Can my cat get sunburned?

Hairless cats and breeds with sparse hair are more prone to sunburn, but sun exposure can affect any kind of cat. If your feline loves to sunbathe, they could get sunburned or develop other skin conditions. Too much sun can result in solar dermatitis, which usually appears on the face and ears in the form of red or scaly skin. If it goes untreated, scabs and ulcers will begin to form. 

Solar dermatitis is a progressive skin disease that can lead to squamous cell carcinoma, a skin cancer that presents as malignant tumors. If you notice your cat constantly scratching at the affected areas or shaking their head, schedule a veterinary examination right away. 

Can my dog get sunburned?

Light colored and hairless dogs have the highest risk of sunburns. Protective clothing like hats, goggles, or shirts can help shield their skin from the sun. Besides a sunburn, dogs that get too much sun exposure can also get heatstroke or severe dehydration. Signs of heatstroke in dogs include panting, difficulty moving, drooling, red gums, vomiting, diarrhea, and collapse. 

Treatment for Sunburn in Pets

If your dog or cat is experiencing symptoms of sunburn like red, flaky skin, please keep them out of the sun. Ointments and coolants can help relieve irritation, but if their symptoms persist, you should consult a vet. Anasazi Animal Clinic can treat severe sunburn in pets with antibiotic treatments to prevent inflammation. If your pet is suffering from excess sun exposure, contact us to schedule a consultation.

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Food Allergies

Food allergies in dogs are most often evident with increased itching around the ears, face, feet, and hind-quarters. This type of allergy is often caused by something in the dog’s diet, such as certain grains or proteins to which they may be intolerant. Zeroing in on the cause of the allergy most likely calls for a food elimination diet, under the care of your veterinarian. Treating a food allergy entails slowly eliminating certain foods in order to find out the source of the allergy. We would advise pet owners to refrain from introducing any new foods to the dog during the elimination period. This will ensure the elimination process clearly points to the food or ingredient causing the skin issue. 

Environmental Allergies

Just like food allergies, environmental allergies are triggered when the dog comes into contact with an irritant, which is present somewhere in the environment around them. Common environmental irritants include grass, pollen, or dust mites. These types of allergies often manifest outwardly as scratching of the face, chest, feet, or stomach. Such an allergy can be diagnosed through a blood test. Treatments can vary, and may include the use of special shampoos, allergy tablets, or injections.

Yeast Infections

Yeast infections love to grow in warm areas that are hard to reach such as armpits, ear canals, and around the dog’s hind-quarters. This type of infection is a result of the combination of excess moisture and warmth. It can cause the dog to itch and bite the infected area. Yeast infections can also cause discoloration of the skin and an unpleasant odor. If you notice these signs and symptoms in your dog, give us a call. This type of infection is often easily treated by using a topical cream or medication, as well as frequent bathing and drying of the infected area.

Fleas and Ticks

Parasite allergies are one of the most common skin conditions in dogs and are most often caused by bites from ticks and fleas. When such insects bite the dog’s skin, it causes the dog’s skin to itch profusely. The dog continually scratches the site of the flea or tick bite, which leads to red, inflamed skin. Parasites like fleas and ticks hide in carpets and bedding, so it is very important to maintain a clean environment for the pet and also ensure that the pet is up-to-date with its flea and tick treatments.

At Anasazi Animal Clinic in Gilbert, we care about the health and comfort of your pets. If you notice any of the above dog skin issues or excessive itching, contact us online as soon as possible. We can help provide relief for your furry friend—so she can get back to living her healthiest, happiest life!

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Allergies

Allergies are a common source of itchy skin, or pruritus, in dogs. There are three common causes of allergies in dogs: environmental triggers, fleas, and food. 

• Environmental triggers are things like pollen or mite dander, which are inhaled, or grass, which can be directly absorbed through the skin. Treating environmental allergies may require allergy shots or medication during allergy season.  
• Flea bites typically cause a temporary irritation to both pets and people. But in dogs with a flea allergy, one bite can be enough to cause systemic itching. Fleas are hard to manage, as they require treating all household pets as well as the environment, but once you get rid of the fleas, the itching will resolve. 
• Food allergies are usually triggered by a hypersensitivity reaction to a particular protein that the body mistakenly sees as a threat. Food allergies are rare, and the only way to diagnose a food allergy is through a strict elimination diet under the care of your veterinarian here at Anasazi. 

Dry Skin

Here in the hot, dry climate of Arizona, we see a lot of dogs with dry skin. Dry skin can cause a wide array of symptoms you may not be aware of, including itching, dandruff, pimples, scaling, hair loss, odor, scabs, and inflammation. Though the environment can cause dry skin, there are also numerous other causes. They are: 

• Allergies
• Parasites
• Bacterial and fungal infections 
• Metabolic disorders like Cushing’s disease or hypothyroidism
• Excessive bathing
• Harsh soaps
• Malnutrition 

The most effective way to treat dry skin is to address the underlying cause. Preventing it in the first place is even better. Some of the best ways you can prevent it are by feeding your dog a high quality diet, staying up to date on parasite-prevention medication, regular grooming, and keeping up with your pup’s scheduled checkups with us here at Anasazi Animal Clinic. 

Ringworm

Ringworm is another one of the common skin issues in dogs. Ringworm is actually a fungus, not a worm. It causes circular patches of bald, scaly, inflamed areas of the skin. Ringworm is very contagious and seems to be more common in puppies. Treatment can include medicated shampoos, ointments, dips, and possibly oral medication. If you suspect your pup may have ringworm, bring him in to Anasazi Animal Clinic right away so that we can properly diagnose and treat him. 

Let us Help!

At Anasazi Animal clinic we are passionate about your pet’s health and happiness. And as animal lovers, we know how debilitating these common skin issues in dogs can be for your four-legged member of the family. If your dog has any of these symptoms, schedule an appointment with us today so we can help him find some relief. We’ll take care of your pet with personalized TLC and quality professional know-how.

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What is a Hot Spot?

Hot spots are a fairly common skin condition occurring in both cats and dogs. When Fido or Fluffy have an irritated patch of skin, their natural instinct is to lick, nip, or scratch the affected area. In the process, they can develop a moist bald spot that looks red and could even contain lesions. If the spot continues to go untreated and gets infected, the skin can break and emit a foul-smelling odor.

What are Underlying Causes for Hot Spots?

There are a number of reasons your cat or dog may have developed a hot spot. The most common underlying causes for hot spots include: flea or tick bites, an already present wound, stress or boredom, or allergic reactions to things like food, grass, or weeds.

How are Hot Spots Treated?

Hot spots can grow at an alarmingly quick rate. If you notice your pup or feline has developed a moist red spot on their body, we recommend you take them to see the vet as soon as possible. Once there, the area can be properly treated to reduce the risk of further infection. It’s the wet environment, combined with an open wound, that encourages harmful bacteria to set up residence in the hot spot. When a vet treats for hot spots, the fur around the spot will be trimmed to allow the area to dry out, the wound will be cleaned, and some kind of medication will be applied to decrease the itchiness and irritation.

After your pet has seen the vet and you’ve returned home, keep an eye on them and try to decrease their contact with the hot spot. The less they lick, bite, or scratch the area, the faster it can heal. If you’re in the Gilbert, Chandler, or Mesa region and you’re looking for compassionate pet care, give us a call today. Your pet’s health is our highest priority!

Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (06/21/2018) Photo by Krista Mangulsone on Unsplash

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