Psoriasis affects more than 3% of adults in the United States, most commonly causing inflamed, red, and scaly patches of skin. If you or someone you know suffers from this skin condition, you may wonder if it is something that can affect your dog as well. So, can dogs get psoriasis?
While dogs suffer from a variety of skin issues that can cause similar signs, psoriasis is not currently a recognized disease in dogs. There is only one scientific report to date of a dog with a psoriasis-like skin condition.
Read on to find out more about what might be causing your dog’s itchy, inflamed, scaly skin.
What Is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis in people is an immune-mediated disease; the body’s immune system is triggered and overreacts as if there is something harmful attacking the body.1 Researchers are still investigating what triggers this immune response, which involves both genetics and external factors like bacterial infections.
There are several different forms, but psoriasis typically causes patches of dry, scaly skin, which are usually red, inflamed, and often sore or itchy. Some people with psoriasis will also develop psoriatic arthritis, causing joint pain, swelling, and stiffness.
Can Dogs Get Psoriasis?
While there is discussion in online articles about canine psoriasis, it has not been identified or recognized as a disease that affects our canine companions.
When looking into animal models for research into this complex condition, researchers have only been able to identify a few anecdotal reports of spontaneously occurring conditions with psoriasis features in other species,2 and only one formal report has been published on a dog diagnosed with a “psoriasis-like” condition.3
There is also a rare canine skin condition called psoriasiform lichenoid dermatitis,4 which shares some similar clinical and histological features of human psoriasis, but this has only been recognized in Springer Spaniels.
What Canine Skin Conditions Look Similar to Psoriasis?
So, what is more likely to be the cause of your canine’s itchy, red, flaky skin? Dogs are prone to several conditions that can look very similar to human psoriasis. Let’s have a look at some of the more common causes of these skin signs in dogs:
Allergies
Like us, our dogs can develop allergies to things like pollen and house dust mites, as well as to foods (typically animal-based proteins). In dogs, the most common sign associated with allergies is itchy skin, so affected dogs often suffer from red, inflamed skin, hair loss, and skin infections. Canine atopic dermatitis (atopy), which is typically associated with sensitization to environmental allergens, has a hereditary predisposition and is a particularly common skin disorder in dogs, affecting approximately 20%–30% of the canine population.
We recommend consulting a veterinarian if you have any questions or concerns about your pet’s health and wellness.
💛 🐶 Speak To a Vet Online From the Comfort of Your Couch!
If you need to speak with a vet but can’t get to one, head over to PangoVet. It’s an online service where you can talk to a vet online and get the personalized advice you need for your pet — all at an affordable price!
Parasites
Fleas are also a frequent cause of itchy skin in dogs. Some dogs suffer from flea allergic dermatitis and are allergic to components of flea saliva, leading them to have much more severe reactions to flea bites than other dogs.
Dogs can also be affected by various mites. Some live on the skin surface, such as cheyletiella mites, which are often known as “walking dandruff” due to the scaly scurf visible in the coat. Others burrow into the skin like sarcoptes mites (causing very itchy sarcoptic mange) and demodex mites. Both of these can cause patches of hair loss, thickened and often inflamed skin, and sometimes increased scale.
Skin Infections
Bacterial skin infections (pyoderma) often cause crusts, dry or flaky patches of skin, and itching that may look similar to psoriasis.
Yeast dermatitis caused by Malassezia pachydermatis is a common source of itching, thickened skin, crusts, and scales in dogs. While less prevalent, ringworm (dermatophytosis) can also lead to scaly patches of hair loss in dogs. Seborrhoea, characterized by ongoing scaly skin conditions due to abnormalities in the skin cell production and shedding cycle, can be inherited in certain breeds like Cocker Spaniels, West Highland White Terriers, and Basset Hounds, with symptoms typically manifesting early in life.
Psoriasis medications meant for humans should never be given to dogs as they can be harmful, with potential life-threatening consequences. Topical creams containing vitamin D analogs, such as calcipotriene (found in products like Taclonex and Dovonex), can be toxic if ingested by dogs, causing elevated blood calcium levels and leading to various health issues. If accidental ingestion occurs, immediate contact with a vet or the Pet Poison helpline is crucial.
Psoriasis, a chronic skin condition affecting humans, is not officially recognized in dogs. However, dogs can experience skin conditions resembling psoriasis, particularly related to allergies. If your dog displays symptoms like itching or red, flaky skin patches, prompt veterinary evaluation is recommended. Avoid using any human medications on dogs without proper prescription.
(Note: This content has been rephrased while maintaining the original HTML structure, images, and key information for WordPress integration.) statement: “The company’s profits have increased by 20% compared to last year.”
The company has seen a 20% rise in profits from the previous year. original sentence:
I went to the store to buy groceries.
Rewritten sentence:
I visited the store in order to purchase groceries.