DIAGNOSING SKIN DISEASES
Skin Diseases can be very complex and difficult to diagnose. That is why some doctors specialize in nothing but dermatology! The skin is the heaviest organ of the body, accounting for about 16% of the body's weight. The skin has many different functions and many different types of cells. It prevents water loss; it serves as a sensory organ; it protects the body from impact and friction injuries; it is elastic to allow for swelling; it protects against ultraviolet rays from the sun. The skin's glands, blood vessels and fatty tissue participate in thermo-regulation, metabolism and excretion. The skin is also the body's first defense against disease.
Often more than one disease process is going on at the same time to produce a skin problem. For example, allergies lead to scratching, which leads to bacterial infection, which leads to more scratching.
Some skin diseases clear up quickly and easily. Some problems clear up quickly only to recur. Some require lifetime treatment to keep under control, as they cannot be cured. In severe cases, it may take weeks or months for skin problems to improve, and many tests and rechecks may be necessary for a cure to result.
Possible causes of skin disease, and contributing factors, include:
Allergy
-to fleas
-to substances in the food the pet eats
-to inhaled substances such as mildew spores and pollens
-to chemicals or materials contacting the skin
Infection
-bacterial ("staph. infection", "pyoderma")
-fungal ("ringworm")
-yeast
Overly dry or oily skin (seborrhea)
Several species of parasitic mites, including mange mites
Fleas or ticks
Hormone imbalances
Immune system dysfunction
Liver disease
Cancer
There may be several things all occurring at once.
Here are some of the tests that might be necessary to reach a diagnosis or treatment plan:
Just a note about hypoallergenic diet trials: There are no foods that are hypoallergenic. Dogs and cats can develop allergies to ANYTHING they ingest. In fact, the more foods you try in the early stages of food allergy, the more foods your pet is likely to become allergic to. That's why the diet trial is last on our list. It is best to feed your pet just one kind of food during the time we are diagnosing and treating the skin problems, to make diagnosis easier, and to shorten the list of substances your pet could become allergic to. Click here for more information on food allergies in pets.
At least one recheck will usually be needed to evaluate response to treatment. Sometimes it takes many visits. Don’t be discouraged or surprised if it takes a while to diagnose your pet’s problem and clear it up or get it under control. If things aren’t going well you can also ask for a referral to a veterinary dermatologist.
