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Causes of scratching in dogs

In addition to allergies, there are other diseases which can cause your dog to scratch, lick, or pull on his hair. A short description of
these conditions such as mange, cancer, behavioral problems, and infections, along with their diagnosis and treatment, are
included in the table below. Many of the more uncommon conditions are listed as well. This large number of conditions helps you
understand why a quick diagnosis may be difficult to make and various diagnostic tests may need to be performed. The most
common conditions causing licking and scratching are color-coded gray in the table (some may be more common in certain
geographical areas).

Condition Description Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment


Acanthosis Inherited form seen Darkening of the skin; in History, Primary: No treatment;
nigricans in Dachshunds; secondary form see scratching physical exam; Secondary: Treat underlying
secondary form and hair loss in secondary disease; in some cases,
caused by friction, form, testing to steroids and Vitamin E
hormonal determine supplementation
abnormalities, or underlying
hypersensitivities cause

Acral lick Self-licking in dogs Red, hairless, well-circumscribed, Exclude other Relieve underlying cause e.g.,
dermatitis results in self- sometimes raised lesion usually on causes; history anxiety; restrict licking,
(neurodermatitis) trauma; possible the leg; if chronic, will drain important e.g.,Elizabethan collar;
causes include behavior modifying
anxiety, boredom, medication may be necessary
stress (e.g., new
member in
household); licking
can develop into an
obsessive behavior

Allergic and irritant An allergic reaction Red skin and small bumps or blisters Patch test, Restrict exposure to the
contact dermatitis following exposure on the areas of skin that are sparsely exclusion trials allergen or contact irritant in
to antibiotics haired and directly exposed to the the dog's environment;
applied to the skin; offending substance; itching; hair steroids, antihistamines
metals such as loss in chronic conditions
nickel; materials
such as rubber,
wool, and plastic;
and chemicals such
as dyes and carpet
deodorizers; or
inflammation
caused by irritating
substances such as
poison ivy.
Generally requires
multiple exposures.

Atopy (allergic Allergic reaction to Licking of feet, inflamed ears, itching, Intradermal or Reduce exposure to allergen
inhalant something redness, and hair loss; sometimes serologic (blood) (what the dog is allergic to);
dermatitis) airborne, such as development of infection or hot spots testing for steroids, fatty acid
pollen, house dust allergies supplements,biotin,
mites, and mold antihistamines, shampoos,
orimmunotherapy

Bacterial Often occurs as a


infection result of another
(pyoderma) condition such as a
parasite, allergic, or
hormonal condition
See Folliculitis,
Staph
hypersensitivity

Bee, wasp, Skin reactions can Immediately after the bite, see History, Antihistamines, steroids; wet
hornet stings vary dramatically in swelling, redness, pain, possibly physical exam dressings, if ulcerated; protect
severity itching; subsequently may develop the area from self-inflicted
extensiveulcers with draining; may trauma
develop hives or anaphylaxis

Calcinosis cutis Mineralizationof Hard nodules andpapules usually on Skin scrapings, If due to glandular tumors,
the skin usually the back, groin, oraxilla ulcerate, biopsy, history, selegiline, o,p-DDD (Mitotane),
due to an excess of drain, and developcrusts; severe and other or surgical removal of tumor;
corticosteroids; itching; may become infected; often clinical signs, if due to high steroid doses,
also rarely occurs see other signs ofCushing's disease adrenal gland withdraw use of steroids
in kidney failure, or function tests slowly
in granulomas
andtumors

Cheyletiella(rabbit Infection with Itching, scaliness; some hair loss, if Skin scraping Pyrethrin,Permethrin (Do NOT
fur mite) mange theCheyletiella mite severe and use permethrin on cats.)
microscopic
examination -
the mite is
often very
difficult to find

Chiggers (harvest Seasonal disease Itching, bumps usually on feet, Visualization of Pyrethrin,Permethrin (Do NOT
mites) caused by larvae of abdomen, folds at base of ears mite larvae or use permethrin on cats.)
the chigger microscopic
examination of
skin scraping

