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Why is my Dog Scratching

by David Brooks


Scratching is a common symptom in dogs, and a whole range of underlying causes can be responsible. If your dog is scratching, it is advisable to seek treatment as soon as possible, as self trauma can cause secondary injuries that may extend the duration, and cost, of treatment. So, if you have noticed your dog scratching, what should you do about it?

Firstly, ask yourself when was the last time I put anti-flea medication on him/her? Most spot-on flea products only provide protection for a month, so if it has been longer than this then you should re-apply the medication. Be aware that anti-flea products that are on sale in supermarkets and pet shops are general sales list products, and are not as effective as the products available from your veterinarian. However, Frontline? has recently been made available on general sale and so can be purchased without a prescription.

If flea treatment is up to date, with a reputable product, the next step is to rule out mites. Most anti-flea products do not kill mites. The most common type of mite infection in dogs is sarcoptic mange, also known as scabies. This mite causes an intensely itchy dermatitis that can also be transmitted to humans. It is often spread by foxes, so if you have many foxes in your area, this is one to be especially aware of. This is one you have to approach your veterinarian for. Scabies is diagnosed either by doing skin scrapes (using a scalpel blade to scrape debris from one of the affected areas, placing it on a microscope slide, staining it and examining it under a microscope) or via a blood test. Many vets though will choose to simply apply the appropriate drug and if the itchiness stops, a presumptive diagnosis is made. If your dog does have scabies, your vet might give a one off steroid injection to alleviate the itchiness in the short term until the anti-parasitic drug kicks in.

If external parasites have been ruled out, the next step is to rule out a bacterial infection, a yeast infection or ringworm. Of these, only ringworm is potentially transmissible to humans. Ringworm is not actually a worm, but a type of fungus. It is usually tested for by examining the affected area with an ultraviolet light, which causes a certain type of ringworm spore to glow green. If ringworm is diagnosed, your vet will dispense either oral or topical medication to cure it. Bacterial infections are treated with a 2-3 week course of antibiotics, whereas yeast infections are usually treated with a medicated shampoo.

If parasites, bacteria, yeasts and ringworm have all been ruled out then your pet probably has an allergy. This could be a food allergy, a contact allergy or an environmental (e.g. pollen) allergy. For further information on allergies in dogs, see my next article: "The Itchy Dog: is it an Allergy?"

Dr David Brooks is part of the online veterinary team at WhyDoesMyPet.com. Veterinarians, Vet Technicians, Nurses, Trainers, Behaviorists, Breeders and Pet Enthusiasts are here to answer your pet questions and concerns... Our dedicated community of caring experts are waiting to offer you advice, second opinions and support.

David Brooks - EzineArticles Expert Author



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12 MONTH Advantage Flea Control Blue: For Dogs Over 55lbs.

Advantage Blue kills fleas on dogs fast. Advantage kills 98% of fleas within 12 hours and continues to work for up to one month per application. It also breaks the flea life cycle by killing flea larvae. Advantage can be used on puppies as young as 7 weeks old. Also, it is safe for dogs that are pregnant or nursing. Advantage is water-resistant, so it kills fleas even after shampooing and exposure to rain. Advantage is applied between the shoulder blades on dogs. Effective Flea Control . . . No Prescription Required! Guaranteed US EPA approved. Contains imidacloprid, the fastest flea preventive, which works within 12 hours Long-lasting Over-The-Counter formula keeps working for up to 4 weeks Easy-squeeze tube for easy application. Water-resistant formula stays strong through baths and rain


3 MONTH Frontline PLUS Orange for Dogs 0-22 lbs

Frontline Plus provides your dog with the most complete spot-on flea and tick protection available. In addition to killing 98-100% of adult fleas on your dog within 24 hours, Frontline Plus contains a special ingredient that kills flea eggs and larvae, too, and keeps all stages of fleas from developing. By effectively stopping the development of new fleas, Frontline Plus completely breaks the flea life cycle. And, Frontline Plus kills all stages of 4 major ticks including those that may transmit Lyme Disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. It's completely waterproof. Effective Flea & Tick Control . . . No Prescription Required! Guaranteed US EPA approved. Over-The-Counter topical kills fleas & ticks in under 48 hours Protect against Lyme Disease! Easy to apply monthly preventive Contains (S)-methoprene, effective for halting immature stages of fleas


3V Caps Skin Formula for Med/Large Breeds (60 caps)

3V Caps by DVM Pharmaceuticals is a concentrated dietary supplement which is beneficial for the maintenance of a healthy skin coat in dogs and cats. It contains fish oil as a source of Omega-3 fatty acids plus vitamins A, D, and E. The dosage is 1-2 capsules daily for pets 30-60 lbs. Guaranteed Analysis (per capsule): Crude Protein no less than 7% Crude Fat no less than 90% Crude Fiber not more than 1% Moisture not more than 2% Vitamin E 75 IU Vitamin A 1250 IU Vitamin D 125 IU Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) 180 mg Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) 120 mg Ingredients: Fish Oil, Safflower Oil, Borage Seed Oil, dl-alpha-Tocopheryl, Cod Liver Oil, Acetate (Vitamin E), Gelatin, Water, Glycerin.


6 MONTH Advantage Flea Control Blue: For Dogs Over 55 lbs.

Advantage Blue kills fleas on dogs fast. Advantage kills 98% of fleas within 12 hours and continues to work for up to one month per application. It also breaks the flea life cycle by killing flea larvae. Advantage can be used on puppies as young as 7 weeks old. Also, it is safe for dogs that are pregnant or nursing. Advantage is water-resistant, so it kills fleas even after shampooing and exposure to rain. Advantage is applied between the shoulder blades on dogs. Effective Flea Control . . . No Prescription Required! Guaranteed US EPA approved. Contains imidacloprid, the fastest flea preventive, which works within 12 hours Long-lasting Over-The-Counter formula keeps working for up to 4 weeks Easy-squeeze tube for easy application. Water-resistant formula stays strong through baths and rain


6 MONTH Frontline Top Spot for Cats and Kittens

Frontline Top Spot for cats and kittens provides flea and tick protection for at least one month. It is applied topically and each packet has 6 applications providing 6 months of protection. Effective Flea & Tick Control . . . No Prescription Required! Guaranteed US EPA approved. Over-The-Counter topical kills fleas & ticks in under 48 hours Protect against Lyme Disease!


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