August is Itchy Pet Awareness Month (#itchypetawarenessmonth). Itching is an incredibly common symptom in our companion pets. The sensation that leaves pets with an uncontrollable desire to scratch is referred to as pruritus. In some cases, cats and dogs might have a mild case of the “itches” that has little impact on their overall health or quality of life.
Severe pruritus, on the other hand, can lead to chronic pain and discomfort produced by the original cause of the itchiness, along with infections and sores resulting from the animal’s repeated scratching, chewing, and licking.
The itchiness your pet may experience can range from intense to mild, and is most likely to occur in the armpit, groin, muzzle, or paw regions. Symptoms may include frequent instances of scratching, licking, biting, or chewing of their skin; excessive rolling, rubbing, or scooting on the floor; recurring ear problems exhibited by head shaking, ear discharge, ear odor, or the continual scratching of the ears; irritability; hair loss; body odor; or skin changes such as secondary rashes, redness, sores or scabs, or greasy skin.
Symptoms may vary according to the cause of the pet’s pruritus. In the case of insect parasites, one might find raised bumps (bug bites) or be able to see the insects on the pet’s skin and fur. With allergies, symptoms may only appear seasonally at first but, if not treated, the animal could end up with a year-round condition. So, if you notice your pet is scratching, rubbing on the carpet or furniture, or chewing or licking themselves more than normal, schedule an exam with your veterinarian.
Conditions that can cause itchiness were among the top seven health issues for dogs and cats as of 2017, according to the 2017-18 edition of the AVMA Pet Ownership and Demographics Sourcebook. For dogs, ear infections were the top health issue, and skin disorders and allergies were third and fourth. For cats, the top seven health issues included skin disorders, allergies, and ear infections. In addition, according to the 2018 Banfield State of Pet Health Report, flea allergy increased 12.5% in dogs and 67.3% in cats from 2008-17. In the same time frame, environmental allergies increased 30.7% in dogs and 11.5% in cats.
Environmental allergies are the most common seen in pets. It involves an immune response (allergic reaction) to pollens, dust mites, and mold. Also included are flea allergies and direct contact allergens such as household cleaners, shampoos, certain plants, and insecticides. Most pets that have environmental allergies have a combination of allergens that play a role in their itchiness.
Food allergies are less common than environmental allergies. The foods dogs are most often allergic to include beef, chicken, eggs, corn, wheat, soy, and milk. Food allergies are diagnosed by feeding a limited foodstuff diet and seeing if the itching resolves. The ideal food elimination diet should not contain any ingredients that have been previously fed. This also includes treats and anything the dog eats, besides its regular food, including table scraps, flavored medications, and toothpaste. An alternative to an elimination diet is a prescription diet that contains hydrolyzed proteins. These proteins are broken down into components that the dog’s body does not recognize. Whatever diet is used, the animal should only eat what is recommended by the veterinarian during and after the diet trial.
Treatment for pruritus depends on the cause, but the main goals are to reduce itching and remove the source of irritation. Once the causative agent has been identified, the veterinarian will be able to provide specific treatment options tailored to the pet’s symptoms and diagnosis. Note that some animals may be put in an Elizabethan collar to prevent them from chewing or scratching at the site of itchiness until the area heals.
As a guardian, you might need to limit the pet’s exposure to environmental allergens. After being exposed outside, use an unscented baby wipe or damp cloth on the underside, paws and legs of the animal; this can help remove allergens from the animal’s skin. Weekly baths with oatmeal shampoos can also be helpful, but make sure the water is lukewarm, as hot water can dry and irritate their skin. Dry skin may be treated with fatty acid supplements. However, treatments like coconut oil and itch-relief shampoos only provide temporary relief. Signs of allergic itch may come back if the root cause has not been addressed.
Antibiotic or antifungal medications (oral or topical) can be required to treat secondary infections that occur from the scratching. Flea allergy dermatitis can be resolved with various medications and special shampoos, and preventative medication can be administered monthly to prevent recurrence. There are medications that give relief for allergic itch. Apoquel (oclacitinib), a daily oral medication, is labeled for pruritis associated with any allergic disorder, including flea allergy dermatitis, food allergies, as well as canine atopic dermatitis. Cytopoint is an injectable medication that aids in the reduction of clinical signs associated with atopic dermatitis in dogs.
If you would like to learn more, the ‘August is Itchy Pet Awareness Month’ website (https://www.itchingforhelp.com/index.aspx) is a resource created to help educate pet guardians on the clinical signs of itch and possible available treatments. Other sources for information are the AVMA (https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare) and the Merck Manual (https://www.merckvetmanual.com/SearchResults?query=itching+pruritus).
Ronnie Casey has been volunteering with the Tehama County Animal Care Center since relocating in 2011. A retired R.N., she strives to help animals in need within Tehama county. She can be reached at [email protected]
August is Itchy Pet Awareness Month – Red Bluff Daily News & Latest News Update
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