What's Making My Pet Itchy?

What’s Making My Pet Itchy?

               August is Itchy Pet Awareness Month.  Itching can be caused by many things.  Scratching can cause redness, irritation and infection and can make pets very uncomfortable not to mention disrupt our days and nights as well, listening to restless pets scratching all day and night!  Let’s learn some common causes of itching in pets an learn how to fix that itch.

               Common causes of itching include parasites, allergies and skin infections.  Parasites such as fleas and lice can cause pets to become very itchy.  Bites from these pesky insects can cause an allergic reaction making the skin red and itchy and causing hair loss, especially around the rump or tail base and hind legs.  Use of effective flea and tick preventatives is extremely important in preventing infestation.  Use of preventatives on a regular basis to prevent infestation is far more effective than trying to treat a flea infestation or rid a pet of lice once the pet is already affected.  Mites such as Demodex and Sarcoptes scabiei (mange mites) burrow under the skin and can cause intense itching.  Seek veterinary care if your pet has an external parasite infestation so proper treatment can be started.

               Allergies to pollen and plants such as grasses, weeds, trees and other environmental triggers like molds and fabrics can lead to intense itching, hair loss and secondary skin infections.  Allergic dermatitis is one of the most common issues seen by veterinarians.  While often more intense during the spring or fall, allergies can occur at any time of year.  Food allergies can also cause itchy skin, often affecting the face, ears and rear end.  Common food allergies include protein sources such as chicken, beef and dairy. Grain allergies are rare but, occasionally, pets are allergic to wheat or corn.

               Bacterial and fungal infections can occur as a primary issue (such as with ringworm, a fungal infection called dermatophytosis) or may occur secondary to allergies, parasites or wounds.  Broken, irritated skin is prime substrate for infection by Staphylococcus bacteria or Malassezia yeast—both of which normally live on healthy skin.  Breaks in the skin’s natural defense barriers by scratching and inflammation allow for bacteria and yeast to thrive and cause infection.

Medications to control itching can be a life saver for many allergic pets.  While steroids still have a place in veterinary medicine to control itch and inflammation and are one of the only options for cats, far better drugs are now available with fewer side effects than prednisone for dogs.  Drugs such as Apoquel tablets and the injectable biologic, Cytopoint target either a specific cell receptor or protein that, when bound, causes the sensation of itching. Block the receptor or destroy the protein and, no more itch!  Topical therapy such as sprays, creams and shampoos may also be used in some cases and essential fatty acids like omega-3 and omega-6 in the form of oral fish oil capsules can also be beneficial.  Cyclosporine (Atopica) is also used in some cases to control allergies and desensitization with injections of allergy serum may also be used to treat dogs and cats with allergies. Prescription diets may be needed to treat food allergies.

Keep in mind, while they seem like a safe and easy option, over the counter antihistamines such as Benadryl, Claritin and others are not very effective in reducing itching in dogs and cats.  Talk to our vets about the best products for your pet if he or she is experiencing severe itching.

Treatment of any secondary infections is also crucial in reducing itching in our pets.  If an infection is present and not addressed, the pet will continue to itch and scratch.  Of course, all pets scratch occasionally. This is normal.  However, if your pet spends a large amount of time licking or scratching, has redness, hair loss, odor or bumps/scabs on his skin, seek veterinary care for proper diagnosis and treatment of the underlying cause of your pet’s discomfort—let’s ditch the itch!

This blog brought to you by the Patton Veterinary Hospital Serving Red Lion, York and the surrounding communities.

https://www.itchingforhelp.com/

https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/why-is-my-dog-so-itchy/

https://www.petmd.com/cat/symptoms/skin/why-your-cat-itchy-and-what-you-can-do