Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), known as canine udder disease, is an important skin problem that can occur in different forms from small acne-like lesions to deep-seated acne-like nodules. Although it is not considered a type of acne, some sources define this condition as “acne inversus (reverse acne)”. In short, skin lesions that occur during HS disease are usually painful and occur in areas where the skin folds. Although the lesions heal over time, they may leave scars and small canal openings. Hidradenitis suppurativa is a condition that affects approximately 2% of the population. It is important to be conscious as canine udder discomfort, which can become quite severe over time, can cause a decrease in the quality of life. You can find answers to questions such as what is dog udder disease, what are the causes of canine udder disease or how is the treatment for hs disease here.
What is dog udder disease?
Canine udder disease, deeply located lump, abscess It is a chronic inflammatory skin problem characterized by small subcutaneous canals and fibrotic scars. The disease usually occurs in folded areas of the skin rich in apocrine (secretory) glands. The armpits, groin and under-breast areas are among the areas where these skin lesions are most frequently detected.
The treatment of canine udder disease varies according to the course of the disease. This situation, which causes patients to be very uncomfortable cosmetically, can also bring along many other complaints such as pain, tenderness, discharge, odor and scars.
What are the Symptoms of Dog Mammary Disease?
Dog udder disease can occur in a single spot, or it can affect different parts of the body. At the beginning of the symptoms that occur during the course of this disease, there are black spot lesions with a two-channel appearance. Painful lesions in the form of a pea-sized lump can begin in a single spot under the skin and persist for weeks or months.
Then the lesion is added to this lump in many other similar ways. Areas where HS lesions occur are usually These are areas such as the groin or armpits where sebaceous and sweat glands (apocrine) are abundant. Apart from these areas, the symptoms of dog udder disease may occur in areas where the skin folds, such as the thighs, breasts and hips. The wounds created by these canal structures on the skin heal very slowly and may leak pus through them, causing a foul odor.
The symptoms of dog food disease can be mild or moderate in some people, while a very severe illness may occur in some people. It is important to be mindful of factors associated with worsening of the disease:
- Stress
- Hormonal changes
- Temperature rise
- Use of tobacco products
- Being overweight or obese
What Causes Dog Mammary Disease?
Genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors are the triggers for the emergence of dog food disease. can show. In 4 out of 10 cases of Hidradenitis suppurativa, first-degree relatives also have the same problem. Therefore, it can be said that this statistical data indicates the genetic origin of the disease.
Weight problems are the leading environmental and behavioral factors in the development of the disease. Due to obesity, the surface areas of the areas where the skin folds increase and an increase in the secretions of the glands in this area occurs. Overweight individuals also have a predisposition to hormonal imbalances. The hormonal effect is also an interaction that supports the fact that this disease is more common in women than in men.
Tobacco use in patients with Hidradenitis suppurativa is a very common bad habit. Although the link between the disease and tobacco products has not been fully elucidated, the increasing effect of nicotine on follicle occlusion may be the source of the relationship between these two conditions.
What are the Stages of Canine Mammary Disease?
In the early stages of canine udder disease, the complaints follow a vague course and therefore this condition can be confused with various other dermatological problems. Isolated nodules are sometimes defined as lesions that are not accompanied by any tunnel structure, although they are numerous, in cases accepted as the first stage according to the Hurley classification. Abscesses that leave wide scars are not seen at this stage. Untreated cases of hidradenitis in the first stage can progress to Hurley's second stage.
In the second stage, medium-sized abscesses can be detected in many parts of the body. At the same time, the opening of these cysts and the discharge of pus out of the skin are among the symptoms observed in the second stage lesions. Tunnel, canal and sinus tract formations may also occur in this stage, but it has a very mild course compared to the structures in the third stage.
The third stage of canine udder disease is the most severe stage of this disease. In hydradenitis lesions found throughout the body, duct structures can also be detected. Pain and scar formation are other expected complaints at this stage. A number of difficulties may be encountered in the treatment of stage 3 canine udder patients due to the lesions showing a fairly wide spread.
How is the Treatment of Dog Mammary Disease?
If the dog udder disease is not diagnosed and treated in the early period, it can progress and cause serious wounds. In individuals diagnosed with Hidradenitis suppurativa, various treatment methods can be applied for purposes such as controlling the lesion formation and frequency, and eliminating wounds and fistulas.
Antibiotic drugs are among the drugs prescribed for the treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa. Drugs containing doxycycline are the most commonly preferred antibiotic agents. In some people, the duration of treatment may be extended up to 3 months to see the success of antibiotic therapy. Corticosteroids, which are used to suppress inflammation, are very effective drugs, especially during exacerbations of the disease.
Other than these treatments, insulin resistance drugs used in type 2 diabetes or hormone therapies used to solve various problems constitute other treatment methods that can be applied within the scope of the treatment of canine udder disease.
Physicians may prefer more aggressive treatments (immunosuppressive biological treatments) in severe cases, but this treatment is not possible. It should be kept in mind that it also brings with it a number of side effects. These drugs, which have a regulating effect on the immune system, should be prescribed considering the benefit and harm they will provide. In some severe cases, various surgical interventions may be used.
Even though cutting and draining the lesions is an effective method for relieving pain, physicians do not prefer this type of surgical intervention due to the possibility of scar formation and recurrence of the lesion. Instead of this procedure, a procedure called deroofing may be preferred in painful, deeply located and recurrent lesions. In this procedure, the upper part of the lesion is cut using a laser or scalpel. Scarring after the procedure is minimal. In addition to this procedure, direct removal (excision) of the lesions can be performed in some cases of recurrent hydradenitis.
Nutrition in Canine Mammary Disease
Foods included in the nutrition program in canine udder disease should be carefully selected as they may exacerbate or alleviate the complaints. It should be kept in mind that these dietary changes may not be valid for everyone and the relationship of this disease with food is still under investigation. Generally speaking, consumption of milk and dairy products and sugary foods is among the foods that may cause exacerbation of complaints in dog mammary patients.
Foods rich in fiber, oily fish containing omega-3 fatty acids and consumption of natural oils such as seeds or olive oil are foods that may be effective in improving symptoms in some patients.
Hidradenitis suppurativa is a disease that is tried to be controlled if early diagnosis and treatment is applied. Therefore, if you observe the signs and symptoms of this ailment in yourself or in your environment, it is recommended that you apply to health institutions and seek support from dermatology specialists. You can use the contact form on our website to reach us.
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