Why does a dog itch if there are no fleas: causes and their treatment

Hello! At the moment, I don’t have any pets, but several years ago a wonderful doggie lived with me.

I didn’t have a soul in him. Once I was excited that the dog began to constantly itch. My first suspicion was related to fleas.

But this assumption turned out to be wrong - it was not possible to detect fleas. In order not to risk it again, I decided to consult a veterinarian. Already with its help, it was possible to establish the true cause of this behavior of the dog. Want to know why a dog itches if there are no fleas? I’ll tell you everything in the article below.

My dog is constantly itching, how can I help her?

Recently, a friend called me in the evening and asked: the dog is constantly itching, what should I do? But really, what can we do to help a dog without a veterinarian? In principle, itching usually does not lead to sudden death, so you can indulge.

Important!

I think that considering all the reasons because of which the dog has an acute desire to scratch himself does not make sense, let the doctors do this. It will be more interesting for us to find out how we can help ourselves when the dog is constantly itching.

So, make a little itchy guide

Let's look for fleas

I think everyone saw these parasites, but if you do not find them, this does not mean that they are not. In this case, look for black crumbs on the skin that look like dirt - these are flea excrement.

To make sure of this, do a little experiment. You need to put these crumbs on a white sheet of paper and wet it, if it is really a flea cocoa, then a red speck will appear around the grain. There is blood in the feces of fleas.

Fleas are interesting insects; some species do not even have to constantly live on a dog. For example, the so-called herbal or crevice fleas can be found in the house, they have many names. These parasites do not care who they bite, they do not disdain a person.

And it’s interesting that when a dog has an increased sensitivity to a flea bite, then one or two bites are enough for itching to manifest and the allergic process continues.

Let's talk about ass again

Many people know about the paraanal glands, but not many attach great importance to them, but in vain. Despite the popularity of the canals among dog lovers, nevertheless, they are not so often mentioned in special literature. Well, it may be brief, without a description of their functions and effects on the body.

Already in my own practice I was convinced that regular cleaning of these glands helps to reduce the skin's reaction to various irritants, or removes it altogether.

Advice!

Moreover, the rehabilitation of the glands has a positive effect on the production of earwax. Recently, my colleague at the forum mentioned this, he also, when the dog is constantly itching, cleansed the anal glands and in most cases sought to reduce itching.

I think later someone will figure out what exactly is the matter here, but for now, I recommend that you see that your dog is constantly itching, so we clean the anteroluses. Regardless of the cause of itching. If once again remove the secret of the anal glands there will be no harm.

Food

A common cause of itching in a dog is poor feeding. Especially when they give a lot of carbohydrates in the form of sweets, gingerbread cookies, rolls and other tasty gizmos.

It is also not advisable to feed the dog with cereals containing a lot of gluten, for example, wheat (many people call it dog porridge), semolina, everyone's favorite oatmeal and corn.

Well, dogs don’t have enzymes for digesting plant foods and a lot of carbohydrates, because of this digestion problems begin. A digestive disorder leads to disruptions in the liver, so some metabolic products accumulate in the skin, which intensifies or causes itching. So that the dog does not itch constantly, you need to properly feed it, the right food.

Anxiety

An unfavorable situation in the house or an incorrect attitude to the animal can cause baldness, itching and an obsessive desire to lick paws and other parts of the body. Bad screams, loud music, TV and so on.

So, we have examined the main reasons that can cause a dog to have an acute desire to scratch himself, well, maybe they forgot to mention worms. Worms can also, leads to itchy skin, we learn how to deal with them in one of the future articles.

Attention!

When the dog is constantly itching, we need to act from simple to complex, that is, find fleas, organize proper feeding, clean your ass, and remove stress. And then if these actions did not help, but in most cases they help or at least reduce the desire to scratch, then contact the doctor and dig further with him.

Look for parasites, hormonal imbalances, allergies, and so on. That is, it is not necessary to immediately seek and treat an unknown virus or an incomprehensible exotic sore.

