Dogs are often exposed to various skin diseases: allergies, dermatitis, ticks. The most common lichen. This is one of the skin ailments of dogs, which is called dermatophytosis. This disease develops due to fungi and other pathogenic microorganisms.
Disease transmission methods
A dog can become infected during deprivation when it comes in contact with a sick dog, or if a brush or comb of a sick animal has been used. Some animals may not be sick with lichen, but be carriers of it. A dog can become infected almost everywhere. It is important to consider that the causative agents of lichen are very tenacious, some fungi can live in natural conditions for up to 18 months.
Some types of lichen in dogs can be very dangerous for humans. Several types of lichen are known, therefore, in order to cure lichen in a pet as quickly as possible, it is necessary to determine the type of disease. Since lichen is transmitted from the dog to other animals and even to humans, treatment should be started as soon as possible. To begin, consider the general signs of this disease, learn to determine its type, and then find out what measures should be taken to combat this unpleasant ailment at home.
What does lichen look like in dogs
It is not difficult to identify lichen, but most owners notice this disease only when spots on the skin with fallen off hair are already pronounced. The first signs of lichen are not so easy to identify, it is a barely noticeable rash on the skin. In most cases, lichen in dogs appears on the nose, on the muzzle, in the ears and on the tail. Here are the usual symptoms of depriving: rash, spots on the skin, hair loss at the site of the rash, and crusting. Next, we consider each type of lichen, because each of them manifests itself in different ways.
Diagnostics
The causes of lichen in dogs are different, so the types of lichen are also different. Some symptoms may vary, such as the color of the spots, their size and nature. The treatment is also not the same. To cure a pet as soon as possible, you must first determine the type of depriving, and only then choose the treatment.
Dog deprivation: signs and treatment
Pink lichen
This is the most harmless type of lichen that causes fungus. Such lichen does not even have to be treated, it goes away after 5-6 weeks. It differs in the formation of round pink spots, which itch heavily, and then peel off. To quickly eliminate the symptoms, it is simply necessary to avoid water procedures and walk the pet in the shade. In extreme cases, you can wipe the affected areas with apple cider vinegar.
Shingles in dogs, treatment
This is a dangerous skin disease caused by a fungus. This type of lichen quickly attacks the body of the animal. At the beginning there are oval spots about two centimeters in diameter in diameter, later the hair at these places disappears, and the skin is covered with scales. The dog needs urgent treatment. Most affected are the scalp and ears.
Pityriasis (multicolored) lichen
This disease, like ringworm, is caused by a fungus. Pityriasis versicolor is the most common form of the disease. A small pinkish spot appears on the skin of the animal, without inflammation. The lesion varies in color from yellow to brown. Most often, spots appear on the neck, back and legs.
Weeping lichen
This is an inflammation of the skin, the second name of which is eczema. This is a kind of allergy, so it is not transmitted to other animals or humans. In areas with a rash, swelling appears, then burning and itching appear. Redness, vesicles, crusts, cracks and spots are possible from pink to cyanotic color.
Shingles
There is lichen caused by the herpes virus. First, the animal begins to itch in the intercostal space and abdomen, sometimes on the back and legs. After this, bubbles with liquid form, which burst over time and, drying up, overgrow with a crust.
Dog deprivation: symptoms and how to treat
Pink lichen can be cured independently at home with folk remedies. For the treatment of ringworm, ointments and antifungal drugs will have to be used. If the ointment can be purchased without consulting a doctor, then an antifungal agent is best purchased after a veterinarian examination. It is important to know that lichen should be treated immediately after its identification, otherwise terrible and irreparable consequences are possible. It is best to take the animal to a veterinarian if you suspect a disease, who will accurately determine the type of lichen and prescribe the appropriate treatment.
Folk remedies
Lichen alone is not dangerous, but since the dog is trying to comb it all the time, there is a chance of damage to the skin and infection. And this, in turn, can lead to more serious consequences. For the treatment of lichen, there are folk remedies. For example, some experts advise treating affected areas of skin with apple cider vinegar 4-6 times a day. Vinegar can be replaced with freshly squeezed cranberry juice, this method is also quite effective.
Home treatment
Now let’s look at how to treat lichen in dogs at home. Perhaps our tips can help. Firstly, it is necessary to cut all the hair on the affected area and around it. Next, you need to make a warm soapy solution and treat it with crusts on the skin until they soften, then you need to carefully remove them and treat the spots with iodine or brilliant green. This procedure requires a repeat every two days. If at home there is neither iodine nor green stuff, instead of them it is allowed to use sulfuric ointment or even antifungal agents intended for treating a person. Then you should carefully read the instructions in order to know the frequency of the procedure. Removed crusts and trimmed wool must be burned, and the place of treatment depriving should be thoroughly disinfected.
