The dog is itching: what should I do?

Itching is a symptom, not a disease itself. Itching in dogs can be caused by parasites, allergies, skin diseases (bacterial and fungal skin lesions) and even such serious problems as skin tumors. It is also worth remembering that some diseases that do not initially cause itching, for example, hormonal disorders (Kuschen syndrome), can lead to itching if secondary bacterial or fungal infections are developed in a pet.

Parasites

1. Fleas

Fleas can cause allergic dermatitis in a pet, which causes severe itching. These small wingless insects are fed on the blood of animals and when they bite, they inject saliva into the body. An allergy is developed in many dogs exactly to this saliva.

2. Trichodect

Trichodects are small parasitic insects that can live on warm-blooded animals, including dogs. At the beginning of the disease, itching may be weak or absent altogether, and the skin may only peel slightly. As the number of parasites increases, the itching becomes more severe, the dog may rub the affected areas, lick them, which leads to the appearance of scratches and wounds.

3. Ear mite (otodactylosis)

Otodactylosis affects the inner part of the auricles. With otodactylosis, the animal often shakes its head and scratches its ears. Dark-colored discharge is accumulated in the ears, and pus may form.

4. Canine scabies (sarcoptosis)

The scalp, ears and lower half of the body are affected in cases of sarcoptosis. This disease can cause hair loss, flaking of the skin and the appearance of crusts, itching.

Sarcoptosis (itchy scabies) is contagious and can be transmitted to humans.

5. Demodicosis

The mites that cause demodicosis usually live in the hair follicles and sebaceous glands of dogs. In some animals with a weak immune system, these parasites can cause skin inflammation and hair loss. Itching may also occur, but not always. Some breeds of dogs have a genetic predisposition to this disease.

6. Cheyletiella

A scaly dandruff may appear on your pet with cheyletiella scaly dandruff. These are actually mites moving along the dog's skin. Flaking skin and infestation along the back are characteristic signs of this disease. Often the dog will scratch itself violently, although some may not show any symptoms and be carriers of ticks, transmitting them to other animals.

7. Dermatophytosis

Microspory, or ringworm, is a fungal disease that can be transmitted to both animals and people. It causes hair loss in areas where the fungus is concentrated and can also cause bacterial infection. The main symptoms include damage to the skin, hair and nails: you may notice bald patches, inflammatory elements, as well as brittle and flaky nails. Most often, microspory appears on the snout and paws of your pet and can cause itching.

8. Helminthiasis
One of the symptoms may be an allergic reaction and itching. Some types of helminths are able to penetrate the skin of dogs. This infection results in various skin lesions, including dermatitis with tuberculous formation, alopecia and skin erosions. Microscopic analysis of skin scrapings may reveal the presence of helminths.

Allergic reactions

1. Atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease in dogs. The main cause of this condition is the pet's genetic predisposition to allergic reactions to various irritants from the environment, such as plant pollen, house dust mites, mold, and others.

Severe itching, reddening of the skin, flaking, hair loss, formation of crusts and papules, development of secondary bacterial and fungal infection can be considered as the main symptoms of atopic dermatitis in dogs.

Dogs with this disease often experience itching and begin to actively scratch, lick, or bite the affected areas of the skin, which leads to the formation of wounds and scratches. In addition, they may become irritable and restless due to constant discomfort.

2. Allergy to food components

Food allergy and food intolerance are two different problems, but their symptoms can be similar. They manifest themselves in the form of skin reactions, such as itching, inflammation or irritation of the skin, and are directly related to food, when the dog has eaten something.

Food allergy is a reaction of the immune system to certain ingredients that the dog's body considers foreign. In response to these substances, antibodies are produced, which leads to the development of an allergic reaction. Food allergies can cause itching, reddening of the skin, hair loss, dandruff and other symptoms.

Food intolerance is caused by certain food components that are not digested by the dog's body and cause digestive disorders. However, it is not associated with an immune reaction, so its manifestation is not as pronounced as with an allergy. Symptoms of food intolerance include diarrhea, vomiting, flatulence, skin manifestations: redness, urticaria, itching.

3. Contact dermatitis

Contact dermatitis in dogs is an irritation or inflammation of the skin caused by direct contact with any substance. This could be household chemicals, detergents, plants, interior items (for example, a woolen blanket).

Signs of contact dermatitis in dogs include reddened skin, itching, rashes, or sores. Depending on the cause of the dermatitis, these symptoms may be developed in different parts of the body. For example, if your dog has an allergic reaction on its paws after a walk in winter, the cause may be the reagents sprinkled on the snow outside.

Skin diseases

Itching can be caused by bacterial and fungal skin infections, which usually are developed secondarily against the background of already existing diseases. They are accompanied by symptoms such as flaking, hair loss and an unpleasant odor from the pet's skin.

1. Piodermia is a purulent skin lesion caused by bacteria. For example, staphylococcal infection often manifests itself in the form of pustules on the skin.

