Why is my dog ​​itching? Who is to blame and what to do?

Having noticed that your pet is bothered by itching, you need to make sure that he does not have fleas by carefully examining the animal’s fur and skin. The problem of itching and scratching is very common; you can read more about the pathology in our dictionary.

If the diagnosis confirms the absence of fleas, consider the other causes of itching listed in our article.

Itching can be caused by various allergic reactions

It is known that various allergic reactions can lead to inflammation of the skin and the development of itching. One of the manifestations of allergic reactions may be canine atopic dermatitis - a condition in which an inflammatory process in tissues develops in response to the influence of any environmental allergens. Owners may notice mild to intense itching, swelling, rashes, or redness on the face or other areas of the body. This form of dermatitis can affect dogs of various breeds at any age, although some, such as German Shepherds, Labradors, Boxers, West Highland White Terriers, French Bulldogs and many others, have a genetic predisposition. The most important allergens are thought to be pollen, mold spores, and house dust mites or barn mites found in hay, grain, or straw. Interestingly, clinical signs can develop not only immediately, but also after some time, becoming noticeable 48 hours after contact with any allergen.

Food allergies can also be the reason why your dog scratches his face. It is an independent disease or can be combined with another type of allergy. In order to make or refute the diagnosis of “food allergy,” veterinary dermatologists resort to prescribing an exclusion diet, i.e. select a special diet for the dog for a certain period of time.

It is worth emphasizing that before prescribing therapy aimed at eliminating allergic reactions, it is necessary to exclude other equally important causes of itching, including those associated with external parasites. To do this, the doctor conducts special diagnostics and prescribes antiparasitic drugs. Since treatment for allergic dermatitis can be lengthy and expensive, it is important to rule out the root cause, which very often is parasites.

Itchy mites in a dog

The dog is itching due to a number of mites belonging to the genus Otodectes, Demodex, Sarcoptes. The clinical picture for them is approximately the same. Although there are differences in the localization of the pathological process (ears, body) and the form of inflammation. The same medications are used for treatment, although the form and method of administration may differ.

Ear scabies is called otodectosis - a common parasitic disease caused by a small (up to 0.5 mm) mite that penetrates the mucous membrane of the inner surface of the auricle. The disease is widespread and puppies are most susceptible. Spread by wild and stray animals.

Itching is caused by the vital activity of the mite - it tears the skin with its paws and enhances the inflammatory reaction with metabolic products. The skin becomes inflamed again when the dog scratches it with its claws. The disease is complicated by secondary infection.

Clinical picture:

• severe itching and abrasions on the ears and head;
• the dog is constantly caught scratching - the affected areas do not stop itching;
• hair loss;
• discharge from the ear;
• the temperature is increased by 1-2 degrees in severe forms;
• The final diagnosis is made when parasites are detected.

Specific therapy is cleaning the ear canal from crusts and pus. It is recommended to pre-moisten the crusts with furatsilin and rivanol. The administration of drugs without preliminary purification does not give a positive effect - the active substance cannot affect parasites through the crusts. In addition to special agents, anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics are used for bacterial complications.

With sarcoptic mange, the pathology is much more pronounced, since this form of parasites penetrates the skin, which is why the dog itches especially badly, causing great injury to itself. Young and weakened dogs are most susceptible. The disease most often spreads through direct contact with an infected animal.

The pathology often begins with damage to the dog’s muzzle, and gradually the area of ​​itching and baldness spreads to other parts of the body. The animal develops plaque and dandruff on its skin. The pet vigorously scratches areas of the skin that are constantly inflamed. Crusts and purulent inflammation form on them. Prolonged course leads to exhaustion and death is possible.

Dog treatment:

• skin cleansing - bathing with special soaps and shampoos;
• hair is removed around the affected areas;
• wounds are treated with antiseptic and anti-inflammatory ointments (Vishnevsky, ichthyol, tetracycline);
• special anti-tick agents are used - locally and generally;
• general symptomatic and compensatory therapy.

A similar clinical picture is observed with canine demodicosis, but it also involves damage to internal organs. There are pustular (vesicles form on the skin in which parasites accumulate), scaly and general forms. The dog's hair falls out and areas of the skin become dry. Abscesses and areas of severe inflammation form on the skin. Ticks can penetrate blood vessels and spread into the internal organs of the animal. Diagnosis is made by microscopy of skin scrapings.

