My dog has a bite wound - what should I do?
A dog bite wound almost always needs a vet within 24 hours, even when the skin puncture looks small: canine teeth crush and shear tissue underneath, and bacteria from the biter's mouth are pushed deep, so up to 20% of untreated bite wounds become infected or abscess within 3–5 days. Rinse the wound with saline, cover it with a clean cloth, keep your dog calm, and go - do not wait to see if it “settles down.”
Source: /symptoms/dog-bite-woundDo all dog bite wounds need antibiotics?
Almost all do. Even a small puncture inoculates bacteria under sealed skin where the immune system struggles to reach. A vet will assess whether to prescribe oral antibiotics, place a drain, or debride under sedation depending on depth and location.
Source: /symptoms/dog-bite-woundHow can I tell if a bite wound is infected?
Watch for increasing swelling, heat, redness spreading beyond the wound, foul-smelling discharge, a firm painful lump under the skin (abscess), or your dog becoming lethargic or off food. Any of these means a vet today.
Source: /symptoms/dog-bite-woundShould I close a bite wound with skin glue or steri-strips?
No. Bite wounds are contaminated by definition and closing them traps infection. A vet will decide whether to leave it open, place a drain, or delayed-close after cleaning under sedation.
Source: /symptoms/dog-bite-woundHow much does a dog bite wound treatment cost?
A simple wound clean, antibiotics, and pain relief typically costs $200–$500 in the US. Wounds needing sedation, drains, or surgical exploration run $600–$2,000. ER visits after hours add roughly $150–$300 on top.
Source: /symptoms/dog-bite-woundWhy is my dog losing hair in patches?
Patchy hair loss in dogs is most often driven by flea allergy dermatitis, environmental allergies (atopy), demodectic or sarcoptic mange, or a hormonal condition like hypothyroidism or Cushing's disease. If the hair loss is symmetric on both sides of the body, is spreading fast, or comes with thickened dark skin and a musty smell, book a vet within the week for skin scrapes and bloodwork.
Source: /symptoms/dog-hair-lossCan dog hair loss be caused by stress?
Rarely as the sole cause, but stress makes underlying allergies and dermatitis flare. Over-grooming from anxiety usually shows as thinning on the flanks or feet without inflamed skin - a diagnosis of exclusion after allergies, mites, and hormones are ruled out.
Source: /symptoms/dog-hair-lossWill my dog's hair grow back after mange or ringworm?
Yes in most cases, once the underlying cause is treated. Expect regrowth over 4–8 weeks. Scar tissue from severe secondary infections may leave permanent thin patches.
Source: /symptoms/dog-hair-lossIs my dog's hair loss contagious to me?
Sarcoptic mange and ringworm can transfer to humans. Demodectic mange, allergies, and hormonal alopecia cannot. Wash hands after handling and cover any skin lesions of your own until the diagnosis is clear.
Source: /symptoms/dog-hair-lossWhat tests will the vet run for hair loss?
Typically skin scrapes for mites, a fungal culture or Wood's lamp for ringworm, tape impressions for yeast and bacteria, and - if the loss is symmetric - thyroid and adrenal bloodwork. A biopsy is reserved for cases that don't respond to standard treatment.
Source: /symptoms/dog-hair-lossWhy does my cat's coat look dull, greasy, or unkempt?
Cats spend up to 50% of their waking hours grooming, so a dull, greasy, flaky, or matted coat is almost always a signal that something is stopping normal grooming - most commonly dental pain, arthritis, obesity, hyperthyroidism, or kidney disease. A cat that stops grooming for more than a week, especially if paired with weight loss or increased thirst, warrants a vet visit and baseline bloodwork.
Source: /symptoms/cat-coat-dullShould I bathe my cat if their coat is greasy?
Most cats do not need baths. A greasy coat is a symptom, not the problem - bathing washes surface oil but the coat becomes greasy again within days unless the underlying cause (arthritis, obesity, hyperthyroidism) is treated. A dry shampoo or wipe-down is acceptable for comfort while you investigate.
Source: /symptoms/cat-coat-dullCan diet fix a dull cat coat?
Only when diet is the actual cause. A complete AAFCO-balanced diet with adequate omega-3 fatty acids will restore a coat dulled by nutrition in 6–8 weeks. If there is no improvement, the cause is medical - investigate teeth, thyroid, and kidneys.
Source: /symptoms/cat-coat-dullMy cat has dandruff along its spine - is that normal?
It is a strong sign the cat cannot reach that area to groom. In an adult cat, that usually means obesity, arthritis, or pain. Photograph the pattern, weigh the cat, and book a vet check within a few weeks.
Source: /symptoms/cat-coat-dullHow do I safely remove mats from my cat's fur?
Never use scissors - feline skin is paper-thin and tears easily. Use a mat-splitter or blunt-tip clippers, or better, take the cat to a groomer or vet for a sedated de-mat. Prevention with daily brushing is easier than removal.
Source: /symptoms/cat-coat-dullWhy is my dog so itchy?
Persistent itching in a dog is most often driven by flea allergy dermatitis, environmental allergies (atopic dermatitis), food allergy, or a secondary yeast or bacterial skin infection. Rule out fleas first - a single bite can trigger weeks of itch in a sensitised dog - and book a vet if the itch stops your dog sleeping, if the skin is broken or smelly, or if it has lasted more than two weeks.
Source: /symptoms/dog-itchy-skinCan I give my dog Benadryl for itching?
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) helps fewer than 30% of allergic dogs and can cause sedation, dry mouth, or paradoxical excitement. Modern targeted therapies - Apoquel, Cytopoint, or a well-run diet trial - outperform it by a wide margin. Ask a vet before dosing.
Source: /symptoms/dog-itchy-skinHow long does a food allergy diet trial take?
A proper hydrolysed-protein or novel-protein diet trial runs 8 weeks with no other treats, chews, or table scraps. Shorter trials or diets that still contain the trigger protein are the number-one reason food-allergy diagnosis fails.
Source: /symptoms/dog-itchy-skinIs my dog's itch contagious to other pets or to me?
Fleas and sarcoptic mange are contagious to other pets, and sarcoptic mange can briefly cause an itchy rash in humans. Atopic and food allergies are not contagious.
Source: /symptoms/dog-itchy-skinWhen should I see a vet about itch?
See a vet if the itch has lasted more than two weeks, the skin is broken or infected, ears are red or smelly, sleep is disrupted, or over-the-counter measures have failed. Chronic itch damages the skin barrier and gets progressively harder to control.
Source: /symptoms/dog-itchy-skin