Dog scratching is a common reason for veterinary visits. There are numerous causes of dog scratching.
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.
A severe flea infestation can cause hair loss and sores on the dog's skin due to scratching. Dogs may be allergic to flea saliva that can make these symptoms significantly worse.
In addition to flea saliva allergies, other types of dog allergies can cause dog scratching. Dogs can develop allergies to dog food, medication, vaccinations, or substances in their environments.
The cause of a dog scratching its ears is often ear mites. A dog with ear mites may also shake its head.
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 a common cause of dog itchiness. Hot spots are often triggered by an allergic reaction, infection, or poor grooming. In addition to itchiness, hot spots can cause hair loss and severe skin irritation.
Reactions to staph and staph infections of hair follicles can cause dog scratching. A skin disease called sebaceous adenitis causes damage to the sebaceous glands. Sebaceous adenitis can cause itchiness as well as hair loss.
Some less common causes of itchiness in dogs includes pelodera dermatitis and calcinosis cutis. Pelodera dermatitis is an infection of larvae from a typically non-parasitic worm. Calcinosis cutis, often due to Cushing's disease, causes mineralization of the skin which can cause intense itchiness.
Cancer is one of the possible causes of dog scratching. Lymphoma and epitheliotropic lymphoma can cause itchiness in dogs.
As in humans, mosquito bites and insect stings can cause itchiness. Bee and wasp stings can cause hives and ulcers. Itchiness is an uncomfortable symptom of many veterinary conditions. Dogs that are scratching frequently should be examined by a veterinarian for proper diagnosis and treatment.
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.
A severe flea infestation can cause hair loss and sores on the dog's skin due to scratching. Dogs may be allergic to flea saliva that can make these symptoms significantly worse.
In addition to flea saliva allergies, other types of dog allergies can cause dog scratching. Dogs can develop allergies to dog food, medication, vaccinations, or substances in their environments.
The cause of a dog scratching its ears is often ear mites. A dog with ear mites may also shake its head.
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 a common cause of dog itchiness. Hot spots are often triggered by an allergic reaction, infection, or poor grooming. In addition to itchiness, hot spots can cause hair loss and severe skin irritation.
Reactions to staph and staph infections of hair follicles can cause dog scratching. A skin disease called sebaceous adenitis causes damage to the sebaceous glands. Sebaceous adenitis can cause itchiness as well as hair loss.
Some less common causes of itchiness in dogs includes pelodera dermatitis and calcinosis cutis. Pelodera dermatitis is an infection of larvae from a typically non-parasitic worm. Calcinosis cutis, often due to Cushing's disease, causes mineralization of the skin which can cause intense itchiness.
Cancer is one of the possible causes of dog scratching. Lymphoma and epitheliotropic lymphoma can cause itchiness in dogs.
As in humans, mosquito bites and insect stings can cause itchiness. Bee and wasp stings can cause hives and ulcers. Itchiness is an uncomfortable symptom of many veterinary conditions. Dogs that are scratching frequently should be examined by a veterinarian for proper diagnosis and treatment.
About the Author:
Moses Wright has been a lover of dogs for many years. He set up this site to provide information on list of large dog breeds and signs of dog diseases to help fellow dog owners learn more about their pets.