Ointment for lichen
If you do not know the funds that can be used to treat depriving, we present you a list of possible drugs:
- Sulfuric ointment;
- Ointment Yang;
- Miconazole
- "Clotrimazole";
- "Tiabendazole".
Ointment should be treated with ointment 2-3 times a day, applying it with a thin layer to the lesion site and the skin surrounding it. Such ointments are usually used for small lesions of the skin. When bald patches are noticeable on the skin, Clotrimazole, Exoderil, or Miconazole are prescribed. It is very important to cut the coat. It is necessary to ensure that the animal does not lick the ointment, so it is important to purchase a special protective collar.
Sometimes a solution of Clotrimazole, salicylic acid or iodine solution for treatment is prescribed. But they need to be taken carefully and as prescribed by the doctor, since tissue necrosis can be caused, which will complicate the treatment process.
Shampoo
But it happens that there are a rather large number of bald patches or there are none at all, but the wool is climbing in shreds. Then a special shampoo for depriving, for example, "Keto plus", is used. The packaging contains instructions with detailed information on frequency of use. You need to carefully read it. Typically, such shampoos are used 3-5 times with a break of two days. It is necessary to completely wash off the foam with plenty of water, since if the product enters the dog’s stomach, serious poisoning can occur.
If the animal’s hair is shaved, then it is necessary to purchase a jumpsuit for walking, because being outdoors without hair leads to hypothermia and a significant decrease in immunity.
Other drugs
- It is possible to prescribe tablets for large skin lesions, as well as if the fungus has not responded to ointments and other drugs. Typically, specialists prescribe "Fluconazole", "Griseofulvin", "Ketoconazole" or "Intraconazole". Hepatoprotectors, special medications that protect the animal’s liver from the side effects of drugs, are prescribed along with the pills.
- Immunomodulators will not be redundant in the treatment of lichen in dogs. If a dog has taken up lichen, then its body is currently weakened and most susceptible to all kinds of diseases, so its immunity needs to be helped.
- Antibiotics. A secondary infection, which is picked up due to a weakened immune system, needs treatment, so antibiotics are prescribed in such cases. Without the use of antibiotics, lichen promotes the growth of pathogenic microorganisms such as staphylococci and streptococci, as a result of which wounds fester, and an inflammatory process develops. Then the treatment becomes useless and the animal’s condition worsens even more. Only a veterinarian can prescribe antibiotics; in serious cases, do not self-medicate.
- Vaccination. This is an ambiguous treatment method, more preventive. This is due to the fact that at this time there are still no unambiguous drugs for the treatment of lichen. All vaccines are experimental methods. Many dog owners refuse vaccination, because dogs do not tolerate them, and the pathogen becomes more resistant to drugs. Therefore, in the early stages of the disease, it is not recommended to vaccinate the dog.
Household Precautions
It is important to consider that there is a certain risk group that is more susceptible to this disease than others. This group includes puppies, old animals, and animals that have suffered a disease, which means they have weakened immunity. It is necessary to isolate the sick animal from children, the elderly, and people who have low immunity, as well as other domestic animals. All family members must comply with personal hygiene rules. In the room where the sick animal is located, it is necessary to carry out regular wet cleaning with disinfectants and airing the room. It is important to disinfect all objects with which the sick dog has contact. Make sure that the dog does not scratch or lick the treated areas, for this you can wrap the areas with gauze, bandage or purchase a special protective collar. It is necessary to introduce nutritional supplements and vitamins into the animal's diet - this will help strengthen immunity.
Prevention
Any disease is easier to prevent in advance than to spend time, effort and money on drugs. To do this, just remember the rules of prevention and safety.
The basic rules of preventive measures are as follows:
- Daily need to carry out wet cleaning with the use of disinfectants, regularly ventilate.
- Regular water procedures for the pet, including washing the paws after each walk.
- Keep the dog away from infected and stray animals.
- Provide the dog with good nutrition with the addition of vitamins and essential trace elements to the diet.
- To ensure the hygienic maintenance of the dog in the living room, provide it with its own sleeping place, and regularly comb out with specialized dog brushes.
- Carry out preventive measures to treat the animal from skin parasites (special drops, flea and tick collars).
An effective preventive measure is timely anti-infection vaccination with a mark in the animal’s passport. Such vaccinations can save the animal from the appearance of lichen. After this vaccination, the dog may feel worse and general condition, but such a reaction is considered normal. When the ailments go away, the dog’s immunity will increase significantly.
Other recommendations
If the dog just got better, you need to undergo a full course of treatment. After treatment of the animal is completed, two analyzes are done with a break of a week. And only if these tests are good, then the animal can be considered healthy.