Anti-tick medications:

• Ivermectin, Aversect are injectable drugs that allow you to fight the generalized form. Be sure to use it to prevent the spread of ticks throughout the body, since local treatment cannot completely cover the parasites;
• ASD, marasasd and other derivatives;
• bolfo – shampoos, drops, aerosols;
• pyrethroid drugs.

Ticks continuously develop resistance to drugs, so it is recommended to constantly change treatment products, especially for preventive purposes. Parasites should also be destroyed in the environment - cleaning, disinfection of kennels and beds. It is recommended to use collars and drops on the withers to prevent infection.

What else could be the reason why a dog scratches its face and ears?

Itching can develop when the skin of the muzzle comes into contact with various substances that directly damage or irritate the skin in this area. For example, these could be cleaning products or certain plants (ivy, hyacinths and others). In addition, increased skin moisture or excess saliva can cause itching.

A dog may scratch its face and even its ears due to various diseases of the oral cavity. In particular, abscesses, dental or periodontal diseases, as well as neoplasms (tumors) often change the pet’s eating habits, causing increased salivation, bleeding and discomfort, which leads to itching in the muzzle and injury to it. In this case, visiting a veterinary dentist can usually help avoid such problems.

Causes of itching

Among the people, scabies and itching are synonymous. But in the veterinary world these are different concepts. Scabies is the name of a specific disease - sarcoptic mange - which is caused by the parasite Sarcoptes scabiei. Therefore, calling itching scabies is not entirely correct.

Itching can be caused by many diseases. At the appointment, the veterinarian-dermatologist will exclude them in the following sequence:

• External parasites: fleas, subcutaneous mites (demodex), sarcoptic mange, ear mites. The diagnosis is made on the basis of anamnesis, clinical manifestations and microscopic examination of scrapings from the affected area;
• Bacterial and fungal infections (as a secondary problem that also requires treatment);
• Food allergies;
• Atopic dermatitis.

Itching also occurs:

• Neurogenic – when itching is a secondary symptom, and the underlying disease is associated with diseases of the nervous system;
• Psychogenic - itching is also a secondary symptom, and the main cause of scratching is stress, anxiety or a depressed mood of the animal;
• Endocrine – caused by instability of the body’s hormonal system.

But let's take things in order.

An increase in the number of microorganisms can cause scratching on the face and ears

Active growth of bacteria or fungi on the surface of the skin can contribute to the development of itching in the muzzle area. They often develop secondary to the background of skin damage as a result of scratching caused by itching during allergic reactions, against the background of some endocrine diseases (hypothyroidism, iatrogenic Cushing's syndrome) and a number of other reasons.

On the skin of dogs, in addition to bacteria, fungi (of the Malassezia genus) are constantly present; they are a component of the normal microflora of the skin of dogs and their presence does not cause clinical symptoms. Normally, the skin is able to resist the excessive division of these microorganisms, however, with increased activity of the sebaceous glands, moisture in the skin or the presence of an increased number of skin folds, these fungi can begin to actively divide in the epidermis and provoke the development of itching.

Dermatitis associated with active overgrowth of Malassezia fungi in dogs is called Malassezia dermatitis. Breeds such as the West Highland White Terrier, Basset Hound, Shih Tzu, Poodle, German Shepherd, Dachshund and others have a predisposition to this disease. The pathological growth of Malassezia causes quite severe itching, generalized (over the entire body) or localized (single small areas) redness of the skin (erythema), rash, areas of baldness (alopecia), hyperpigmentation (darkening of the skin), and, in chronic cases, thickening of the skin. For diagnosis, microscopy of fingerprint smears from the affected areas of the skin is used. Treatment is carried out with antifungal drugs, both locally and systemically.

With a bacterial infection, the dog may experience varying degrees of itching in the muzzle area. For example, with an increased number of skin folds and their close contact with each other, due to the breed or other anatomical features of the dog, favorable conditions (warm and humid) are created for the proliferation of bacteria. Microorganisms can also cause superficial or deep pyoderma (purulent skin lesions), causing the dog to scratch its face and other affected areas of the skin. With a bacterial skin infection, quite severe itching is observed, including in the muzzle area, as well as an unpleasant odor, redness, hyperpigmentation (darkening of the skin), while the classic skin rash with this form is absent. Interestingly, dogs can often experience otitis externa (inflammation of the external auditory canal) at the same time, so your pet may scratch not only its face, but also its ears with its paws.

