Humidity and Skin Problems in Coastal Dogs

Why the coast is different

Warm, humid air keeps skin and coat damp for longer. Damp skin is the ideal environment for the yeast and bacteria that live on every dog to overgrow.

That is why coastal practices in KwaZulu-Natal and the subtropical Lowveld see far more skin cases than Highveld practices, and why they spike through the humid summer months.

The three that dominate

Hot spots — acute moist dermatitis. A raw, weeping patch that appears within hours, often after swimming or a damp night. Thick-coated breeds are worst affected.

Yeast overgrowth — a distinctive musty smell, greasy coat, redness in the armpits, groin and between the toes, and brown staining where the dog licks.

Ear infections — head shaking, scratching, discharge and smell. Floppy-eared breeds and dogs that swim are most affected because the canal stays wet.

Keeping ahead of it

• Dry thoroughly after swimming and after rain, particularly the armpits, groin, tail base and between the toes
• Dry the ears after every swim — a vet-recommended drying solution beats a cotton bud, which pushes debris inwards
• Keep coats trimmed rather than thick over summer, especially the belly and feathering
• Do not let a dog sleep on damp bedding; wash and dry bedding often
• Groom to remove the dead undercoat that traps moisture against the skin

When it is not just humidity

Recurrent skin and ear infections in the same dog are usually a symptom rather than the disease. Underlying allergy — to fleas, food or the environment — is the most common driver.

Treating each flare with a course of medication and never investigating the cause is how dogs end up on repeated antibiotics for years.

If your dog has had three or more flares in a year, ask about a proper allergy workup. It costs more up front and far less over a decade.

Fleas make everything worse

Flea allergy dermatitis is the single most common skin disease in dogs and one flea bite is enough to set off a sensitised dog.

On the humid coast fleas breed year-round, so year-round control is required, on every animal in the household and in the environment.

A dog scratching at the tail base and rump specifically is a flea picture until proven otherwise, even if you cannot find a flea.