Itchy Dog

The health-related terminology frequently mentioned by veterinarians for uncontrollable dog itching and scratching is pruritus. An itchy dog typically isn't reason to worry, but if it gets to be extreme it may possibly be a warning sign pointing to a much more serious disorder. There are a number of distinctive skin issues in dogs that can be the source of the scratching. If a canine's itching is inciting the occurrence of other skin problems including irritation and reddening of the skin, skin abrasions and loss of hair, or you see the dog licking or chewing at his or her paws, then the animal really should be taken to an animal clinic for diagnosis since these are all signs of a far more severe skin issue. If it isn't treated, the canine's itching and scratching may produce infections. Although all breeds of canines may develop pruritus, Poodles, Cocker Spaniels, Westies and Golden Retrievers seem to have a higher number of occurrences than other kinds of dog.

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The Reasons Behind the Scratching and Itching in Dogs

Itchiness in dogs is brought on due to a chemical reaction that happens on or immediately beneath the skin's surface. In the event it's extreme, it is normally an indication that the canine is suffering from one of several skin disorders of a more serious nature.

Uncontrollable scratching could possibly be a sign of these skin disorders in canines:

• Flea allergies are the most prevalent cause of skin allergies in dogs. When a flea bites a dog, it leaves a little bit of saliva under the skin which causes a chemical reaction that brings about itching in dogs.
• Seasonal allergies in dogs are also a typical source of pruritus in canines. These allergies are like asthma and hay fever in humans. When the dog breathes in substances including molds, pollen and dust, it brings about an allergic reaction from the immune system of the animal. This form of allergy can also give rise to respiratory issues besides being the source of a dog's scratching.
• Yet another type of allergy that is less common but is a source of pruritus in canines is an allergy to foods. Food Allergies are caused when the animal ingests food or a food constituent that it is sensitive to.
• Also include scabies in our list of skin problems in canines that leads to pruritus. Scabies, or sarcoptic mange, is triggered by a mite tunneling directly under the skin of the dog. The mite feeds on materials at or beneath the skin of the animal creating intense and continual itching and scratching.
• Bacteria and fungal infections could perhaps be the cause of a dog's scratching and itching problems. Infections are usually triggered by open sores and scratches which aren't appropriately being cleaned. Ear mites may possibly bring on this kind of skin irritation in pets.

How to Identify Skin Conditions in An Itchy Dog

Figuring out the trigger of a dog's skin condition has generally proven to be challenging for most dog owners and veterinarians. To find the source of the condition, a variety of treatments and examinations may possibly need to be performed and diagnosis may take somewhere between a week or two to several months. Based upon the dog's symptoms and health-related background, the veterinarian will carry out a series of laboratory screens which can include drawing blood samples, scrapings of the skin, acquiring culture samples and doing a skin biopsy.

Remedies for An Itchy Dog

Even if the underlying trigger of an animal's itching and scratching is still not known, there are remedies offered to rejuvenate the dog's skin and eliminate the itching. Your veterinarian may possibly advise using skin creams, shampoos, antihistamines or maybe immunotherapy in less severe circumstances. In the more severe circumstances, he may perhaps suggest treatment utilizing steroids. Steroids are known to cause undesirable side effects including urinary incontinence, extreme panting and intense thirst, and prolonged use can possibly lead to the emergence of canine Cushing's disease or diabetes, so if you do plan to try them, use tremendous care. A lot of animals could require constant help for their skin problem.

All Natural Itchy Dog Treatments

A lof of veterinarians are currently recommending all natural itchy dog treatments as a safer and gentler form of therapy. It's an option to using corticosteroids and other sorts of medicines that could possibly cause unwanted side effects. There are a number of successful and safe herbal and homeopathic dog itch treatments that give dogs much needed relief by rejuvenating the canine's coat as well as treating and cleansing the dog's skin.

