Dogs who scratch and itch are often miserable. Their skin may be red and they may have gaping wounds and hot spots where they itch. There's good news, though. You can determine what is causing your dog to scratch and stop the itch.
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Types
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Scratching obviously has to do with itchy skin. Your dog may itch due to food allergies, contact allergies, flea allergy dermatitis or other auto-immune problems.
Features
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Most contact allergies occur because your dog's skin came into contact with something he was allergic to like shampoo or maybe laundry detergent and his bedding. Food allergies occur over time; flea allergy dermatitis occurs when the dog has a reaction to fleas.
Identification
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You can identify flea allergy dermatitis by the presence of fleas and flea feces (black grains that turn red when wet); contact allergies by washing your dog with a hypoallergenic shampoo and removing offending bedding and washing it with hypoallergenic soap. Food allergies will need help from your veterinarian.
Considerations
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Your veterinarian may be able to prescribe antihistamines and antibiotics to help control the allergies. He may also put your dog on a special hypoallergenic diet to determine what food allergies your pup may have.
Time Frame
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Alleviating food allergies may take weeks or even months before you see an improvement.
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