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It starts with the jingle of a collar and ID tag, then you notice your pet is itching all the time. Soon your dog’s whimpering because they’ve scratched themself raw or your cat’s developed scabs around their ears.
Many pet parents try to tackle excessive itching on their own with oatmeal baths, anti-itch sprays, ear wipes, and flea collars. It’s frustrating to spend so much time and money if their pet can’t find any relief. Diagnosing and treating dermatological conditions can be tricky and often requires the help of a vet. It’s no surprise that skin issues and scratching are among the most common reasons pet owners bring their pals into our office.
Summertime happens to be prime time for pets to suffer from incessant scratching. What could be causing your pet’s discomfort?
1. Fleas, Tick, Mites, and More
Fleas, ticks, mites, and mosquitos can drive your pet crazy and cause serious skin irritation. External parasites such as these can also spread deadly infections including Lyme disease, Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Cytauxzoonosis (cats) and heartworm disease to name a few.
Fleas may cause constant scratching, hair loss and severe dermatitis. You may see peppery like substance deep in the haircoat called flea dirt. One flea can cause allergic reactions in sensitive pets. If you see one flea that is likely the tip of the iceberg as fleas lay up to 50 eggs per day. Fleas may transmit tapeworms and even Yersinia pestis or plague in some areas of the country
Don’t forget to check daily for ticks. Even the best preventatives may take up to two days to effectively kill a tick.
Sarcoptic mange, also known as canine scabies, is caused by a mite. This nasty little bug causes severe itching, hair loss and is highly contagious. It can spread from dogs to people.
Don’t let bugs bother your best pal. We can stop them before they feast on your four-legged friend by suggesting topical, oral, or injectable treatment to eliminate their threat.
2. Dietary Allergies
Sometimes a rash or skin irritation can be caused by a food allergy. Because this is an external symptom of an internal problem, many pet owners have no idea what’s causing their pet to scratch. They try to remedy the problem with every over-the-counter product they can purchase and never see the itching ebb.
You may be surprised to learn that your dog or cat can be allergic to one of the proteins typically found in pet food including chicken, beef, wheat, eggs, or even soy. We can guide you through an appropriate elimination diet to solve the problem.
3. Atopic Dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis is another word for environmental or seasonal allergies. Pets can be reacting to a wide range of allergens including grass and tree pollen, dust, mold, and ragweed. Pets with atopic dermatitis or atopy, may develop secondary skin infections and even “hotspots” requiring immediate veterinary care. There are newer highly effective medications available through your veterinarian to stop the itch. Two of these include Cytopoint injections which stop itching for approximately 30 days and an oral medication called Apoquel which effectively treats itching and inflammation. Please contact your vet if you need to stop the itch! Frequent bathing with skin supportive shampoos can also be helpful during allergies season.
4. Yeast and Bacteria
Both yeast and bacterial infections can be quite itchy. They can also lead to long term damage to your pet’s hearing and skin.
Yeast infections are usually found in the ears, but they can occur elsewhere. Because yeast thrives in heat and humidity, we often see more of these during the summer. Repeated and serious ear infections can increase hearing problems and cause hearing loss over time.
Bacterial infections are often the result of a pet scratching themselves enough to cause cuts and scrapes which then get infected. While not the primary cause of your pet’s scratching, bacterial infections become a secondary cause for your pet to itch.
These infections often require medical intervention. Yeast infections are cleared up with an ear wash and antifungal medication. Antibiotics, shaving the infected region, and a topical ointment help fight bacterial infections.
5. Boredom and Anxiety
Sometimes our pets fall into a pattern of compulsively chewing, licking, and scratching when they feel bored or anxious. Frequently this includes excessive paw chewing. Over time, pets connect grooming and self-soothing licking to feeling better; similar to obsessive-compulsive responses in humans. These actions are linked to feeling in control and releasing positive endorphins in the brain. After a while, they become a go-to coping mechanism.
We can suggest activities that can reduce your pet’s anxiety and boredom, such as exercise and enrichment toys. In severe cases, we can prescribe anti-anxiety medications that can help.
Make an Appointment Today
Trying to diagnose and treat skin conditions on your own can be overwhelming and costly. Skip the hassle of trial and error. If your dog or cat experiences dermatological discomfort, let’s end the itch and get your pet back to feeling their best. Make an appointment to see us and provide your pet with some much-needed relief.
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