And even if you find a serious sore, the listed rules will not be superfluous at all.

The dog itches and bites itself. Is it an allergy?

If your dog itches in his spare time, she has itchy skin or it feels uncomfortable, causing the dog to itch and bite itself, then this condition is caused by chemical reactions that occur in the skin and stimulate the nerves, causing the brain to feel.

In fact, the act of scabies itself can stimulate inflammatory reactions in the skin and create adverse conditions for the dog to recover.

When your dog itches and you don’t know what to do, if you are looking for advice on the Internet in the forums, we recommend that you do not self-medicate and experiment with your favorite dog, because the consequences of your experiment may disappoint you and your family.

Any inflammation on the skin can cause itching! The intensity of the itch depends on how it affects the health of your dog. Mild itching can hardly have any negative effect whatsoever. However, severe itching, when the dog is very itchy, leads to deep scratches, which can lead to painful skin lesions, where the dog will infect.

If the dog often itches, it can provoke her to whine, cry and she will have trouble sleeping.

Important!

Each dog has its own itch threshold (scabies threshold). This is the point at which the source of itching leads to a degree of irritation sufficient to cause an irresistible urge to scratch.

The dog begins to scratch when the desire to do so exceeds this threshold. For example, a dog with a mild (low) allergy to house dust may have a low sensitivity threshold and therefore will begin to scratch itself severely.

Itching may be associated with other skin diseases, including bacterial infections of the skin (pyoderma) and fungal infections. But basically, itching in a dog is the main symptom of skin diseases, such as allergies and skin parasites.

What are allergic skin diseases in dogs that provoke a dog to itch?

Flea Allergy is the most common allergic skin disease. Flea-allergy dogs tend to scratch their back, hind legs, tail, and stomach. In order for a dog to start reacting and scratching itself, one flea is enough.
Atopy is a reaction to allergens such as pollen, house dust and ticks living in house dust and mold. Dogs with atopy tend to scratch their ears and face, and nibble and lick their paws. This condition usually worsens during the summer months when pollen and mold levels increase.
A food allergy is a reaction to one or more ingredients in food. Dogs, as a rule, scratch the same places as in the case of atopy.
Allergy to insects (increased sensitivity to insect bites) is less common than other allergies. The dog scratches in areas where insects, such as bees, have bitten it (back of nose, ears).
Contact is a reaction to an irritant that comes in contact with a dog’s skin (usually in the abdomen or chest). Allergies of this type are very rare.

What are the causes of itching in a dog:

Scabies is a condition of severely itchy skin caused by a sarcoptic mite. Lesions occur on the ears, elbows and hocks (ankles);
Demodecosis is caused by the demodex tick. As a rule, this is a disease of young dogs, which leads to significant hair loss and dermatitis. Often this disease is not accompanied by itching, but can lead to a secondary bacterial infection of the skin (pyoderma), which can cause itching in the dog;
Fleas can cause itching in dogs. The degree of itching is less severe;
The fur mite provokes itchy skin. It affects, as a rule, the upper back. These ticks are sometimes visible to the naked eye and look like small, white spots;
An ear mite causes itching in the ears of dogs and sometimes in other places on the body;
Lice are small insects that are easy to see with the naked eye, and they also cause itching.

What are other reasons for itching?

Acute wet dermatitis, also known as hot spots. It has the appearance of moist redness. This is a bacterial infection of the skin that can cause severe itching, causing the dog to lick or nibble on the affected area, which further damages the skin and also creates permanent itching. In this case, scratching occurs because the dog constantly bites itself;
Pyoderma is an infection of the skin that can cause severe skin itching in a dog. Pyoderma can be superficial or deep and often secondary to another skin disease;
Ear infection (otitis media) can lead to severe itching of the head. Infected dogs shake their heads and scratch their ears.

What are the symptoms of itching?

The dog scratches itself or bites itself. If this continues for more than one day and leads to lesions, such as hair loss, redness of the skin and obvious pain or discomfort, the dog should be shown to the veterinarian;
The dog constantly licks its paws. This is also a symptom of itching.

