When your dog chews and bites himself, he is trying to get rid of the uncomfortable feeling of itchiness. If your dog is constantly itchy and scratching to the point of hair loss and redness, this is considered pruritus. It can be in one certain area or the whole body. Itching may be caused by several disorders, such as contact dermatitis, allergy, and infection. The itching can also be caused by parasites, such as fleas or mites.

Inflamed skin caused by chewing or licking is common in dogs. It is also known as pruritus (itching), and it is not actually a disease or disorder, but a symptom of another problem. The key to treatment is to find the cause of the itching.

If your dog is unable to stop the licking and scratching, take him to the veterinarian without delay before secndary infection affects the skin. Signs to watch out for include:

Your pet could display itching signs that are to the extreme, leading to distress and anxiety. Some of the causes for the uncontrollable itching, scratching, chewing or licking could be as follows.

The first thing your vet will do is a physical examination of your dog’s entire body. He will pay special attention to the areas of redness and inflammation where your dog has been itching. Provide your veterinarian with as much detailed information as you can about the itching, such as when it started, any changes in diet or shampoo, if the itchiness is getting worse, and what was going on at the time of the itching.

 A skin swab may be taken to be tested for bacteria or yeast infection while a skin scraping may help to identify any deep mites. The veterinarian may also do a CBC, blood chemistry, and skin allergy test to check for signs of a hormonal condition,, immune disorder, allergy, or other problems.

Your veterinarian will give your dog some anti-itch medicine to stop the itching while you are waiting for results from the tests. Once the cause of the itching is determined, your veterinarian will decide on the best course of treatment.

Many forms of itching need to be treated continually to get rid of the problem. We cannot cure atopic dermatitis and flare ups are to be expected; the aim is to control signs as much as possible.

It may be necessary to use a prescription shampoo and anti-itch medicine for your dog for the rest of his life to prevent reoccurrence. 

Treating conditions related to pruritis can be expensive. To avoid high vet care expenses, secure pet health insurance today. The sooner you insure your pet, the more protection you’ll have from unexpected vet costs.