How do I treat my dogs excessive scratching?
Using medication. Your veterinarian may prescribe medications to treat underlying problems contributing to your dog’s persistent scratching. Additionally, your vet may recommend the use of topical or systemic antibiotics, steroids, or anti-itch products to treat existing hot spots or skin infections.
Why is my Westie itching?
Dogs can be allergic to all sorts of things, from dust mites to seasonal pollens, food proteins or flea allergy dermatitis brought on by the protein found in the saliva of dog-biting fleas. All of these allergens cause dogs to itch and then scratch.
How old does a West Highland white terrier get?
Between 3 and 12 months old, an affected dog becomes inflamed and itchy on his head, feet, and belly. As the disease spreads, the puppy scratches constantly and loses his hair. His skin becomes dark and greasy and thickened like an armadillo. Then come recurrent yeast infections.
Can a West Highland Terrier be aggressive to other dogs?
Possible animal aggression. West Highland White Terriers are often more tolerant toward other dogs and cats than many other terriers are, especially dogs and cats who belong to their own family. But many Westies are still dominant or aggressive toward strange dogs. Westies should not be trusted off-leash.
Why does my West Highland white terrier itch?
But when the poor puppy’s skin becomes broken by scratching, yeast seize the opportunity to attack. So when you see inflamed skin and intense itching in a Westie puppy, more common conditions like allergies and mange do need to be ruled out….but these symptoms are ominous warning signs of epidermal dysplasia.
What is epidermal dysplasia in West Highland white terriers?
Let’s talk about epidermal dysplasia in West Highland White Terriers. Epidermal dysplasia is also called Westie armadillo syndrome – for good reason, as you’ll see. This inherited skin disease is quite dreadful. Between 3 and 12 months old, an affected dog becomes inflamed and itchy on his head, feet, and belly.
Are there any health problems for West Highland Terriers?
In 2007, the West Highland White Terrier Club conducted a health survey that found that 1 in 2 Westies had at least one of the following common health problems. Many of them are, sadly, incurable conditions that must be managed throughout your dog’s life.
Between 3 and 12 months old, an affected dog becomes inflamed and itchy on his head, feet, and belly. As the disease spreads, the puppy scratches constantly and loses his hair. His skin becomes dark and greasy and thickened like an armadillo. Then come recurrent yeast infections.
What does atopic dermatitis do to a West Highland Terrier?
Outline: Atopic dermatitis is an allergic skin disease which is common in the West Highland white terrier, possibly affecting 25% of dogs. It causes mild to severe itching which, as a result of scratching or rubbing, often leads to further skin damage, irritation, infection and discomfort. 1. Brief description
But when the poor puppy’s skin becomes broken by scratching, yeast seize the opportunity to attack. So when you see inflamed skin and intense itching in a Westie puppy, more common conditions like allergies and mange do need to be ruled out….but these symptoms are ominous warning signs of epidermal dysplasia.