What help do vets usually give a dog that constantly scratches itself?

The key to treating itching is identifying and treating the underlying cause. The veterinarian may need some diagnostic tests to determine the cause of the itching. Symptoms can be alleviated with medication, but itching often resumes even after treatment is complete.

Home care

Your help at home will help prevent itching by keeping your dog's coat clean. Consult your veterinarian about a flea elimination program.If you treat your dog’s itching at home, give all the prescribed medications on time and follow all the instructions prescribed by the veterinarian.

What to do if the dog itches

Many inexperienced dog owners are tormented by the question - what to do if the dog starts to itch actively. Go to the store and immediately buy a flea remedy or is it better to go to the vet? It is immediately clear that not only fleas can be the cause of itching. Therefore, first you need to understand is the catalyst, but the treatment is already selected.

Causes of irritation

There are a fairly large number of causes that can cause itching. First of all, of course, it is necessary to take into account parasitic diseases, that is, fleas and ticks.

The likelihood that fleas are the cause of itching is often underestimated. This is because these small pests are not visible on the dog, but still they often create discomfort for the pet. An allergic reaction to flea saliva causes itching. For animals that have a strong sensitivity to flea saliva, sometimes a few bites are enough to start an allergic reaction.

It is also necessary to carry out scrapings in order to identify ticks. This is an effective method for identifying the causes of itching. But still there is a special type of tick that is the causative agent of sarcoptosis (itchy scabies) in dogs. This type of small creature can be found only in 40% of scrapings.

But still, the doctor can determine the disease according to the signs that a pet has. He will prescribe a treatment that will 100% relieve ticks and will not bring any harm to the animal.

Another thing to keep in mind is that microflora is always present on the skin, that is, very small quantities of fungi and bacteria. In the case of a normal state of the body and the absence of skin diseases, they do not cause any problems. But against the background of any disease, the number of these organisms increases, which complicates the already complex condition of the skin.

Advice!

Fungal and bacterial inflammation of the skin in dogs is very common, and since these microorganisms cause itching, the veterinarian may order a smear examination of the affected areas. With this analysis, he will be able to confirm or exclude a preliminary cause of the disease.

If the options listed above are excluded, then most likely the dog is dealing with allergies. In these animals, it can be of two types: food and non-food. In order to make a diagnosis, the doctor looks at the history of the disease, as well as the results of skin tests and examination of the patient, compares them, and, if necessary, prescribes further diagnosis.

You need to understand that it is difficult for the doctor to find out exactly which allergy the dog has, since they have similar symptoms, namely redness, calculations and itching. And in order to treat them, different drugs are needed. Therefore, it is important to understand which allergy the veterinarian is dealing with.

To date, there are no tests to determine each type of allergy. Therefore, the diagnostic stage is stretched for a long time and its algorithm is to exclude different types of allergies. This process starts from a food allergy using an exclusive diet that lasts from six to eight weeks.

The diet consists of industrial or domestic feed, which includes products that are new to the pet. After all, an allergy does not depend on the amount of allergen that the body receives. Because of this, nothing else can be given to the dog; this also applies to treats and vitamins. At the end of the diet, a “provocation” is made, that is, a transition to the previous feeding is carried out.

In the event that with the help of the diet the redness and itching disappeared or simply decreased, and after the introduction of the previous meal they resumed, then it was the cause of the itching. Further, the method of treatment and prevention will be the intake of dietary food for life.

But as practice shows, food allergy does not have a very large number of manifestations, veterinarians are much more likely to deal with non-food allergies. Given this option, signs of allergies cannot pass.

Non-food allergies, also called atopic dermatitis, can be obtained using environmental allergens, for example, from spores of fungi, house dust mites, pollen and others. It is impossible to cure such an allergy, since allergens will be present in the environment all the time, but with the help of drug therapy it is possible to reduce itching and ensure a normal quality of life for the animal.

Attention!

