Why does the dog itch? Causes of itching

Dogs are often ill. We breeders sometimes say: "Dogs are prone to almost all human diseases, yes, plus they have their own, plus everything." The phrase, of course, somewhat confused, but it is true one hundred percent. And in the treatment of four-footed pets often use drugs intended for human therapy.

Why, for example, can the dog's itch be? On the one hand, there seems to be no reason for much concern. But this if the animal itches infrequently.

But if a knock on the floor and uterine rumbling (or biting the itchy place) continues day and night, the cause of the itch should be clarified. We must admit that this task is not always simple even for experienced specialists. It happens that the reasons can not be established and it is necessary to limit ourselves to only symptomatic treatment.

The dog itches due to irritation of the nerve endings that permeate the skin and mucous membranes. With a strong, intense irritation, painful sensations in the muscles are already possible (the animal whines or growls). Transmission of nerve impulses is controlled by a substance called histamine. That is why drugs that relieve symptoms (do not eliminate the cause, but only block the transfer of momentum) are called antihistamines.

The nature of itching can be either episodic or chronic (weak, or agonizing).

Episodic scratching is a kind of protective reaction, it can be said, an innate, evolutionarily formed, designed to remove insects, plant seeds, scraps of wool from the fur and skin, etc. Here the cause of the itching is easily eliminated and how the disease is not even considered. But if the dog itches constantly, eliminating the cause is very difficult. Speech, as you guessed, about a chronic itch.

The number one reason (the most common) is ectoparasites (ticks, fleas). But if you can fight it (although produced veterinary drugs have a lot of censure), the second reason sometimes makes the hands of veterinarians with a great experience. And her name is allergic. By the way, among people in recent years, allergy sufferers have also become more. Allergens, provoking skin diseases in dogs, weight. As well as the reasons. Its "contribution" has also been made by the chemical industry, both pharmaceutical and metallurgical. Due to technological progress, substances that provoke inflammation of the skin (dermatitis) are released into the atmosphere every year. For an "explosion" of the immune system, a microscopic proportion of the allergen may suffice.

Moreover, there is a sharp deterioration of the gene pool. Breeders, in pursuit of the exterior, sometimes forget about the immunity of the dog. As an example - inbreeding matings. Those who are interested in the consequences of these can search for information in the vast expanses of the Internet. Moreover, for the sake of gaining manage to knit even sick animals, some of which have hereditary diseases (and therefore, they will be passed on to their descendants).

It is possible that the dog itches because of the toxic substances accumulated in the skin due to ailments. For example, liver disease leads to accumulation of bilirubin. Its content will be determined by laboratory tests. Externally, this is manifested in the yellowing of the skin and eye proteins, as well as in a noticeable itch of varying intensity. Another example - kidney disease, leading to violations of protein metabolism and, again, to the itch. The animal itches because of the high content of creatinine, which irritates the nerve endings.

The next cause of itching in dogs can lie in the nervous system. Or rather, in her disease. The nature of the ailments can be both infectious and non-infectious (for example, a tumor or brain hematoma). Intensive itching can be caused by both a violation of the holistic shell, and the defeat of the brain itself. In this case, a specific neurological examination and special therapy, different from the others, the most familiar and standard ones, is required.

The cause of itching can be food allergy, atopic dermatitis, neurodermatitis. Some owners point to the progression of allergies, despite the treatment and feeding of dogs with special (and terribly expensive) fodder. Here it is important to consider the following points. First, those foods that are recommended in the complex treatment of allergies, are both low allergenic and non-allergenic. The first is usually referred to diets physiological. The protein in them allergic reactions is rare. But non-allergenic food does not contain it at all. They contain only hydrogenated proteins. Therefore, if you regularly feed the dog only with this food, not giving in to temptation to give her a tasty morsel from the table (if you remember, the amount of the allergen is absolutely irrelevant, enough drops), fulfilling all the instructions of your veterinarian, and the pet itches, as before, the diagnosis , Probably wrong.

This does not mean that the allergic origin of pruritus is excluded, but one should not think about non-nutritional reasons. As an option - atopic dermatitis (diffuse and diffuse neurodermatitis).

The diagnostic algorithm is usually built up "from the simplest to the most complex." With a symptom caused by commonplace reasons, it is enough to use antihistamines. Dynamics is important here. If the itching after applying these drugs does not go away and even intensifies, if the dog itches, if there are inflammations (from redness and swelling to hair loss), it is definitely not worth hesitating to visit your vet. Especially if the symptoms of general malaise are added: a deterioration in appetite, weakness, etc. Itching can be a symptom of a serious illness, for the diagnosis of which additional tests will be required: tests, ultrasound.