The skin is an interesting organ of the body. While there is no doubt that it is a complex physical and physiological structure, we need to remember a few basic factors when dealing with skin problems in pets.

1) The skin can only respond in a limited number of ways to a vast array of challenges. Thus few clinical signs concerning skin can be attributed to a single cause.

2) Many skin problems are multi-factorial. So again, the clinical picture you and the vet see can rarely be ascribed to a single cause.

3) The above two points mean that it is often very difficult to make a quick, definitive diagnosis in skin cases.

4) The longer a skin condition exists before it is investigated,

the less likely it is to be satisfactorily resolved.This is because over time, other factors are likely to come into play and complicate the picture and the diagnostic process.

5) Skin takes a long-ish time to repair and heal. Thus the efficacy of any treatment can normally only be judged over a period of weeks or even months.

6) Skin problems that start off occurring seasonally (typically summer)

are usually linked to an allergy. However, not all allergies need start off with a seasonal pattern of occurrence.

7) In cats and dogs, the s

kin is typically the "target" organ for allergies. Thus almost all types of allergies can manifest clinically as an itchy skin.

8) Often one has to settle for managing a skin problem rather than curing it. This is particularly true of allergies where one cannot identify the offending allergen(s).

The cause of most skin problems will fit into one or more of the following broad categories:

1) Congenital (i.e. born with the problem)/ Hereditary

2) Allergies

3) External Parasites

4) Hormonal Imbalance/Diet imbalance

5) Infectious organism(s)

6) Growths

7) Immune Mediated

The biggest mistake any pet owner can make is to make assumptions about the cause of a skin problem. Treat each case as unique and you will avoid many of the pitfalls that lead pet owners on long, often expensive, and frequently fruitless journeys to nowhere.

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