The exotic cause of itching can be called psychogenic licking. It is characterized by stereotypical, repetitive behavior, and it arises mainly due to inattention on the part of the owners, during hyperreactivity and in moments of stressful situations. German dogs, Dobermans, Labrador Retriever, Irish Setters, and German Shepherds are predisposed to this behavior.

Occasionally, other causes of itching may also occur, rare diseases, the diagnosis of which should be thorough and competent.

Dog Itching

For the treatment of itching, depending on its causes, various agents can be used.

Antihistamines. Histamine is a biological agent and a major mediator of inflammation in humans. But for dogs, it is not the main cause of inflammation, because the use of drugs that block it is not as reliable as we would like.

For dogs, itching control in the case of antihistamines is 40% effective. At the same time, several types of antihistamines are also tested, each of which the owner should be given for two weeks. This is necessary in order to find the best option.

Antihistamines also have side effects, primarily drowsiness. But still this is a milder option than the systemic changes that will necessarily occur when taking corticosteroids.

It should also be noted that the mutual use of corticosteroids together with antihistamines will reduce the amount of the hormone that controls itching.

Fatty Acid Enrichment. After the anti-inflammatory effect of fish oil and evening primrose oil in humans was discovered, this led to the appearance of similar products that give the same effect for animals.

Important!

These include only natural preparations that have the effect of anti-inflammatory drugs, relieve cramps and itching, as well as reduce joint pain.

If we talk about the effectiveness of this tool for dogs, it helps in the range of 10% and 25% of cases. Therefore, this method can be used if it is combined with antihistamines in order to increase the total treatment.

Outdoor facilities

In the case of using various solutions for treating inflamed skin, it must be borne in mind that cool water in itself soothes diseased skin.

Applications with oats and colloidal shampoos. Initially, these funds were used in cosmetology and were in the composition of bath fillers in the form of a powder. But after people learned about their anti-inflammatory effect, veterinarians also started using them. Using colloidal oatmeal, you can pull off the toxins that cause burning sensation.

This gives a few days of relief of the dog. Applications using oats are more effective drugs, which suggests that they can be used with local anesthetics.

Solutions with sulfur. Solutions with sulfur help to destroy skin parasites, cure bacterial skin lesions and dermatomycosis.I would also like to note the improvement of the skin areas that are affected by weeping eczema and the dissolution of proteins involved in the allergic reaction located in the surface layers of the skin.

Veterinarians also note that if you regularly use such solutions, there will be certain inconveniences. For example, they have a terrible smell and the room where this procedure will be performed will preserve it. Also, if a sulfur solution gets on clothes, it will become colored. But the color of the white coat will change to yellow.

Shampoos. Returning to the causes of itching in dogs, we recall that yeast and bacteria, skin parasites, and excess skin fats are factors that can cause itchy skin.

Advice!

To treat its causes, there are a huge number of ways to rinse and shampoo.

In the event that you intend to use these funds, then for them the minimum time for application is 10 minutes. In the event that the product is washed off earlier, then the therapeutic effect will not be achieved.

Groups of drugs for the treatment of pruritus

Below are the most common groups of drugs that fight itching and its causes.

Gummyl Sprays. These are moisturizers that are used both as sprays and as aqueous solutions. They should be used with dry skin, but they can be used in conjunction with sulfur-based fluids. They naturally dry on the skin, after which they cause a healing effect.

Colloidal Oatmeal Lotions and Sprays. The principle of their action is the same as in gummilak sprays. Preparations based on oats do not lose their popularity and can be bought as creams, rinses, shampoos, sprays and lotions.

Sunburn Remedies. They have an obvious anti-inflammatory effect in both humans and animals. To increase the effectiveness of processing dogs, it is advisable to use lotions and sprays.

Aloe gels. Such a medicine can be prepared at home as a shampoo or a similar remedy. In pharmacies you can buy aliment liniment. But for fairness it should be noted that there is no shortage of funds on the market that contain aloe in their composition, but they are not as effective as we would like.

