Have you got an itchy dog?

Dog is waiting for a trick.

How Can Your Vet Provide Itch Relief For Dogs?

Dog laying cmfortably.The symptoms of itching in dogs can vary from mild to severe, causing the need for relief. From occasional episodes to ongoing, more serious cases, this kind of skin irritation can affect any dog at any stage of its life.

It is perfectly normal for a dog to scratch from time to time but… when you see your dog scratching… persistently, it is a sign that he or she would benefit from medical attention.

This itching – and the resultant scratching – can occur for a number of different reasons. While the most common cause is the presence of parasites such as fleas, bacterial infections and allergies can also be to blame.

So, how can your vet help your dog, once the cause has been identified?

Fleas and parasites

It’s a fact that fleas are found almost everywhere, especially in the summer months! When out on walks, rummaging in undergrowth or playing with other dogs, your pet is at risk of coming into contact with fleas and other parasites. These can easily jump onto your dog to bite them, and it is this bite that causes the itch – especially if your pet is allergic to them, just like humans can be.

When it comes to itch relief for dogs, your vet can prescribe an effective anti-flea treatment to kill parasites. They may also suggest an environmental spray that can be used around your house to kill flea eggs and larvae.

Bacterial and yeast infections

Bacterial and yeast infections are also a very common cause of itching, particularly in dogs that also suffer with allergies (see below). It is advisable to take your pet to a veterinary clinic as soon as you notice signs of an allergy, or the issue may become serious.

Your vet will be able to carry out simple tests to confirm whether an infection is present or not, and will then be able to prescribe a relevant treatment or shampoo to help with itch relief for dogs.

Food and environmental allergies

Sad chained dog outside.If the source of your dog’s itching is an allergy, then the problem may be more complicated to treat. Unfortunately, if your pet becomes allergic to either a food type or environmental factor, they will likely remain allergic to it for life. As the skin is one of the most common organs in the body to show signs of allergy, the main symptom of a reaction is usually red, itchy skin, combined with increased scratching and licking. It may also manifest as chewing around the paws and tail, scabbing and even fur loss.

To ascertain the source of your dog’s discomfort, your vet may suggest a special diet to determine whether food is involved or not. They may also perform additional tests to identify environmental allergens – potential culprits include: pollens from plants, house dust, fungi spores and cleaning chemicals. While the issue is being investigated, your vet should be able to prescribe medicines to stop your dog scratching and provide itch relief for dogs.

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