Why does my pitbull have little bumps on his skin
Why Does My Pitbull Have Bumps On His Skin
Finding small bumps appearing out of nowhere on your dogs skin can be an alarming surprise. However, there is no need to panic. In most cases, these skin bumps are harmless.
However, this doesnt mean you could just ignore those bumps if you found one on your pitbulls skin. Some of these bumps can be a sign of health issues, which may warrant a visit to the vet. Hence, you will still need to stay vigilant and do a daily/weekly check on your dog.
So, what are these bumps and why does your pitbull have bumps on his skin? Also, how can we treat them?
Why Does My Pitbull Have Bumps On His Skin
Also referred to as skin lump, skin bump is any abnormally raised skin. Skin bumps can be in different sizes and shapes, and will appear at any part of your Pitbulls body.
Oftentimes, skin bumps are harmless. However, this doesnt mean you can skip checking for any skin bumps during your pup grooming routine.
Giving a thorough check for skin bumps helps you understand your Pitbulls current health condition.
Besides, with early diagnosis, you could prevent certain diseases from getting worse. Now, lets get into some reasons that caused your pitbull to have skin bumps on his skin.
1. Allergies
Pitbulls are prone to developing bumps on their skin after having an allergic reaction. The allergic reaction could be caused by something that your dog eats or something else in their environment.
You may first want to try changing your Pitbulls diet plan to see if this eliminates their bumps. If this doesnt work, follow them outside and see what sort of things they may be interacting with outdoors.
If you think your Pitbull is having an allergic reaction but you cant figure out the cause, visit your vet.
2. Lipomas
A lipoma is a soft and round fatty tumor that could appear on a Pitbull. You wont want to hear that their dog has tumors, but these growths are harmless.
Lipomas are simply round balls of fat cells that have no potential to become cancerous. Large breeds of dogs like Pitbulls are more likely to develop lipomas than smaller dog breeds.
If you think your Pitbull has a lipoma, you can take it to the vet so they can verify. The vet can remove the lipoma if you want, but the growth is harmless, so this is not necessary.
3. Insect Bites
Pitbulls have reactions to insect bites just as humans do. Insects such as mosquitos, ticks, fleas, and mites can cause a Pitbull to develop bumps on its skin.
Its difficult to prevent your Pitbull from being bitten by mosquitos and mites. Luckily, owners can prevent tick and flea bites by giving their Pitbulls certain medications that kill fleas and ticks.
Killing pesky nuisances like fleas and ticks will help prevent bumps and potential infections for your Pitbull.
4. Warts
A Pitbull may develop warts after coming in contact with another dog and contracting a virus. The papillomavirus, in particular, causes warts to appear on a Pitbulls skin.
This virus is very contagious among dogs. If your Pitbull comes in contact with an infected individual, it may develop clusters of bumps warts on its skin. In most cases, the warts will go away after a month or two of infection.
Pitbull owners can visit their vet for treatment of papillomavirus if they desire. However, treatment is not necessary, as the warts are usually harmless. If your Pitbull contracts papillomavirus, be sure to keep it away from other dogs.
5. Mast Cell Tumors
Mast cell tumors are cancerous tumors that can develop for a variety of reasons. No matter the reason for a mast cell tumors development, these growths have the potential to be dangerous. Pitbulls with mast cell tumors should be taken to a vet so they can assess the impact of the tumor.
Mast cell tumors come in a variety of shapes and sizes. They may be bumpy or oblong, and they are usually solid when touched. If your Pitbull develops a mast cell tumor, consider removing the growth from your dog to prevent cancer from spreading.
6. Dry Skin
Lastly, your Pitbull may have bumps on his skin simply because it has dry skin. Dry, irritated skin has the potential to develop bumps. If you notice that your dog has flaky skin, red skin, or bare patches of skin, your Pitbull could develop bumps.
Treating dry skin is often very simple. The condition could heal on its own, but you could also choose to give your Pitbull medication or ointment.
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Conclusion
There are many reasons why your Pitbull may have bumpy skin. Most of the reasons for bumpy skin in Pitbulls are harmless. There are, however, some occasions in which bumpy skin could be troubling.
If you are unsure as to why your Pitbull has bumpy skin, it is wise to have your vet assess their condition.
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Written By: Tiffany Ruiz Dasilva, VMD, cVMA | Professional Services Veterinarian, Wild Earth
October is National Pit Bull Awareness Month which means its time to celebrate these affectionate and loyal companions that are often mislabeled.
If you are a pittie parent, you know just how amazing these dogs are and you also know that these breeds can be prone to skin issues. Part of celebrating our pittie pups is making sure we keep them happy and healthy, and sometimes it can be a challenge to find ways to help make them more comfortable.
Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about pit bull allergies, and what you can do to help your fur baby.
Pit Bull Skin Conditions
We know that breeds such as the American Pit Bull Terrier and Staffordshire Terrier, are prone to skin conditions, allergies and subsequent skin infections. This is because pit bulls have short fur and do not have a protective undercoat, making their skin vulnerable to environmental allergens and irritants. Genetics also play a role as many skin and coat health conditions are hereditary.
Uncontrollable scratching, excessive licking, paw chewing, ear infections and skin infections are very common symptoms that can occur secondary to allergies, and if left untreated, they can quickly get out of control. Just as with all dogs, Pit Bulls experience three main types of allergies food allergy, flea allergy, and environmental or contact allergy. Keeping track of what time of year your pittie is itchy, and what symptoms they develop will go a long way to determining the type of allergy.
