Pruritis in Dogs
By Joshua
Animal Clinic of Granger
Have you ever noticed the dog that scratches or licks without stop only to have their owner yell at them? What the owner may not know is that there is most likely a very good reason, and sometimes complex reason, why their beloved pet is constantly licking or scratching. If this is the case, and your veterinarian can tell you for sure, the licking and scratching will continue when the owner isn’t around.
When owners notice this constant scratching, licking or chewing of the paws or abdomen, or reddening of the ears, skin allergies or infections need to be considered. If left untreated, the itchiness or pruritis, will become more severe until it truly dominates the animal’s life. Consider the itch you occasionally have that you just can’t get to. It’s maddening.
In addition to the scratching, licking, or biting, owners may also notice saliva stains on a normally light colored coat causing a red or brown marking. The untreated pruritis can also lead to secondary infections of skin yeast and bacteria.
Veterinarians must rule out multiple possible causes for the itchiness before finally arriving at the underlying cause. The pruritis may be caused by infestation of fleas, sarcoptic mange or demodex, bacterial and skin yeast infections, food sensitivity, or allergies to common substances in the environment. Typically, treatment starts by eliminating parasites and skin infections. Allergy testing is completed to determine reactivity to common household mites, dusts, pollens, and molds. Occasionally, hormone imbalances may also be at fault.
Tags: dogs
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