Black acanthosis in dogs: symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of the disease. Features of health and specific diseases of dachshunds

The reasons skin diseases in dachshunds

Dachshunds are passionate hunters and loyal companions - smart, energetic, friendly. However, these wonderful dogs sometimes bring grief to their owners: they are prone to specific diseases, including skin diseases, which sometimes require serious and long-term treatment.

A genetic skin disease characteristic of this breed is excessive accumulation of melanin in the skin. It manifests itself in young dogs, often under the age of 1 year. At dachshunds under the arms and black spots form in the groin, which gradually grow to form "elephant skin". This form of the disease is not treated, the quality of life of the dog can be improved with the help of vitamins and special external agents.

Skin allergic reactions

Dogs of this breed are often allergic to certain foods, plant pollen or chemical irritants: de-icing agents and detergents. An allergic reaction may indicate:

Subcutaneous dachshund tick causes various itch diseases of the skin and ears. Infested with scabies mites dachshunds itch almost continuously, their skin flakes off, focal alopecia is observed, ear canals become clogged with sulfur. For successful treatment of tick infestation, the instructions of the veterinarian must be strictly followed.

ringworm lichen dachshunds - the result of infection with the fungus microsporum. Round spots with loose hair and inflamed skin covered with scabs appear on the muzzle, belly, tail or paws of the animal and gradually grow. The disease is highly contagious for animals and humans. If you suspect lichen, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Causes dachshund dermatitis

• redness of the skin;
• the appearance of ulcers, sometimes weeping;
• swelling, itching;
• local temperature increase.

It is not uncommon for pet dogs to develop contact dermatitis due to exposure to physical or chemical factors—collar or bedding materials, medications, medical treatment, or overheating.

If skin lesions occur, only professional veterinarians should be consulted. Proper appointments will help to avoid complications and speed up recovery. Healthy. an energetic dog is a joy for the owner.

Black acanthosis was first described in Germany in 1889. According to studies, it may have a certain relationship with malignant and benign tumors.

What is a disease

Black acanthosis - pigment-papillary dystrophy of the skin. It belongs to dangerous diseases, as it can be benign and malignant. The benign form occurs mainly in children and it is associated with disruption of the endocrine system, especially if diseases such as obesity and diabetes are additionally observed. Also, dystrophy can be with violations of the nervous system.

The malignant form occurs already in adulthood. This disease is dangerous because it is accompanied by malignant neoplasms of internal organs and is observed mainly in places of greatest skin friction.

Causes

The causes of black acanthosis are not precisely defined, however, scientists have established a certain relationship with predisposing factors. In particular, these factors include:

• heredity;
• disruption of the endocrine system;
• taking certain medications.

The disease can occur in a person at absolutely any age, and basically the reasons for its formation also vary significantly in different age groups. In addition, provoking factors may be the consumption of fatty or starchy foods, as well as being overweight.

Main symptoms

Black acanthosis of the papillary layer of the skin is manifested mainly by such symptoms as:

• coarsening and exfoliation of skin areas;
• increased pigmentation of the affected areas of the skin;
• the appearance of papillomas and fibromas on the skin.

This disease mainly manifests itself in the natural folds of the skin. Very rarely, in a patient, changes in the skin cover become widespread and cover a significant area near the main lesion. In this case, changes can be observed in nearby organs.

The photo of black acanthosis clearly shows the peculiarity of the course of the disease. Initially, the patient develops a yellowish area, which over time becomes darker and more saturated. Gradually, fibromas and papillomas begin to form on the affected area. The mucous membranes are mostly not affected, but papillomas can also form on them. Sometimes a person may feel tingling and itching in the affected area.

In the presence of a malignant tumor, a person feels severe weakness, apathy, drowsiness, and also begins to lose weight.

Carrying out diagnostics

If black acanthosis occurs in humans, then the diagnosis in middle-aged and elderly patients is based on an external examination of the emerging spots. All patients with this disease should undergo a comprehensive examination to check for malignancy.

The doctor orders laboratory tests. These abnormalities can be detected by testing for insulin resistance, as often there are no signs of diabetes, but the level of insulin in the blood will be very high. That is why if a benign tumor is suspected, an endocrinologist should be consulted. In addition, a biopsy may be prescribed, followed by a study of the obtained tissues.

