Buzz
Giống như ở người, các bệnh dị ứng ở chó có thể được kiểm soát nhưng không thể chữa khỏi hoàn toàn. Cơ thể chó phản ứng với các tác nhân kích thích, gây ra cảm giác ngứa ngáy. Chó có thể dị ứng với thức ăn, vết cắn của bọ chét, cỏ, phấn hoa, hoặc các chất tiếp xúc trực tiếp như xà phòng giặt hay cỏ khô. Bước đầu tiên là xác định tình trạng ngứa, gãi, và gặm da của chó như một dấu hiệu của bệnh dị ứng da. Thách thức đối với chủ nuôi và bác sĩ thú y là tìm ra nguyên nhân và phương pháp điều trị hiệu quả.
Các bước
Theo dõi tình trạng ngứa ở chó
Quan sát các khu vực ngứa trên cơ thể chó. Có vùng da nào của chó bị ngứa nhiều hơn những chỗ khác không? Chó của bạn có liếm bàn chân, dưới đuôi, hoặc dọc theo bụng không?
- Những vùng da thường bị kích ứng nhất khi chó dị ứng là lưng, đuôi, bụng, chân và móng.
Identify hot spots on your dog's skin. A common issue is intense itching that leads to chewing, creating "hot spots." These lesions can spread rapidly, appearing as pink, moist, warm, and painful areas. You might even notice sticky fluid oozing from the wound. These open sores are often infected and require veterinary intervention to alleviate your dog's discomfort.
- Chronic itching can cause the skin to thicken and become rough, resembling elephant skin.
- Hot spots often indicate allergies to fleas, food, grass, mold, or environmental factors. They can also signal underlying conditions like hypothyroidism or Cushing's syndrome. Secondary bacterial or yeast infections are less common but require specialized treatment.
Consider timing. Your dog might itch more during specific times of the year or after activities like playing on grass or eating certain foods. Noticing these patterns can help narrow down the cause and focus treatment.
Assess your dog's overall health. If your dog has a strong odor, excessive thirst, or seems less active than usual, a vet visit is necessary. Blood tests and skin scrapings can provide crucial information for accurate treatment.
Document each itching episode. Whenever you notice your dog itching, record the circumstances, including location, diet, and the affected body part. This information is invaluable for your vet in pinpointing the cause of the itching and skin damage.
Check for parasites
Check for fleas. Fleas are the most common cause of itching in dogs. They thrive in warm, humid environments (35°C). You might spot fleas on your dog or notice excessive scratching or chewing. Fleas are fast and can jump high, making them tricky to catch. They often hide in the armpits and groin areas, appearing dark (almost black) and flat.
- Inspect your dog's ears for scratches, redness, blood, or dirt. Check the belly, groin, and under the tail for red bumps.
- To detect fleas, place your dog on a white surface like a paper towel and brush its fur. Flea dirt will fall onto the paper, making it easier to spot.
Look for sarcoptic mange. Sarcoptic mange (Sarcoptes scabiei) is a parasite that typically infests hairless areas like the ear edges, elbows, or belly. These areas often become red and scaly. Sarcoptic mange can severely damage the skin and cause intense itching.
- This condition is contagious and can spread to humans and other dogs.
- A vet can diagnose mange by taking a skin scraping sample.
Check for walking dandruff. This condition is caused by the Cheyletiella parasite, which feeds on the outer layer of the skin. Besides excessive scratching, your dog may develop scaly skin, hair loss, dandruff, and lesions on its back.
- It's called "walking dandruff" because the mites cause flakes to move as they crawl, resembling moving dandruff.
- These mites are visible and appear yellowish.
Inspect for lice. Dog lice are different from human lice, so there's no risk of transmission. They survive by feeding on skin debris or blood, depending on the species. Adult lice are visible—yellow or skin-colored, about the size of a sesame seed. They can be mistaken for dandruff but won't fall off when you shake the fur.