In the event that a real scarlet is used, it contains enzymes that destroy proteins, which take part in the mechanism of inflammation. They also accelerate skin healing and are not harmful to animals.

Attention!

The use of corticosteroids. For an animal, severe itching spoils all life and you need to understand that corticosteroids can help avoid this. They are a tool to reduce the pain and suffering of the animal. You also need to know that they form an important part of therapy aimed at treating itchy skin.

But still, due to the poor effect of steroids on the body, it is worth avoiding prolonged use of steroids. As practice shows, for a complete cure, a long term is still needed, which forces the use of special therapeutic protocols.

Despite the fact that corticosteroid hormones have a large number of side effects and their use is extremely undesirable, they are an indispensable tool against severe allergic itching.

And finally, we note that today there are corticosteroid drugs for external use. They act without being absorbed through the skin, and because of which there is no negative effect on the body. In the event that the doctor does not see specific contraindications, such funds can be applied to small areas. After all, it’s stupid to put off an effective and non-harmful medicine.

Looking for dangerous symptoms

Itching is one of the most annoying and uncomfortable sensations not only for people, but also for pets.

If your dog itches with alarming regularity, it is worth taking a closer look at its behavior and appearance, perhaps this is not a harmless scratching, but a symptom of impending problems.

Sometimes the causes of itching lie on the surface, and the owner does not take them into account, more often, to determine the root causes of itching, it is necessary to undergo examinations and identify the causative agent using the “test method”.

Too obvious to notice

It is a very common situation when the owner takes the pet to the clinics, submits costly tests, the veterinarian “fights” in search of reasons, and as a result, the dog itches even stronger only from the stress experienced. Therefore, before contacting the clinic, we will consider the most harmless causes of itching.

Fleas, lice, ticks are blood-sucking parasites that cause itching and carry infections. Even if the dog is treated for parasites, but it is very itchy and nibbles itself, carefully inspect the coat and undercoat. Hypothetically, there may be only a few fleas or lice, so look for parasite eggs.

Important!

Any examination is carried out in the standard algorithm - carefully feel the exposed skin, examine the auricles, abdomen, the area under the collar, the folds between the fingers - all places that are not protected by the undercoat. After feeling the sides, back and neck.

In case of detection of parasites - do not postpone and treat the animal again, without taking into account the time elapsed since the last treatment. Perhaps a poor-quality or weak drug has come across. Pay special attention to the prevention of ticks, they infect the dog with pyroplasmosis, an extremely dangerous blood disease that quickly affects the dog's kidneys and liver.

If you managed to detect parasites, roughly speaking - you were lucky, the problem is easily solved and the pet will be completely disinfected for 2-3 days. Why a dog itches if there are no fleas is a more complex issue and requires comprehensive consideration.

The first common cause is stress. Remember one of the difficult periods of your life when you went to bed and felt as if ants were running under your skin or a sheet covered with sand. The head and the whole body began to itch, while hair loss was observed, and overall well-being was far from “not a fountain”. Dogs react in exactly the same way, only their feelings are stronger.

This is especially true for choleric, non-stereo-resistant decorative pets and dogs employed in the service. If the dog, especially before bedtime, asks for scratching the abdomen or exposed areas of the skin, it shows signs of general anxiety.

The sleep is restless and at the same time, the pet’s hair is climbing - most likely, the reason is nervous overexcitation. Provide the animal with peace and plentiful food, refuse group walks, in the literal sense - protect from children or new family members. The dog is adapting, but it needs time.

The itching that occurs after washing is guaranteed to be associated with poor quality water or detergent. The skin of the pet is more tender and more susceptible to irritation, so frequent bathing is contraindicated for dogs. If the dog has dandruff and itches its body, eliminate shampoo and bathe your pet with clean water. This will protect the skin's natural lubrication from damage, but will remove dirt and dust.

Allergy is the most serious deviation in terms of identifying root causes. If the dog's paws and face are itchy, skin reactions, nasal discharge, brittle hair are observed - there is a possibility of allergies.

Advice!

