Pet Acne -- Proper Diagnosis is Essential for Your Pet's Health
Those bumps on your dog's chin may not be acne. Make sure your pet stays healthy with a proper diagnosis
When you see bumps on your dog's chin and lips, you assume that it's some form of acne. No problem. Right? What appears as harmless acne can actually be several different diseases. Learn what these diseases are and how to properly diagnose them.
Pet acne and your dog's health
You assume your dog has pet acne when you see bumps similar to pimples on his lips and chin. Before you jump to conclusions, you need to be sure that what your pet actually has is acne. Many times your pet can have other illnesses that cause these same symptoms. For the sake of your pet, don't misdiagnose and let your pet suffer the consequences.
Pet acne appears as red bumps or blackheads on your dog's chin and lips and can be treated by cleaning with benzoyl peroxide twice weekly and/or a topical medication that is applied to the area. In severe cases, your dog may require antibiotics for six to eight weeks to clear up the problem area.
While pet acne isn't life threatening, you need to make sure that what he as is acne and not demodicosis, ringworm, or puppy strangles. If you treat your dog for acne and it doesn't clear up, you need to take him to the vet so he can be screened for these other diseases.
Demidicosis -- This is a type of mange that isn't contagious but your vet needs to do "skin scrapings" to rule this condition out. Demidicosis is usually caused by an immune system defect and you need to be aware of it as your dog will be prone to other diseases.
Ringworm -- Your vet will have to do a fungal culture to see if your dog has ringworm. Ringworm is contagious from pet to pet and pet to human. This is not something you or your children want to get so be sure your dog is screened for it.
Puppy Strangles -- This disease starts out like pet acne but can become severe and your puppy will lose his appetite and appear to be depressed. To save your pet a lot of misery and pain, have this disease properly diagnosed.
As you can see, what starts out looking like harmless acne can develop into several diseases that you need to have diagnosed. For the sake of your pet, his health, and your family's health, have stubborn cases of pet acne checked out by your vet.