Introduction:
Recent studies have shown that at least one in every five pets has some type of skin allergy problem and the summer months always bring a dramatic increase in the numbers of dogs and cats presented to the veterinary clinic with a primary complaint of itching. There are multiple reasons that a pet might have itchy skin and this document will attempt to describe several of the most common causes and possible treatments. You should not let the information presented here take the place of an exam by your veterinarian but you should use it to gain a better understanding of this complex problem.
Flea Bite Allergy:
Flea bite allergy is the most common form of allergy in dogs. Some dogs are actually allergic to the saliva of the flea. One flea bite can cause the dog to itch excessively for a long period of time. The new once-a-month flea products like Advantage® and TopSpot® can provide great relief for the dogs because they kill the fleas before they have a chance to bite the dog. Cortisone and antihistamines sometimes are used to try to stop the itching temporarily while the flea control products are working.
Atopy:
Atopy is a condition where there is allergy to inhalants such as pollen, mold and dust mites. These allergens cause humans to sneeze but often cause intense itching in dogs and cats. These allergies are usually seasonal and most atopic animals are sensitive to more than one substance. These allergies are commonly treated with antihistamine, cortisone and medicated shampoos. The ultimate treatment for this problem is allergy testing followed by desensitizing injections.
Food Allergy:
Many dogs and cats have allergies to substances in their food. It is usually the protein that causes the problem. These allergies do not have anything to do with the quality of the food. Food allergies are not responsive to antihistamine or cortisone and they can not be diagnosed by allergy testing. The only way to both diagnose and treat food allergy is to feed a hypoallergenic diet for at least 2-3 months and see if the pet stops scratching. During this food trial the pet can not eat anything except the special diet. The hypoallergenic diets are made from unique protein sources such as duck, venison, fish or rabbit.
Combination Allergies:
A large percentage of dogs and cats have multiple allergies. These pets can require special diets, flea control procedures and medications year round. It can take several months to get the itching under control and requires constant fine-tuning of the treatment plan to keep these animals comfortable.
Bacterial Skin Infection:
Pets skin may become infected with Staphylococcus bacteria either as a primary disease or secondary to some other cause of skin irritation. Regardless of the cause, the infection can cause intense itching as well as pustules, scabs and raw spots. Antibiotics and medicated shampoos are used to treat these infections but any underlying problems must also be addressed or the infection will not resolve.
Fungal Skin Infection:
Fungal skin infections are commonly known as "ringworm". The fungal organisms are transmitted by contact with an infected animal or by contact with contaminated soil. An infected animal will usually show crusty circular hairless itchy spots on the skin but some cats can carry the fungus and not show any symptoms. People and other animals are at risk of catching this infection from an infected animal. Diagnosis often requires a fungal culture and treatment involves oral drugs, topical medications and special shampoos.
Mites (mange):
There are several different types of mites that may infect the skin of dogs and cats. Some of the mites cause itching on their own and some itch only after the skin becomes secondarily infected with bacteria. A microscopic exam is usually required to diagnose a mite infection and there are different treatments depending on the type of mite found. Some of these mites such as the Sarcoptic mange mite can be transmitted to other animals in the household and to people.
Dry Skin:
Many pets itch because their skin is too dry. Animals that are bathed more often than once every 14 days and animals that spend time in swimming pools may develop dry skin. Using inappropriate shampoos, blow dryers and excessively hot water can also contribute to the development of dry skin. Pets that are on low fat diets to treat or prevent obesity may have dry skin due to a lack of essential fatty acids. Dry skin is usually diagnosed by direct observation of the "dandruff" that forms on the animal's coat. Treatment involves moisturizing shampoos and rinses and/or oral fatty acid supplements.
Conclusion
Most animals with itchy skin will have some combination of the conditions listed above but there are other less common diseases that can cause itching that your veterinarian can diagnose and treat. Since a pet may have more than one of the problems listed there may be more than one treatment that is necessary. Some of the problems may require lifelong therapy while others may need only a short course of treatment. It is important to follow through on any treatment plan your veterinarian starts. |