Diagnostics

To figure out what exactly caused the dog's itchy skin, you need to consult a veterinarian. To make a diagnosis, you may need a whole range of diagnostic measures:

• Scraping

It is taken from the affected areas of the skin. Laboratory analysis of the material will identify parasites or microbes.

• Analysis of skin secretions

If discharge is present, it is subjected to a separate analysis to clarify the diagnosis.

• Stool examination

First of all, determines the presence of worms in a dog

• Blood analysis

First of all, it helps to identify the presence of allergies and the specific allergens that cause them.

Chamomile and green tea steeping

Chamomile and green teas are well known for their calming and anti-inflammatory effects in humans, but they are also effective for dogs. If your dog is dealing with hot, itchy patches of skin, try relaxing him in a bath with chamomile or green tea.

Here's how to do it: Fill a bathtub or sink with warm water and let a few tea bags steep for three to five minutes. Next, remove the tea bags and let your dog soak in the mixture for at least five minutes.

If you want to treat your dog's skin for spots, immerse the tea bag and let it cool completely before applying the tea directly to the affected areas.

Hives

Hives are an acute allergic reaction that manifests itself as a rash of small blisters on the surface of the skin.

Symptoms:

- Small swellings appear on the ears, face or even tongue, resembling blisters or traces of nettle burns.

“Sometimes hair starts to fall out in these places.

— Since the dog experiences severe and constant itching, it begins to constantly scratch and even scratch its skin, as a result of which numerous scratches appear on it, especially numerous on the face.

- In more severe cases, the animal experiences distinct difficulty in inhaling air. This happens due to swelling and swelling of the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract.

— In the most dangerous situations, the tissues of the pet’s face are literally “swept away,” and the lips and nose become swollen.

Treatment:

1. The main means of combating an allergic reaction in the form of urticaria is to take antihistamines (Suprastin, Zyrtec, Tavegil, etc.).

2. In severe cases, accompanied by swelling and difficulty breathing, an infusion of 10% calcium chloride solution and the use of adrenaline are prescribed.

Take your pet to the vet immediately if you notice the following:

- When your dog strains and wheezes while trying to breathe.

- In cases where the face and lips swell with urticaria.

- You should also contact a veterinarian when the clinical picture of urticaria does not subside a day after the first signs of pathology appear.

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Coconut oil

While there is some controversy surrounding coconut oil and heart health, cooled, solidified coconut oil can relieve discomfort associated with canine eczema, allergies, skin infections, and even insect bites when massaged into the coat and skin.

When you buy coconut oil, try to find the highest quality coconut oil you can find—look for terms like “organic,” “unrefined,” or “virgin” on the label.

And if you want coconut oil to do double duty, you can also try mixing a small scoop into your dog's food, but you should always check with your veterinarian before changing his diet.

Colloidal oat baths

This age-old remedy isn't just an old wives' tale—a colloidal oatmeal bath can seriously soothe your dog's itchy skin by reducing inflammation and flushing out allergens trapped in the fur.

Whether you buy pre-made colloidal oatmeal (made by grinding oats into a fine powder and boiling to release the colloid) or grind your own plain, sugar-free oatmeal into a powder, the anti-inflammatory properties of colloidal oatmeal can help relieve redness, swelling, and itching, as well as Cool your dog's hot, uncomfortable skin.

What's more, oatmeal is completely non-toxic, so you don't have to worry about your dog licking it.

What to do if your dog itches all the time

If your pet scratches itself once or twice a day, then there is no reason to worry. And when the itching literally exhausts the animal? If your dog has lost peace and sleep, constantly scratching and licking his body, it’s time to take action. To relieve skin inflammation, animals are given corticosteroids (Cortisone, Dexamethasone, etc.), and antihistamines (Tavegil, Suprastin, etc.) to eliminate itching. Wounds on the body are treated with antiseptic drugs (Levomekol, Zinc ointment, etc.). If you are sure that the scratch is caused by the presence of parasites, insectoacaricidal agents are used (Advocate, BARS Forte, etc.).

