Download what is itchiness?

CiTiVET
Presented by : Dr. Peter van der Merwe
CiTiVET
• The desire to scratch, lick, rub, chew and nibble at
skin surface in response to chemical stimulus.
• Itchiness causes discomfort and decreases pet’s
quality of life.
“An itchy pet is an unhappy pet”
Usually living with a frustrated owner
External parasites :
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Fleas
Mange mites
Lice
• Allergies:
• Atopy (hayfever)
• Caused by interaction of abnormal
• Skin barrier genes
• Immune function genes
• Exposure to allergens & pathogens
• Allergens incl house dust, dust &
storage mites, pollens, moulds
• Characterised by initial seasonal
occurrence & “flare ups”
• Flea bite allergy
• Abnormal response to flea saliva
• Often worse in atopic individuals
• Food
• Itchy skin sometimes with digestive upsets
• Usually non seasonal -> ears, rears, paws
• Contact allergies
• Very rare,
Skin infections
Bacteria
• Staphylococcus
• Streptococcus
• Yeast (Malessia)
Flea control
• Adulticides on pet e.g Frontline,
Advantage, Practic
• Capstar
• Enviromental control pyrethroids and
methoprene
• Sprays -> Flego, Ultrum Duration
Treatment of mange mites
• Revolution
• Advocate
• Amitraz dips such as Amitrax, Triatix
Control skin infections
• Bacteria – Anti bacterial shampoos and
wipes
• Antibiotics
• Yeast – Shampoos
• Anti Fungals (eg Ketazol)
• Allergic skin disease
– Atopy
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Can’t be cured, only controlled
Multimodal approach is essential
First control parasite & microorganism infections
High quality diet especially fish based -> hypoallergenic
formulations are best
• Omega 3 supplementation
• Barrier treatments
– Allerderm – decreases secondary infections, less effect on
itchiness
– Shampoo – best is Allermyl but physical action of washing is most
important, bath 1-2x weekly
• Topical -> new cortisone spray Cortavance
• Corticosteroids
• Best given as short acting tablets eg lenisilone
• Many side effects including weight gain, urinary tract
infections, increase risk of skin infections, decrease in
bone and muscle strengths
• Safe annual dose calculated as 30x dog’s body weight
in milligrams of steroid i.e. 10 kg dog can take 300 mg
of steroid over a year
• Cyclosporin
• New drug being launched today
• Long term control not for use in controlling acute flare
ups
• Side effects
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Very Expensive
Vomiting in approximately 30% of patients
Hriutism, gingival hyperplasia, urinary tract infections
Rare s/e unmasking systemic infections e.g. fungal infections
and Toxoplasmosis
– In humans may increase risk for lymphoma (cancer) – not
proven in dogs
• Antihistamines
– Only work in 10% of patients
– Generally safe and used with other treatments
especially cortisone.
– Main side effect is sedation but should be used
with caution in animals with glaucoma, heart
disease, urinary bladder problems
• Immunotherapy
– Based on blood tests of IgE levels
– Problem ->approximately 30% of atopic dogs do not have
raised IgE levels
– Test does not indicate if raised IgE is causing symptoms,
merely that IgE level is high
– HOWEVER immunotherapy is the only treatment that
allows us to reverse part of the pathology, works for
majority of patients, reasonable cost
• If all else fails
– Gabbapentin -> acts on nerve endings
– Maropitant (Cerenia) -> substance P
– Pentoxfyline
– Prayer
• Diet trail essential for diagnosis, blood tests are inaccurate
• Diagnosis confirmed by provocative exposure
• List of common food allergens include
– Beef, lamb, chicken
– Soya
– Maize, rice, wheat
• avoid all protein treats, faeces (cat poop!!)
• Commercial diet trail foods are superior to home cooked diets
• Treatment -> avoid offending foods
• Thanks once again to all our client who
continue to support us
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Genna van der Merwe
Tamsen Maritz
Royal Canin
Afrivet
Citivet staff
• Itching to get answers??