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A Canine's Past is an Important Way to Diagnose Skin Illness
Skin issues are one of the commonest presenting conditions in a pet health practice. Many dog and puppy dermal rashes are close in how they appear to the eye, yet have various possible underlying causes, so an in office palpatation (touching the skin) alone often does not reveal the answers necessary to counsel a initial approach toward a treatment plan. Prior to the skin examination one of the most significant diagnostic approaches is the taking of a dog's medical and skin history. By asking a a predetermined set of questions regarding a dog's medical hsitory, a doctor can attempt to reduce likely causes of the problem. This will save the owner time and assit the vet in eliminating high-priced tests by narrowing down the extensive list of possible dog skin conditions.
Most vets start the office visit with a written history. The vet will then review the answers with you and discuss any implications. Standard questions include:
1. What is the type of dog? There are several skin diseases possessing a higher incidence in certain breeds. Note this info can change by area. For instance, several breeds are predisposed to atopy, which are inhaled seasonal allergies including Basset Hounds, Beagles, Boston Terriers, Boxers, Bullterriers, Cairn Terrier, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Dalmatians, and German Shepherds.
2. What is the age of the patient? Certain dermal conditions are seen in younger dogs such as inborn issues. Others are due to an underdeveloped immunological reaction, which allows issues to develop such as mange. Middle age dogs are subject to food allergic, while older dogs are prone to skin neoplasms.
3. How long has the dog suffered from the difficulty? Sicknesses that appear suddenly are linked with parasitic diseases or a food allergy. On-going issues like itch can be caused by food or rash. Issues that have gone on for years without other Problems, allow issues such as hormonal issues to be ruled out. Dog hair loss without other symptoms can be hereditary or a problem called follicular dysplasia. Dependent on the cause identified, a vet can test for scabies, food sensitivity, or infection.
4. Where on the body did the issue start? Location is a sign of cause. As an example, issues on the ears can be due to inhaled allergy, food allergy, parasites, skin polyps, and secondary infection. Problems on the legs are often due to inhaled allergy, dietary sensitivity, mites such as scabies, vasculitis and pemphigus (pus filled spots). Issues on the head include mites, inhaled allergy, dietary sensitivity or fungus.
5. What are the symptoms? Symptoms like pruritis are related to many issues and are not especially useful in figuring out the trigger. Also, owners may mis-interpret itchy skin as being severe when it is really isn't as bad.
There are numerous more questions, including seasonality, other symptoms that aren't related to the skin such as loss of appetite and behavioral change, diet, the presence of other animals and even if the owner has any skin diseases that might have been passed from the owner to the dog. The bottom line is that by making the effort by replying to a few questions can lower the cost of treatment and get your dog on the way to a positive outcome.
Most vets start the office visit with a written history. The vet will then review the answers with you and discuss any implications. Standard questions include:
1. What is the type of dog? There are several skin diseases possessing a higher incidence in certain breeds. Note this info can change by area. For instance, several breeds are predisposed to atopy, which are inhaled seasonal allergies including Basset Hounds, Beagles, Boston Terriers, Boxers, Bullterriers, Cairn Terrier, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Dalmatians, and German Shepherds.
2. What is the age of the patient? Certain dermal conditions are seen in younger dogs such as inborn issues. Others are due to an underdeveloped immunological reaction, which allows issues to develop such as mange. Middle age dogs are subject to food allergic, while older dogs are prone to skin neoplasms.
3. How long has the dog suffered from the difficulty? Sicknesses that appear suddenly are linked with parasitic diseases or a food allergy. On-going issues like itch can be caused by food or rash. Issues that have gone on for years without other Problems, allow issues such as hormonal issues to be ruled out. Dog hair loss without other symptoms can be hereditary or a problem called follicular dysplasia. Dependent on the cause identified, a vet can test for scabies, food sensitivity, or infection.
4. Where on the body did the issue start? Location is a sign of cause. As an example, issues on the ears can be due to inhaled allergy, food allergy, parasites, skin polyps, and secondary infection. Problems on the legs are often due to inhaled allergy, dietary sensitivity, mites such as scabies, vasculitis and pemphigus (pus filled spots). Issues on the head include mites, inhaled allergy, dietary sensitivity or fungus.
5. What are the symptoms? Symptoms like pruritis are related to many issues and are not especially useful in figuring out the trigger. Also, owners may mis-interpret itchy skin as being severe when it is really isn't as bad.
There are numerous more questions, including seasonality, other symptoms that aren't related to the skin such as loss of appetite and behavioral change, diet, the presence of other animals and even if the owner has any skin diseases that might have been passed from the owner to the dog. The bottom line is that by making the effort by replying to a few questions can lower the cost of treatment and get your dog on the way to a positive outcome.
About the Author:
Cathy Doggins is the writer of several pieces on canine health. She is the number one contributor to the Internet resource, the Dog Health Guide, Cathy is passionate about dog care and has published extensively on canine skin disease.