The appearance of acne on the face of a dog always scares the owner. After all, this does not only spoil the appearance of the animal. In many cases, rashes are one of the signs of skin diseases, and sometimes pathologies of internal organs. How dangerous is acne? And how to improve the skin condition of a pet? We will answer these questions in the article.
What do the rashes look like
Acne on the muzzle of dogs is similar to tubercles of white or red color. They can be single, but often capture quite large areas of the skin. Red rashes indicate inflammation, and whiteheads are a sign of suppuration.
Sometimes you may notice black acne on the dog’s chin. They look like small dots. Such rashes appear due to clogged pores, they are similar to human comedones. The appearance of blackheads most often indicates insufficient animal hygiene or an excess of fatty foods on the menu.
A photo of acne on the face of a dog can be seen below. To understand the reasons for their appearance, you need to carefully consider the rash and pay attention to the behavior of the pet.
Acne
The word "acne" vets call all types of acne. Rashes most often cover the chin, cheeks and lips. It is in these areas that a large number of sebaceous glands are located. Their ducts are often clogged and infected.
Acne can be a separate disease. The reason for its appearance are the following factors:
- Hormonal changes. Acne appears in puppies during the period of active growth and maturation. In adult dogs, acne can occur due to temporary hormonal disruptions.
- Features of the breed. Boxers, pugs and bulldogs are prone to rashes. Acne on the lips in dogs of these breeds is a common occurrence. Dogs with a short muzzle are characterized by increased salivation. Their lips are constantly wet, and a moist environment promotes the growth of bacteria and fungi.
- Sores on the skin. Even small injuries (cuts, bites, splinters) can become gates for the penetration of microbes.
However, acne is very rare as an independent pathology. There are many skin and internal diseases that cause acne on the face in dogs. The causes of acne we will consider below.
Pyoderma
Pyoderma is a purulent skin disease caused by staphylococci. The pathological process develops gradually. First, acne forms on the dog's face. They may look like ulcers, red tubercles or blackheads with a scaly structure. It is advisable to start treatment with the appearance of the first rashes, since a staph infection progresses very quickly.
In the future, darkening of the skin, the formation of scabs at the site of acne. The dog has a lot of hair. Pyoderma causes the animal great discomfort. The pet constantly itches, and sometimes whines with pain. The general condition worsens, the dog becomes lethargic and inactive.
Ticks
Acne on the face of a dog can appear with tick-borne infestation. In domestic animals, two types of parasitic diseases are most often found:
Demodecosis is a disease caused by the demodex tick. This parasite lives under the skin in the hair follicles. Often, the disease begins with the appearance of acne on the lips of a dog. Then all other parts of the face and body of the animal are covered with small red eels, which itch very strongly. The pet often itches. Often, bacteria enter the comb, which leads to the appearance of pustules. Demodecosis is often accompanied by a noticeable loss of hair.
Another common parasitic pathology is sarcoptosis. The causative agent of the disease is the scabies mite. This microscopic parasite gnaws passages in the skin, which is accompanied by severe inflammation and irritation. The dog's skin turns red, covered with small acne. Pet is tormented by severe itching. Often, dogs with sarcoptosis literally tear the skin with claws. On the face and body of the pet, bald patches can be seen, as well as numerous combs covered with a crust.
Lichen
Lichen skin lesions are caused by pathogenic fungi. Of this group of diseases in dogs, dermatophytosis is the most common. At the initial stage, round pimples appear on the face. Subsequently, they spread throughout the body, covered with scales.
The affected areas are bald and itchy. The skin becomes dry and cracked. Often an unpleasant smell comes from the dog. Dermatophytosis is highly contagious; it can be transmitted from animals to humans.
A more rare form of lichen is pitirosporosis. This pathology is caused by yeast. The causative agent lives on the skin and in healthy dogs. With strong immunity, this does not cause damage to the epidermis. Lichen appears only in weakened and old dogs.
Pitirosporosis is a serious illness. At the initial stage, the dog has a rash that resembles acne in appearance. It is localized on the lips, ears, neck and in the space between the fingers. The skin of the animal looks thickened and overly pigmented. Diaper rash with an extremely unpleasant odor appears. If the dog does not receive proper treatment, then the fungal infection passes to the ear cavity. This can cause deafness.
Other reasons
Acne appears not only with skin and parasitic diseases. In some cases, acne is secondary. Rashes on the face can be a symptom of the following pathologies:
- Dysbacteriosis and inflammation of the intestines. In diseases of the gastrointestinal tract in an animal, whiteheads are formed. Acne on a beard in a dog more often occurs during pathological processes in the colon. Rashes on the cheeks indicate problems with the small intestine.
- Allergy. Dogs often have allergic reactions to food, hygiene products, plant pollen, and chemicals. This is accompanied by the appearance of small red pimples and spots, as well as itching and inflammation of the skin.
- Vitamin deficiency. If the dog's diet is unbalanced, then this can cause vitamin deficiency. The lack of nutrients is manifested in the formation of acne, deterioration of the coat and teeth.
How to get rid of rashes
It is almost impossible to independently determine the cause of the deterioration of the skin condition of the animal. It is necessary to show the pet to the veterinarian as soon as possible. The specialist will prescribe all the necessary diagnostic tests and analyzes. Treatment will depend on the diagnosis.
In most cases, treatment with external ointments and gels is sufficient. Their choice depends on the cause of the rash. With pyoderma, antibacterial agents are indicated, and with lichen - antifungal. Ointments based on antibiotics are also prescribed for scratching the skin and the appearance of pustules. In severe pyoderma and depriving, these drugs are also prescribed in the form of tablets for internal use.
In no case should you try to squeeze acne. Before contacting a specialist, you can only treat acne with iodine or brilliant green, as well as rinse the affected areas with a decoction of chamomile or calendula. Do not use human ointments for dogs. After all, animals require a much lower concentration of drugs.
For demodicosis and sarcoptosis, anti-mite shampoos and drops are used. The affected areas are treated with ointments based on ichthyol and sulfur. With severe invasion, acaricidal tablets and injections are indicated.
If acne is provoked by an allergy, then it is necessary to protect the pet from contact with irritating substances, as well as to review the dog's diet. Antihistamines and tablets are prescribed to relieve inflammation and itching.