Why is my dog itching?

Our question this week was:

Dr. Debra – Forgive my English in case I'm from Puerto Rico. My dog "Kiroh", his body in some part it itches to him and it does not have fleas what is the reason of that?

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Haroldl Lebron

Answer

Hi Haroldl– thanks for your email. I'm sorry to hear about Kiroh's itching. The formal name for itching is "Pruritus". Dogs can itch from skin infections, skin allergies (due to food, fleas or other substances in the environment), parasites that live on the skin (such as fleas) or other parasites that live in the skin (such as demodex). Some dogs can even be allergic to fleas and even though you may not see fleas, they may have been bit by a flea which is enough to cause itching.

I'd recommend that you see your local veterinarian and allow him to help determine the underlying cause of Kiroh's itching.

Best of luck!

Dr. Debra

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