None — Itching Dogs
Skin itchiness in a dog is called canine atopic dermatitis. In addition to scratching, the dog may lick and chew at the affected area. Continual scratching can cause the affected area to become red, sore, inflamed and bloody. If bacteria get into the open wound, a secondary infection can develop, causing pus formation and more pain. This type of wound is referred to as a "hot spot."
It's common for a dog to scratch. When scratching occurs frequently or continually, however, it's a sign the animal is in discomfort and trying to ease a painful or irritating itch. The most common sites of itching are the face, paws, ears, extremities and belly.
There are many different causes of skin itching in dogs. One of the most common causes is allergies. While humans react to an inhaled allergen by sneezing, a dog reacts by scratching. Frank Bousaid, D.V.M., Veterinarian in Monroe, WA, says the offending substance is typically something in the animal's environment and the symptoms may be seasonal. An allergy can also be caused by an insect bite or sting, or by eating some types of food.
Some dogs become itchy after contact with irritants, like chemicals in certain household cleaning or personal care products. A dog can even be sensitive to ingredients in pet care products.
Itching can sometimes be a symptom of some types of autoimmune disease. Another cause is boredom. Constant licking can eventually lead to hair loss and a sore spot that becomes itchy, perpetuating the cycle of scratching and licking.
Treating Canine Itchy Skin
Bousaid says dermatitis can get worse with time and as a dog ages, becoming more difficult to treat. Thus, pets with an itching problem should be treated to ease the symptoms and prevent development of a secondary infection. Depending on the cause of the symptoms, it can take six weeks for healing.
Initially, he recommends bathing the animal with a skin care product made for dogs. Human products should not be used on animals because dogs have more sensitive skin. A weekly bath with a gentle dog shampoo or cleanser may be enough to control symptoms.
If home treatment doesn't help, or the symptoms are significant, a veterinarian should be consulted. Itching can be a sign of many different problems, so it can take some detective work to uncover the cause and find an appropriate treatment. Some clues to the nature of the symptoms include: time when the itching started, occurrence at the same time every year, new furniture or carpets in the home or a change in diet. The animal will be checked for fleas and ticks and prescription products may be provided to ease the symptoms and promote healing.
If environmental allergies are suspected, Bousaid says a vet can do allergy testing to determine which allergens are causing the problem. For suspected food allergies, a dog may be placed on a restricted diet. Then foods are slowly introduced to determine which ones trigger the allergy symptoms, so they can be avoided in the future.
Soothing the Itch Naturally
Bousaid prefers using natural products to soothe a pet's itchy skin. One line of pet skin care products is called DERMagic. The pH-balanced formulas contain certified organic ingredients, like vitamin E, lanolin and beeswax, which are gentle for a dog's skin.
DERMagic prices range from $7.95 to $89.95 for a kit containing a product for each part of the 4-step skin care system. The products are available at some retailers or can be ordered online through the company's website (http://www.dermagic.com).
Bousaid says no matter which skin care line a dog owner chooses, look for products labeled as certified organic. Read the label to make sure there are no petroleum-based ingredients or artificial colors (which can irritate an animal's skin). He also recommends choosing products with a money-back guarantee so a refund can be obtained if they don't work for the pet.
For information about DERMagic, click here.
For general information on pet itching:
WSOC
