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Itching In Dogs And Cats
Itching is a common problem in pets, especially dog’s, that can be discomforting
to the pet and unnerving to the pet owner. It often leads to more serious secondary
conditions such as "hot spots", skin and ear infections, and dry, flaky skin.
It must be emphasized that itching can have many causes. While "quick fixes"
are uncommon, there are many diagnostic and therapeutic techniques to help
minimize your pet’s discomfort.
Some of the more common causes of itching are as follows:
Fleas - the most common reason for itching in dogs and cats is flea
infection and flea allergies. It is of utmost importance to control fleas
on your animal to help eliminate this problem. Your veterinarian can advise
you on the best flea control products currently available. We recommend
FRONTLINE PLUS as the best flea product to use.
Atopy - is a term referring to allergies caused by inhalants such as
pollens, dust and environmental pollutants.
Food Allergies - can develop in any pet, at any age, regardless of the
type of diet. 10-15% of all allergic dermatitis cases have this as a component.
Ectoparasites - such as "mange" mites can cause severe itching in dogs
and sometimes cats. Depending on the type of mite present, this condition may
or may not be contagious to other animals, including humans. Your veterinarian
will perform skin scrapes to diagnose this condition.
Consult your Veterinarian to diagnose the cause and determine the proper treatment
for your pets itching.
While there are no "quick fixes" for most skin diseases, we can, with diligence,
alleviate most pets' discomfort. This requires prompt and early treatment to ensure
that your pet returns to normal as quickly as possible.
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