Treatment of the disease

There are no specific methods for treating acanthosis nigricans. The main goal of therapy is to eliminate the underlying disease. Often, for the treatment of a benign neoplasm, vitamin A, ascorbic acid, and also salicylic ointment are prescribed, which must be applied to damaged areas of the skin. In the presence of hormonal disorders, hormonal therapy is prescribed.

Therapy with the use of liquid nitrogen applications is quite successfully carried out. For the duration of therapy, it is best if the patient is in the hospital. If black acanthosis of a malignant form proceeds, then the removal of the tumor is mainly performed. However, it is worth remembering that the disease can reappear with relapses and the presence of metastases.

Malignant acanthosis nigricans is quite common, and its treatment with Vetom brings a very good result, since this drug helps to reduce the effects of chemotherapy. In the presence of malignant neoplasms, this remedy is used to strengthen the immune system, as a restorative antitumor drug.

In the presence of warts on the skin, tissue coagulation is carried out under the influence of an electric current. Special ointments or alcohol tinctures are applied to areas with increased skin pigmentation. It is imperative to strengthen the immune system, for which vitamin complexes are used, as well as echinacea and ginseng extracts. In addition, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic powders are used. Well help baths with the addition of potassium permanganate.

With a severe course of the disease, hormonal therapy is prescribed. Patients throughout their lives need a constant intake of zinc supplements to help maintain a good human condition.

Prognosis of the course of the disease

Many patients with a benign form of the disease have an additional insulin resistance, which becomes the main cause of acanthosis. The severity of the course of the disease and the prognosis after treatment largely depend on the degree of insulin resistance. In the presence of an open form of diabetes, the prognosis is rather disappointing. With proper and timely treatment, you can achieve a quick recovery. The teenage form is characterized by the fact that the disease goes away on its own, as the child grows older.

With the course of a malignant form of the disease, the prognosis is rather disappointing, since the main tumor has an aggressive character. The average life expectancy of such patients is 2 years, although there are cases when people have lived for more than 10 years.

Carrying out prevention

To reduce the likelihood of the occurrence of the disease, it is necessary to follow certain preventive measures. These preventive measures include maintaining a normal body weight. In addition, it is imperative to control the level of insulin and keep it normal.

Complications

Complications can be very different, depending on the characteristics of the course of black acanthosis. In children, the disease mainly proceeds in a benign form, so the occurrence of dangerous complications is not observed.

In adults, the disease is more acute, and serious complications are observed during the transition of the disease to a chronic form. Often there is the occurrence of seborrhea, fungal infections, as well as relapses and metastasis of malignant tumors.

Black acanthosis in dogs: features of the course and treatment

In animals, the disease is characterized by the appearance of many growths and papillomas in large folds of the skin. At the same time, the color of the skin changes and cell proliferation occurs.

Black acanthosis in dogs occurs for a variety of reasons, in particular such as:

• endocrine disorders;
• malignant neoplasms;
• obesity;
• heredity.

The main signs of the disease are characterized by the appearance of keratinized skin and strong pigmentation. These areas are mainly concentrated between the buttocks, in the femoral and inguinal folds, armpits, near the navel, near the ears and on both sides of the neck.

The skin of the animal acquires a brownish tint and becomes very dry, and after a while they begin to darken. Many folds and growths appear, and the relief is greatly enhanced. The primary form of the disease occurs in dachshunds of both sexes, mostly up to a year. Secondary is observed in dogs of all breeds, but most often in smooth-haired. This condition indicates the presence of problems with the adrenal cortex or thyroid gland.

Treatment of the primary form of the disease is ineffective today, since there are no targeted drugs. The condition of the animal can be alleviated only by taking hormonal drugs and various topical creams.

The intake of glucocorticoids, as well as vitamin E, is indicated. In the presence of a secondary form of the disease, therapy is not required, since the signs mostly disappear on their own. Shown only the use of funds to eliminate inflammation of the skin.

Many skin diseases are diagnosed in dogs every year. Some of them are successfully treated, while others cause economic damage to dog owners, because they lose their breeding value. One of the severe dermatological ailments in dogs is black acanthosis. Let's learn about it in detail.

