Skin and ear diseases in pets can range from simple to complex. The appearance of your pet’s skin and ears provides insight to the overall health of your pet. Common conditions affecting your pet’s skin or ears include allergies, bacterial and yeast infections, ringworm, and external parasites, such as fleas and mites. Systemic conditions, such as autoimmune disorders, hormonal imbalances, or nutritional deficiencies, display characteristic patterns in the skin. Sometimes a diagnosis is quick and treatment is easy, while other cases, especially when allergies are involved, can be more complicated to resolve.
One of the most common signs of skin issues is a bad odor. If you notice a bad odor coming from your pet, that is a sign of a problem that needs to be addressed.
Early intervention is best. It gets worse quickly, as well as more difficult and more expensive to treat.