Causes of Canine Pruritus (Itching)
It can be extremely frustrating to have a dog that is itchy. Persistently scratching and chewing can cause discomfort and affect your animal’s quality of life. Before it is possible to relieve itching in dogs it is necessary to determine the cause. Unfortunately, there are many causes for itching. Here is a list of some of the more common causes.
1) External Parasites
a. Fleas
Fleas are a leading cause of self-mutilation in cats and dogs. There are many good flea-fighting products available. In addition to killing the fleas on your pet, you will also need to kill the fleas in the animal’s environment. Sprays, powders, flea bombs, or exterminators can be helpful in this area. Contact your veterinarian for advice on which products work the best.
b. Mites
Mites, including ear mites, fur mites, scabies, and mange can cause chronic itching and inflammation of the skin. A skin scraping or ear culture can be performed by your veterinarian to diagnose these issues.
2) Allergies
a. Flea Allergy Dermatitis
Some dogs are very sensitive to the saliva from a flea bite and can become very itchy from only a few bites. In these cases 100% flea control is essential and your pet may also require an allergy injection from the vet to help relieve skin irritation and/or inflammation.
b. Food Allergies
Dogs can be allergic to many different dog food ingredients even if they have been eating the same food for many years they can suddenly acquire an allergy to an ingredient. Changing foods or trying a specific prescription diet can alleviate the problem. However some times allergy testing by your veterinarian must be done to find out what your pet is allergic to.
c. Inhalant Allergies
Common inhaled allergies include pollen, grass, dust mites, dander, mold, or any other airborne particles. Although people usually have respiratory problems, dogs usually have problems with their skin and ears.
3) Infections
The most common types of infections are bacterial and yeast. Bacterial infections typically look like small bumps. Yeast infections have a greasy appearance and may have an unpleasant odor. Both require a vet’s attention
4) Hormonal Causes
There are certain metabolic diseases, such as hypothyroidism and Cushing’s disease that can cause skin problems. Blood work and other tests can be performed by your vet to diagnose these problems.
Crystal Hill