Improve Skin Allergies With Wild Earth Dog FoodFood Allergens
Believe it or not, your Pit Bulls allergy symptoms might be from the food theyre eating. The animal-based ingredients in dog food (beef, dairy, chicken, lamb, egg, pork, fish, and rabbit) are responsible for over 3 times as many food allergy cases as the plant-based ingredients. According to a study on PubMed.gov, after five weeks of their dog patients starting an elimination diet, more than 80% of patients had achieved a remission of clinical signs of CAFR
That means your dogs allergies could be eliminated just by changing what they eat, namely by removing those common food allergens, so consider switching their dog food. 86% of customers reported a positive health benefit for their dog after switching to Wild Earth dog food!
Try switching to Wild Earth Dog Food and adding in our Skin & Coat Dog Supplements to improve your dogs allergies!
If your pup does suffer from food allergies, make sure to eliminate all other sources of animal-based protein, including treats and table scraps. Our Wild Earth treats are a great way to treat your dog, without the itch! Try one of our flavors - Banana and Cinnamon, Strawberry and Beet, or Peanut Butter.
Environmental Allergens
Pit Bulls can be sensitive to irritants in their environment as they have short fur and dont have a thick undercoat to protect their skin like many other breeds. This means that their skin comes into contact with environmental irritants more often, including grasses and pollen, which can easily be picked up on walks. To help protect your pup from these common allergens, wipe down their paws and bellies after walks with a damp towel.
Other possible environmental allergens can be found in the home, for example dust mites, and contact allergens can include anything your dog comes into contact with, including household cleaning products, detergents, and shampoos. If you suspect your dog is suffering from environmental allergies, speak to your veterinarian. You can also help by changing your HVAC filters regularly, and using powerful air purifiers indoors.
Flea Allergic Dermatitis
Flea allergies, or flea allergic dermatitis (FAD), is the most common dermatologic disease of dogs in the United States. The allergy is to flea saliva so just one bite from a flea can cause an allergic reaction. An important step in ruling out the cause of your dogs itch is to make sure your pet is on a year-round prescription flea preventative prescribed by your veterinarian.
Zinc-Responsive Dermatosis
If your Pit Bull starts to develop dry, scaly skin, it may be caused by zinc-responsive dermatosis. This is a common disorder in pit bulls, which can develop at a young age. The issue occurs when dogs dont get enough zinc in their diets, or cannot digest it properly. Its a main reason weve added zinc to our Skin & Coat supplements.
Signs of zinc deficiency include red, hairless, scaling, crusting, or oozing skin around the mouth, eyes, ears, and chin or lesions on the nose and foot pads. If your dog is experiencing these symptoms, please consult with your veterinarian.
Parasites
Another reason that your dog may be suffering from itchy skin is due to parasites. Parasites such as mange and mites can cause itchy, red skin, and frequent scratching. Unfortunately, pit bulls are the most common breeds in US shelters, and they tend to stay in shelters longer, leading to stress, which decreases the immune system, and makes them more susceptible to mange.
Try Wild Earth Dog Food 30% OffGenetic Conditions
Genetically, pit bulls are prone to skin issues, and can inherit hereditary skin conditions such as zinc deficiency, mentioned above, ichthyosis, and some types of dermatitis.
Infections
Allergies cause chronic inflammation and decrease the skin barrier, so coupled with scratching or licking, can lead to infections, which need to be treated. If your pittie has areas of reddish brown discoloration on their fur, for example, this could indicate a yeast infection. If you suspect your pittie has a skin infection, speak with your veterinarian.
We love Pitties! But, sometimes they need a little help with their skin issues
Keep An Eye On Your Pit Bull!
We love our pets like family and hate to see them uncomfortable. The reality is, Pit Bulls are more susceptible to skin irritations and allergies than some other breeds. Fortunately, by keeping an eye on their activity, watching how they react to their diet, bathing them as directed, and giving them a supplement if you think they need extra support, can go a long way toward helping them live a more comfortable life!
Tiffany Ruiz Dasilva, VMD, cVMA
Dr. Tiffany Ruiz Dasilva is the Professional Services Veterinarian here at Wild Earth. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Brown University, and attended veterinary school at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. Since graduation, she has worked in general practice, on telehealth platforms, and in animal rehabilitation. She has worked tirelessly to gain expertise in the field of canine nutrition through numerous certifications and coursework, and plans to pursue her Masters in Animal Nutrition.
Pit Bull Skin Bumps
Pit bull skin bumps can appear for a few reasons. Learn how to identify the various causes of dog skin bumps from the video below so you can treat accordingly. Links for treatment are in the description below.
Key takeaways
Pit bull skin bumps can be the result of:
- an allergic reaction from a skin or dog food allergy
- mosquito or tick bites
- dry skin can also result in bumps or hives
- Blue nose pit bulls are prone to skin allergies
- Dermatitis or a secondary infection can occur from scratching or gnawing
Pit bulls are susceptible to food and environmental allergies like humans are. If left untreated, a secondary infection can occur requiring medicine and possibly an antibiotic. Its important to inspect your pit bull regularly and treat these conditions promptly.
An environmental allergy or dermatitis can infect your pit bulls paws and pads. A secondary infection can occur if your pit bull is scratching and gnawing on their paws. Its important to wipe their paws when they come in from outside with a wet cloth or hypoallergenic wipes.
Some pet insurance like Embrace will cover allergies if you get the insurance when your pit bull is a puppy before symptoms appear. If you wait and allergies develop, it will be considered a pre-existing condition and will not be covered. No pet insurance covers pre-existing conditions, but there are still options.
If your pit bull has pre-existing conditions, you can explore a veterinary discount plan like Pet Assure. This is not an insurance plan. It discounts all in-house medical services and procedures including dog allergy treatments. Think of it as a membership plan like you would get from AAA. Here is some more info about the pros and cons of pet insurance.
