Itchiness in Dogs

The actual health-related term often used by vets for extreme itchiness in dogs is pruritus. Itching in canines usually is not cause to worry, but if it becomes extreme it may possibly be a warning sign of a much more severe condition. There are some diverse canine skin problems that can be the cause of the itching and scratching. But if a canine's itching is contributing to the development of further skin conditions such as soreness and reddening of your pet's skin, skin abrasions and hair loss, or you observe the animal biting at his or her feet, then the dog really should be brought to an animal hospital for an examination for these are all indications of a far more severe skin problem. If it is not treated, the canine's scratching might give rise to infection. Though any breed of dog could develop pruritus, Cocker Spaniels, Westies, Poodles and Golden Retrievers tend to have a higher number of occurrences than most other canine breeds.

The Causes of Itchiness in Dogs

Itching in canines occurs as a result of a chemical response that occurs on or directly beneath the skin's surface. In the event it's extreme, it's generally a sign that the pet is stricken with one of several canine skin problems of a far more serious type.

Intense itchiness in dogs could perhaps be a symptom of the following canine skin problems:

• Flea allergies are the most common source of dog allergies. When a flea bites a dog, it deposits a minute amount of saliva beneath the skin producing a chemical response that causes canine itching.
• Seasonal dog allergiesare the second most common cause of itching and scratching in dogs. This form of allergy is comparable to hay fever and asthma in us. When the canine inhales substances such as dust, molds and pollen, it prompts an allergic reaction from the immune system of the animal. This form of allergy can also give rise to respiratory difficulties in addition to causing a dog's itchiness.
• Yet another kind of allergy that isn't as common but can trigger itching and scratching in dogs is an allergy to foods. Food Allergies are triggered when the animal consumes food or a food constituent that it is allergic to.
• Likewise add dog mange to our list of skin disorders in canines that brings about itchiness. Scabies, also known as sarcoptic mange, is caused by a mite burrowing right under the skin surface of the canine. The mite lives on substances at or beneath the skin of the canine causing intense and constant itching and scratching.
• Bacterial and fungal infections may likewise be the cause of an animal's itching problems. This is normally brought on by open sores and scratches which aren't suitably cleansed. Ear mites frequently bring on this sort of skin problem in canines.

Identifying Skin Problems in Canines

Identifying the reason for canine skin problems has frequently turned out to be quite a challenge for most pet owners and veterinarians. To diagnose the cause of the difficulty, a variety of exams and treatments might possibly have to be run and diagnosis could take anywhere between a few weeks to several months. Primarily based upon the dog's symptoms and health background, the veterinarian will perform a number of lab screens that could include extracting blood samples, skin scrapings, obtaining culture samples and doing a biopsy of the skin.

Remedies for Itchiness in Dogs

Even if the fundamental cause of itching and scratching in dogs isn't yet known, there are formulas out there to treat the canine's skin and put an end to the itchiness. The vet could propose the use of skin creams, antihistamines, shampoos or maybe immunotherapy in more moderate cases. In the more severe cases, he could suggest treatment using steroids. Steroids have been known to cause undesirable side effects such as frequent urination, extreme panting and dehydration, and prolonged use could bring about the emergence of diabetes or Cushing's disease, so if you do plan to try them, heed great care. Some canines may well have to have constant treatment for their skin problem.

Natural Remedies for Itchiness in Dogs

More and more vets are now advocating all-natural itching dog remedies as a safer and soothing kind of therapy. It's an option to giving your dog steroids and other types of medication that could bring about dangerous side effects. You can choose from quite a few safe and effective holistic remedies for itchiness in dogs that offer the pet much needed relief by revitalizing the fur in addition to clearing up and cleaning the skin.