Briefly about the disease

The disease may be genetically determined. Its secondary origin is also possible, which is characterized by the accumulation of an increased amount of melanin in the skin, its sharp thickening (lichenification) or baldness. In other words, the essence of a dermatological disease is hyperpigmentation. It can appear equally in bitches and males. Primary, that is, genetically determined acanthosis, manifests itself even before the age of one. Dachshunds are especially predisposed to it. Secondary acanthosis is also called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. It occurs at any age in all breeds.

The causes of the disease can be inflammation of the axillary or inguinal zone of the body, endocrinopathy (hypothyroidism, hypercortisolism). Contribute to the occurrence of acanthosis food allergies in animals, dermatitis, keratinization disorders, infectious skin diseases, such as staphylococcal pyoderma. Some breeders believe that black acanthosis in dogs is contagious to humans. However, this is not true, because the disease is purely canine.

About the symptoms of black acanthosis in dogs

The main symptom of the disease is hyperpigmentation. It first manifests itself in the inguinal or axillary zone of the body. In the primary form of the disease, dark spots are randomly scattered, do not have an inflammatory nature. In this case, the course of the disease is characterized by the gradual development of spots.

Secondary acanthosis can appear anywhere in the body. There is an inflammatory response. It is characterized by a tendency to worsen the condition of the dog. Inflammation can also be a manifestation of allergic dermatitis. Signs of hyperpigmentation develop very quickly. Seborrhea is also a symptom of the disease.

Affected areas of the body become painful. When a red border appears along the edges of the foci, this indicates an intervention in the process of pathogenic microflora. Gradually, the lesions cover the bottom of the neck, groin, abdomen, perineum. They capture the area of ​​the eye sockets and auricles.

In primary acanthosis, itching appears episodically. With a secondary dog, it itches constantly, since the pathology is associated with an allergic reaction.

Diagnostics and therapy of black acanthosis

Experienced veterinarians make a diagnosis based on clinical signs alone. But for confirmation it is impossible to do without a complete examination. This is also necessary in order to find out the causes of the disease. Scrapings should be done to rule out demodicosis. It is useful to check the thyroid gland in old animals. Biopsy is rarely used in such cases.

If we talk about the treatment of black acanthosis in domestic animals, then its primary form is incurable. In dogs, such lesions do not progress - they remain for life.

When black acanthosis in dogs progresses, veterinarians are forced to resort to aggressive therapy. As a rule, dogs are prescribed the following treatment regimen: tocopherol for two months; systemic glucocorticoids for a week; melatonin for 5-7 days and then as needed.

The parallel treatment of bacterial infections will not harm the dog. Antimicrobials are compatible with other medicines. Anti-seborrheic shampoos have proven themselves well if acanthosis in animals is accompanied by seborrhea. Such detergents are recommended to be applied two to three times a week in severe cases.

If we talk about the prognosis of the treatment of the secondary form of the disease, then the animal usually recovers quickly after identifying its root cause. But at the same time, individual foci of hyperpigmentation may remain after the end of therapy.

Veterinarians emphasize: if the animal has not previously been treated for a staphylococcal skin infection, then it is recommended to check for the presence of the pathogen. It is possible that one of the forms took root, which caused the disease.

Not many dog ​​breeders know the specific diseases of dachshunds. As a bright representative of hunting dogs, the dachshund is the owner of good health.

But the special structure of the skeleton and nervous system contribute to the development of a number of diseases that are not characteristic of other representatives of the canine world. To understand why a pet fell ill and to provide proper treatment, it is necessary to carefully study the diseases characteristic of the dachshund.

Disease of the musculoskeletal system

The most common reason for owners of dachshunds to seek help from a veterinarian is a violation of the spine. Symptoms may appear suddenly or increase gradually.

A healthy pet, usually active, playful and mobile, suddenly becomes slow, cannot find a comfortable position for sitting or lying down, trembles.

It is not uncommon for owners to be unable to determine the reasons why the dachshund's hind legs failed.

In most cases, the cause is a hernia or displacement of the vertebrae. More often the victims of the disease are dogs older than 5 years, the disease is not excluded in the younger generation.

• For diagnosis and preparation of treatment, an examination and sampling by a veterinarian is necessary. In case of violations in the work of the spine, an examination with palpation of the spinal column and x-rays are carried out.

