Canine itching or pruritus is an unpleasant and common problem that impairs the quality of life of both ARISTODOGS and their ARISTOPARENTS. In fact, skin diseases in dogs are one of the main reasons for veterinary consultations, and pruritus or itching is the most common symptom of these diseases, affecting one in six dogs that visit the clinic.
Most furry friends with itching may experience a vicious cycle of itching and scratching that damages the skin barrier. If left untreated, itching can cause permanent inflammation and severe skin lesions. In chronic and severe cases, bleeding, ulceration, scabs and scars may develop, along with hair loss in the affected area and a bad odor caused by infection.
The main causes of itching are parasites, infections or allergies. Thirty-seven percent of pruritus cases are due to two or more of these causes, which lead to skin diseases.
Itching may occur acutely, seasonally or chronically, but regardless of how it presents, it affects the quality of life of our faithful friend and their ARISTOPARENT unless appropriate treatment is administered to resolve the problem quickly and effectively.
The itching triangle
Canine itching or pruritus is a problem that affects both the dog suffering from it, with the resulting loss of quality of life, and its owner and veterinarian, who often face a problem that is difficult to diagnose and treat.
Our furry friend experiences an uncomfortable sensation and continually licks, bites or scratches themselves. They do not appear happy and are agitated and even irritated, with their sleep also being affected.
The ARISTOPARENT suffers the consequences this disease causes in their dog; constant visits to the veterinarian, the stress caused by their pet's continuous scratching, and the odor that these skin diseases often involve... Ultimately, there is the frustration of a treatment that fails to resolve the problem or causes undesirable short- or long-term effects.
For their part, the veterinarian must determine the cause of the itching and establish the correct treatment. However, it is also vital to stop the itching quickly and effectively to prevent even more serious skin lesions and allow our pet to regain their well-being as soon as possible.
In search of a treatment for itching
We currently have several antipruritic treatments that provide truly optimal results. Standard treatments are effective in reducing itching and improving skin lesions. However, corticosteroids in particular can trigger serious short-term side effects and long-term complications. Cyclosporine, another available treatment, may take several weeks to show an antipruritic effect. A treatment with an improved safety profile was needed for both short- and long-term use, with a rapid and effective effect.
An innovative solution without the side effects typically associated with corticosteroids
For more than a year, veterinary clinics have had access to an innovative treatment that combats itching caused by allergic skin diseases in dogs. It is a medication that acts quickly, within the first 24 hours, and has a prolonged effect, while also offering a safety profile without the side effects typically associated with corticosteroids.
In addition, this medication allows the veterinarian to continue diagnosing the cause of the itching and does not interfere with other medications, serological tests or allergy tests, unlike other medicines.
Ask your veterinarian for more information about this innovative product, which must always be administered under their supervision while they perform the necessary tests to investigate the cause further.