But it is better not to carry out therapeutic measures on your own, since only a doctor can prescribe the correct treatment after examining the tailed patient and conducting the necessary studies (skin scrapings, culture, biopsy, biochemical blood test, etc.). Unfortunately, it will not be possible to determine “by eye” what the dog is sick with. The same sarcoptic mange can easily be confused with pyoderma or dermatitis. In addition, as we found out, itching of the skin, although atypical, is still a sign of some diseases of the endocrine, digestive and urinary systems, and here antihistamines, antiseptics and hormones alone cannot be used.

Balanced diet

Feeding your dog a balanced diet with plenty of omega-3 fatty acids and healthy carbohydrates can help soothe and heal his skin from the inside out.

How?

Many dogs are allergic to ingredients found in standard chicken, beef or turkey dog ​​foods, as well as wheat or gluten ingredients.

Replacing fish products or foods containing sweet potatoes may help relieve symptoms associated with food allergies in dogs.

Additionally, fatty fish are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to reduce inflammation, improve digestion, and promote healthy skin.

Just remember: you should always consult your veterinarian before changing your dog's diet or adding any new supplements.

Treatment

In most cases of infectious diseases, therapy involves the use of:

• antiparasitic agents (treating the root cause);
• antibacterial drugs (treatment of secondary infection);
• antihistamines (itching relief);
• wound-healing drugs (for the speedy restoration of the skin);
• immunostimulating and immunomodulating drugs (to improve the body's resistance to secondary infections);
• anti-inflammatory drugs (symptom relief).

Infectious skin diseases of dogs cannot be treated with folk remedies!

Treatment of skin allergic reactions on the back is carried out symptomatically with the exclusion of provoking factors (allergens).

Self-treatment of pets with antiparasitic and antibacterial agents is unacceptable. Drugs in this group are highly toxic and have a large number of side effects. If the dosage is incorrectly chosen, it can cause significant harm to the health of the pet.

In case of infectious dermatitis, strict isolation of the sick dog from other animals is necessary!

It is advisable to isolate a sick animal

Risk group

The risk group for the development of dermatological diseases includes:

• puppies up to six months of age;
• elderly pets;
• animals with weakened immune systems;
• pets who have undergone surgery or acute infectious diseases;
• dogs undergoing serious drug treatment;
• animals receiving poor quality nutrition;
• pets in contact with untested or stray animals;
• animals living in unsanitary conditions.

Skin diseases in a puppy

The most common skin diseases in dogs are dermatitis and eczema, but other skin pathologies also occur. Dermatitis often affects breeds that have folds in their skin. The pathogen accumulates in the skin folds, the tissue becomes inflamed, itching begins, accompanied by pain when scratching. With a fungal infection, in addition to itching, hair loss is observed.

Before prescribing treatment, the veterinarian will find out which pathogen led to the development of the disease. After this, drug therapy is prescribed using special shampoos and tablets. Skin diseases are not fatal (if the disease is not taken to extreme manifestations), but they greatly reduce the pet’s quality of life.

Flea infestation

Symptoms:

• The dog is constantly itching, all over, here and there. The scratch is very characteristic: fast and furious.

• The animal sleeps poorly and nervously wanders around the apartment in search of relief from the unbearable itching. The dog becomes irritable and restless.
• A characteristic sign of a dog being infected with fleas: the pet begins to sharply bite into the skin, clattering its teeth, trying to catch the irritant.
• In advanced cases, the dog may develop an allergy to fleas. The eyes begin to water, the skin becomes covered with a rash, small blisters and pustules that burst and form ulcers and scabs. The animal can scratch such formations until there are bloody wounds and bald patches.
• If treatment is not started in time, fleas will lay eggs in the animal’s fur. They can be easily seen. But in this case, dogs with dark colors, so to speak, find themselves in a more advantageous situation. The fact is that flea eggs are light grains, in appearance somewhat reminiscent of grains of rice, only much smaller. The size of the eggs does not exceed one millimeter.
• If you run your hand over a dog’s fur, then in addition to fleas, larvae and eggs quickly hiding and escaping in the undercoat, you can see dark grains (parasite feces) on the animal’s fur.
• If it is difficult for the owner of a four-legged dog to determine whether his pet has fleas, then the best way to identify insects is to run a bath of water and bathe the dog. Upon contact with water, fleas will begin to move onto the animal’s head or jump into the water.

