Why Caring For Dog Skin Is So Important
Dog skin concern is one of the main reasons that require a visit to the vet. The skin will often cause upsetting concern on the part of owners who can see the symptoms first hand. Any examination should include the skin and the hair, as both should be examined together. If you start with the knowledge that canine skin skin is the largest organ in the dog’s body, and the requirement for the skin to guard against disease, infection and trauma, it’s no wonder that dogs are constantly afflicted by some type of skin related complaint.
With a basic knowledge of of skin and hair structure, an owner can begin to grasp the impetus for most skin sicknesses. Canine skin has 3 layers, which include the epidermis, or outer layer, and dermis, which forms the second layer. The two top layers are also known as the cutis. The panniculus is the name for the 3rd layer and is called the sub-cutis. Canine hair is referred to as follicles which also includes attached sweat glands.
A dog gets all of its protection from the environment from the outer layer of the epidermis. Basal cells, glue the outside layer or epidermis, to the second layer or dermis. When you hear about concerns called fundamental cell skin cancer, it is these cells that cause the issue when they stop dividing normally and unexpectedly start to divide with no control. Cancer related skin conditions are referred to as neoplasms or malignant tumors.
You now have the ability to also understand that when the skin is ulcerated or wounded, that there is no protection to keep harmful bacteria from getting into the body. This exposes the dog to illness, bacteria and other Problems, which is why skin diseases must result in care and therapy for fast healing. The good news is that the skin or outer skin layer heals quickly. The bad news in regards to the skin is that if this layer is constantly re-injured it becomes thicker as a protective measure by the body, which can also lead straight to changes in appearance that are upsetting for the owner. If the skin is continually hurt it could also have trouble repairing itself which results in skin problems such as seborrhea or skin flakes.
You also should know that the outermost layer of the skin is named the horny layer. This layer is called an immunologic barrier in that it fights off conditions such as infection. Operating inside this layer, are cells called Langerhans cells that rid hte body of infection. If these cells work so well it attacks pollen, allergens or mites causing skin illness. This is the immune response being too active and not doing a great job at determining what is dangerous to the dog and what’s not.
The skin also helps to defend your dog against the sun or sun burn. The dogs hair is the first primary protector against the sun. Nevertheless if the hair is missing or thin, then the body can be exposed to too much sun causing a burn and future issues with those basal cells mentioned earlier.
You can see that canine skin and human skin are considered to be very similar. This is correct for canine skin disease, with similar needed treatments and remedies. As science advances in human skin treatment, the same treatments quickly become available to help our dogs. This includes tests conducted in the veterinarian’s office and skin tests conducted in the lab,. Specific treatment approaches recommended are also similar including shampoo applications, homeopathics, plusnon-prescription and prescription medications used to boost skin appearance.
Cathy Doggins is a passionate lover of dogs. Cathy widely recognized as a professional dog health contributor that has been published on many leading pet care sties including articles similar to this one on canine skin conditions and disease.
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