- Other signs of lice include hair loss (especially around the neck, ears, shoulders, groin, and anus); rough, dry, or dull fur; small wounds or infections; and the potential spread of tapeworms or other parasites. Severe cases, especially in small dogs, can lead to anemia.
Check for demodectic mange. Demodectic mange is caused by tiny mites that naturally live on dogs. These parasites usually don't cause skin issues unless the dog's immune system is weakened. It's common in puppies, whose immune systems are still developing. You might notice it around the eyes and mouth. A vet can diagnose it through a skin scraping.
- Demodectic mange is not highly contagious and cannot spread to humans. It's typically passed from mother to nursing puppies.
- This condition can be hereditary. Puppies are more likely to develop it if their parents had it at some point.
Check for ringworm. Ringworm is actually a fungal infection. It causes small, circular, scaly, and itchy patches (about 1 cm in diameter) with hair loss in one or more areas of your dog's skin. It often starts on the face and paws. This condition is contagious and can easily spread to humans (zoonotic) and other pets. A vet can diagnose ringworm and recommend a treatment plan, including antifungal medication.
- Some pets may respond to topical treatments, while others require oral antifungal medication.
- Treating ringworm also involves disinfecting your home, and it may take months to fully control the infection.
Understand non-itchy skin conditions. Your dog might have conditions that mimic parasitic infections or other diseases, making it hard to pinpoint the cause of itching. Alopecia and Cushing's syndrome are two possibilities.
- Alopecia, often caused by hypothyroidism, typically isn't itchy. Dogs with hypothyroidism are more prone to skin issues.
- Dogs with Cushing's syndrome drink and eat excessively. You might also notice thinning fur and fewer hair regrowth. The belly may become almost bald, and the skin may appear thinner.
Treating itching in dogs
Discuss treatment options with your vet. There are many potential causes for this serious issue, so there are also many treatment options your vet might recommend. Unfortunately, antihistamines aren't very effective for dogs, and most cases require short-term steroid treatment or anti-itch medications like Apoquel or Atopica. New products are always emerging.
- Use prescription medications as directed by your vet. These medications help control itching and start the healing process.
Implement flea control measures. Flea allergy dermatitis is one of the most common causes of itching in dogs. Treating flea bites is often the first step in addressing your pet's itching, even if you don't see fleas. Dogs can develop an allergic reaction to flea saliva, causing intense itching from just one bite.
- You need to control fleas on your dog and other pets in the household, as well as treat the environment and continue monthly prevention.
Treat parasites in your dog. Each type of parasite requires a different treatment approach. Severe cases of generalized demodectic mange may take months to treat, while sarcoptic mange can often be resolved in weeks. Your vet will prescribe the appropriate antiparasitic medication.
- Sarcoptic mange is highly contagious to other pets and humans. You'll need to disinfect your home and treat all infected pets to prevent reinfestation.
Use prescribed medicated shampoos. Medicated shampoos prescribed by your vet can help reduce itching and treat bacterial or yeast infections. These products are often used alongside oral medications.
- Flea shampoos containing coal tar or other medicated ingredients can irritate open wounds. Always consult your vet before using any over-the-counter treatments on your dog.
- Bathing your dog can soothe itchy skin, but avoid human shampoos. Gentle oatmeal-based shampoos designed for dogs can provide temporary relief. If your dog's skin is scratched or infected, avoid using any shampoos or topical treatments without vet approval, as improper products can worsen the condition.
- Avoid over-bathing. Most healthy dogs only need a bath once a month, and some even less. Bathing too frequently can strip natural oils from their skin. If your vet prescribes a special shampoo, they'll advise on the appropriate bathing frequency.
Ask your vet about Prednisone. Prednisone, a steroid, is often the first choice for treating moderate to severe itching. It provides temporary relief, making your dog more comfortable and allowing the skin to heal.
- Steroids have side effects and should be used cautiously. Long-term use can lead to liver or adrenal gland issues.
