Allergies

Dear Dr. Jody:  Our Jack Russell terrier, “Rabbit”, has recently started scratching a lot more than usual.  We gave her a flea bath but it doesn’t seem to be helping.  What else can we try?

Itchy dogs are a frequent visitor to veterinary clinics.  Because excessive itching is a common symptom of so many different types of skin diseases, it can be frustrating for veterinarians and pet owners alike to determine the cause of the pet’s discomfort.  Despite this, it is incredibly important for owners of itchy patients to seek veterinary help as soon as possible.  Not only is excessive itchiness incredibly uncomfortable for the patient, but many skin conditions respond much more favourably to therapy if they are tackled early on in the progress of the disease.

While fleas can certainly be a cause of intense itching in dogs, they are an uncommon parasite in the Cochrane area.  During your pet’s physical exam, your veterinarian will perform a thorough search for both fleas and lice.  And although it can be disturbing to learn that your pet has “pets” of their own, most such cases can be effectively treated with two or three applications of topical medication prescribed by your veterinarian.

There are several other potential causes of itching in your pet.  These can include overbathing or incomplete rinsing of shampoo products from your dog’s coat; diet and climate changes, and changes in products used to launder your pet’s bedding.  Commonly, pets can develop sensitivities to ingredients in their food or to allergens such as pollen, mold, and dust in the environment.  Itchy dogs can also be predisposed to secondary bacterial or yeast infections of the skin.  These troublesome little organisms are opportunistic invaders that can take advantage of your pet’s inflamed skin.  The resulting infections not only make your pet even itchier, but can lead to a bad odour or greasy texture to the coat.  While medications can often eliminate these secondary infections, there is frequently an underlying cause of the itching that must still be determined.

If your veterinarian suspects that your pet may be suffering from environmental or food allergies, he or she may recommend a prescription diet directed at optimizing skin health.  Several veterinary diets have been proven to reduce or eliminate the symptoms of both environmental and food allergies in dogs.  In stubborn cases, there are medications that can help to modify the immune system’s response to these allergens, thereby relieving your dog’s symptoms dramatically.

Incessant itching can cause a great deal of suffering in your pet, and should never be ignored.  Due to the complex nature of skin diseases, it may take more than one visit to your veterinarian to accurately determine the cause of your pet’s discomfort.  Your patience and persistence will pay off in the long run, and Rabbit will certainly thank you for it.