The itchy subject of skin problems



"Pet parents are often faced with a pet that is constantly scratching. Causes can include any one, two, three or all of the below."

If your pet exhibits hair loss and crusting and scaling at tail base and lower back, they could have fleas. Our dispensary stocks a wide range of flea control products and would be happy to help you with a monthly flea control program for your pet.
Sarcoptic mange mites make dogs intensely itchy and are transmissible to humans. Dogs scratch all over with hair loss and scaling. Typically, they develop crusty lesions on their ear margins and elbows. A deep skin scraping by your vet is necessary to diagnose the presence of Sarcoptic mange, which is fortunately relatively easy to cure once diagnosed. Demodectic mange on the other hand, is generally not itchy but dogs become itchy as secondary bacterial infection of the skin (Pyoderma) sets in.

Circular patches of hair loss, crusting and scaling and eczema – generalised especially on the feet, flanks, sides, ears - could indicate a secondary bacterial or yeast infection, which would need to be diagnosed by a veterinarian
Food intolerance's and allergies, typically present with itchy legs and recurrent ear infections. Recurrent GI upsets causing vomiting and diarrhoea can often also be present.  Your vet may suggest trying a novel protein food for a period of time to eliminate allergies to proteins such as chicken, beef and wheat.


Environmental allergies (Atopy) typically include intense paw licking and eye rubbing. This is often seasonal and can come and go - often becoming worse in summer.  Allergies include house dust mite, pollen's and grasses. Typically cortisone, anti-histamines, skin support foods and omega 3-6 fatty acids would be recommended as treatment options by your vet.
Lesions caused by a contact allergy are restricted to ventral abdomen and axilla (arm pits). Try work out what the cause is e.g. cut grass, long grass, dog jumping over a particular bush, type of carpet. Topical cortisone creams can usually be used to control symptoms.



Article written by : Dr Steve Wimberley


Comments

  1. AnonymousAugust 26, 2022 at 11:09 AM

    Thank you for the very interesting information on skin problems. It was a huge help

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousFebruary 3, 2024 at 8:07 PM

    Thanks so much Steve for this very informative information on itchy skin. From your article I established our 11 year, 9kg wire haired terrier x has environmental itchy skin. What dosage omega 6-3 would you suggest and any particular brand?

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Preparing for Fireworks and storms is crucial for your pet, act now don't delay!

Image
Festive season is approaching, and with it, the most stressful time of year for all pet owners. No, I’m not talking about the dreaded visit from the in laws, I’m talking about firework season. Add to that the summer storms that rattle the window frames, and it can be a very unpleasant time to be an unsuspecting animal. For those pets with known noise phobias, you may already have a plan in place for dealing with these events, but for first time pet owners or owners of new pets, it is easy to be caught unawares. If you are unsure about how your pet will react, it is better to be prepared. So, how do you know your pet is anxious? There are some obvious signs, like hiding away, urinating where they stand, whimpering, and shaking. There are also more subtle signs like tail tucking, flattening ears back, and salivating.  Your pet may display some or all of these signs, or other vague behavioural changes. If you are unsure, please speak to your vet. If you know that a big storm or a fi...
Read more

Outreach 2024

Image
Welcome to our ANNUAL OUTREACH PROJECT, an initiative dedicated to the support of organisations who rescue, care for and rehome vulnerable pets. This outreach project aims to be a beacon of hope to those who strive for change through care, commitment and compassion every day. Your donation of R30 (or more) can make a difference! Paw Prints Rescue and Rehoming Persian Cat Rescue Durban PACT Safe Foster Network Our reception staff will be happy to accept your donation when you visit the practice. You can then personally place your donation sticker on our wall in the waiting area. Westville Veterinary Hospital Bank : ABSA Account number : 93 7167 9078 Branch Code : 632005 IMPORTANT! Please be sure to use this reference: WV_43052  please send a proof of payment to reception@westvet.co.za The team at  Westville Veterinary Hospital  thank you for your support.
Read more

Cancer and your pet ... what you need to know!

Image
Introduction: Let’s talk about the “C”-word…Cancer. Not an easy subject to broach, and equally difficult to talk about. Let’s be honest, most of us would be horrified to hear that our pet has received this diagnosis.  Most people will have some sort of experience with cancer, whether personally, or through a friend or family member. This experience likely leaves us with a very specific and subjective impression of what a diagnosis of cancer means, and also the effects of the treatment process and its financial, emotional and physical cost. This said, I would like to try to give some facts about this disease, and to offer some helpful information regarding its diagnosis and treatment in our pets. Prevalence of cancer in pets: It has been my experience over the years that cancers of various kinds are increasing in prevalence in the pet population. In fact, it may be that almost 50% of dogs over the age of 10 years could develop some form of cancer, thus constituting a major cause of ...
Read more