Resources for This Post:

• What Causes Itching in Canines and Locating Treatments
• Coping with Scratching and Itching in Canines and Locating Treatments
• The Likely Causes of Scratching in Dogs and Ways of Treating It
• The Likely Causes of Itchy Skin in Dogs and Methods To Treat It
• Coping With Scratching And Itching In Canines And Finding Treatments

Flea Dermatitis in Canines

Flea dermatitis, otherwise referred to as flea allergy, is the most popular kind of allergy observed in dogs and is caused by the bite of a flea. It is the principal reason for itchiness in dogs, and it only takes the bite of one sole flea to induce an allergic reaction on the pet's skin. Flea allergies can cause the dog to scratch for anywhere between a few hours to a few days and could take up to 3 to 7 days to surface after the initial bite of a flea.

How Flea Dermatitis in Canines Can Occur

Fleas can only be noticed on your pet while they feed. Similar to a mosquito, the flea will bite a canine and draw blood for nourishment. When fleas do this, they inject a trace measure of saliva below your pet's skin which can consist of around 15 different allergens. If your dog is allergic to any of the allergens which are injected by the flea, it will prompt an allergic response which causes the canine scratching and itching. Just about one half of all dogs will suffer through canine flea allergies, and even though it is more frequently found in older animals, pups can likewise develop it.

Diagnosing Flea Dermatitis in Canines and Recognizing Its Symptoms

Dog owners normally don't realize that their dog has fleas due to their very small size and considering how difficult they often are to eliminate. Making the job of diagnosing flea allergies particularly arduous is the fact that it merely takes one individual flea to induce a flea allergy and signs may not be seen for close to one week after the flea bite happened. There doesn't have to be an infestation of fleas to cause flea dermatitis in canines. The signs of allergies in canines ordinarily include endless scratching and itching or biting of the skin and coat, inflaming of the skin, roseolas, and skin reddening. As a result of the constant itching, hair loss over your pet's body, particularly near the region starting in the midpoint of the back to the stem of their tail and also in their hind legs area, may also be a pretty good indicator of a flea allergy. A vet can also detect dog flea bite allergies employing sophisticated blood and skin testing to look for particular allergy causing substances and to eliminate other possibilities like fungal, yeast and bacterial infections.

Flea Treatment Starts With a Solid Flea Extermination Program

The first phase of a productive sort of flea treatment will involve flea control both on the dog and in your dog's local surroundings. Even if you've got an impeccable flea eradication program in place, it's not uncommon for dog's to still incur an occasional bite from a flea. Animals that spend a good deal of time outside will pose a more arduous challenge.

Traditional Drugs and Desensitization as Flea Allergy Treatments

A veterinarian might propose the use of desensitization as a technique of treatment for flea allergies in dogs. This involves injecting the dog with limited amounts of flea antigen over an extended period of time, possibly even the remainder of the animal's life. This type of treatment has been found to be a success in almost half of the patients, and could possibly get rather costly in the long run. Antihistamines and conventional medicines, such as steroids, are also commonly suggested by veterinarians to treat flea dermatitis in dogs. These medicines can normally give relief for flea dermatitis; but, it has been verified that there are substantial side effects attached to using steroids. As an end result, this form of treatment could be more harmful than beneficial.

Herbal Treatments for Flea Dermatitis in Canines

Attributable to the side effects linked to the use of steroids, more of dog owners are now trying natural treatments for flea allergies in dogs. There are a number of all natural ingredients in these herbal remedies that are both effective and safe for your dog. German Chamomile has been utilized to clean and soothe the skin for many centuries. Other herbs have also proven to provide improving overall skin health and give soothing and restoration benefits to the skin, and include Marigold, Cleavers and Witchhazel.

Resources for This Post:

• Warning Signs and Tips for Treating Flea Allergies in Dogs
• Help for Treating Flea Bite Dermatitis in Dogs
• Clinical Symptoms and Treatment Options For Flea Bite Dermatitis in Dogs
• Clinical Signs and Effective Approaches to Treat Flea Allergies in Dogs
• Symptoms and Assistance for Treating Flea Allergy in Canines

Flea Control for Dogs

Fleas are a major worry that all dog owners will have to cope with. Anyone who owns a pet has almost certainly have faced the difficult job of having to get rid of dog fleas, a task which has usually proved to be easier said than done.

