Although our pets can have itchy skin, feet, face or ears just about any time of the year, the summer
months seem to be the time we see the most problems at BVC. Since I started BVC in 1981 a lot has
been learned about why our pets scratch themselves and drive their owners crazy. Since skin issues are
the #1 reason for a pet to be seen by a veterinarian it is important for pet owners to understand not
only what can cause skin problems in your pets but also what you can do to help prevent the problem from getting out of hand. Most of the signs we see come from an allergy. The following are the things you should look for in your pet.

 Frequent licking, chewing, biting or scratching
 Excessive rolling, rubbing or scooting
 Recurrent ear problems
 Hair loss
 Body odor
 Rash, redness, greasy skin or scabs.

The real problem comes when you try to find out what your pet is allergic to and if it is at all possible to remove the allergen from their environment. If the problem ends up being a certain type of food
(usually the protein source), that is completely under the pet owner’s control. However, two of the most common allergens in Central Coast California are eucalyptus trees and rye grasses. Those are virtually impossible to remove from our environment.

In the past, fleas were a major cause of allergies in the patients seen at BVC. But in the last couple of decades great strides have been made in safe and effective flea control, often only having to be
administered monthly. Call the clinic if you have any questions concerning controlling external parasites in your pets. In our rural valley fleas and ticks will be forever present but can now be controlled safely. Food allergies are probably as common in dogs as they are in humans. They can cause many irritating habits in your pets such as licking paws, chronically infected ears or recurring GI upsets. The most common way to test for food allergies is by feeding an elimination diet for up to 12 weeks and then gradually adding back in certain foods one at a time to see if the symptoms recur. This is often difficult to achieve, especially in multiple pet households.

Contact allergies to things such as bedding, household cleaners, shampoos, plants or insecticides are often hard to nail down. They often present with a rash and itching especially on the stomach, chest and feet where the contact may occur. If the owner is able to do a little sleuthing on their own and figure it out, this type of allergy can sometimes be eliminated completely.

By far the most common allergy is to environmental allergens. Called atopy in veterinary medicine it is similar to asthma in that it is often due to inhalation of the allergen. But similarities stop there. Difficulty breathing is not one of the more common signs of atopy. Rather it causes rashes, itching, overall redness, hair loss and eventually secondary skin infections if left untreated. These can be the most difficult to treat and often times can’t be cured, only controlled. Luckily the veterinary pharmaceutical companies recognize how common this problem is and are constantly doing research leading to better and safer ways to treat your pet. This is particularly important since often the treatment is a life-long necessity. For years when I first started practicing we used both injectable and oral steroids to control the uncomfortable itching and scratching seen in these pets. Although effective, steroids have many undesirable side effects, especially with long term use. The newer medications work by blocking the histamine response to the allergen that goes to the brain to tell your pet he or she itches. These medications can be used long term with few side effects. In combination with medicated shampoos and antibiotics if needed for secondary infection, these pets can lead a comfortable “itch free” life.

All three of our doctors are well versed in treating “the itch”. Call for an appointment if you see your pet has any of the signs mentioned above.