The difficulty is that almost the entire environment contains allergens - food, household chemicals, dust, pollen, natural wool, polymers, metals, building materials, fabrics, air emissions.

It is rather difficult to determine what the pet’s body responds to. In the veterinary clinic, a set of tests is performed, in case of failure, the substance causing the allergy is determined by exception.

An average family living in a three-room apartment on their own brings about 120 allergens to the house, including dust on shoes, and old buildings can be allergenic on their own. If you suspect a pet allergy, stock up on antihistamines and act. Gradually, you will find the reason.

Itching as a symptom of a possible pet disease

No officially registered deaths from pruritus have been observed, but the possibility of serious complications due to blood poisoning or a weakened immune system cannot be denied.

A healthy dog does not itch chronically, no one forbids lazily scratching his ear after sleep. A pet tearing with claws or gnawing at the skin is an occasion to immediately contact a veterinary clinic. A brief list of possible diseases below.

Lichen or subcutaneous tick - infection with fungi or parasites. Symptoms are the same for both cases: the primary lesion is the muzzle and forepaws, the animal itches, the skin patches bald, and sometimes bald spots are in the form of circles.

How to treat depends on the nature of the disease and the severity of the lesion. In any case, it is necessary to consult a veterinarian and make tests to identify the pathogen, fungi and parasites are treated with different drugs.

Wet and Dry Eczema - a disease from which no one is safe. The causative agents of eczema are constantly in the blood of the dog and are suppressed by the immune system. The primary symptoms are expressed only by severe itching, while the dog itches to the blood, gnaws the coat. As a result, either a bare area of dry scaly skin in the growths is formed, or a bleeding wound.

Risk areas: tail bases, sections behind the ears, sides, armpits. Treatment is selected individually, depending on the season of the year, the general condition of the body and the degree of damage.

Attention!

Seborrhea - a disease that may be a symptom of a disease or a genetic abnormality. Due to the constant scratching of one place, the affected area goes bald, the skin thickens, becomes covered with a rough crust with scales. Due to the fact that seborrhea is more often a symptom of a progressive disease, the pet must be examined, at least - taken to the clinic for examination.

"Greasy tail" - accompanied by severe itching in the sacrum and anus. Within a few days after the onset of the first symptoms, black spots - blackheads - are clearly visible on the skin. In the case of a lesion under the tail, the dog can "ride" on carpets or asphalt in a sitting position (the same symptom is observed with lesions by worms).

In the progressive stage, the affected areas are bald, the dog's back and base of the tail are constantly itching, blackheads can spread to the auricles and abdomen. There is only one way out - regular cleaning of the pores and keeping the dog in accordance with the rules of hygiene.

Ear diseases - accompanied by itching, wet ear discharge, crusts, an unpleasant odor, up to the ear canal overgrowth. If otitis media, neoplasms and ticks are excluded, then the causes of itching lie much deeper, most likely, the dog has an autoimmune disease or an internal inflammatory process.

Depending on the medical history of the pet, the doctor prescribes an examination: scraping - detection of fungi and bacteria, blood analysis - checking the level of leukocytes, ultrasound - with suspected organ failure, kidney stone formation, inflammatory processes.

Endometritis - chronic inflammation of the uterus. Symptoms: the dog itches and drinks a lot, leukocytes in the blood are elevated, the body temperature is normal or elevated, lethargy is observed, at first the appetite and the condition of the coat are normal. A special risk group is untied thoroughbred females of advanced age.

The diagnosis is confirmed by ultrasound. At the stage of manifestation of the "full picture" it is stopped only by surgery - removal of the uterus, sometimes the ovaries.

Itching can be a symptom of many more diseases and abnormalities.In combination with vomiting and increased salivation, itching may indicate poisoning. Excessive exposure to the sun can cause itching due to skin burns that are not visible to the eye.

If the dog, in addition to itching, has dehydration, a change in the base body temperature or behavioral abnormalities, write down your observations and consult a doctor at least by phone.

Why does the dog constantly itch ears, eyes and what to do to the owner?