2. Malassezia dermatitis is a disease that occurs when the yeast-like fungus Malassezia actively multiplies on the surface of the skin. It manifests itself in the form of redness, peeling, itching and other symptoms.

Stress and nervous disorders

Sometimes the causes of itching in dogs are not physical, but are due to psychological factors. Stressful situations, a change of environment or separation from the owner can cause anxiety and itching in a sensitive pet.

If your dog is constantly scratching, biting or licking the skin, it is necessary to understand the cause. Itching can be general or in one specific area, seasonal or year-round. It is important to promptly contact a veterinarian for accurate diagnosis and treatment.

If you suspect skin diseases, you need to make an appointment with a specialist. The veterinarian will conduct a detailed examination and ask you about the conditions of keeping and feeding the animal. Additional tests may also be required, such as skin scraping, blood analysis, and others.

Stages of diagnosing itching in dogs

1. Collecting anamnesis

The doctor will ask about the nature of the itching, localization, periodicity, changes in behavior and the dog's health in general. Also, collecting anamnesis must include an analysis of the animal's diet. This will allow us to exclude some possible causes.

2. Complete dermatological examination

The specialist will examine the animal for skin diseases. He will pay attention to the affected areas, redness, rashes, and localization of problem areas.

• In case of skin itching and obvious skin lesions, the first thing to do is to rule out flea dermatitis. It is not always possible to see fleas on an animal, so a diagnostic test can be carried out by the owner himself. To do this, you need to put the animal on a light, damp surface and thoroughly comb its hair. Flea excrement that has fallen from the animal's body and come into contact with water are dissolved, leaving red spots. Their presence confirms that the dog has been bitten by fleas and may have developed an allergic reaction to their saliva.
• Microscopic diagnostics. Skin scraping and trichocopy (examination of hair under a microscope). Such diagnostics will help to detect or exclude parasites, and will also allow you to obtain information about the condition of the animal’s hair and skin. Cytological examination of skin scrapings (smears-imprints) is also carried out. A more in-depth examination of skin cells allows obtaining more information about the disease.

3. If a parasitic cause is excluded, the doctor will consider other possible factors, for example, allergies. Your dog may have allergic reactions to food, pollen, household products, etc. In this case, your veterinarian will prescribe a special diet and treatment. You may need to eliminate certain foods from the diet and monitor your dog's reaction (an elimination diet is prescribed) to identify a food allergy.

If your dog has a skin infection, your veterinarian may order a bacterial culture to determine the type of bacteria and select effective antibacterial treatment.

The location and intensity of the itching can help to determine the type of disease:

1. Allergic flea dermatitis appears on the back, croup, abdomen, armpits and neck.

2. Demodicosis usually appears in the eye and mouth area. The extremities may also itch, especially the skin between the fingers.

3. With sarcoptic mange, the animal will scratch its head, edges of the ears, extremities and abdomen.

4. If your pet has atopic dermatitis, it will be itched badly on the back of its paws, head, and armpits. Itching may also occur around the eyes, mouth, ears, and nose.

5. Food allergies can also be determined by where your pet is scratched. Usually, this is the stomach and groin area. Itching on the head is also common.

If you have noticed that your dog scratches more often than usual, you should not ignore this symptom. Itching can be a sign of various diseases, and you need to establish the cause of its appearance before starting treatment. Only a veterinarian can do this after conducting an examination. Self-medication is not recommended: the wrong choice of medication or its incorrect use can worsen the problem and lead to serious complications.

If parasites are excluded and the itching in the animal persists, veterinarians recommend choosing a new diet for diagnosing food allergies - an exclusion diet.

Elato Holistic Vet Special Hypoallergenic food maintains the health of dogs with food intolerance and reduces the risk of allergic reactions. The food contains only one source of animal protein - fish, and the source of carbohydrates are hypoallergenic rice and pea starch. Omega-3 fatty acids in the food promote skin restoration and reduce inflammatory reactions, due to which the animal's skin itching is reduced.

This food is suitable as an exclusive diet, for undesirable food reactions, and also for animals with atopic dermatitis.

Typically, the course of using the food lasts from 3 to 8 weeks, until the symptoms disappear. Before using this food, be sure to consult with your veterinarian before starting the course.

Preventing itching in dogs is very important for your pet's health. Following simple recommendations will help to reduce the risk of this unpleasant condition.

1. Treat your dog for fleas and ticks in a timely manner.

2. Avoid contact with stray animals to reduce the risk of infections.

3. Monitor the quality of nutrition, choosing food taking into account the individual characteristics of your dog.

4. Keep the house clean and regularly carry out wet cleaning to minimize the risk of allergic reactions.

5. Use special products to care for your pet's skin and hair.

6. It is recommended to provide the dog with a calm environment, give it attention and care to help your dog cope with stress.

By following these recommendations, you will help to maintain your dog's health and prevent skin problems. However, if itching does appear, do not delay a visit to the veterinarian.

Conclusion