Article Title: Does Your Shih Tzu Suffer From Incessant
Scratching?
Author: Connie Limon
A lot of dogs and the Shih Tzu seen in vet offices are there
for excessive scratching. What causes excessive scratching in
the Shih Tzu and other canine breeds more than in cats, horses
or any other animal species?
The three biggest reasons for excessive scratching include:
•Parasites
•Allergies
•Skin infections
There are many conditions, however, that causes dogs and the
Shih Tzu to scratch. Some of these dogs and Shih Tzu have an
itchy rash, they lose hair from the scratching, or their hair
tangles into knots that has to be removed, or they may just
scratch incessantly.
The flea is the most common parasite that will make a Shih Tzu
scratch and itch incessantly. There are very effective flea
treatments on the market today. If Shih Tzu owners use these
treatments as directed, they provide an effective way to
protect the Shih Tzu from fleas and itching. Even Shih Tzu who
stays indoors most of the time should receive regular flea
treatment to protect against fleas because fleas can be picked
up in the backyard while going to potty or in the park while
going for a walk.
Mites are another common parasite that can cause the Shih Tzu
to itch incessantly. Mites can also be effectively controlled
with regular treatments.
Allergies are frequently the cause of intense scratching in the
Shih Tzu and canines in general. If your Shih Tzu is allergic to
flea bites he can be miserable after only one flea bite.
Shih Tzu can also be allergic to environmental allergies such
as seasonal pollens, molds, and insects, and non-seasonal
allergens such as house dust and house dust mites. These
environmental allergies are similar to those people have.
People usually sneeze or have congestion in the nose. Shih Tzu
usually itch from the same kind of allergens people will sneeze
from.
Food allergies are another cause for a Shih Tzu to itch. The
Shih Tzu may be allergic to one or more ingredients in the pet
food you are feeding. Food allergies are usually less common,
but can be quite severe.
Symptoms of environmental allergies can be treated with
anti-inflammatory drugs, shampoos and other medications.
Allergy testing and hypo sensitization will most likely be
recommended to find the exact underlying cause or disease. Some
allergens can just be simply avoided by you and your Shih Tzu.
The most accurate method used for identifying a dog or a Shih
Tzu's sensitivity to allergens is the intradermal skin testing.
You must be certain your Shih Tzu is off certain medications
like steroids and anti-histamines to have accurate results from
testing.
When you have identified the allergen that is troubling your
Shih Tzu, you can avoid it if possible. The Shih Tzu can also
be hyposensitized to the offending allergen or allergens.
Another cause of scratching in the Shih Tzu and dogs in general
is bacterial and yeast skin infections. I have had personal
experience with yeast ear and skin infections in some of my
Shih Tzu. Usually a bath in Betodine Scrub every 7 days for 4
weeks takes care of this type of problem. Pouring the Betodine
Scrub directly into the ears provides wonders for these cases.
I once had some kind of a little infection around one of my
fingernails. It must have been due to yeast, because after I
bathed one of my Shih Tzu who had the skin and ear yeast
problem, the fingernail problem was cured within the next 24
hours.
Bacterial infections may look like small bumps on the skin.
Yeast skin infections are smelly and greasy as well as itchy.
The infections are easily cured, but sometimes the underlying
cause must be found if the infections are recurrent.
The causes to your Shih Tzu's incessant itching can be found
and remedied. Shih Tzu does not have to be tormented by
constant itching.
This article is FREE to publish with the resource box.
About The Author: Connie Limon. Visit us at
http://www.staingla
for sale for pet or show in a variety of colors at reasonable
prices. Our web site provides you with a wealth of information
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