Common Reasons Why Dog Scratch

Dogs, just like you and me, can have lots of illnesses and conditions throughout their lives. Of course, there are several diseases or conditions which are not harmful to humans, some illnesses have been shown to be identical to humans. I cannot emphasize more on the importance of having periodical health check on your animal at a specialist. But you don't have to bring your dog to the vet for every little itch like you wouldn't go to the doctor at every sneeze. It this important you learn to recognize some of the most common health diseases or conditions dogs can have that can lead to itchiness and scratching, in order to give them the treatment they need.

FLEAS
 
No matter how much I love nature, it sure a real drama is when my dog has fleas, and I bet it is the same for you! Those little critters can be found anywhere, and though you live in a city, you could still have to battle fleas on your dog.
What are fleas? Fleas are bloodsucking bugs who belong to the order Siphonaptera which means 'wingless siphon', a meaningful description. There are over two thousands species of fleas. These bugs prefer to live separately and usually don't breed with another species. Flea problems are serious because of their direct effects on animals (and people) and because of the diseases they can transmit.
Other than exasperating your dog, there are other health repercussions to having fleas. For example, only one single bite can sometimes lead your dog to unbearable itching, or in order words, flea-allergy dermatitis (FAD). In worst cases, too much itching and scratching can cause harmful sores. The raw skin becomes also very vulnerable to bacterial infections (ka-ching.... vet bills!).

Another major health problems related to flea infestations is that fleas can become harmful if they carry worms and epidemics, including tapeworms, which can infest your pet. If you see tiny oval particles around in the dog's feces, he probably has tapeworms. Fleas can even transmit diseases to humans. Did you know that Yersinia pestis, which cause the plague, can be transmitted by fleas?

What is quite really exasperating with those little monsters is that your dog can get them at any time of the year. Unlike mosquitoes which can be virtually non-existent in winter, fleas have the ability to survive without a host. As a matter of fact, not only, the male and the female flea both feed off animals, fleas also have the advantage to go without a meal for extended periods of time. Luckily for us, they can't live for very long in high altitude areas.

ALLERGIES

When your dog has allergies, it means that its immune system is hypersensitive to the common substance in their environment, such as dust mites or mold (just like humans!). Atopic Dermatitis is an allergic skin disease that usually appears within the first two years of a dog's life. Then, your puppy might be chewing its skin like crazy, creating skin lesions on the broken skin, sores that cause infections, bad skin odors, and lots of pain.

Dog allergies are somewhat similar to that of humans. Lots of allergens lead to lots histamines blablabla and atchooo. Well not in the dog, while allergic humans may often sneeze, wheeze or even have serious respiratory difficulties, canine allergic reactions often feature skin problems, worsened by their primary symptom-itching and scratching. Allergies can also create stomach and intestinal problems, which can include vomiting and diarrhea, and ear infections.

Canine allergies are in three main categories: flea allergic dermatitis, atopic allergy, and food allergy. And some pets can be affected by one or more allergies and some breed seem to be more prone to allergies.

So ensure you do your homework when you see your dog scratching. Does he have fleas, or is he allergic to your food? You can find more information on my website (which you will find the details below). I have many articles that will cover how to diagnose and treat inhalant, food, and flea allergies. But make sure to consult with your vet first (I'm still just a writer!).

Don’t forget that a healthy dog is a happy dog. There much more health problems in dogs, such as dental health. This is why you should read and learn about what types of conditions or health problems your dog can go through. If you have your dog checked for health problems and never forgets to give him quality food and a lot of exercises, your dog will give you back the best present he can give you: his affection.