Signs of Pruritus That You Need to Know About.
August is Itchy Pet Awareness Month, The Mobile Vet Company offers options for customized treatment of Skin Conditions and Skin Allergies.
We’ve all had an itch that bothered us at some point…itchy scalp, itchy skin, itchy feet and the list goes on. Well thank God we have fingers and finger nails although sometimes they may not be in our best interest because scratching your skin is never the answer. Imagine if you had to wear the “cone of shame”? Yikes.
Well if we put ourselves in our pet’s shoes…err…paws…we would really understand the torture they must feel when they get itchy which can be quite often.
Itchiness, medically termed as pruritus, in pets can be caused by external parasites such as fleas and ticks (which is a common problem in Cayman), mites (sarcoptic and demodectic mange), yeasts/fungi, bacteria, endocrine disease and of course the big one which is also quite common…allergies.
If your pet seems to be itchy all the time especially if they are currently on their flea and tick management, they more than likely will need a vet to help figure out what’s causing it. The Mobile Vet Company offers solutions to your pet’s skin issues.
Some important questions that we often ask when trying to help a client with a dog or cat that exhibits chronic itch behavior:
- When did you first notice these clinical signs?
- How did the problem start, and how has it changed?
- Has the dog or cat had any type of skin or ear condition previously?
- What types of treatment and medications have been used, and which ones helped improve the condition?
- Which came first: the lesions or the itch?
- Is the problem year-round, or does it occur seasonally?
- Are any other pets in the household showing similar signs?
We can use several diagnostic tools such as the basic physical exam, skin scrapes, skin cultures, bloodwork just to name a few to determine the cause of your pet’s itchy skin.
Sometimes it can be difficult to find the reason for your pet’s pruritus and diagnosis by response to therapy may be an option your vet may try. This may be true for allergies with elimination diets or controlled exposure to things in their environment.
We recommend keeping a diary of when your pet seems to itch the most and what foods they have eaten. Your record of your pet’s history is very valuable to aiding your us to come up with a diagnosis.
Itchiness can be managed with several medications including apoquel, cytopoint, soothing aloe creams/oatmeal lotions, steroids, etc. After a thorough analysis we can help decide along with you what medication is best for your pet.
It’s important for you to know the signs. Be on the lookout for excessive scratching, licking, rolling, hair loss, body odor, ear problems, and skin changes.
If you notice your pet exhibiting these symptoms, contact us right away.
