Skin problems are common in both cats and dogs. But this may be a sign of a more severe underlying health problem. Itching isn’t just a nuisance when it happens to your pet; it can be a very stressful and even painful situation for them.
Scratching irritates the skin and raises the risk of infection by creating tiny cuts. The health of your pet in its entirety depends on how you take care of its skin. So, keep reading to find out about common pet skin issues and find out when to seek help from a vet.
Medical Conditions Which Typically Cause Itching
Similar to humans, our pets will experience itchy skin at one point or another. Since the skin is the largest organ in humans and animals, any issues can cause significant distress. That being said, skin problems do need to be checked out by a veterinarian and may require treatment so they do not end up being worse.
Fleas
One of the most frequent causes of itching in cats and dogs is the bite of one of these tiny bloodsucking, disease-transmitting pests. When a pet develops an allergy to the flea’s saliva, a condition known as flea allergy dermatitis can set in, causing extreme itching and even infection, specifically on the pet’s back. Your veterinarian can prescribe medications to help with the parasite problem.
On top of that, you can protect against fleas by offering your pet preventative medicines. If you are looking for veterinary clinics in your area that provide preventive care for fleas, you can conduct a quick online search for “dog vaccinations near me” to get accurate results.
Allergies
Various types of allergies exist. Numerous things in your pet’s surroundings can trigger an allergic reaction, including fleas, their food or treats, dust mites, pollens, grasses and other plants, wool, and a lot more. Allergies in dogs and cats can manifest as a rash, inflammation, and sometimes even ear and skin infections. So it is vital to team up with a vet from veterinary clinics like New Hope Animal Hospital to get an accurate prognosis of your pet’s allergies.
Bacterial and Yeast Infections
Small amounts of bacteria or yeast on your pet’s skin are normal, but when these microorganisms grow their numbers and an infection sets in, the itching gets out of hand. Allergies and parasites are common sources of secondary diseases in dogs and cats.
Hot Spots
Excessive licking, biting, or scratching of one area of the body results in hot spots, usually as a symptom of another issue. These spots, most typically seen on dogs, are red and swollen and can grow rapidly in size, sometimes from the size of a quarter in just a few hours. The discharge from hot spots could be pus or watery, which produces a foul odor. If you see your dog is itching excessively and unable to stop, you must take it to a vet hospital to find the cause and treat it.
What Can the Vet Do to Help Your Pet’s Skin Problem?
Your vet can give you a number of highly effective and risk-free treatment options, like oral medications and injectable serum, to relieve your pet’s itching and infection. Initially, your veterinarian will examine your pet’s history of symptoms and run diagnostics like skin scrapings, allergy testing, and microscopic examination to determine the probable nature of your pet’s skin problem. After making a prognosis, the veterinarian will decide on a treatment plan. You can visit websites such as www.newhopeanimalhospital.org, which provide comprehensive resources on pet skin problems and various treatment options.
Final Thoughts
It’s frustrating when your pet has skin issues, and you can’t help them stop scratching. The good news is that you can properly treat your pet’s condition with the help of your vet and get them feeling much better quickly so they can do all their favorite activities once more without suffering from annoying itching.
