How to Diagnose a Pet Skin Rash
Pet skin rashes are common, and often caused by food, inhaled or environmental allergies, according to "The Doctors Book of Home Remedies for Dogs and Cats." Similar to humans, pets experience seasonal allergies caused by excessive pollen, mold and ragweed in the air. Skin rashes caused by food allergies can develop immediately after eating an allergy-causing food such as dairy products or wheat, or can occur after eating the allergen over a period of time. A skin rash could also be an indication of flea or mite infestation, which requires a thorough cleaning of the pet's environment followed by topical or oral medication to kill the insects. Regardless of the cause, there are many symptoms your pet will show to help you properly diagnose its condition.
Instructions
-
-
1
Check your pet for fleas and mites. Put on rubber gloves and thoroughly inspect its coat. Fleas will appear as tiny black specs that resemble dirt. Other insects, such as ticks, burrow underneath the skin and cause a visible lump. Your pet may have a dull coat or scaly skin, which is an indication of fleas or a flea allergy.
-
2
Monitor your pet's scratching. A skin rash will usually cause your pet to excessively scratch the area, which worsens the rash. The rash can be red, slightly raised or with small bumps. The skin may also appear scaly, which could be seborrhea, also known as dandruff.
-
-
3
Check for bald spots. Dogs and cats will often bite or chew the affected area, which causes small patches of hair to fall out. A common cause of this skin rash is sensitivity to a detergent or other cleaning product.
-
4
Look for rashes that resemble a sunburn. According to The Dog Health Guide, your dog may have a spot on its nose that resembles a sunburn. This could be a sign of an autoimmune disease, which requires a visit to the veterinarian for a proper diagnosis.
-
5
Check for a strange odor. If your dog's rash is red and scaly with an odor it may be a yeast infection, according to The Dog Health Guide. The skin may feel oily or dry, depending on the infection.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Take your pet to the veterinarian, who will be able to prescribe medication if necessary.
