Common Golden Retriever Skin Issues
Are you worried about your golden retrievers skin?
We all want to make sure we look after our puppy pals, so seeing them in any distress can be very upsetting. Golden retrievers are susceptible to certain skin conditions, but if you know what to look out for, you can keep these at bay.
Read on for our complete guide to common golden retriever skin issues. And advice on how to reduce the symptoms.
Environmental Allergies And How To Treat Them
Golden retrievers, and most other breeds, can suffer with allergen agents. What makes it difficult to spot in golden retrievers though, is their thick coat. It can actually hide any skin reactions they have.
Atopic dermatitis is a genetic condition that can affect some golden retrievers. It causes them to develop inflammation and reactions to things like:
- grasses
- tree pollen
- dust
To spot an allergic reaction in golden retrievers, there are some symptoms to look out for. Keep an eye out for:
- hot spots
- lesions
- scratching
If left, this can result in infections or eczema forming. So, if you spot anything like the above, its important you speak to your vet. You want to try to narrow down whats caused the issues and start treatment.
The first thing you can do to treat skin allergies is to bath your golden retriever on a regular basis. Every 4 or so weeks should be good for most goldens.
This will help relieve the itchiness. Be careful not to bathe them too often or youll strip the skin of essential oils and dry out the skin further. If after a monthly bath your golden retriever is still itchy, talk with your vet.
When your golden retriever goes out, wipe them down with a damp cloth after. This will remove any allergens from their coat and skin.
That thick coat is beautiful but is also vulnerable to skin irriations
What Are Hot Spots On Dogs
Hot spots, also known as acute moist dermatitis, are painful, red areas of infected skin that appear to be irritated and are sometimes raised.
Hot spots on dogs can occur anywhere on the body, but they are commonly found on the face, neck, limbs or hips. The size and appearance of the lesions can vary slightly in each location, but most will look similar regardless of where they are.
These spots can appear quickly, usually with some degree of hair loss, and they become much larger in a matter of days.
Hot spots on dogs can be relatively minor and heal quickly, but they do have the potential to cause more serious issues, such as widespread infection or deeper skin ulcerations.
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What Causes The Hot Spots On Dogs
Anything from skin allergies to insect bites or just a minor graze can be the starting point for a hot spot to develop. If there is enough moisture on the skins surface for bacteria to take hold, this will create the right conditions for hot spots.
Some of the most common causes are:
- Flea bites
- Stress, anxiety or boredom which causes excessive licking that irritates and breaks the skin
- Injuries and grazes
- Excess moisture in the dogs coat after swimming or bathing
Dog hot spots tend to be more common during summer days when humidity is high, which is why they are also known as summer sores. Although long-haired breeds such as German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Labradors and St. Bernards with thick coats are more prone to this skin infection, hot spots can affect any dog.
What Do Dog Hot Spots Look Like
Picture of a hot spot.
The actual hot spot lesion can range in size but is usually red, inflamed, and raw, and may bleed intermittently.
The area will become moist and painful and typically spreads due to licking, chewing, and/or scratching.
Hot spots on dogs will usually look different than other skin conditions, such as ringworm or mange, because the skin is very moist and inflamed.
Ringworm, as well as some parasitic skin infections, will have associated hair loss but are usually drier in appearance compared to hot spots.
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Trim Around The Infected Area
You will need to trim the area around the lesion with animal clippers. This will allow the infection to breathe and for the medicine to do its work. If you dont have animal clippers handy, you can use electric clippers. You may need a muzzle or a friend to hold your dogs head while you work.
First, fill the wound with a water-soluble liquid. Cut the fur back around the wound until you have about a one-inch border. The height of the hair should be cut down to about half an inch.
After youve finished trimming, rinse the area thoroughly with warm water.
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Golden Retriever Hot Spots
Does your dog have a missing clump of hair on their body? Are they constantly itching and licking a certain area? It could be a hotspot. There are many illnesses that Golden Retrievers can get that cause skin issues. One of the biggest ones and quite common, is hot spots. Hot spots are considered moist dermatitis. Our goldens as of yet have never gotten a hot spot. Let me knock on wood. However, any breed including golden retrievers are suspetible to them. Thick and long haired dogs are however more susceptible.
