Itchy Pets - Is It Allergies?
Erin Hicks, DVM

 

One of the most common problems we see at Chambers Creek Veterinary Hospital is itching and scratching pets. There are several possible causes of itchiness, and typically we utilize several tests to uncover the cause and determine an appropriate course of action.

It all starts with a physical examination by one of our doctors. The general health and health history of your pet can help point to what the most likely problem is, and the appropriate tests required for a diagnosis. Below are some common causes of itchiness and the tests we utilize to determine if they are the source of the problem.

Parasites

Some common external parasites can cause generalized or localized itchiness. These include fleas, ear mites, mange, or ringworm. Some of these parasites can also be transmitted to people, so it is important to know whether they are a factor in your pet's itchiness.
Fleas - fleas not only cause itchy bites to you and your pets, but they can transmit diseases such as "Cat Scratch Fever", plague, and tapeworms. For this reason, flea control is always a good idea for your pet. To check your pet for fleas, we will comb your pet with a special flea comb, and also examine for any evidence of flea excrement ("flea dirt") on your pet's skin. A variety of flea control methods are available, and we can help you choose the one that suits you and your pet best. 
Ear mites - these tiny, highly contagious mites live in the ears of pets and can lead to profoundly itchy ears with coffee ground-like debris. To check your pet for ear mites, we will swab out their ears and examine the material under a microscope. We have both ear mite treatment and preventative medications available to control future infestations.
Mange - this is the term for an infestation of mites living on/in your pet's skin. One type, sarcoptic mange, is extremely itchy and contagious. The other type, demodectic mange, is usually not itchy and not contagious. We can check your pet for mange by gently scraping the skin with a scalpel blade and examining the top layer of skin cells under a microscope. Treatment for either type of mange can take weeks to months, depending on the pet's health status and type of treatment used.
Ringworm - this parasite is actually not a worm, but a fungal infection similar to athlete's foot in people. Several species of fungus cause "ringworm", and some are contagious to other pets and people. We test for ringworm by performing a fungal culture in-house. Fungi grow very slowly, so complete results usually take a few weeks. We offer a variety of treatments for ringworm, depending on the nature and severity of the infection.

Allergies

Allergies have become a relatively common problem in dogs and cats. Unlike humans, the most common symptom of allergies in pets is skin disease - itchy skin, itchy ears, or licking/chewing feet and subsequent secondary infections. The most common cause of allergies in dogs is inhalant allergies (such as pollen, dust mites, or mold) while the most common cause of allergies in cats is food allergies. Many pets have both food and inhalant allergies.

Pets with allergies often have recurrent skin problems that may be year-round or seasonal. Generally they respond well to antibiotics and sometimes steroid therapy, though over time it may become harder to treat due to resistant infections from chronic antibiotic exposure. For this reason, we recommend investigating whether allergies are playing a role in any pet with recurrent skin issues. To begin, we often employ a food trial to determine if food allergies are contributing to the problem. Your pet would eat a special diet for a period of weeks, with monitoring for any improvement of the skin condition. If the food trial is unsuccessful, we may refer your pet to a veterinary dermatologist for allergy testing. Just like with humans, we may test pets for allergies and formulate a treatment plan that may include medications and/or allergy shots. The goal of any allergy treatment plan is to minimize the symptoms and help prevent future episodes of skin problems. Allergies cannot be cured in people or pets, but they can be effectively managed with help from your veterinarian.

Other Causes of Itchiness

There are other, less common, causes of itchiness in pets. These may include metabolic problems such as hypothyroidism or Cushing's disease, or immune-mediated diseases, or even certain types of cancer. We may need to perform blood testing or biopsies of the lesions to arrive at a diagnosis if parasites or allergies do not appear to be causing your pet's skin problems.


If your pet is itching, scratching, chewing themselves, or shaking their head, please schedule an appointment with one of our doctors for an examination and appropriate treatment to relieve their symptoms. An itch-free pet is a happy pet!