Understanding and Managing Itchy Dogs

An Itchy Dog Guide for Pet Owners

Is your dog constantly scratching, biting, or licking themselves? Itchy skin can be more than just a minor annoyance for your furry friend—it could be a sign of an underlying issue that needs attention. In this guide, we’ll explore the various treatment options available for itchy dogs, ranging from mild cases to more severe conditions. Whether you’re a new pet owner or have years of experience, this information can help you identify the right course of action to keep your dog comfortable and healthy.

Topics Covered

Level 1: Mild Itch with No Evidence of Infection

Level 2: Moderate Itch with Mild or Focal Infection

Level 3: Moderate to Severe Itch and Inflammation with Diffuse Infection

In this guide, we’ll explore the various treatment options available for itchy dogs, based on different levels of itchiness. Whether you’re dealing with a mild itch or a more severe condition, this post will help you identify the appropriate steps to take to keep your dog comfortable and healthy.

Level 1: Mild Itch with No Evidence of Infection

For dogs experiencing mild itching without any signs of infection, simple interventions can often provide relief. These steps focus on managing potential allergens and maintaining good skin health.

1. Parasite Control

Ensure your dog has at least three months of good parasite control with Isoxazoline products like Simparica, NexGard, or Bravecto.

2. Calming Shampoo

Bathe your dog with a calming shampoo, such as Douxo Calm, and follow up with a conditioner like Humilac or an aloe and oatmeal leave-in conditioner.

3. Limit Allergen Exposure

Wipe your dog’s paws and coat with a damp cloth after outdoor activities, and consider using a t-shirt or coat to limit skin contact with allergens.

4. Special Diet

Consider a limited-ingredient diet like Hill’s Derm Complete, which contains essential oils and ingredients to support skin and coat health.

Level 2: Moderate Itch with Mild or Focal Infection

If your dog’s itching has progressed to a moderate level or if there are signs of mild infection, it’s important to work with your veterinarian and take more targeted action. This level introduces specific treatments to address both the itch and any underlying infections.

1. Skin Cytology and Topical Treatments

Perform a skin cytology to determine the presence of infection. For yeast infections, use a miconazole-containing shampoo daily to three times weekly for 2-4 weeks. For bacterial infections, use a chlorhexidine-containing shampoo with the same frequency.

To Perform a Good Bath

Apply a generous lather to the affected area / whole body. Allow the Lather sit for 5 minutes. Rinse and dry completely. The efficacy of the shampoo is dependant on the amount of contact time it has with the skin.

2. Control Inflammation

Apply topical treatments like Theraderm or Isathal to help control inflammation and itching.

3. Parasite Control

We want to further support good skin health with good parasite control lasting at least 3 months.

4. Cytopoint

Cytopoint is an injectable medication that helps control itching in dogs with atopic dermatitis for 4-6 weeks by neutralizing itch proteins with minimal side effects. It is very well tolerated with very minimal side effects. Some dogs may develop tolerance to this medication over time.

5. Apoquel

Apoquel is an oral medication that is given once daily to stop itching by blocking a common itch receptor. It’s generally safe but should not be used in dogs younger than one year or those with serious infections.

6. Hypoallergenic Food Trial

Conducting a hypoallergenic food trial with products like Hill’s Z/d or Royal Canin HP (Hydrolyzed Protein) can be challenging but is crucial for identifying food triggers and managing your dog’s allergies.

7. Bloodwork

This is done to evaluate your dog for underlying hormonal imbalances, such as Cushing’s disease or hypothyroidism, which could contribute to recurrent infections.

Level 3: Moderate to Severe Itch and Inflammation with Diffuse Infection

When a dog’s itching becomes severe and widespread, often accompanied by diffuse infections, comprehensive treatment is necessary. This level of care involves that of level 2, and more intensive therapies, including systemic medications and possible referral to a dermatology specialist.

1. Steroids (short term use only!)

Steroids are an invaluable tool in the treatment of allergies. They help control inflammation which is the cornerstone of allergies. That being said, they come with a long list of side effects and should only be used for short periods of time (1-2 months) at a time.

