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Itchy pets
If you ever had allergies you can imagine how uncomfortable it is to be constantly itchy. It is very common for dogs to have different conditions that can make them itchy. The first step to make them better is to figure out what is causing the itchiness (also known as pruritus).
The causes of pruritus in dogs can be divided into 2 general categories: external parasites and allergies.
A parasite is an organism that benefits at the expense of the host. The most common external parasites that can make your pet itchy are fleas and sarcoptic mange (also known as scabies). Generally, once appropriate treatment for these is begun, the itchiness tends to go away fairly quickly.
Most commonly itchy pets will have allergies. Allergies are a disorder where the immune system is too sensitive and "overreacts" to harmless substances in the environment. People with allergies will commonly have respiratory signs; however, our pets most commonly have dermatological manifestations. Signs that our pets could have allergies are persistent itching, hair loss, redness, and recurrent ear or skin infections.
Pets can be allergic to anything. Figuring out what our pets are allergic to and removing it from the environment is the ideal solution. However, in most cases this is easier said than done since some allergens, such as pollen, grass, and dander are impossible to remove from your pet's environment. In rder to determine what is making your pet itchy your veterinarian might recommend performing a blood test for immunoglobulin titers to specific allergens. This test can be helpful in identifying what specifically your pet is allergic to, but it is not 100% accurate. Another available test is intradermal skin testing. This test is generally performed by a veterinary dermatologist and is more reliable. However, the disadvantage of the latter test is that medications, hormones, and stress can affect the results and that patients need to be shaved prior to testing.
Another common cause of pruritus in pets is food allergy. Undergoing a strict dietary trial, on which you feed your pet food that he or she has never eaten before, will help diagnose and treat this condition. This trial should be done for a minimum of 6 weeks.
There are several medications your veterinarian can use to make your pet comfortable:
-Antihistamines prevent the release of histamine, which is the chief mediator of inflammation in humans, but not in dogs. Antihistamines can, however, decrease pruritus in up to 40% of dogs. Different antihistamines will work in different dogs.

Your veterinarian might need to try a few different ones before finding the one that works. Antihistamines are generally more reliable in cats.
-Fatty acid supplements have anti-inflammatory properties, and together with antihistamines, can be very effective in reducing the inflammation that causes itchiness in our pets.
-Cyclosporine is a relatively new medication that changes the response of the immune system to the allergens and is effective in most patients.
-Shampoos and topical medications are also very helpful in treating this condition.
-Corticosteroids are medications that modulate the immune system. It is clear that persistent severe itchiness can significantly reduce quality of life. It is important to understand that, even though

corticosteroids should, in most cases, be used as a last resort, they are sometimes necessary to improve the quality of life of our itchy pets.
In some animals severe allergies can result in life threatening anaphylactic reactions. Animals that are having anaphylactic reactions will swell up, get red, and have trouble breathing. If the reaction is severe enough they might collapse. An anaphylactic reaction is a medical emergency and requires immediate veterinary attention.
This newsletter is not meant to replace proper veterinary care. If you think your pet suffers from allergies or pruritus please make an appointment with your veterinarian for an exam.