Demodectic Infection with Hair loss,scaliness, Skin scraping NO Steroids


mange(red theDemodex mite - redness,pustules, ulcers, sometimes and
mange, puppy occurs when the itching, darkening of the skin microscopic Amitraz (Mitaban) dips
mange) immune system is examination
deficient

Drug or injection Rare skin reaction Can vary widely and may include History of Discontinue offending drug;
reaction to a drug which is itching, hair loss, redness, being treated treat symptomatically
inhaled, given swelling, papules,crusts, ulcers, and with a drug,
orally, or draining wounds symptoms,
appliedtopically; biopsy
more common with
penicillins,
sulfonamides, and
cephalosporins;
usually occurs
within 2 weeks of
giving the drug

Ear mites Infection Intense itching of ears, redness, dark Direct visual or Clean ears and apply
withOtodectes crumbly discharge in ears microscopic medication containing
examination of pyrethrin (Ear Miticide)
ear discharge

Epitheliotropic Rare cancer of T Can take multiple forms: redness with Needle or other Poor response to treatments,
lymphoma lymphocytesseen itching and scale;ulcers and loss of biopsy which includechemotherapy,
(mycosis in older dogs pigment; one or more nodules; oral surgical removal, retinoids,
fungoides) ulcers fatty acids

Flea allergy Severe reaction by Intense itching, redness, hair Presence of Flea control in the environment
dermatitis (flea the animal to the loss,papules, crusts, and scales; fleas; reaction and on the dog; steroids and
bite saliva of the flea sometimes development of infection tointradermal antihistamines for the itching
hypersensitivity) or hot spots testing

Folliculitis Infection of the Pustules form in follicles and break Skin scraping; Antibiotics for at least 4 weeks
hair follicles, often open to form 'bull's-eye,' 'annular,' culture; biopsy - continue antibiotics 10 days
with staph bacteria; and 'target lesions,' which beyond the apparent cure; if
symptoms usually have crustycenters and red or recurs, look for underlying
appear on skin with darkening on the periphery, and problem such as allergy or
less hair, such as 'epidermal collarettes,' which appear hormonal imbalance
the abdomen (belly) as rings ofscaly skin; itching may
occur; short-coated breeds may
develop small tufts of hair which are
lost; breeds with long coats may have
seborrhea

Food Allergies Allergic reaction to Licking of feet, inflamed ears, itching, Food Change in diet
something in the redness, and hair loss; sometimes elimination
diet development of infection or hot spots trials

Hookworms Infection with the Red bumps, usually on feet, rough Physical exam, Treat for intestinal infection;
larvae (immature foot pads, abnormal nail growth, history of poor move dog to different
forms) of itching sanitation environment
hookworms

Hot spots (acute Result from Hair loss; red, moist, oozing skin; Physical exam Treat underlying condition;
moist dermatitis) allergies, flea bites, constant licking or scratching and history clean area; apply Domeboro
mange, anal gland solution;topical and/or oral
disease, poor antibiotics and steroids
grooming, ear
infections, plant
awns or burrs,
arthritis

Lice Infection with Variable; itching, hair loss, crusts, Finding lice or Pyrethrin, ivermectin (off-label
several species of rough hair coat nits on skin or use*), Permethrin(Do NOT use
lice hair permethrin on cats.)

Lymphoma Common cancer in Itching, ulcers, nodules, redness Biopsy Surgery, chemotherapy,
dogs; can involve radiation; lymphoma of the
the skin skin does not usually respond
to treatment as well as other
lymphomas

Malassezia Usually follows Itching, redness, hair loss, Skin Treat underlying disease; oral
some other greasyscales; if chronic, scraping/smear ketoconazole; miconazole
underlying disease develophyperpigmentation and shampoos
microscopic
examination,
culture

Pelodera Accidental infection Affects areas of skin touching Skin scraping Remove bedding; mild
dermatitis with larvae from a ground; intense itching, redness, hair and antibacterial shampoo;
non-parasitic worm loss,papules, crusts,scales microscopic steroids if necessary to
that lives in straw examination control itching
and other organic
material

