Page 3201 - Cote clinical veterinary advisor dogs and cats 4th

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is it normal for my pet to scratch at all? to trapping of moisture against the skin, proliferation of bacteria on
Yes, pets may scratch normally. However, this is usually inapparent, the skin surface, and exuberant exudative inflammatory response of
VetBooks.ir excessive (especially if scratching consistently involves the same affected) or cat (rarely affected) will lick and scratch one area. The
the affected area of skin. Often with hot spots, the dog (commonly
and any amount of scratching that captures your attention is likely
area, and/or produces regions of hair loss). In such cases, you
area becomes sensitive to the touch but very itchy, moist, very
should contact your veterinarian. inflamed, and the hair is gummed together by the moist exudates
from the skin. Contact your veterinarian. The affected area will have
How can allergies cause my pet to be itchy? to be clipped of hair, and medication will be prescribed to treat
Allergies affect pets differently than they do humans. Pets experience the lesion, which almost always turns out to be much larger than
itchy paws, ears, and skin. Allergies in pets can be caused by was anticipated with hair cover. Do not allow your pet to lick or
environmental factors such as grass and pollens or food. Many scratch the area until it has completely healed.
people find it surprising that pets can even be allergic to fleas. They
don’t have to have a severe flea infestation to become itchy – a Can I catch what my pet has?
pet with a true allergy can become itchy for days from the bite of Depending on which disease, infection, or parasite is causing
just one flea. If your veterinarian suspects your pet has allergies, the itchiness, it is possible in some cases for you to be infected
he or she may recommend that you see a veterinary dermatologist with the same organism as your pet through contact with the
to determine to which allergens your pet is reacting. skin lesion. Fleas, mites, and certain fungi are contagious from
animals to people (“zoonotic”). Ask your veterinarian for the specific
What is a “hot spot?” diagnosis of the cause of the itchiness, and ask if you can become
A “hot spot” is a moist red skin lesion that is itchy. Medically, it is infected. Always wash your hands after applying medication to
called acute moist dermatitis or pyotraumatic dermatitis. It is due your pet.

OTHER RELATED INFORMATION SHEET
• How to Assemble and Use an Elizabethan Collar

Practice Stamp or Name & Address

Also available in Spanish.

From Cohn and Côté: Clinical Veterinary Advisor, 4th edition. Copyright © 2020 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.