Unfortunately, there has been an increase in the number of Chow Chow skin problems recently. Many times, the reasons for the skin problems vary in individual dogs, where some have genetic issues and others can be linked to improper care by the owner among many other reasons.
There are many types of problems that Chows are at risk for and those are infections caused from loose skin, allergies, color mutant alopecia, entropion, seborrhea, hot spots, and pemphigus foliaceus. Each condition has a different cause and set of symptoms that accompany. Please keep reading to see a brief description of each.
Loose Skin
In an ideal Chow specimen, the dog will not have any loose skin. However, many Chows don’t adhere to the breed’s standards and will develop loose folds of skin surrounding the dog’s head. If your Chow has this, he or she can be susceptible to injury, tears to this skin, and infections since the dog is likely unable to clean inside all of the folds. You will be able to help your dog along if you take time each day to make sure the skin folds remain clean and free of debris.
Allergies
We also find that many times the Chow breed is more susceptible to allergies than other breeds. The allergies can be brought on by flea bites, dust, pollen, foods, or cleaning products. Regardless of what brings the allergies on, when they attack, they tend to affect the skin first. Generally allergies cause the dogs to begin scratching excessively until they bleed, thus allowing infection to move in.
Color Mutant Alopecia
Throughout the years, Chows have also shown to be rather susceptible to color mutant alopecia. This is a condition that causes the dog’s coat to darken in random patches. This condition currently offers no treatment and is often accompanied by dry, itchy skin with small red bumps and thinning fur.
Entropion
Entropion is a genetic condition that is not only a Chow Chow skin problem, but it also affects the dog’s eyes. This is a painful disease that makes the eyelids grow toward the eyes instead of over them. Surgery is commonly required to correct this condition because the skin and eyelashes constantly brush the eyeball and can lead to blindness or ulcers.
Seborrhea
Seborrhea is a type of dermatitis that comes in two forms for Chow Chows, and they are Seborrhea Sicca and Seborrhea Oleosa. First, Seborrhea Oleosa causes brownish, yellow scabs on your dog’s skin that flake off. Whereas, Seborrhea Sicca causes the skin to become dry, scaly, and white; here the dog will be very itchy and have what appears to be dandruff under his fur. In either case, the dog will have a strange smell like that of spoiled oil perhaps, and have an overall greasy feel to him. Although there is no cure for the disorder, there are things you can do to provide your Chow relief. The relief items include medicated shampoos, antibiotics, and cortisone ointments.
Hot Spots
Hot spots are another condition that causes Chow Chow skin problems. Allergies, flea bites, soap residue, and many other irritants are blamed for causing hot spots. However, experts have also noted that many Chows prior to shedding will develop this condition from the large amounts of time spent scratching to remove the loose hair. Thus, the dog will spend time scratching and chewing on his own skin which will eventually open the skin and create an easy entrance for infection. The result will be a hot spot that is painful to touch and may exhibit the drainage of pus; in addition, the dog will lose fur over the spot and it will take awhile to heal.
Pemphigus Foliaceus
Finally, the last common Chow Chow skin problem we will mention today is Pemphigus Foliaceus. This is yet another condition that baffles experts as it appears sometime between 2 and 7 years of age in the form of red patches or blisters that are not only itchy, but pus-filled as well. Pemphigus foliaceus is an autoimmune disease that usually first occurs on a dog’s face and pads of the paw. Although there is little relief, some dogs respond very well to cortisone treatments.
Review Overview
The risk of skins problems differ in each dog
The risk of problem decrease in cleaner environment
Chow Chow may vulnerable to allergies
Skin problems could be prevented by cleaning it
Skins problems vary in individual blog
Chow Chow is susceptible to allergies
Chow Chow should not have any loose skin
The dog may susceptible to color mutant
Entropion also affects dog's eyes
Many irritants are blamed for causing hot spots
Dog Skin Problems
Chow Chow skins problems
Very informative, my chow of six years exhibits so many of these symptoms . It makes me sad. Seems that the only help remains cortisone.
While Cortisone may able to help your dog, it is recommended to consult with veterinarian to get the best treatment for your dog.
I found this Chow abandoned at the beach, he is old, I took him home and he eats well but it has skin problems. I feel so sad over this condition, can someone can recomend a good product besides cortisone?, I mean he smell funny because of this.
If your dog smells funny, that usually means he has an infection. I have a Chow mix and he suffers from seasonal allergies that irritate his skin. Brushing your Chow is essential to their skin health. I suggest essential oils from Doterra. Dogs are able to take the Tri-Ease capsules, they’re for allergies. In any case, if your dog is smelling funny, he needs to see a vet before the infection gets worse.
Hi Calvin,
Which particular essential oil to use?
i have many oils from Doterra
thanks
@Roman Gomez: First of all, I am really proud of you for saving the dog. About Cortisone, there are other products which you could try. We would like to list the name here but it would take very long spaces. We have written detailed information about some products which may able to solve almost all skin problems. You could find it in another articles in this site. In meanwhile, you should visit Veterinarian to get proper treatment for the dog.
@Calvin: That is a nice advice.
Yes use Apple Cider Vinegar raw unfiltered. After shampoo with coconut oil and tar based shampoo with silica then take a sponge and dab Apple Cider on his body and let him run around but don’t rinse it off. Add a Capful to his water along with MSM every day. Get a dog vitamin and think about making a chicken and egg and bean dog food instead of kibble for a month.
i have a chow mix and he show most of these symptoms and now he has some kind of growth by his eye has any else had a similar problem. if so what kind of treatment was given.
what treatment can i give to my Chow Chow? He also have similar problem
I have a one and a half female chow. that is losing hair around her back area. her skin has turned black where the hair loss is . I have taken her to the vet he can help figure it out. I have changed her food to lamb with salmon oil. don’t know what to do
I have two chow chow puppy brothers 4 and a half months old they have started to itch really bad one as bitten into the back leg and left ugly red blotches I’ve changed there food to grain food and tried loads if things even home made remedies which starts to work then back to itching after a few days I even took him to vets he gave me shampoo and hadn’t a clue and charged me 97 pound I’ve spent a fortune on these I’ve even gave them our hay-fever tablet which I was told to do please can you recommend something?
I have a one male 8 yr old chow and he is losing the hair around his eye. He is suffering from entropion too. but it isn’t severe. Only one eye is affected. The skin appears to be dry and scaly although when we peel it off it doesn’t irritate him. It doesn’t seem like hes affected by the hair loss or his eye but I’m worried he will loose all his fur.