Ask your vet about antihistamines. Antihistamines can help control allergic reactions. There are many options available, and your vet may recommend over-the-counter or prescription antihistamines.
- No single antihistamine works for every dog, so a trial-and-error approach may be needed to find the most effective one for your pet.
- While antihistamines may not fully relieve severe itching, they are often used after steroids to manage ongoing allergy symptoms.
Use antibiotics. Your vet may prescribe antibiotics alongside anti-itch medications. This is because secondary bacterial infections often occur when the skin is damaged from scratching.
Discuss allergy testing with your vet. Blood or skin tests can help identify allergens like pollen, trees, grass, insects, or mold. For food allergies, an elimination diet is the most effective method.
- Your vet may recommend immunotherapy if allergies are the primary cause of itching.
Ask about a veterinary dermatologist. If your dog's itching and scratching are severe enough to damage the skin, your vet may refer you to a veterinary dermatologist. These specialists focus on treating skin conditions in animals.
Avoid over-the-counter itch remedies. Non-prescription treatments like medicated shampoos, coal tar shampoos, tea tree oil, emu oil, and aloe are often tried as a last resort by dog owners hoping for relief. Always consult your vet before using any over-the-counter remedies.
- Other home remedies like pine tar, Vaseline, mouthwash, or white vinegar should also be avoided. However, harmless topical treatments like green tea rinses or coconut oil may help with mild dry skin without signs of infection.
- Your efforts could worsen the situation for both you and your pet.
Adjust your dog's diet
Evaluate your dog's current diet. Improving nutrition can enhance your dog's overall health, whether or not they have food allergies.
- If feeding processed food, check the ingredient list. Ensure the primary ingredient is protein, not carbohydrates. Essential fatty acids are beneficial for skin and coat health and should be included.
Provide your dog with fatty acid supplements. Supplements such as fish oil, coconut oil, or flaxseed oil can be beneficial for dogs suffering from skin allergies. These are most effective when given in their natural form (fresh or canned fish, freshly ground flaxseed), but can also be administered in capsule or liquid form.
- Always follow the product label instructions or the dosage recommended by your veterinarian.
Consult your vet about an elimination diet trial. If a food allergy is suspected, your vet may suggest an elimination diet using entirely new ingredients that your dog has never consumed before.
- For instance, if your pet has been eating dog food containing rice and lamb, along with beef and wheat treats, the new diet should exclude these ingredients.
- This trial typically lasts 2-3 months.
- Strict adherence to the diet, including treats, is crucial for accurate results.
- It may take several rounds of elimination trials to identify the specific food sensitivity.
- While commercial dog food is available, a vet-prescribed special diet might be necessary for managing food allergies.
- Once a suitable diet is found, reintroduce ingredients one at a time in small amounts to monitor for any allergic reactions.
Advice
- Certain breeds like Golden Retrievers, Labradors, and Cocker Spaniels are more prone to allergies. However, any dog, including mixed breeds, can develop allergies at any time.
- Maintain year-round flea control.
- Avoid shaving your dog’s coat too short. Trimming hair around affected areas can help, but shaving the entire coat is not recommended unless advised by a vet. In some cases, shaving can lead to changes in coat color or regrowth issues.
- There is no one-size-fits-all treatment for allergies. Multiple therapies may be needed to address the issue effectively.
- Understand that managing symptoms is often more common than curing the underlying cause. Identifying the allergen requires patience and observation.
Warning
- Always introduce dietary changes for your dog gradually and step by step. Modify one ingredient at a time, starting with small quantities.
- Remember that allergies can only be managed, not cured, and new allergic reactions may develop over your dog’s lifetime. While this can be frustrating for both you and your pet, understanding the nature of allergies is crucial for their health and well-being.
- Steroids and antibiotics may be necessary for severe skin allergies, especially during the initial treatment phase. Since all medications have potential side effects, consult your veterinarian before starting treatment and for long-term management plans.