The dog often itches due to itching in certain places. It can scratch her nose, ears, region of the muzzle, neck, shoulder, side.

The reasons that the dog is constantly itching can be quite a lot.

Causes of itching

First of all, these are parasitic insects visible by the eye: lice, fleas, and lice-eaters. You can independently inspect the animal in search of these parasites, it is enough to push the hair apart. If black grains are found on the skin, then these are fleas.

Important!

If transparent bubbles are visible on the hairs, we are talking about lice. You can notice the hair loss by the results of its wrecking - on the dog’s body you can see places where the hair looks like evenly trimmed. Here the dog is constantly scratching.

Ticks that are invisible to the eye also cause severe itching, which cause a variety of diseases: linguatulosis (the tick settles in the dog’s nose), otodectosis (the tick is localized in the ears).

With itchy scabies (sarcaptosis), a microscopic tick deeply damages the skin and causes persistent severe itching. The dog actively itches at night. Such a condition leads the animal to nervous and physical exhaustion, it cannot eat and can even die.

Heyletiosis is caused by a tick living on the surface of the skin. On dark hair they are visible as moving dander. That is, if in addition to itching, the dog has dandruff, it is worth taking a closer look at it, if it is a tick. If the dog not only itches, but also has hair loss, food allergies can be suspected.

It is worth remembering if something has changed in the diet of the animal recently. This applies to both natural nutrition and dry food. With similar symptoms, a dangerous disease such as demodicosis or red scabies also occurs. With it, purulent inflammation of the skin often joins the itch.

Lesions of the skin and coat begin on the outside of the forelimbs. They are red in appearance, and the hair falls out. To determine the pathogen, it is urgently necessary to scrap the skin.

What to do?

What to do if a dog’s ears, eyes, face, paws or other parts of the body are constantly itching?

If lice, fleas, or lice eaters are found, the dog, as well as the floor in the aviary or apartment, must be treated with a solution of neostomozan, butox, and so on.
After treatment, after 5 days you need to put on a dog a special flea collar.
If there is a suspicion of linguatulosis, otodecosis, sarcaptosis, and helethiosis, it is better to consult a veterinarian for an accurate diagnosis and the appointment of a correct diagnosis.
You can’t do without a specialist when identifying an allergen or suspecting demodicosis.

Why does an animal itch, but no fleas? Reasons and treatment

If the dog is very itchy, you can not leave it unattended, even if there are no fleas on its coat, itching can be a symptom of a serious illness.

Advice!

In addition, combing the irritated area, the animal can create wounds on the body through which the infection enters the bloodstream.

Before using this or that treatment, it is necessary to establish why the dog itches if it does not have fleas.

When a dog itches, but no fleas are found, the reasons may be:

The activity of ectoparasites;
Food and non-food allergies;
Infectious diseases.

Combing the skin in the area of irritation not only injures the skin, but also causes hair loss, the animal's body becomes a favorable environment for dandruff and infectious fungi. At the same time, itching itself can only be a symptom of one of very serious diseases:

Thyroid disease;
Helminth infections;
Inflammatory processes in the ear;
Breast cancer
Fungal lesions;
Lymphosarcoma in old animals;
Hematoma of the ear.

Allergy

Why does a dog itch if it does not have fleas? The cause may be a food allergy. With an allergic reaction of the body to any food ingredients, the pet begins to comb its ears, head, and tail.

Redness of the skin is observed in the groin, armpits, on the stomach, may be accompanied by a rash, patches of skin with wet surfaces. It should be noted that food allergies are not subject to such a factor as seasonality. Both a small puppy and an adult dog can undergo an allergic reaction to food.

But not only food allergies cause skin itching; in spring and summer, atopic dermatitis occurs in young animals aged one to three years. The dog is very itchy during contact allergies, as a result of prolonged use of medications, for example, ear drops - in this case, the dog begins to comb his ears, and the resulting wounds become a great place for the infection to join.