Fleas are not simply a bother because they bite and incite hours of frustrating scratching for your dog, but they may also cause more significant issues such as tapeworm infestations, flea bite dermatitis in dogs and in serious situations, anemia.

Owing to their astonishing resilience, fleas are terribly problematic to keep under control. The female flea might lay more than 2,000 eggs in her life, which means that infections can come briskly and the eggs that are laid may continue to exist for many months in nature while just waiting for a timely target. Consequently, it's vital to control both the fleas on the animal in addition to the fleas living in the dog's living area. The best locations to search for fleas are sand, bed linens, rugs and carpeting.

The Best Ways to Exterminate Fleas

To properly institute a plan of flea control for dogs both on your pet and in his or her environment, it is pertinent to be aware of the flea's life cycle. There are 4 phases which form the life cycle of the flea. Like most insects, the fleas commences from the egg phase, transforms into larva, and then advances into the pupa stage prior to lastly making it to the adult phase.

The Flea's Egg Phase

The fleas eggs are pale in color and are so small that they are difficult to see without using a magnifying glass. Although the eggs are initially laid on the canine's skin, a lot will eventually drop onto the ground to carry on their journey to adulthood. Close to 50% of the overall flea populace consists of eggs. Depending upon the living conditions, the eggs hatch in somewhere between a couple of weeks to a month. The higher the warmth and moistness in the environment, the faster the eggs will hatch.

The Flea's Larva Phase

After the flea egg hatches, it enters the larvae stage where it expands to about 1/4 inch in length. The flea larva subsist on organic waste matter and on the adult flea's feces. They're uncomfortable in bright light and are inclined to take cover deep inside their current environment, preferably in a warm and muggy area. Climate controlled habitats are the best location for the life cycle of the flea to flourish. Outdoors, larval gestation will only occur in damp, sheltered areas.

The Flea's Pupae Phase

Directly upon moving into the pupa phase, the flea pupae form a silky and tacky protecting cocoon. This chrysalis swiftly forms a valuable hiding place as it becomes coated by debris and soil. If aroused by temperature, carbon dioxide or by manual pressure, like that in a hot and humid setting, an adult flea can come out from its chrysalis in as little as 5 to 10 days. Once the adult flea appears out of the cocoon, it may subsist for only a couple of days if it's unable to feed. Pre-emerged adult fleas may survive within the cocoon for as many as 9 months. This is important since adult fleas that still exist within the cocoon are resistant to insecticides applied to the environment and can surface a considerable time after you use insecticides in your house.

The Flea Adulthood Phase

After the adult flea appears from the shell, it will want to immediately locate a host since it must have blood if it is to live on. A couple of days after obtaining a fitting host, the female flea will commence to laying about 40 eggs each day. Adult fleas generally live as long as 3 weeks. The full life cycle of a flea may perhaps be ended in as quickly as 2 to 4 weeks, or up to ten months conditional to its surrounding climatic conditions.

How to Treat A Dog For Fleas

There are numerous powders, sprays, shampoos and spot on preparations out there to liberate your dog of fleas. Be certain to consult with your veterinarian to opt for the truly successful and reliable flea products for your residence and pets.

Indoor Flea Control for Dogs

Most pesticides being used as canine flea treatments are merely helpful against the adult flea, but environmental preparations are becoming more complex. Your vet can offer you flea products that contain insect growth regulators which will help eradicate the flea eggs and larvae. Prior to spreading any environmental product, it's a good idea vacuum the rugs and carpeting to entice the pre-adult fleas to emerge from their protective cocoon. Be certain to throw away the vacuum bag following its use. You should also launder all bedding the pet has slept on.

Outdoor Flea Control for Dogs

Pay particular attention to dim, shady areas. Use a product that contains an insect growth regulator and repeat every 14-21 days for three to five applications.

The latest skin and oral flea deterrents will really aid you in taking care of your flea troubles. With perseverance and fortitude, you and your pet ought to be flea free in little time!