Treatment options depend on why the disease occurs, the extent of the lesion, and the age of the dog.

If this disease occurs, dachshunds must remember that timely treatment can save the pet's life, mobility and activity.

As a preventive measure against the disease,

1. Swimming for the development of the spinal muscles
2. Arthroglycan course in spring and autumn periods;
3. Carefully observe any changes in the dog's mobility.

Black acanthosis

This disease is characteristic of dachshunds. Symptoms of the disease appear on the skin. Pigmentation intensifies under the armpits, on the paws, mammary glands and abdomen, and dark spots form, the hair falls out, wrinkles appear, the integument becomes bald, the skin without hair hangs with spots and begins to smell bad, during processing the dog trembles and shows anxiety.

Black acanthosis in dachshunds may occur due to a genetic predisposition, but it has been proven that the consumption of sugar-containing foods and obesity stimulates the development of the disease.

Stress can trigger the onset of the disease. Regardless of why the disease arose, ointments, shampoos for wool based on sulfur and tar are used as a treatment, when the hair falls out profusely, vitamin A is prescribed.

With a timely start of a course of medications, a complete recovery of the pet, elimination of spots and regrowth of hair is likely.

• As a preventive measure, it is enough to follow a strict diet, without eating sweets and overfeeding the animal. To prevent the transmission of the disease by inheritance, it is worth limiting the reproduction of sick or recovered dogs.

osteoporosis in young

This condition is known as swimmer's syndrome. Symptoms appear in one month old puppies. The reason why the young animal has a floating gait, the puppy trembles or moves on its stomach may be a lack of minerals in complementary foods or a lack of vitamin D production.

Proper treatment provides instant results. Puppy bones are able to quickly recover and the pet will recover. To prevent the disease, it is necessary to carefully monitor the feeding of puppies. In food you need the content of calcium and phosphorus in the required amount.

Ear diseases

The reason why dachshunds have sore ears is a special drooping shape and a predisposition to ear mites. Symptoms appear gradually:

• Initially, the ears just itch;
• the dog trembles and shows anxiety;
• ears swell;
• a painful scab covers the inside of the ears.

It is important to start treatment at the first manifestations of the disease. There are many specialized drugs for treatment. Ears need to be dripped and cleaned with specialized solutions.

The correct treatment should be selected by the veterinarian, depending on the degree of development of the disease.

allergic reactions

Allergies in dachshunds can occur due to the use of various foods. Symptoms often appear like this:

• the ears turn red on the inside;
• areas without hair, under the armpits and on the mammary glands, the skin is flaky and itchy;
• wool falls out more abundantly than molting;
• ulcers form, paws swell, and discharge from the eyes and ears may appear.

To treat allergies you need:

• • • • find out why the symptoms appeared
      • exclude possible irritants from the diet
      • transfer your dog to dry hypoallergenic food
      • perform allergy tests
      • eliminate mites, fungi and lichen

Timely and correct treatment quickly gives results and the dachshund recovers.

False signs of pregnancy

Diseases of dachshunds associated with false pregnancy or false pregnancy are quite common. If the dog is not mated, a couple of weeks after estrus, signs of false pregnancy may appear:

False pregnancy or false pregnancy is difficult to treat. In most cases, the signs of false pregnancy and pregnancy disappear on their own.

In order not to harm the animal, it is necessary to exclude true pregnancy or pregnancy, if the signs do not disappear after a few weeks, you should contact a specialist. He will check the dachshund for pregnancy, establish whether it is true or false, examine the mammary glands for mastitis.

Neoplasms

The tumor can appear on the paws, mammary glands, under the armpits, on the abdomen, or anywhere else. The tumor often affects animals older than 5 years.

A growth or bump has swollen on a part of the body, when touched, the dog trembles, gradually it begins to grow and develop into a large tumor. Often, hair falls out at the site of the tumor or spots form.

The complexity of tumor treatment lies in the fact that the older the animal, the more difficult the surgical intervention is tolerated, but there is a chance for a favorable outcome and getting rid of the tumor.

The sooner you pay attention to the tumor and start treatment, the easier it is to overcome the disease. Health and long life to your beloved pet.