Itchy Pets: Fleas or Something Else? | County Life Online

Cory Tucker, DVM

As you have probably noticed in the past couple of weeks, spring has sprung! With spring comes a host of environmental parasites and irritants that are often contributing factors in one of the most common and frustrating conditions we see in dogs?THE ITCH!

An itching dog can be stressful on dog and owner alike and can lead to more serious health problems for our canine and feline companions. The best way to attack this problem is to look for the most common sources of irritation. By far the most common irritant in our neck of the woods is the flea. I?m sure God had a reason for creating this pest, but I?m just not smart enough to figure out why. In some areas of the country the flea is a seasonal nuisance but, unfortunately, our winters may only be cold enough to gently slow the onslaught.

With most dogs and cats, the flea causes a short-term irritation from the bite and also can spread tapeworms. In a smaller population of pets, the flea can ignite a severe allergic itch that can result in pets traumatizing their own skin to the point of severe skin damage and infection. While large numbers of fleas can be irritating to any pet, the flea-allergic animal can be sent into a rage of itching with a single bite. Since this is the most common cause of pets itching, it should be the first thing to look for in an itchy pet. Treatment options are many and your veterinarian can help you find a solution that best fits you and your pets. You should also treat your premises to prevent re-infestation. A pest control specialist should be able to help you design a plan for your property.

If fleas have been ruled out as the source of your pet?s itching, you should seek help from your veterinarian to look for other causes. Some sources may include mange, bacterial and/or fungal skin infections, yeast infections, and allergies.

Skin allergy (atopy) can be one of the most frustrating diseases for both pet owner and veterinarian. The offending allergen (food or environmental) can be difficult to identify and often impossible to avoid. Symptoms can be masked by antihistamines and steroids but often return when the medicine is complete. Intradermal or serum allergen testing are available and provide the only real ?cure? for atopy, which is hyposensitization (allergy shots). This method can be costly and not always 100 percent effective.

There are many reasons why your pet may be itching this spring. The flea is the most common cause, so look for them first. If fleas are not present on your dog, or your flea control methods have been ineffective, consult your veterinarian for help diagnosing and treating your pet?s itch.

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Source: http://countylifeonline.com/2013/05/07/itchy-pets-fleas-or-something-else/

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