Pemphigus The most common Often affects feet and head; starts History, Corticosteroids, other
foliaceus form of pemphigus with pustules and progresses to physical exam, immunosuppressive therapy,
in the dog; an severe crusting; depigmentation of skin scraping gold injections
autoimmune the nose is common; itching may and biopsy
disease; some occur; if footpads and nails affected
breeds are at often see lameness; symptoms wax
increased risk and wane; severely affected animals
may have fever and loss of appetite
Pyoderma-superficial

See Folliculitis, Staph


hypersensitivity
Infection with several Hair Culture Miconazole, lime sulfur dips;
Ringworm types of fungus loss,scaliness, crustyareas, pustules,vesicles, oralgriseofulvin oritraconazole
some itching; can develop a
draining nodulecalled a 'kerion'

Sarcoptic mange Infection with Intense itching and self-trauma, hair Skin scraping Amitraz (Mitaban) dips (off-
theSarcoptes mite loss, papules,crusts, and scales and label use*); ivermectin (off-
microscopic label use*)
examination -
the mite is
often very
difficult to find

Schnauzer Uncommon; only Comedones (black heads) on back, Clinical signs, Long-term antiseborrheic
comedo syndrome seen in Miniature mild itching; may see secondary breed, skin shampoos; sometimes
Schnauzers infection, thinning of hair; small biopsy antibiotics and retinoids
crusts may develop

Sebaceous Sebaceous Short-haired breeds: circular areas of Clinical signs, Antiseborrheic shampoos,
adenitis glands are hair loss with finescale; long-haired breed, skin fatty acid supplements; in
destroyed, cause breeds: more widespread hair loss biopsy more severe cases, steroids,
unknown; certain and scale, hair mats easily; may see retinoids
breeds more itching in all breeds
susceptible

Seborrhea Can be primary Scales; depending upon the type, may Blood tests, Treat underlying cause if
(inherited) or have a dry or oily coat; odor; some skin scraping, present; antiseborrheic
secondary scratching; may see hair loss etc., to find shampoos; fatty acid
(resulting from underlying supplements
other disease cause
processes such as
allergies,
hypothyroidism)
Skin cancer See Lymphoma

Skin fold Inflammation of Red, oozing area;crusts; often Clinical signs; Clip and cleanse area; keep
pyoderma skin that contacts becomes infected and may develop skin scraping area clean; medicated
(intertrigo) other skin, e.g., odor and tape shampoos; topicalantibiotics;
lips, facial folds (on impression treat underlying condition,
Bulldogs, for smears e.g., increased tears from eye
instance), vulva, disease, obesity, allergy
tail, toes, and
bodies of obese
dogs
Staph hypersensitivity Rare disease in dogs Red skin, pustules,vesicles, severe itching, and Culture, biopsy, Treat any underlying disease;
caused by an allergic sometimes crusts intradermal allergy antibiotics
reaction to the test
bacteriaStaphylococcus;
often occurs in the
presence of other skin
diseases

Superficial necrolytic Skin reaction to Papules, ulcerswith drainage; develop 2-3 days Breed, history of Treat symptomatically
dermatitis of Miniature shampoos (usually after exposure to the shampoo; may also see exposure, clinical
Schnauzers insecticidal or medicated) fever and depression signs

Tail dock neuroma Nerve regrowth after tail Nodule at site of docking, itching with self- History and Surgical removal
docking causes mutilation, hair loss, andhyperpigmentation symptoms
symptoms

Tick bites Ticks cause a local Nodule and redness at site of the bite; may itch History Remove the tick; use a tick preventive;
inflammation in the skin, and develop crusts; may last several months allow nodule to resolve on its own
even when the entire tick
is removed

Urticaria (hives) Reaction, often allergic, Multiple swellings, with hair standing up over History, physical Often resolves on its own; in the case
to insect bite, drug, swellings; may itch exam of allergic reactions, antihistamines,
vaccine, sunlight, etc. epinephrine, or corticosteroids
depending upon severity
* off-label use: medication used to treat a condition for which it was not developed (or licensed). A large number of
medications fall under this category. Research has almost always been performed to determine the effectiveness and
safety of the product, but the manufacturer has not undertaken the lengthy process required for licensure.

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