Skin Allergies, Irritations and Tumors in Pets in Duarte

Dachshund in Duarte, CA wearing a cone after surgery to remove a tumor

Pets can develop skin irritations and other skin problems just as their human owners can. Allergies, parasites and even cancerous tumors can threaten your beloved companion's well-being, and in many cases the urge to scratch or chew the irritated area only makes matters worse by encouraging infection. If your pet is displaying obvious signs of a dermatological issue, you can prove that you really are his best friend by bring him to Duarte Azusa Animal Hospital for an accurate diagnosis and prompt treatment.

  • Skin problems in animals may be well hidden underneath a glossy, perfect-looking coat, but once your dog or cat starts scratching, licking, chewing or biting places on his body obsessively, you can be pretty sure there's a dermatological issue involved. Skin irritations may be caused by:
  • Environmental skin allergies - Allergies to environmental toxins, dust, pollen and other airborne irritants can cause dermatitis (inflammation of the skin).
  • Food allergies - In addition to respiratory and digestive problems, food allergies can manifest themselves as itchy red welts on the skin.
  • Parasites - Fleas and ticks can cause severe itching, especially if your pet is allergic to these creatures' bites. Ear mites can cause your pet to scratch madly at the skin on his ears. Mange causes not only reddened, scaly skin but also hair loss.
  • Fungal and bacterial infections - Biting or licking an irritated spot can allow bacteria to enter the skin, causing infection. A fungal infection called ringworm can create bald patches of irritated skin.

Other skin conditions can also plague your pet. Dogs and cats can develop lumps that indicate skin tumors (which may or may not be malignant). Cats can even develop acne on their chins!

Skin Care Services from Our Duarte & Azusa Veterinarian

Our Duarte Azusa Animal Hospital veterinarian, Dr. Zabihi, can determine the underlying cause of these and other skin conditions. Skin allergies and food allergies can be pinpointed through elimination diets and skin scrapings that reveal vulnerabilities to certain irritants. We can also test for the presence of bacteria and fungi, providing treatments to kill these invaders. Parasites can be kept at bay through prescribed preventative medication programs, including topical and chewable products.

If your pet presents a suspicious skin lump, our Duarte & Azusa veterinarian can remove the lump surgically. We then perform a tissue biopsy to determine whether the lump is a benign tumor or a form of cancer. If we find cancer, we may follow up with additional treatments as necessary to try and cure your pet of this potential killer.

Detecting skin problems as early as possible, especially skin cancer, is a critical step in protecting your pet's overall health -- that's one of the reasons we recommend scheduling regular wellness exams to catch and treat these issues. Call Duarte Azusa Animal Hospital today at (626) 357-2251 to schedule preventative care, diagnosis of skin allergies or treatment of other skin conditions.

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Duarte Office

Monday:

8:00 am-11:30 am

1:30 pm-5:30 pm

Tuesday:

8:00 am-11:30 am

1:30 pm-5:30 pm

Wednesday:

8:00 am-11:30 am

1:30 pm-5:00 pm

Thursday:

8:00 am-11:30 am

1:30 pm-5:30 pm

Friday:

8:00 am-11:30 am

1:30 pm-5:30 pm

Saturday:

8:00 am-2:00 pm

Sunday:

Closed