2. Systemic Antimicrobials based on Cytology +/- Culture

In severe infections, oral or injectable antibiotics or antifungals may be necessary.

Important Note: In light of increasing antimicrobial resistance in both humans and animals, it’s crucial to use systemic antimicrobials only when needed. Medication selection should be based on evidence from cytology and culture. By employing these medications sparingly and only when absolutely necessary we can safeguard their effectively for both humans and animals.

3. Atopica (Cyclosporine)

Like steroids this is an immunosuppressive drug used in the control of allergies in dogs and cats. Unlike steroids this medication can be used long term for maintenance therapy.

Note: The most common side effect of this medication is an upset tummy. This will often resolve with persistence, and tricks like putting the capsule into the freezer the night before can be very helpful. This medication should also be used with caution in patients with severe underlying infections and pets with kidney and liver disease. Pre-medication lab work and monitoring of liver and kidney values are recommended while using this medication.

4. Dermatology Referral and Allergy Testing

For our most severely affected pets we may recommend referral to a dermatologist who can:

a) Assess what we’ve done so far and make expert adjustments to our diagnostic and treatment plans

b) They can help develop an allergy vaccine (Allergen Immunotherapy) for your pet. Veterinary dermatologists can perform specific tests to help narrow down what your pet is most allergic to. They can use this information to develop a tailored allergy vaccine. By exposing your pet to small frequent amounts of what they are allergic to, they can slowly develop a tolerance to the allergens over time.

Managing an itchy dog requires a thorough understanding of the possible causes and appropriate treatments. Whether your dog’s itching is mild or severe, early intervention can make a significant difference in their comfort and quality of life. If you notice your dog scratching more than usual or showing any signs of discomfort, don’t hesitate to contact us at call/text us at 647-260-8387 or email us yonge.sheppard.vets@gmail.com to set up an appointment. We’re here to help you find the right solution for your pet’s needs and ensure they stay healthy and happy

Lumps and Bumps: A Pet Owner’s Guide to Skin Lumps

So, your furry friend has a mystery bump? 🐾

Hey there, pet parent! We get it – finding a weird lump or bump on your beloved furball can be a little unsettling. But don’t panic! In this handy guide, we’ll explore the ins and outs of those enigmatic skin growths and what to do next.

Topics Covered:

The Big “C” Question: Is It Cancer?
Decoding Benign vs. Malignant Lumps
“The Scoop” on Sampling Lumps

Fine Needle Aspirate (FNA)
Why aren’t FNAs conclusive all the time?
Excisional Biopsy
Incisional Biopsy

The Margin Mystery
Treatment Options

Monitor at Home
FNA
Biopsy

The Big "C" Question: Is It Cancer?

The first thing you want to know is if that lump is the “Big C” – cancer. Here are some questions to help you figure it out. It’s also a good idea to look over these questions and have some answers ready for when you bring your pet to the vet to get their lump examined:

a) How long has it been there?

b) Is it getting bigger?

c) Does it change from day to day? (Is it big one day and small the next?)

d) Does it cause any pain or discomfort? (Do you see your pet scratching/licking at the lump? Are you able to handle the lump, or does your pet have a reaction when you try to touch it?)

Not all Lumps are Created Equal: Understanding Benign vs. Malignant Lumps

So, what exactly separates a benign lump from a malignant one? Let’s break it down:

Benign Lumps:

These lumps are either non-cancerous or very gentle cancers that don’t pose a significant threat to your pet’s health. They often have well-defined borders and appear similar to normal tissues. Benign lumps generally grow slowly and tend to remain in one place.

Surgical removal with clear margins is often curative for benign lumps.

Malignant Lumps:

Malignant lumps are cancerous, and can potentially spread to other parts of the body. They may lack well-defined borders and often appear different from surrounding tissues.These lumps tend to grow faster and can infiltrate nearby structures.

