The skin is the first body organ to contact many toxins and infectious organisms. The skin and haircoat serve as useful indicators of disease in other body systems. Normal skin is smooth, dry to the touch, and free from any breaks in its surface.
Indications of disease include:
For dogs, it is important to pay particular attention to the skin of the ears. Diseases of the skin of the ears is characterized by excessive discharge and a disagreeable odor.
Itchy skin (pruritus) provokes the desire to scratch or chew. It can develop into a serious problem if the scratching or chewing become chronic. The itchiness can be caused by:
Prolonged licking at a specific area can result in the development of a raised, red-to-black circular area of irritation and hair loss. The specific cause of this condition is not known, but boredom appears to be significant contributing factor.
Dogs lose and regrow hair in a regular cycle associated with the seasons. Abnormal hair loss is that which results in loss of haircoat, either in localized areas or over the entire body.
The pattern of hair loss is an important clue to the the underlying cause. Loss of hair primarily on the trunk with the sparing of the legs is most often a hormonal disease. Causes include:
Other patterns of hair loss are indicators of other diseases, including: