Itchy Skin and Skin Allergies

 

Walk In Clinic for Animals is open every evening, from 7pm – 10:30pm

0482 092 824
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Itchy Skin and Skin Allergies

at Walk In Clinic for Animals
Itchy skin in pets is a common problem here in Canberra. Left untreated, it can be incredibly frustrating for owners and very uncomfortable for pets. It’s important to understand the underlying causes of itchy skin prior to treatment, as often there is medical problem that requires addressing before the itch can be stopped.

Itchy skin can be caused by several conditions such as allergies (including environmental, food or parasite allergies like Flea Allergic Dermatitis), bacterial or fungal infections, atopy and autoimmune conditions, parasite infestations, certain diseases, medications and environmental irritants like chemicals.

Walk In Clinic For Animals - Itchy Skin and Skin Allergies
Given Canberra is the allergy capital of Australia for humans, it’s not surprising our furry friends can also suffer from allergies, particularly to grasses. To determine the underlying cause of your pet’s itchy skin, our vets will perform a comprehensive exam including a full body check and possibly skin scrapings or tape preparations of the skin, swabs and blood tests.

Fortunately, depending on the cause, there are many treatments available now to treat itchy skin and skin allergies in pets. These include medicated shampoos and conditioners, topical medications such as creams and sprays, oral medications such as steroids, immune modulating drugs and anti-histamines, environmental control such as avoiding heavily grassed areas and changing shampoos and, in the case of food allergies, dietary change. There are many low or no-allergen commercial diets available to pets these days, which makes treating food allergies just a little simpler.

If you have a pet that always gets a bit itchy around the same time each year, or has a problem with recurrent ear infections, or often gets red on their belly and underarms, or licks their paws a lot, visit one of our vets this evening to figure out what’s going on and finally get them (and you) some relief!