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Medication Finder
Click here to get information
on commonly used
medication for your pet
Ever wondered if you could
use aspirin? Common
over-the-counter medicines
that can be used safely.
Scratching is a normal behavior for any animal. It becomes a problem when it is
excessive, causes hair loss, or is causing discomfort for your pet.

Puppies and kittens will scratch excessively at their new collars and that does
not require any treatment. Do not remove the collar-they will eventually get
used to it. However, if your puppy or kitten is scratching anywhere else, they
need to see the vet. Sarcoptes or Demodex are common in puppies.

For adult animals, the issue can become more complex. The main reasons
adult animals scratch are parasites, allergies, infections, or dry skin. Parasites
include fleas, ticks, and mites. Allergies include food allergy, seasonal allergy,
and contact allergy. Infections are generally due to fungus, bacteria, or yeast.

Your veterinarian will need to perform a skin scraping to rule out mites and a
culture to rule out ringworm. History and physical exam will help determine if
your pet is allergic to the environment or a particular diet.  

There is treatment for every possible reason your pet scratches. Depending on
the cause, it may include dips, flea control, diet change, antibiotics, fatty acid
supplements, and baths. Go to the appropriate links to obtain a thorough
background of each condition.