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Summary Of Hot Spots On Dogs
Hot spots on dogs, also known as moist dermatitis, are a painful condition where the skin becomes reddened, moist, and swollen, usually as a result of allergies, an infection, parasites, or moisture trapped within the coat. Other symptoms include licking, scratching, biting, and discharge of pus and fluids. If not treated properly, hot spots can result in severely damaged skin, so its important to be aware of the signs and symptoms, and act quickly to contact your veterinarian should any of them present themselves.
Our medical experts
Costs Of Dog Cataract Surgery
The costs of cataract surgery are high, especially if the recommended lens prosthesis is applied, running $1,500 to $5,000 per eye. Most veterinarians will typically treat one eye, allowing the pet to experience functional vision after surgery.
The best prevention is restricting breeding in affected petsand in first-degree relatives of those pets affected when possible.
To help make life easier for your new puppy it is important to stress the below 5 tips recommended for new owners when choosing a healthy Goldendoodle puppy.
Ensure your Goldendoodle has a better chance at a healthy life by knowing the breeder you are choosing, and the health history of the parents.
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How To Treat Your Pet When Threatened With Hot Spots And Itchy Skin In Toronto
The area needs to be shaved to stop the spreading.like a forest fire, a trench is made to stop the flames from spreading hence shaving the area larger than the wound, stops the wet skin discharge from spreading to the surrounding areas. The affected area is then washed and disinfected and sometimes washed with an Iodine based liquid. We may dispense a topical antibiotic/steroid to apply to the area twice daily as well as an accompanying antibiotic to dry the lesions. A head collar , T-shirt or light wrap may be recommended to detour the aggressive licking/scratching that may ensue. The skin wounds take about 2 weeks to heal and hair growth is complete in 12 16 weeks. Once your dog has had hot spot they can get it again.
It is thought that dogs who dont completely dry after swimming or bathing may be predisposed to hot spots but we also usually see a run of hot spots with the dramatic weather change. The temperatures cools and rises quickly and the dog hasnt had time to acclimatize. At the first sign of your pet itching/scratching or excessive licking of an area..please contact your Veterinarian ASAP to stop it getting larger. The sooner the hot spot is diagnosed and treated, the sooner your pet will be comfortable again.
Is Apple Cider Vinegar A Good Home Remedy For Hot Spots On Dogs
Apple cider vinegar is not a scientifically tested hot spot treatment. Some people claim that apple cider vinegar causes a cooling sensation, and thus may be appropriate for small topical problems, such as hot spots. Unfortunately, it will sting an open wound, which isnt cooling at all!
The best course of action: as soon as you identify a hot spot on your dog, head to the vet clinic. Following a veterinarian-prescribed treatment plan will knock your dogs hot spot out cold, and help them feel cool as a cucumber.
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Pet Hotspots Are Painful And Dangerous
Hot spots are a result of a skin condition officially called pyotraumatic dermatitis. It is a bacterial infection that develops and rapidly spreads in the skin.
Hotspots start out as small breaks in the upper dermal layers. A tiny scratch, an insect bite, gnawing at an itchy spot or even rough play between two sharp toothed puppies can spell the prelude to the next step in the formation of a hotspot.
Any area in the skin that is open, acts like a neon sign, inviting bacteria to set up house and multiply like the demons they are. Your dog can develop a very serious hotspot within minutes from itching or scratching an aggravated skin site.
Hot spots will be warm to the touch, and painfully itchy for a dog. Hot spots emit pus and smell badly. Hair loss from around the infected area is common. Because dog hot spots are so painful and irritating many dogs will bite and scratch the area causing the infection to spread.
Hot spots are most common in dogs with thick coats such as Golden Retrievers, Cocker Spaniels and German Shepherds. However, hot spots can occur in any breed. A common cause for hot spots is moisture getting caught next to the dogs skin, making an ideal spot for an infection to start. Moisture can become trapped by matted fur, a dog collar, or simply thick fur. Many times chronic dog hot spots stem from an allergic condition. Some dogs are simply more prone to hot spots than others.
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He Or She Needs A Different Food
It may not be the first thing you consider when trying to figure out why your golden retriever is scratching so much, but food type actually plays a large role in skin irritations in golden retrievers.