Article Resources on Itchiness in Dogs

• Diagnosing Itching In Canines And Finding Treatment Options
• How To Cope With Itching In Dogs And Possible Treatments
• Dealing With Itchiness In Dogs And Possible Remedies
• The Likely Causes of Itching and Scratching in Dogs and Treatment Options
• Dealing With Itching In Canines And Possible Treatment Options

Causes and Treatments for Skin Allergies in Dogs

Have you began to find your dog itching and scratching more than usual? Is the scratching causing open cuts and loss of hair on your best friend? If so, this is a pretty good warning sign that your pet may well be distressed by dog allergies. Dogs do not have the usual reddened eyes and a runny nose the way we do when we have an allergy. Other warning signs could consist of excessive licking of a particular area, or biting their paws to the point of bleeding. So, what are skin allergies in dogs?

What Causes Skin Allergies in Dogs?

An allergy can occur when a dog's immune system excessively reacts to individual allergens. The body will then manufacture antibodies as a form of defense after the cause of the animal's allergy passes into the body. These antibodies will next join to immune cells in the skin and other tissues. So, as the allergens slowly enter the tissue, the antibodies incite the immune cells to discharge strong chemicals (named histamines) into the surrounding tissue. This then leads to swelling and itching in your pet.

There are some points to examine when attempting to find the source of skin allergies in dogs. An allergy that affects a dog's skin is generally caused by at least one of the following: food, airborne particles, and fleas.

Flea Dermatitis also known as Flea Allergy is usually caused by saliva from a flea. That is the reason it's especially imperative to rid your pet of fleas on a regular basis.

Atopic allergy is caused by the inhalation of airborne allergens in the environment, including dust, cigarette smoke, pollen and mold spores, activate atopic allergies. If a pet has pollen allergies, the pet will display signs, even if kept indoors as the allergens will move into the home. Coughing, wheezing and sneezing generally are symptoms of this type of allergy.

Food allergies are the next most common type of allergy in dogs. The most probable causes for food allergies in dogs consist of: chicken, milk, soy, corn, eggs, beef and wheat. Diarrhea and vomiting often are symptoms of this type of allergy in dogs.

Contact allergy is the least common sort of dog allergy and is brought on by contacting with something. Triggers could include plastic, grass and wool. Some pets may suffer from allergic reactions to particular chemicals in the home, but this is not very common.

How to Identify Dog Allergies

A veterinarian might be able to diagnose the cause, but it can require a system of elimination to detect the source of the dog’s skin allergy and may possibly refer your dog to a veterinarian dermatologist. If fleas are ruled out, the animal might be put on an elimination diet for ten weeks. The animal is fed food he or she has not had before, such as poultry, mutton, and potatoes, with the past food being reintroduced in stages until the allergy reoccurs.

The allergen is believed to be at least one ingredient if the dogs scratching decreases by about 50 percent of what it was previously. To check for contact and atopic skin allergies, vets employ an intradermal allergy examination that functions by mildly anesthetizing the dog with small quantities of prospective allergens which are injected into the skin on the shaved region. If the dog is allergic to a particular substance, the skin will become inflamed close to the area of injection.

Treating Allergies in Dogs

Keeping your pet away from allergens and treating the symptoms is the most beneficial remedy for allergies in dogs. Treatments that include steroids and antihistamines are frequently suggested to relieve symptoms of scratching and swelling in dogs, though like all medications they can be accompanied by undesirable side effects and the long-term effects are not known. Long-term treatment using steroids is not advocated for these medicines function by suppressing the immune system. Continued steroid use could eventually leave your dog at risk in regards to diabetes, infections and further ailments.

Homeopathic Treatments

Luckily for pet enthusiasts, there are a lot of safe and all-natural herbal and homeopathic cures for dogs suffering from skin disorders. Althaea officinalis root is an excellent and popular treatment for reinvigorating the skin while Melaleuca alternifolia can be put on as a topical to stimulate skin health and keeping the animal’s skin clear. Homeopathic treatments including Ledum and Apis have wonderful healing attributes and are remarkably beneficial in soothing sore and irritated skin, or minor irritations and sores.

Additional Resources on Skin Allergies in Dogs

• What Are Dog Allergies and Finding Treatment Options
• Coping with Skin Allergies in Dogs and Finding Treatments
• Diagnosing Dog Allergies and Locating Remedies
• Diagnosing Allergies In Dogs And Possible Remedies