What Are The Causes Of Dog Scratching?
Wednesday, September 30th, 2009Dog scratching is one of the most common causes for veterinary examinations according to many veterinary resources. The causes of dog scratching can be parasites or a skin condition.
Fleas are one of the most noticeable causes of dog scratching. The dog owner may be alerted to the presence of fleas by seeing the fleas or flea dirt on the dog or flea bites on people in the household.
Hair loss and skin sores from scratching can develop from severe flea infestations. If a dog is allergic to flea saliva, the hair loss and damage to the skin from scratching can be significantly worse.
Flea allergies are not the only type of allergies that can cause dog scratching. Dogs can have allergies to medication, dog food, vaccinations, and substances in their environments.
If the dog is scratching its ears, the cause of the dog scratching may be ear mites. Dogs with ear mites will often shake their heads as well.
Mange is a parasitic infection from mites that can cause intense itchiness. Tick bites and infestations of hookworms or lice can be causes of dog scratching.
Hot spots are common skin irritations that can cause scratching, licking, and hair loss. Hot spots occur when an irritation to the skin causes an intense reaction that often lasts longer than the initial cause. Hot spots can be due to poor grooming, an allergic reaction, or an infection.
Staph infections and hypersensitivity to staph can cause intense itchiness. Hair follicles can become infected with staph. A skin condition that is a cause of dog scratching is sebaceous adenitis. Sebaceous adenitis can also cause hair loss.
Pelodera dermatitis and calcinosis cutis are two less common conditions that can cause dog scratching. Pelodera dermatitis is an infestation of a worm larvae that is not normally parasitic. Calcinosis cutis is a condition commonly seen in dogs with Cushing’s disease that causes the mineralization of the skin.
Some types of cancer can cause itchiness in dogs. Lymphoma and epitheliotropic lymphoma are two types of cancer that can be causes of dog scratching.
Stings or bites from insects can cause dog scratching. Severe reactions to insect stings can cause hives or ulcers. Dog owners should have dogs examined by a veterinarian to determine the cause and best treatment for dog itchiness.