Panorama Pet Hospital now offers DNA health screening for your dog. With greater than 99% accuracy, our new DNA tests screen for more than 230 genetic health conditions and unlocks breed ancestry, which can inform health care.

With just one cheek swab, your veterinarian can learn actionable insights and create a personalized care plan for your dog. Together, we can be proactive and improve your dog's health! Contact us at (818) 786-4300 to take the next step in providing for your dog's wellness and schedule a DNA test.

Common Pet Skin Issues and How to Treat Them

Dog scratching itself

Skin Issues in Pets

Does your pet frequently scratch, bite, or lick its skin? Allergies, parasites, and infections can cause a variety of itchy skin conditions in pets. These conditions are among the most common.

Flea Bite Dermatitis

Fleas aren't picky. They'll feed on any warm-blooded mammal, whether it's a pet or a person. Flea symptoms include round, red bumps on the skin, hot spots, scabs, and hair loss. In some cases, you may be able to see fleas on your pet's coat. Flea "dirt" is another telltale sign of an infestation. The dirt, which looks like black or brown flecks in the fur, are flea feces.

Dogs and cats are most commonly affected by flea bite dermatitis, but other animals can suffer from the itchy condition. If your dog or cat has fleas, your rabbit, ferret, hamster, gerbil, or guinea pig may have them too.

Treatment

Flea collars, sprays, baths, and ointments can kill fleas. Before using a flea product on a young, old, sick, or small animal, check with your veterinarian first, as some of the products and treatments may be toxic for these pets. Prescription chews, pills, and topical treatments kill mature fleas and larvae and can be used year-round to prevent flea infestations.

Ringworm

Ringworm is a fungal infection that causes raised, red rings on the skin. Other signs and symptoms include a circular pattern of hair loss, dandruff, and scaly, thick or crusty skin. Ringworm can be transmitted between people and pets. If your pet has ringworm, wash your hands after touching your furry friend and be sure to wash his or her bedding, dishes, brushes, and combs frequently.

Treatment

Creams, ointments, and medicated shampoo ease ringworm symptoms. These treatments may be combined with oral anti-fungal medication.

Allergic or Nutritional Dermatitis

Pets can suffer from allergies too. Red, blistered, thick skin along with hair loss can be a sign that your pet has allergic dermatitis. This is a condition that tends to make pets very uncomfortable. They may try to ease the itch by scratching, rubbing against furniture or carpeting, or biting and licking their skin.

Your pet may be allergic to pollen, ragweed, dust mites, mold, or other airborne allergens. They can also be allergic to the ingredients in their food. Allergies can develop at any time in your pet's life. Dermatitis can also occur if your pet eats poor quality food that doesn't meet all of his or her nutritional needs.

Treatment

Treatment for dermatitis depends on the cause but may include immunotherapy, change in diet, antihistamines, medicated shampoo, soothing topical medication, corticosteroids to decrease itching and inflammation, or antibiotics or antifungal medication to treat infections that occur as a result of frequent scratching or licking.

Scabies

Scabies, or sarcoptic mange, occurs when tiny microscopic mites make themselves at home in your pet's skin. Severe itching, rashes, red or flaky skin, and patchy hair loss can be signs of scabies. Although the infection frequently affects dogs, cats can get it too. Scabies is very contagious and can be spread through close contact with other animals. Wash your pet's bedding and clean his or her favorite restings spots frequently.

In some cases, sarcoptic mange can affect people. You may notice red bumps on your skin if your pet transmitted mites to you. Since the mites can't reproduce on human skin, the condition is much less serious in people. Humans can get another form of scabies that causes more severe symptoms. Human scabies cannot spread to animals.

Treatment

Your pet's veterinarian can prescribe several treatments that kill the mites and ease your pet's uncomfortable symptoms, including topical medications, injections, shampoos, and antibiotic and anti-inflammatory medication.

Is your pet scratching much more than usual? A skin condition may be to blame. We can help relieve your pet's itch and determine the cause of your furry friend's rash.

Sources:

Veterinary Practice: Treating Canine Scabies, 4/23/18

DVM360: Atopic Dermatitis in Dogs and Cats, 5/1/11

Veterinary Practice: Treating Canine Scabies, 4/23/18

Purina: Skin Problems and Skin Conditions in Dogs

Companion Animal Parasite Council: Pets and Parasites

Catster: 10 Cat Skin Problems and How to Handle Them

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Monday:

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Testimonials

Read What Our Clients Say

  • "I have nothing but good things to say about Panorama Pet Hospitals Dr. and staff. Took my dog in for a dental exam and Dr. Suman addressed the problem immediately. Dr. Suman and the veterinary assistant were so gentle with my dog and made him feel very comfortable. I ended up booking a deep cleaning and I could not have been happier. Dr. Suman took great care of my dog and got his teeth cleaned. All I can say is if you want a trust worthy doctor and a kind staff head over to Panorama Pet Hospital you wont regret it! Thank you again Dr. Suman and staff!"
    Tanya D.
  • "I was contemplating coming here due to the distance. Since I was extremely unhappy with our previous vet. I took the hour's drive. Needless to say, was one of the best decisions I made in my dog's life. Our initial visit was let me just say first impressions go a long way. Dr. Prabhakar showed great concern immediately about my dog Molly's condition. I have worked closely with doctors throughout my career and I have a good intuition on whether a doctor genuinely cares about their patients and Dr. Prabhakar does. A lot of Doctors just prescribe medication. Without determining the underlying problem. When I leave all my questions and concerns are answered. The staff there are so nice and friendly. Tammy is the best! No matter how busy she is she takes the time to stop and listen to me and answers my questions. Definitely worth the drive. I wouldn't go anywhere else."
    Sabrina M.
  • "Came across Doctor Suman after looking for a vet to perform surgery on my kitty leg ! I went to 5 different
    opinions until I found this Doctor! He explained everything in detail and told me exactly how the work would be
    done, I felt so comfortable! He did a fantastic job! Thank You Doctor Suman and Staff! My dog needed the same
    surgery and Doctor Suman was there again performing his magic! He truly cares and has love for every animal
    that comes through his door! The entire staff is full of love and caring hearts!"
    Susie M.
  • "I love this vet so much. Dr. Suman is so smart and kind. Everyone here is very accommodating and whenever
    I've come in stressed and worried for my pet, they are so comforting. It is always a quick and easy experience
    and one of the less expensive vets. Thank you for all your help!"
    Amber F.
  • "This wonderful office squeezed an appt in for my cat's urinary tract infection. They were kind and considerate,
    and accepted Care Credit. Since I lost my teaching job during Covid, the doctor was very compassionate and
    affordable. Thank you, Dr. Prabhakar!"
    Elizabeth F.
  • "Dr. Suman really cares for his patients. Personally even does follow ups and calls to check on how his patients
    are. He respects the pet parents and understands that life us difficult- he presents the real scenario and issue and what needs to happen but also presents options on how to go about the situation if needed."
    Cris Q.
  • "Dr. Suman is the best Veterinarian. I brought my dog in extremely ill suffering from ITP. He was able to place her
    on the right medication to control her illness. The way he demonstrated care, nurture, compassion and
    responded quickly was the best care my fur baby could have received. Thank you Dr. Suman and the whole."
    Erika G.
  • "I've been bringing my cats to dr. Suman for many years now. I find him to be caring and a great vet. They've
    got a wonderful new addition to the team in Dr. Gupta. She is helping me with my cat Joey who has dental
    issues. I feel very confident with her. The ladies in the front office are very nice too."
    Susan M.