dog itch treatment research”.
THE PHOTOS BELOW DOCUMENT THE PROGRESS OF ONE OF THE DOGS TREATED IN A RECENT STUDY OF “HOT SPOT” SKIN DISORDERS.
-
Photo of 7 year old female mixed breed dog in a recent field test with serious HOT SPOT condition, note the hair loss and skin trauma. Photo taken day of first treatment, September 22nd, 2007.
-
Photo of left side of the same 7 year old female mixed breed dog in a recent field test with serious HOT SPOT condition, note the hair loss and skin trauma. Photo taken day of first treatment, September 22nd, 2007.
-
Photo of same dog, third treatment 3 weeks later. October 13, 2007, note regrowth of hair along side, skin improvement, no further trauma.
-
Left side photo of same dog, 3 weeks after first treatment, October 13, 2007, note regrowth of hair along side, skin improvement.
-
Front view photo of same dog, 3 weeks after first treatment, October 13, 2007, note regrowth of hair along side, skin improvement.
-
Right view, same dog, after 6 weeks of treatments. November 17, 2007, note full hair regrowth, no sign of any skin trauma or redness.
-
Left view, same dog, after 6 weeks of treatments. November 17, 2007, note full hair regrowth, no sign of any skin trauma or redness.
-
Front view, same dog, after 6 weeks of treatments. November 17, 2007, note full hair regrowth, no sign of any skin trauma or redness. A much happier dog!
-
Caption1
-
Caption2
All Photos by Trose58 of her own dog during course of treatment. –—…°≈≠≤≥±−×÷←→·§Trose58Trose58 (talk) 21:18, 29 November 2007 (UTC)