In no case should you establish a diagnosis yourself and, moreover, give any drugs as a treatment. Only a veterinarian can prescribe medications, otherwise you can not only not achieve a positive effect, but also provoke a deterioration in the well-being of the pet.

When diagnosing an allergy, the veterinarian cannot immediately determine its type, since similar symptoms have similar symptoms. But for different types of allergies, different drugs are prescribed, which is why proper diagnosis is important.

Attention!

To date, no analysis scheme has been developed to identify the character; the species is identified by a certain algorithm, which takes some time.

The process includes a special diet - to identify food allergies. If the regulation of nutrition allows you to get rid of the symptoms, then the diet lasts for life. In the case when redness and itching do not go away, atopic dermatitis takes place. Medicines are prescribed for the treatment of atopic dermatitis.

Ectoparasites

When the dog itches, but there are no fleas, it is highly likely that the skin was affected by ectoparasites. Most often, external parasites such as lice, lice-eaters, as well as ticks causing thrombosis, demodecosis, ixodidosis, and ear scabies are found in animals. Cheyletiella mites cause cheyletiellosis, the puppy is more susceptible to it, unlike an adult dog.

Itchy itch. If the animal itches, but there are no fleas, similar symptoms can be caused by itchy itching. With this form of ectoparasite, the dog scratches the skin area in the groin, auricles, between the fingers, on the stomach.

Vlasoed. Lice eaters and lice infect dogs of all ages. Lice-eaters (poohoedy) feed on the fluff and scales of the skin, while lice feed on the blood of the victim. Parasites are localized on the head, neck, along the spine. Concomitant symptoms are dullness and brittle coat, rash. In the wool you can find the parasites themselves and their eggs, similar to white groats.

Thrombiculides (reds). Not only fleas cause itching in dogs, the cause may be thrombiculide ticks. These ectoparasites are quite easy to distinguish from others, the larvae of the microorganism are located around the eyes, lips, on the inner surface of the auricles, as well as on the abdomen.

The skin in these places may become covered with bloody wounds. At the combing site, the skin is not only blushing, but also covered with pustules.

Demodecosis in dogs. Similar symptoms appear as a result of demodicosis, it is a parasitic disease. It manifests itself in different ways, from small bald patches, more often in the area of paws, around the eyes, to complete baldness, ulcers are possible. Purebred dogs are the most susceptible to the disease - bulldogs, sharpei and pugs. A puppy can get this disease from the mother.

Important!

Ixodidosis (tick-borne toxicosis). Ixodidosis develops against the background of the activity of the ixodid tick, ectoparasite bites into the ears of the animal, inguinal region, and the inner side of the thighs. These parasites feed on blood, while their body grows in size, causing itching, and edema occurs at the site of its introduction.

Ear scabies. When pruritus is a concern, but no fleas are observed, there is a possibility of damage to the skin of the dog by the Otodectes tick. This microorganism predominantly populates the auditory canals of the dog and causes ear scabies.

Dog Itching

Even if fleas were not found in dogs, treatment of pruritus should be mandatory. Only a veterinarian can prescribe therapy after a thorough examination of the animal and analysis of the diagnostic results.

Depending on the cause of the itch, the specialist prescribes various medications and medicines:

Antihistamines - used to treat non-food allergies and atopic dermatitis;
Anti-inflammatory external drugs - reduce itching and swelling, improve the well-being of the animal;
Colloidal shampoos - has an anti-inflammatory effect, delays toxins that cause burning and redness of the skin;
Solutions with sulfur - destroy skin parasites, eliminate bacterial lesions of the skin, accelerate wound healing;
Aloe gel - stimulate skin healing;
Corticosteroids - drugs of this action are prescribed for severe itching to reduce pain and calm the dog. However, prolonged use of corticosteroids is not permissible due to negative side effects.

As a preventive measure, it is important to monitor the hygiene of the animal, wash the litter, and prevent contact with street dogs. In addition, all diseases should be treated on time, do not forget about preventive vaccinations.

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Why does a dog itch if there are no fleas: causes, symptoms, treatment