Is your dog constantly itching, rubbing, or biting at their skin? Does it feel like you have tried everything?
Your pet may have atopic dermatitis, or atopy, an inflammatory, chronic skin disease. Like hay fever in humans, dogs can be allergic to pollen, grasses, dust mites, and other environmental allergens that cause this unpleasant reaction.
Does your pet have itchy skin?
Itchy skin is a common problem for many animals. A dog with itchy skin will excessively scratch, lick or bite its skin, and the skin will become hot and lose its hair. If the scratching is severe, it might even have cuts and scabs, or a bad odour.
The many conditions that cause itchy and damaged skin can be grouped into a few categories which have similarities to those seen in humans
These groups include:
- Immune related skin disease
- Contact allergies
- Insect allergies
- Airborne allergies
- Food allergies
- Hormonal diseases that may be non-skin related but show up on the skin such as hypothyroidism (low thyroid disease)
- Ear disease can often be an extension of skin disease in pets. The ears are a deep, dark area that can harbour and grow infection because of the moist environment.
If you have noticed your pet suffering with itchy skin, book an appointment with one of our vets on (09) 426 9950