Resources for This Post:

• Popular Methods To Exterminate Annoying Dog Fleas
• Popular Ways To Get Rid Of Awful Fleas
• The Best Ways to Get Rid of Irritating Dog Fleas
• Popular Ways To Kill Pesky Dog Fleas
• Common Methods To Exterminate Awful Dog Fleas

Canine Skin Allergies

Have you begun to see your dog itching and scratching excessively? Is the itching creating wide open wounds and disappearance of hair on your pet? If so, this is a sound warning sign that your pet may be distressed by dog allergies. Dogs do not display the characteristic reddened eyes and a watery nose the same way people do when we are dealing with an allergy. Additional warning signs might involve excessive scratching of a particular area, or gnawing of the paws causing them to bleed.

What Are The Causes of Canine Skin Allergies?

An allergy can occur when a dog's immune system excessively reacts to certain allergens. The body will then produce antibodies as a type of defense after the cause of the canine's allergy enters the body. These antibodies then connect to immune cells in skin and various organs of the body. Thus, as the allergens progressively break through tissue surfaces, the antibodies stimulate immune cells to exude strong substances (called histamines) into the neighboring tissue. This will then invoke irritation and dog itching.

There are several factors to think about when trying to pinpoint the source of skin allergies in dogs. An allergy that affects a canine's skin is generally triggered by at least one of these: food, airborne allergens, and fleas.

Flea Dermatitis otherwise known as Flea Allergy is frequently brought on by flea saliva. That is the reason it is extremely critical to relieve your dog of fleas frequently.

The atopic allergy is initiated by the breathing in of airborne allergens in the environment, consisting of pollen, dust, mold spores and tobacco smoke, instigate atopic allergies. If a dog is allergic to pollen, the dog will display signs, even when kept indoors as the particles will come into the home. Sneezing, coughing and wheezing generally are symptoms of this form of allergy.

Food allergies are the third most frequent form of dog allergy. The most probable causes for food allergies in dogs consist of: corn, milk, soy, chicken, eggs, beef and wheat. Nausea and diarrhea frequently accompany this variety of allergy in dogs.

Contact allergy is the least frequently seen type of allergy in pets and is brought on by contacting something. Triggers could include plastic, wool and grass. A few dogs might develop allergic reactions to certain chemicals in the household, however, it isn’t very common.

Identifying Canine Skin Allergies

A veterinarian might be able to identify the problem, however,although it may call for a procedure of elimination to find the root of the dog’s allergy and may possibly refer your dog to a veterinarian that’s a dermatologist. In the case where fleas are ruled out, the animal might be put on an elimination diet for a couple of months. The animal is given food he or she hasn’t eaten before, for example, duck, lamb, and potatoes, with the previous food being reintroduced in stages until the allergy reoccurs.

The allergen is believed to be one or more ingredients if the animals scratching subsides by about 50% of what it was earlier. When examining for contact and atopic allergies, veterinary dermatologists use an intradermal allergy test that functions by gently sedating the dog with minute quantities of prospective allergens that are injected into the shaved region. If the dog is allergic to a specific substance, the skin in the location of the injection will become inflamed.

Canine Skin Allergy Treatments

Keeping your pet away from allergens and taking care of the symptoms of allergies in dogs are the top methods of treatment. Medications that include steroids and antihistamines could be suggested to relieve the symptoms of itching and swelling in dogs, although like all medications they could be accompanied by unwanted side effects and the long-term effects are not known. Continued usage steroids is not recommended since these medications function by suppressing the immune system. Continued steroid use could eventually leave your pet defenseless against infections, diabetes and further disorders.

Natural Treatments for Canine Skin Allergies

Fortunately for pet lovers, there are lots of nontoxic and all-natural herbal and homeopathic remedies for skin allergies in canines. Althaea officinalis root is an excellent and commonly accepted remedy for restoring the skin while Melaleuca alternifolia commonly used as a topical to promote skin health and keeping the animal’s skin clean. Homeopathic remedies such as Apis and Ledum have wonderful healing qualities and are especially useful in healing reddened and itchy skin, or minor bites and wounds.

Resources for This Post:

• What Are Allergies in Dogs and Finding Remedies
• How to Cope with Allergies in Dogs and Locating Remedies
• What Are Skin Allergies in Dogs and Locating Treatments
• What Causes Skin Allergies in Dogs and Possible Remedies
• Coping with Dog Allergies and Locating Treatments