In the Spring and Fall, veterinarians see an increasing number of itching dogs. In this article, I will address why dogs itch and what can be done about it.
Most allergens in dogs are expressed through their skin and ears and sometimes as anal gland issues. Dogs are allergic to many things, but the top three are fleas, airborne allergens, and diets–either the type of food itself or many additives and supplements found in these diets. Dietary sensitivities make up a very low percentage of itching dogs. You should start a food trial diet from a veterinarian. These diets are specially designed for testing food allergies. If you feed your dog a bunch of diets with different proteins, you will likely make things worse.
Itching Caused by Fleas
Any itching dog that lives in the Northwest and is not on Flea control probably has fleas. Most dogs are allergic to the saliva of the flea bite. While you may never see a flea on your dog or in your house, fleas can be present. Year-round flea and tick prevention automatically rules out flea allergies.
As our climate heats up, we are seeing worse flea seasons than we have faced in a number of years. Many people who have never encountered a flea problem are experiencing one now.
Luckily, there are now wonderful, effective methods of flea control that can almost completely eliminate fleas, ticks, and other parasites from your house. Be careful when choosing your flea prevention method. Flea prevention only works for a limited time because fleas can form a resistance to the medication. That’s why they are always changing. It’s also why companies that provide flea control sell their no longer effective products over the counter.
A simple way to diagnose if your dog or cat has fleas is to apply one of the veterinary brands and see if the itching stops within 24-48 hours.
Please do not use other brands or generics, which can be quite toxic to some animals. Be sure to apply your flea control once monthly. We are starting to see some “breakthrough” flea irritation, so we are now recommending applications at three-and-a-half-week intervals instead of four.
Itching Caused by Allergens
A common cause of itching for dogs is inhalant allergen, especially in the Northwest. Things like pollen, dust mites, and other airborne irritants. Most dogs afflicted by this type of allergy are the ones that are constantly, compulsively chewing at their paws and turn them orange or rust colored.
You cannot eliminate these allergens, but we can give them injections (Cytopoint) that will prevent the immune system from overreacting.
Itchy dogs are also soothed by oatmeal baths left on for 10 minutes at a time. Antihistamines such as Benadryl or Hydroxyzine can also relieve irritation. Meanwhile, antibiotics treat accompanying bacterial infections. Last but not least, Prednisone is used in severe cases not likely to respond to lesser measures. It is an inexpensive alternative if used correctly in the smallest doses possible and weaned off when no longer needed.
Avoiding Harmful Steroids
Steroids can cause harmful consequences and side effects when not used properly. When used judiciously in low tapering doses, steroids can be very effective as an anti-inflammatory and suppress the immune system, which provides great relief to itching animals.
Essential fatty acids such as Salmon oil or fish oil are a helpful supplement for all dogs to provide joint mobility and a healthy hair coat that is more resistant to problems.
Food Allergies
A far less common cause of itching is food allergies. Only approximately 0.2% of dogs have food allergies.
To determine if your dog is suffering from food allergies, a food trial must be performed. A food trial is accomplished by introducing a brand new protein (they have never been exposed to) or protein substitute into your dog’s diet for a minimum of 30-40 days before efficacy can be established. Your dog can eat nothing but this novel protein diet during the food trial.
It is important over the course of your dog’s life not to expose your dog to every type of protein out in the food market so that we can save some proteins for use in a food trial. Avoid randomly switching protein sources from chicken to beef to lamb and others. Keep in mind that we may need to use one of them for a food trial.
Pay Attention to Scratching!
People are often convinced that animals are itching out of “habit,” and while they can get caught up in a “scratch-itch cycle”, the reason they begin is most often an allergic response.
Itching in dogs is a common, exasperating problem for both dogs and owners. Dogs are itching for a reason, and we need to discover the reason and eliminate it. Meanwhile, we can alleviate the irritation by the methods listed above. Please consult your veterinarian or a veterinary dermatologist when your animals are itching to find the best solution to the problem.
Pet of the Month
This month, we would like to spotlight one of our favorite patients, Tipper. She is a 12-year-old white Bichon Frise who doesn’t look a day over three.
Tipper originally presented for skin irritation, excessive itching and licking her paws, and as a result–a rust colored staining of her hair around her mouth and feet caused by the constant presence of saliva. Tipper still has flare-ups at times but has responded positively to a combination of the skin care and medications listed above. Additionally, Tipper was started on a Hypoallergenic diet to help combat the skin issues.
These treatments proved to be very beneficial to Tipper’s health. The skin inflammation began to resolve, and secondarily, the hair staining dissolved as Tipper’s reaction to the irritation dissipated. We still fight with her many causes of allergic dermatitis, but Tipper has responded well to multiple types of therapy.
Today, Tipper frequently visits us for grooming and routine health care. Her owner is the poster child of ideal pet owners, staying on top of Tipper’s dental needs and allergic conditions like clockwork.
