Friday, December 2, 2011

Skin Problems With West Highland Terriers

Just like humans, dogs are also prone to skin diseases. The West Highland Terriers are not exempted to these problems. They can also suffer from skin disorders which need to be identified and treated right away. These skin diseases could be due to inheritance, allergy or airborne elements.

One of the most common hereditary skin disease acquired by West Highland Terriers is epidermal dysplasia. It is usually suffered by puppies where their skin becomes dark-colored and itchy. Aside from it, the affected area thickens and becomes greasy. There is no cure yet for this skin disorder although different medications are prescribed to ease the discomfort.

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Other causes of skin diseases for West Highland Terriers are yeast infections, especially those that come from the warmer areas. Does this sound familiar? Is the Westie suffering from itchy skin, hair loss, black oily skin and/or crusty skin, a musty or yeasty odor, and sometimes accompanied by an ear infection?

If your response is "yes," then it is quite likely that your Westie has Malassezia Dermatitis.

Yeast infections are especially itchy, crusty, and stinky and quite uncomfortable for the dog. Many times the Westie starts with a rash or a simple itching, and the skin may begin to thicken to an "elephant-like" skin appearance. The itch gets extreme, and the odor can become especially troublesome. Fortunately, Malassezia Dermatitis is quite treatable by your vet.

West Highland Terriers can also suffer from airborne diseases. This breed has a higher tendency to get this kind of skin disorder than the other breeds. They usually suffer from inflammation which leads to darkening of the skin. The West Highland Terriers can acquire airborne diseases from indoor and outdoor activities. This breed of dog can be allergic to pollens especially during pollination season. In this case, they react to the discomfort by scratching their skin or by biting themselves. Even if the dog is kept inside the house, he can still suffer from airborne skin diseases. Household dust and mold can also threaten its health. The condition is even worse when the dog rubs its face and other body parts, as this habit can cause rashes to the affected area.

Skin Problems With West Highland Terriers

When she's not writing, Savannah helps with west highland terrier rescue.

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