Weeping Eczema in Dogs

Eczema is a common problem in dogs.

Weeping eczema is an ailment that occurs in many animals, including dogs. Weeping eczema is quite a nuisance, though it is not usually considered a life-threatening condition. It is not always curable, but you can effectively manage it by following veterinarian guidelines. Treatments for weeping eczema do not rely solely on drugs anymore; you can add dietary supplements to your dog's food and alter environmental factors.

Identification

Weeping eczema is a disorder in which the affected animal's skin becomes red and inflamed, and becomes crusty and begins to ooze. The oozing fluid can also cause the weeping eczema to spread to more ares of the skin that it moistens and saturates. Weeping eczema is a response by the dog's immune system to an irritant. Some common irritants that can trigger weeping eczema are smoke, pollen, dust, detergents or animal skin care products, such as shampoo, or it can be triggered by an allergic reaction to a dietary ingredient. Stress can also trigger an outbreak of weeping eczema.

Symptoms

Weeping eczema leads to excessive itching and scratching by the dog. Small bumps may form, and the constant scratching can cause the bumps to ooze or weep. The excessive inflammation of the skin causes the dog to scratch almost nonstop. The reddened skin tightens and dries, and it will crack and split apart, leading to open areas or sores that will leak fluid. The weeping eczema sores may also begin to bleed, especially from the dog scratching so frequently.

Diagnosis

Weeping eczema needs to be diagnosed by a veterinarian. The veterinarian will perform a skin scrape and examine the discharge from the weeping sores under a microscope. The sample is also often sent to a diagnostic laboratory to confirm the sores are indeed weeping eczema and not a result of another problem, such as parasites or mange.

Treatment: Diet

Weeping eczema can often be alleviated in a dog by changing its diet. Weeping eczema is often triggered by a food allergy, which causes the dog to begin scratching incessantly. There are many dog foods available that omit certain proteins (such as beef) that can cause an outbreak. Dog foods are available with alternate protein sources, such as lamb, duck, chicken, fish and rabbit. Some of these specialty foods need to be prescribed by a veterinarian after examining your dog.

Treatment: Corticosteroids

Weeping eczema is often treated with corticosteroids to provide immediate relief to the dog. Corticosteroids can be given as an injection (such as Depo-Medrol) and can remain in the dog's system for up to six weeks. Corticosteroids can also be administered in oral form and as a topical ointment. Topical corticosteroid creams can provide instant relief from the itching, as well as helping to dry the open sores associated with weeping eczema. Long-term use of corticosteroid can lead to diabetes, pancreatitis and problems with the thyroid gland. For these reasons, corticosteroids are normally used for short-term treatment and supplemented with dietary changes.

References

• Vet Info: Identifying Dog Eczema
• Doggie's Paradise: Eczema
• "Animal Health Magazine": Hills Prescription Diets for Dogs
• Eczema Book: Weeping Eczema