Treatment for malignant lumps may involve additional steps, such as chemotherapy, radiation, or more extensive surgery.

Understanding the nature of a lump is crucial because it guides the choice of treatment and helps you and your veterinarian make the best decisions for your furry friend.

So how do we know which lumps are good and which are good and which lumps are bad?

While some lumps have a characteristic look, the truth is we can’t tell if it’s cancer without examining the cells under a microscope.

"The Scoop" on Sampling Lumps

There are three ways to sample a lump:

1. Fine Needle Aspirate

To perform this diagnostic, we take a small needle and poke it into the lump while simultaneously aspirating to pull up a small sample of cells which are (hopefully) representative of the mass.

Pros: Simple, no sedation, budget-friendly.

Cons: Not always conclusive.

Why aren't FNAs conclusive all the time?

1. Exfoliation Variation

Not all cells exfoliate (shed) in the same way. Picture sticking a needle into an orange and drawing back – you might get a tiny bit of orange juice. Now, envision doing the same to a sponge – you’d likely come up empty. Masses (lumps) are similar. Some are inherently more fibrous and don’t readily release cells.

2. Accuracy Challenges

Sometimes, the lump is nestled amidst other structures like fat, infection, or inflammation. This can make it difficult to collect cells that accurately represent the lump itself, rather than the surrounding tissue. Think of trying to poke a boba pearl submerged in the center of a large bowl of gelatin – the target is there, but it’s not easy to isolate around the surrounding gelatin.

In such cases, FNA may provide inconclusive results, necessitating other diagnostic methods for a more precise assessment.

2. Excisional Biopsy

Here, we surgically remove the WHOLE lump and send it to the lab.

Pros: If it’s benign and we get clean margins, it could be curative.

Cons: May need a second surgery if margins aren’t clean, costlier, and might require anesthesia.

3. Incisional Biopsy

Here, we take a only a SMALL PIECE of the mass and send it to the lab.

Pros: High likelihood of getting an answer about what the lump is.

Cons: More expensive, might need sedation, and additional treatments.

The "Margin" Mystery

Not all lumps are equal; some are exactly as they appear to be, others are sneaky and have extensive networks of tissue that extend beyond the margins of the primary lump. When it comes to exercising cancer, you need to get every cell to prevent it from coming back.

Think of them like plants. If the roots are simple and narrow, then removing the main mass works. But if it has extensive “roots,” we need to know what we’re dealing with. Margins are like how much of the “roots” we need to remove.

Treatment Options

1. Monitor

If the lump is small, stable, and your furry friend seems unperturbed by it, it’s perfectly fine to keep an eye on it. However, be vigilant! If you notice any of the following changes, it’s time to consult your vet:

a) Lump is getting bigger
b) Lump is changing in any way (such as a change in the consistency, size, color of the lump)
c) Signs of inflammation or infection (such as red, irritated/angry skin, pus discharge)
d) Pain

Keep in mind, any lump that has been around for more than 1-2 months should be sampled to rule out potential concerns.

2. Fine Needle Aspirate

When in doubt, let’s “poke” this mystery bump with a tiny needle and analyze the cells under a microscope. This method is straightforward, usually doesn’t require sedation, and is relatively budget-friendly. However, it may not always provide conclusive results.

3. Biopsy

Sometimes, we need the whole scoop. In this case, a biopsy involves surgically removing the entire lump for a closer look under the microscope. The benefit is that if it’s benign and clean margins are achieved, it can be curative. But if margins aren’t clean, a second surgery may be necessary. This option can be pricier and may require sedation or even anesthesia, depending on the size and location of the lump.

Remember, finding a lump on your pet can be a little scary, but don’t jump to conclusions. It’s like a mystery waiting to be solved. If you’re concerned, consult your friendly neighborhood veterinarian. They’ll help you figure out the best way to tackle it and keep your furry friend in tip-top shape! 🐶🐾🐱

– The Yonge Sheppard Animal Hospital Team 🐾💚

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Category: Skin and Coat Health