When an animal constantly scratches, licks or bites itself, everyone suffers along with it. The animal from the itching, the owners from the worry and the disturbed nights. When the skin simply will not settle down despite your best efforts at home, that is a sign to look more closely. Skin diseases are among the most common reasons for a visit to the vet and often have more than one cause. This overview explains what can lie behind itching and skin changes, how we get to the root of the cause and how treatment at our practice in Cremlingen works.
Why the skin so often causes problems
The skin is the largest organ of the body and at the same time its protective shell against the environment. It reacts sensitively to a wide range of influences, to parasites, to allergens from food and surroundings, to pathogens and also to internal diseases. That is why a skin problem often looks similar but has quite different roots.
This is exactly what makes dermatology demanding: itching is a symptom, not a diagnosis. In the skin clinic we get to the root of the abnormalities systematically, instead of just treating the visible picture.
For the affected animals, persistent itching means genuine stress. Constant scratching, licking and nibbling disturbs sleep, can damage the skin further and considerably impair wellbeing. The situation is a burden for owners too, especially when treatment attempts without a clear diagnosis do not bring the desired success. A structured approach is therefore worthwhile for both sides.
What the skin clinic includes
- Investigation of itching, hair loss and skin changes
- Allergy testing and elimination diagnostics
- Treatment of parasites, fungal and skin infections
- Individual, practical therapy planning that fits everyday life
- Long-term support for chronic skin patients
On the basis of the diagnosis we put together a therapy plan that fits the everyday life of you and your pet. With chronic skin diseases in particular, we accompany the course over the long term and adjust the treatment until calm sets in.
Signs of a skin problem
Bring your pet in if you notice any of the following signs:
- increased scratching, licking, nibbling or rubbing,
- hair loss, bald patches or a dull coat,
- redness, scaling, crusts or pustules,
- an unpleasant smell from the skin or ears,
- restlessness, disturbed sleep or irritability caused by the itching.
These signs should be clarified by a vet. We advise against treating on your own, as unsuitable products can mask or worsen the skin picture. This overview does not replace an examination at the practice.
Common causes of itching
Among the most common causes are parasites such as fleas or mites, food and environmental allergies, fungal and skin infections as well as hormonal disorders. Often several things come together, for example an allergy on the basis of which an additional skin infection develops. In dogs and cats the typical triggers can differ, which is why the investigation is always carried out individually.
Some skin problems occur at certain times of the year, others persist all year round. Still others appear at typical body sites, for example on the paws, ears, belly or tail. Such patterns are valuable clues for us. Precisely because similar symptoms can have quite different causes, it makes little sense simply to try the nearest available product. A targeted treatment begins with the right diagnosis.
How the investigation works
At the start there is a detailed conversation: when did the itching begin, how does it progress, which body sites are affected, is there a connection with the season or food? Your observations are very valuable here. The thorough examination of the skin then follows.
Depending on the suspicion, we add targeted tests, for example skin scrapings, the microscopic examination of samples or an elimination diet if a food allergy is suspected. Some of these steps take time, an elimination diet, for example, several weeks. This systematic approach is necessary in order to reliably find the right cause.
Therapy and patience
Skin diseases can rarely be resolved in a single day. We take time for the search for the cause, because in the long run that spares frustration and unnecessary treatments. An allergy, for example, usually cannot be cured, but it can be well controlled with a tailored therapy and the avoidance of triggers.
Your help is important: stick consistently to the agreed steps, even if success does not show immediately. Do not stop a treatment prematurely just because a first improvement occurs, with the skin in particular, this can jeopardise success. With chronic skin patients we accompany you over a longer period and adjust the treatment to the course.
Treatment may include avoiding triggers in everyday life, keeping to a particular diet or adjusting skin care. Such measures work best when everyone in the household supports them. We explain the background to you, so that you can understand why each step makes sense, because a therapy that is understood is more likely to be carried out consistently.
Dermatology in Cremlingen and the region
Our practice in Cremlingen is easily reached by pet owners from Braunschweig, Königslutter am Elm, Wolfenbüttel and Wolfsburg. If your pet suffers from itching or skin changes, you are welcome to arrange an appointment. We will get to the root of the cause together with you.
