Is your pet scratching so much his rattling keep you up all night? Is it the “thump, thump, thump” of her back leg on the floor that makes sleep impossible for you both? Or the gnawing, licking and chewing sounds? Or maybe it’s just knowing that your best friend is miserable because he can’t get comfortable?

Excessive itching IS a form of pain and misery! True…we all know that.

What’s the cause of all this, doc?

That’s a loaded question! There are many causes but the most common cause is ALLERGIES!  The allergy then results in your pet traumatizing the skin by scratching, chewing, licking, etc. which then results in skin infections of yeast and bacteria.  Then…you guessed it…more itching! Pets can be allergic to fleas, grasses, molds, pollen, food, and many things in the environment.

So, how do I fix it, doc?

Again, a loaded question! Dermatology is probably about 30% of what our doctors do at Wilkinson Animal Hospital. What’s important is to properly evaluate the pet’s condition and then handle the factors that keep him uncomfortable.  For instance, skin infections are extremely common as a result of the itching and need to correctly diagnosed as to what type of infection and then be treated with the proper antibiotic.  But…this is only the “tip of the iceberg”.  We must stop the self-trauma to the skin and get your pet out of his itchy misery and find out what is really causing the problem.  If your pet’s itching is out of control, let us help you with that…schedule an appointment with one of our doctors.

Five things you can do to improve your pet’s skin health.

1. Treat fleas YEAR-ROUND in all the family pets!. They are everywhere and with modern flea control products, this is much easier and safer today than it was year’s ago. Let us help you with the right product to use on your dog or cat.
2. Feed a good quality diet to your pet and stay away from excessive treats and table food. Good nutrition is key to skin health and a good immune system.
3. Make sure your pet is checked for internal parasites (worms) at least once a year and on a preventative medication for them. Internal parasites “suck” the good nutrients out of your pet’s body making the skin unhealthy and less able to fight off infections.
4. Brush your cat and dog regularly with an effective brush to remove dead hair and allow good circulation to the skin. It is important to use the right type of brush for your pet’s coat. Our groomer can help you pick out the right type of brush.
5. Bath your dog regularly in a hypoallergenic, gentle good quality shampoo. If you are giving an effective flea control product, it is not necessary to use a flea and tick shampoo! They tend to be harsh.