Scratching pets can be very frustrating. Itchiness is very common. It is important to explore the cause if your pets itch. Itchiness is associated with the 5 “BIG” skin diseases. The 5 Big skin diseases are parasitic, food, Atopic (environmental allergens), bacteria, and yeast. Your veterinarian will employ several techniques to make a diagnosis. These techniques are examination, skin scraping, skin cytology, culture, allergy testing, biopsy, and food trial.
The location of a pets itch can also help diagnose the cause.
Foot licking is commonly from pollens. Flea allergy has a pattern of itch or hair loss over the rear and near tail base. Food allergy can look like foot licking, tail head itch, and perianal itch.
Ear disease is also strongly associated with allergens.
Once diagnosis is established treatment can be started. ALL itchy pets should have a flea preventative product on regardless of whether or not you see fleas. Typical products like Frontline, Advantage, and Revolution are known to have a wide margin of safety- use them!
It is very likely an itchy pet will require some topical treatment in the form of shampoo, lotion, or ointments. Medical treatment often includes antihistamines, antibiotics, omega fatty acids, steroids, and allergy shots.
Many diets are available to treat pets with a skin disease. These might utilize a novel protein such as fish, venison, or duck, etc. Hydrolyzed protein (small molecular wt) diets are the most hypoallergenic and are available through Hills and Royal Canin.
Managing an itchy pet takes time, perserverence, patience, and money.Take the steps necessary to identify the cause and follow your veterinarians advise on treatments.