Treatment:

1. Bathe the animal with flea shampoo.

2. Sanitize the pet’s bedding and the entire room.

Prevention:

- Drops against fleas.

— Antiparasitic collar. ===================================================== ===================================================== ===================================================== =====================================================

Apple vinegar

Of course, apple cider vinegar is a delicious ingredient in homemade salad dressings, but did you know that it can also be used as a powerful antibacterial and antifungal agent?

Simply mix a mixture of 50 percent apple cider vinegar and 50 percent water in a clean spray bottle, then spray the solution onto your dog's itchy spots.

If your dog's paws are irritated, you can use the mixture for a nice, relaxing paw soak for up to five minutes.

Warning

Apple cider vinegar should never be used on raw skin or open wounds; it can be very painful for your dog and worsen the symptoms.

How you can help your dog

Of course, before talking about first aid, it is necessary to at least approximately determine the probable cause of scabies. So, for example, if a dog vigorously rubs its eyes with its paw, the only activity that can be carried out at home is rinsing. Moreover, in order not to harm the pet through inept self-medication, it is best to use exclusively clean water during the procedure, or, in extreme cases, chamomile decoction.

Further, since a very likely cause of skin itching is an allergic reaction, and as is known, there is no specific treatment for this autoimmune disease, it is within the power of the dog owner to identify the specific causative agent of the allergy and reliably protect his pet from contact with it. In fact, this is precisely what qualified veterinary care for allergic dermatitis consists of; antihistamines and corticosteroids prescribed to an animal are nothing more than symptomatic treatment. Therefore, if the source of the allergy is known, you can help the dog without contacting a specialist.

Important! You cannot wash your dog’s eyes with hydrogen peroxide and other disinfectants without the direct instructions of a veterinarian, especially since any powder preparations are absolutely prohibited.

There are many specific drugs and folk remedies aimed at reducing the symptoms of itching, but their use without establishing an accurate diagnosis is still a mistake. For example, the well-known product “Api-San Spray Stop Itching” for cats and dogs contains, in addition to lidocaine (a local anesthetic), the hormonal corticosteroid triamcinolone, as well as antimicrobial agents and antibiotics - metronidazole and chloramphenicol.

If a dog's scabies is not associated with a bacterial infection, these types of medications will do more harm to the pet than good.

Folk antipruritic remedies, in particular, infusions and decoctions of chamomile, calendula, string, celandine, fireweed and other medicinal herbs, of course, are less dangerous than potent drugs, sometimes sold under completely harmless names, but, like any symptomatic treatment, are not able to eliminate the root cause of the problem, and therefore are ineffective. In addition, the temporary effect that lotions and compresses can provide often masks the problem, and it manifests itself later, but in a much more severe form.

Expression of fear or anxiety

Sometimes a dog covers its face with its paw out of stress or fear. Although she understands that her paws are too small to hide from the source of fear, this is how she communicates that she is upset.

If your pet hides its muzzle, you need to check if anything is bothering it. You need to try to remove the source of fear and reassure her that she is safe. If your dog exhibits this behavior frequently, it may be a sign of an anxiety disorder, so you should consult your veterinarian.

Allergies as a source of itching

Allergies are one of the most difficult to determine causes of itching in dogs. If the animal's face or paws are constantly itching, spots are visible on the skin, the fur is breaking, and mucus is secreted from the nose, then the pet may be allergic to something. Almost everything that surrounds us contains substances that can cause allergic reactions, this can be food, dust particles, pollen, water and much more. In such a situation, self-medication is useless. A veterinarian will be able to immediately identify the substance causing the allergy by taking a blood test, but if such a measure does not yield anything, then further determination of the allergen occurs by excluding the likely primary sources of the disease.

Itching may occur due to the dog bathing in water with various impurities of metals, hard salts and other elements, as well as with low-quality detergent. If your pet develops dandruff, you should stop using shampoo and wash your pet in plain clean water. This will not only protect your dog's skin from damage, but will also wash away all the dust and dirt from the body.