Skin bumps on dogs can lead to severe skin irritation and other related problems, and hence should be treated immediately. This post cites the causes and treatments for the same.
When a dog experiences any skin complications, it becomes very frustrating for the owner. Hence, your pet needs proper care to avoid any kind of diseases. Due to unhygienic conditions, your dog may contract different kinds of skin allergies, one of them being skin bumps.
These bumps are mainly of two kinds, small bumps and large bumps. Small bumps are referred to as papules while the large ones are referred to as nodules. In order to treat different types of bumps, proper diagnosis and microscopic examination are required.
Skin bumps can make the dog very restless. It will tend to scratch endlessly due to itchy skin. Excessive scratching can cause the skin to redden and may also give rise to other skin infections like hot spots, rashes, etc. Your pet will also tend to appear irritated and you will observe a sudden change in its behavior.
Different Causes
Contact with Allergens
One of the commonly observed causes of skin bumps on dogs is their contact with allergens. Different kinds of allergens like dust, pollen, etc. are present in the environment, which can have an adverse effect on the dog’s skin resulting in bumps.
Tiny organisms like virus and bacteria are also responsible to some extent for the development of skin bumps. These allergens can severely affect the dog’s health.
Insect Bite
Another common reason which can give rise to skin bumps is an insect bite. Bumps developed due to insect bites do not require any kind of treatment most of the time and they heal within a week or two. However, if the insect is venomous, then appropriate treatment is required. At times, a bite from such kinds of insects can trigger other dog illnesses.
Plugging of Oil Glands
Plugging of oil glands is also responsible for skin bumps on dogs. If the oil glands are plugged, they block the pores on the surface of the skin, thereby giving rise to a cyst-like appearance in that area.
Other Common Reasons
Cancer can also be one of the reasons for the development of these kinds of bumps. In such cases, diagnosis and treatment at the right time is a must. Constant licking of a particular area by the dog can also give rise to bumps.
The other reason responsible for this problem is excessive or deficient production of hormones. If dog worms affect your pet, then the skin becomes sensitive to different infections, and hence, it may become more susceptible to bumps.
Treatment Options
Keeping the dog’s skin clean may help in curing bumps. Make sure to bathe your pet in warm water regularly. This will also help in killing the bacteria and other allergens which are responsible for these kinds of bumps.
You can use shampoos with antibiotic properties and those which contain benzoyl peroxide as they are effective in killing harmful bacteria. Cover the bumps with a bandage or use collars which prevent the situation from aggravating.
If you notice skin bumps on your pet dog, take it to a veterinarian immediately to check the severity of the condition. Most of the time, these bumps can be treated with the help of medications. However, in some cases, if the bumps become chronic, then a surgical procedure has to be performed in order to remove them.
In most cases, the bumps heal within a few days of starting the medication. In case these are cancerous bumps though, they might take time to heal completely. Other than that, take care that your dog does not lick the skin bump or it can aggravate the situation.
These are the commonly observed reasons for skin bumps on dogs. Other than that, canine acne, reaction to a drug or injection, etc. are also responsible. If appropriate treatment measures are not taken, then the skin bumps on your dog might become severe and even spread to other parts of the body.
Keep your dog well-groomed and clean in order to keep it away from skin bumps and other dog allergies. Feeding it healthy dog food is important, so make sure to consult your vet on the appropriate food you need to feed it.
