Bryants Road Vet – Personalised, professional care for your pets

Spring skin problems in pets: Common conditions and how to treat them

As we enter the midpoint of spring in Brisbane, the warm and humid weather is creating an environment where certain skin conditions in pets thrive.

An increase in allergens, parasites and moisture can exacerbate skin problems in our pets. Most of these conditions can be managed – or even cured – with intervention, so it’s important to seek assistance from your vet if you notice any signs of skin irritation.

Read on to find out about the four most common skin conditions we see at Bryants Road Vet in spring, and what you can do to help your pet.

Parasitic skin conditions

Parasites such as fleas, ticks, and mites are common culprits behind skin irritations, and as the weather gets warmer, their numbers increase. They can cause intense itching, redness, and secondary infections due to the sores created from constant scratching.

Most parasitic skin diseases can be diagnosed through visual identification of the parasite (such as fleas), or by examining small samples of skin or debris under a microscope to diagnose the problem. All skin conditions in pets caused by parasites are treatable and your vet can recommend products to control them and protect your cat or dog from their effects.

Fungal infections

Fungal infections are another common skin issue in pets and are typically caused by either ringworm or a yeast called Malassezia which thrives in warm, humid climates. These infections can cause scaly skin, itching, and in the case of ringworm, circular patches of hair loss.

Ringworm can be quite contagious to both pets and people, however, is treatable with a course of medicated baths, ointments, gels, or pills.

Malassezia infection is typically caused by another skin problem, such as an allergic reaction or a bacterial skin infection. It is treatable through a variety of methods (including shampoos, gels/ointments, and pills). However, to resolve the infection for good, the underlying condition needs to be successfully managed as well.

Allergic skin conditions

The most common cause of skin conditions we see is due to an allergic reaction.

Cat scratching

This could be from:

  • Direct contact with allergens in the natural or home environment such as pollen, plants, dust mites or mould
  • Inhaling of allergens
  • Insect bites
  • Food allergy

Allergic skin conditions can cause a range of symptoms, including itching, swelling, redness, hair loss and sores (from excessive scratching or biting).

Diagnosing allergic skin conditions can be challenging because different types of allergies can share similar symptoms. Your vet will try to rule out other types of skin conditions before making a diagnosis of allergic skin disease.

Bacterial infections

While all pets have bacteria on their skin (just like we do), bacterial infections can occur due to skin injuries, poor hygiene or secondary complications from other skin conditions. These infections – also known as pyoderma – are not contagious to people or other pets, however, they cause inflamed skin, pustules and open wounds that can become a serious medical issue for affected pets.

Bacterial skin infections are usually diagnosed based on your pet’s medical history and the location and appearance of the affected area. Many bacterial skin infections have an underlying cause, such as a parasite infestation, hormonal or immune system disorder, or allergy. If the underlying cause is not treated appropriately, the skin infection will likely return.

In addition to treatment for the underlying cause, your vet may recommend antibiotics to resolve the infection.

Is your pet licking, biting or scratching at their skin more often?

If a skin condition seems to be causing your pet discomfort, it’s time to see a vet.

We will conduct a full physical examination to get to the bottom of the issue, and our vets will work closely with you to develop the best strategy to manage your pet’s skin condition.

To make an appointment at our Loganholme vet clinic, call us on 07 3801 1744 or book online.