Is it just an itch, or dog Psoriasis?
To address the first and most pressing question, yes. Sadly, dogs can get psoriasis. Being dog lovers here at dogPACER, we are aware that dogs often can suffer from many of the same skin infections that humans can. From dry skin and dandruff, from ringworm and psoriasis, a dog’s skin can be incredibly sensitive. But in being treated, dog owners need to be careful and not attempt to medicate their canine companions in the same way they would medicate themselves. Just because a dog can suffer from the same skin problems a human can have, doesn’t mean a dog can have that skin problem treated the same way. In many ways, that could make the problem worse.
For those who don’t know, psoriasis is a an extreme form a dry skin, which is known to itch and flake, which can be quite bothersome to the person (or dog) suffering from it. A good way to know if your dog has psoriasis is to check for the symptoms, which can be fairly easy to recognize. Is the dog focusing a lot of itching and scratching and licking on one area, almost obsessively so? When you check the area the dog is itching, is the skin really dry looking, flaking and inflamed under the coat, or has some of the fur been worn away? That is one sign that dog is having dermatitis issues, which are often as common in dogs as they are in humans.
So what do you do if your dog is displaying symptoms of skin problems? Do the right thing any time you have any worries concerning your dog’s health, and take it to the vet, no questions asked. There are simple enough meds that can put the dog on the long lasting road to recovery. But in being aware of the problem, there are simple enough measures you can take to help avoid it. One great way is to feed the dog a diet high in Omega-3 fatty acids, which can do wonders for their coats and skin condition. Also, be aware of some allergies your dog may have, as those allergens are often the triggers for such skin ailments in humans AND dogs.
Last and most important, give your dog lots of love. If you are close enough with your canine, you will know when something is wrong and do anything you can to limit its discomfort. While that level of love may not heal the dog, outright, it sure helps with it coping with it.