If your golden just cant seem to stop scratching, you may want to consider their food as a source of the irritation. Some dog foods dont include a lot of the proper nutrients and ingredients necessary to help golden retrievers with their overall skin health.
Luckily, there are foods out there you can switch your golden retriever to that will help him or her with their skin sensitivities and skin and coat help. Well discuss this more later on.
Golden Retriever Hot Spots Treatment: Golden Guide 2021
Even dogs may experience various skin issues especially if you own a dog breed that has a beautiful, thick coat. Included in the list of these dog breeds are, no doubt, the Golden Retriever. They generally have a lustrous, long thick coat that makes them really adorable. Because of that, they are highly susceptible to have hot spots. With that, it is very important as a pet owner to know the Golden Retriever hot spots treatment.
In this blog post, we detailed the different approaches for the treatment of hot spots on Golden Retriever. To deeply understand what treatment youll have to employ, we also have here a quick overview of it discussing the causes of hot spots and their symptoms. So, if you are ready to give your Goldies the care that they need, check on it below.
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Golden Retrievers Store A Lot Of Heat And Humidity Right Next To Their Skin
Golden retrievers are known for their long and beautiful coats. Theyre part of what makes golden retrievers so great, but they can also be a cause for some of the golden retrievers skin issues.
Because golden retrievers have a dense, water-resistant undercoat, heat and water get trapped close to their skin. This can cause skin irritation and hot spots.
Hot spots are areas on the skin that can become raw due to skin irritation and scratching, and can even become infected.
They may look like red or swollen patches of skin. Hot spots are most common in areas of the dogs body that are easily accessible that means theyre easier to scratch and irritate.
These hot spots have a tendency to show up more frequently when your golden retriever has been wet recently or wet for a long period of time. That water gets trapped near their skin, causing irritation, frantic scratching, and hot spots.
Luckily, hot spots are preventable and treatable. The amount of heat and humidity stored close to your golden retrievers skin is treatable too. Well talk about that in more detail later on!
Boost The Lowered Immune System And Gut Flora
Now the immune reserves need to be back to fighting fit. To do this add some natural immune boosting substances to the dogs diet, such as a nice natural multivitamin like kelp, brewers yeast or spirulina, and a good oil, such as, cod liver oil or even vitamin E from a natural health shop .
An out of kilter biome can result in all sorts of issues. Studies show the skin and likely gut microbiota play a colossal role in numerous skin conditions, with each year proving more and more links. Thus a little boost to the biome is a good idea at this point. Pick up some probiotics that are specifically made for dogs as their flora is different to us omnivores.
Also, please know those dirty teeth are a constant drain on immune resources. Work on getting them nice and clean using raw meaty bones.
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Signs & Symptoms Of Moist Dermatitis
The formation of moist dermatitis can be a very painful process for your pet. Pus will likely start to ooze from the traumatized skin as infection sets in. The dried pus and damaged skin surface will form a tightly adhered crust. Youre likely to notice hair loss over the infection site. Your dog will also probably show pain when the area is touched. While hot spots can occur anywhere, theyre most commonly seen on the head, limbs, and hips.
Is There A Natural Treatment For Hot Spots
When treating hot spots it is helpful to trim the hair of the surrounding area. Then you will need to clean the wound. Be very gentle and use lots of treats because the hot spot is very painful. Clean away any pus or dead skin.
Calendula is an herb that can prove very helpful for reducing itching and irritation of the hot spot. It can also help the skin to heal faster. You can use calendula topically, directly on the wound in the form of an oil, tea, or tincture. If you choose to use a tincture be sure to choose one that is not alcohol-based. Alcohol will sting and irritate the wound further. Calendula can be applied as often as needed and is safe for your pet to lick.
Hypericum or St. John’s Wort can be added to calendula for even greater itch and inflammation relief. Adding hypericum to calendula can also promote healing even more. You can get calendula and hypericum tinctures and mix 13 or so drops of each with a cup of warm water. Then wash the hot spot with the water as often as needed. This will relieve itching and promote healing. As a bonus hypericum has natural antibacterial properties that seek out pathogens while leaving good bacteria alone.
Colostrum can help boost the immune system and speed up the healing process. Colostrum also acts as a natural antibiotic. You can use powdered colostrum and mix it with distilled water to make a paste to apply to the wound.
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