Common Causes Of Pruritus In Dogs — And Their Treatments

Is your dog constantly itching their skin, leading to redness and additional irritation? This condition is known as pruritus, but it's not a disease or ailment in and of itself. Rather, it can be a symptom of any of the following conditions, all of which your dog's vet can and should treat.

Fleas

The most common cause of pruritus in dogs is a flea infestation. These tiny insects are common wildlife and can easily be passed on to your dog while they are outside. Fleas feed on dogs' blood, and each of their bites is itchy and uncomfortable. Some dogs are allergic to fleas and can suffer from an even more serious reaction. Your vet can easily tell whether your dog has fleas by combing their hair backward and looking for either the fleas or their dirt. If your dog does have fleas, the vet can administer an oral or topical treatment that will get rid of them. The vet may also recommend a soothing shampoo or a numbing spray to ease your dog's itchiness as they recover from the infestation.

Mites

Mites are even tinier insects than fleas. There are a few types that can infest dogs, and your vet can diagnose a mite infestation—which is known as mange—by looking at flakes of your dog's skin under the microscope. If your dog's pruritus is concentrated around their face and tail, then mange is a likely explanation. The treatment is much the same as for fleas. In fact, many of the same insecticides treat fleas and mites.

Ringworm

Ringworm is not a worm as the name suggests. Rather, it is a fungal infection. It causes itchy, red, round circles to appear on the dog's skin. Most dogs itch these circles incessantly, which often leads to a secondary bacterial infection. A vet can typically diagnose ringworm by sight. If your dog is diagnosed, the vet can apply an antifungal cream to the patches and give you instructions for reapplying it at home. They may also prescribe an oral antifungal medication. Any secondary bacterial infection will be treated with antibiotics. Ringworm can be passed to humans, so you will need to wear gloves when handling the dog and contact your doctor if you develop any itchy patches.

Pruritus in dogs is usually a sign of fleas, mites, or ringworm. All are easily treatable, so there's no reason for your dog to go on suffering. For more information, contact a vet.

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