Dog Itches - Identifying Symptoms and Causes
All dogs itch from time to time. It’s natural. But when you notice it happening more and more, it could be a sign of a skin condition. Only your veterinarian can help determine if your dog’s itch is due to an allergy (environmental, food, fleas, contact), infections (bacterial, yeast), parasites (fleas, ticks, flies, mites) or another type of skin condition. Your veterinarian will be able to diagnose why your dog is itching and advise whether a prescription medicine is required. Below are some tips for identifying symptoms and causes for your pet to itch.
IF YOUR DOG IS ITCHING, TALK TO YOUR VETERINARIAN TODAY.
Is itching normal for a dog?
All dogs itch from time to time. This is a normal protective mechanism. But when itching causes your dog to damage its skin, or disrupt the household, it can be a problem.
Canine itch can be caused by several factors, including infections, parasites or allergies. The most important causes of allergies include fleas, food or environmental allergens such as pollens, molds or house-dust mites.
What is an itch?
Itch is one of the most common complaints of owners who bring their dog to a veterinary clinic, and veterinarians therefore feel confident with the treatment of itch1. Itch is an unpleasant sensation that can significantly affect the quality of life of a patient and its pet parents/family. Pruritus (itch) that affects the animal’s quality of life SHOULD ALWAYS BE TREATED, regardless of its origin, until the underlying cause is identified, or treatment of the primary cause begins to take its effect.
The cycle of itch, itch-scratch-itch cycle, must be broken with treatment and there are various treatments on the market, some good, some bad, some old and some new, that are available BUT your dog has to be examined by a veterinarian to determine the cause of the itch.
What are the causes of an itch?
- External Parasites (fleas, mites, lice, ticks)
- Allergies (fleas, food, environment – atopy, contact)
- Infections (bacterial, yeast)
How itchy is your dog1?
- Normal Dog. Itching is not a problem
- Very Mild Itching. Occasional episodes of itching. The dog is slightly more itchy than before the problem began.
- Mild Itching. More frequent episodes of itching. May notice occasional episodes of itching at night. No itching when eating, playing, exercise, or when being distracted.
- Moderate Itching. Regular episodes of itching when the dog is awake. Itching might occur at night or wake the dog. No itching when eating, playing, exercising, or when being distracted.
- Severe Itching. Prolonged episodes of itching when the dog is awake. Itching occurs at night and also when eating, playing, exercising, or when otherwise distracted.
- Extreme Severe Itching. Dog is scratching, chewing, licking almost continuously. Itching almost never stops, regardless of what else is happening around the dog.
How do I know if my dog's itching is affecting his/her quality of life?
Itching symptoms to look out for2
- Excessive licking, chewing, biting, or scratching
- Excessive rolling, rubbing, or scooting
- Paw chewing
- Hair loss
- Recurrent ear problems
- Skin lesions such as sores, pimples and crusts
- Redness of the skin
- Body odour (smelly skin)
- Recurrent anal sac problems
- Oily, greasy or scaly skin
Side effects to an unrelenting itch-scratch-itch cycle
- Additional skin irritation and damage with the potential for secondary infection
- Damage to the skin barrier function of the skin which allows additional exposure to allergens and on-going stimulation of the immune response to the allergen
- A dramatic decrease in the quality of life of the dog and its family. This can include:
- disruption of sleep for the dog and the owner
- a decrease in normal interactions between the pet and family members
- decreased interest in play on the part of the dog
- Once this cycle begins, it can be difficult to break, and dogs will have to receive treatment over and over for their allergic skin condition along with secondary complications such as bacterial and yeast skin infections.
- The skin becomes red, swollen, hot and inflamed, the hair falls out, the dog smells bad and the skin condition often becomes painful as the self-mutilation continues
How does my dog's scratching affect his/her skin?
Scratching, rubbing, licking and other itchy behaviours cause further damage to the already inflamed and affected skin. In this way, bacteria, yeast and allergens may penetrate the skin and cause more inflammation and secondary bacterial and/or yeast infection.
The skin thickens, and the skin barrier deteriorates. This results in an unrelenting itch-scratch-itch cycle.
Once this cycle begins, it can be difficult to break, and dogs will have to receive treatment over and over for their allergic skin condition along with secondary complications such as bacterial and yeast skin infections.References
- Apoquel Technical Monograph.
- Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Pruritus in Dogs. Australian Veterinarian Dermatology Advisory Panel (AVDAP).
