OK, we’re not going to deny it, dog wrinkles are super cute, after all, some of the cutest dog breeds out there have them! Dog breeds such as the:
- Bloodhound,
- Bulldog,
- Pug,
- And the Shar-Pei dog breed.
But with all this…
Cuteness, also comes the added responsibility to make sure that all these wrinkles and folds stay clean. And this is where we can run into trouble. Because it’s when a “wrinkle” isn’t kept clean we can find ourselves as the proud owner of a dog that has been diagnosed with fold dermatitis.
Which is why…
In this article, we wanted to take a moment and discuss exactly what fold dermatitis is and provide some insight on what it’s like to treat a dog that has been diagnosed with this condition. So, without further ado, let’s dive right in!
What is Fold Dermatitis?
Skin fold dermatitis aka pyoderma, is a skin irritation that happens in the skin folds such as facial folds (think: very cute pug!). Dogs with more wrinkles are of course more prone to getting skin fold dermatitis, but that doesn’t mean smoother-skinned dogs can’t get it as well because they can!
It is caused by…
a change in normal skin bacteria or a yeast buildup. This can happen due to a change in weather or some impairment of the immune system (like if the dog has another sickness). If your dog’s skin folds are constantly moist with sweat or otherwise, that can cause a change too.
Clinical Signs & Symptoms of Skin Fold Dermatitis in Dogs
One of the first things that you’ll notice if your dog is beginning to develop skin fold dermatitis is that a bad rash will being to appear in your dog’s skin folds. Now this rash may have white centers that look like pus about to pop! In addition to these abrasions, your dog may have signs such as:
- Crusty skin,
- Flaky patches,
- Dryness or rough skin,
- Hair loss (alopecia).
The places where these dermatitis outbreaks happen are usually referred to as “hot spots”.
Now if your dog…
Is scratching his/her ear incessantly, then the diagnosis may be something different. This is why your vet would be the best person to investigate the skin fold infection as well as the ear canal as well. Because let’s face it, there are a lot of things out there that can cause your dog to develop a skin rash!
Diagnosis of Fold Dermatitis in dogs.
A veterinarian can normally identify pyoderma without doing any major tests. He/she will probably start your pup on antibiotic therapy and wait to see the results. This could be a topical antibiotic cream which will probably also provide some immediate relief on the pyoderma hot spots.
Now, if for some reason…
This doesn’t clear up the problem, the vet will likely do blood tests to check for an underlying cause. Anything that messes with the chemicals in your dog’s body could result in a change in natural bacteria, thus causing pyoderma.
Underlying causes include:
- Hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism,
- Hyperadrenocorticism (aka Cushing’s Disorder),
- Or allergies.
Your veterinarian may also look for other skin infections.
Is fold dermatitis contagious?
No. If you have more than one dog or you have a cat or cats, you don’t have to worry about the dog with the condition spreading it on to his friends (or enemies, if your pets don’t get along!). That said, whenever a pet is sick or facing an infection, he/she might like a little alone time from the rest of the gang. This will help your dog during the recovery phase.
Now this is…
Where we usually like to remind folks that we here at IndulgeYourPet are not doctors, veterinarians or medical professionals. All we are is a bunch of folks who are really passionate about animals and only want to see what’s best for them . For this reason, if you suspect that your pet may be suffering from fold dermatitis (or any other health concern) do what we do and…
“When in doubt, have a vet check it out!”
Because not only is getting your pet the professional care that they need right away the right thing to do, it can also be the most cost effective thing to do as well!
Fold Dermatitis Cost of Treatment
Fold dermatitis in dogs is a fairly easy to diagnose and easy to treat condition. Unlike other sicknesses or illnesses, dermatitis isn’t likely to burn a huge hole in your pocket – but that’s not to say it’s going to be cheap! It may cost you less than $200 to diagnose and treat your puppy or dog who is suffering from dermatitis.
But what if your pup gets something more serious?
Phew! This time around your dog’s condition isn’t going to break the bank…but what about next time? If you have a purebred, your dog is prone to certain diseases and disorders. Even if you have a “mut”, he/she could get sick at any time.
How much will it cost then?
Did you know there are some fairly common kinds of dog ailments that cost $5000+ to treat? That’s a lot to clunk down for your dog’s health. But you love your pooch, right?
Get Pet Insurance
Instead of face a moral dilemma as to whether to treat your pup or spare yourself from going broke, why not prepare for tomorrow? Sure, it’s worst case scenario – and we truly hope your dog lives a long, healthy life. But isn’t it always better to be prepared, especially when being prepared isn’t all that costly?
Now will a pet insurance policy be “right” for everyone?
No, of course not, but until you know exactly how much a pet insurance policy might cost you, how will you know if it’s a good idea for you and your family. After all, pet health insurance can be as little as $10 a month. Trust us; if your pup needs a $5000 surgery tomorrow, you’ll be thanking your lucky stars that you planned ahead.
For more information on who we “feel” is currently offering the “best” pet insurance in the industry, we would encourage you to check out our Best Pet Insurance Policy article.
