Fast fixes for itchy dogs

Sponsored by Zoetis.

During a recent episode of dvm360®’s VetXChange®, host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, chief veterinary officer of dvm360, and guest Ashley Bourgeois, DVM, DACVD, discuss the importance of controlling pruritus in canine patients by emphasizing the complexity of managing itchiness. Throughout the episode, Christman and Bourgeois emphasize the benefits of medications for itchy pets, the importance of consistent flea control, and the role of cytology in addressing itchy pets.

“I think the best thing is to go back to the basics. I know it sounds kind of silly to say that, but I see it time and time again that we’re not going back to the basics of…talking to the owners to see what their goals are and what they are able to do. We love to say the best plan is the one that will happen,” Bourgeois said.

She continued, “Much of dermatology comes down to making sure owners are following basic steps—like using effective parasite control—and empathizing with their situation. Each patient is like a unique allergy puzzle to solve.”

Itch relief

When providing relief, veterinary professionals are attempting to prevent secondary infections, if they have not already been diagnosed, Bourgeois said. If something is not done quickly, these itchy canines are at risk of developing infections, which can impact the quality of life for the client and the patient. Bourgeois shared a story about one of her clients, who had a 5-month-old baby and an allergic dog going through a flare-up. The client told Bourgeois that the 5-month-old baby was sleeping fine, but she was not getting enough sleep because of the dog’s itching and licking itself throughout the night.

“I love when owners are in my clinic, they have an allergic dog, and I put together a plan for them, and let’s say we’re going to start them on something like Apoquel. And they ask me, ‘how long will this take to be effective?’ Apoquel can be as quick as 4 hours. And they’re expecting me to say a couple of weeks, and I get to say, ‘Hey, I hope within 4 hours, the next day or 2, that you’re seeing a lot less itchiness, and you can tell that comfort is being provided,’” Bourgeois said.

Bourgeois also said that providing a fast-acting solution can help veterinary professionals gain more trust from clients, and that is crucial when managing itchy dogs.

The importance of cytology

The challenge of managing itchy patients lies in recognizing that fl ares are an inevitable part of the disease process, necessitating a rational approach to treatment adjustments. Because of this, practitioners must resist the urge to abandon effective systemic allergy medications, such as JAK inhibitors or monoclonal antibodies, simply because the pet is experiencing a seasonal or minor setback.

“If we start to give up on medications that are effective for them, because it’s spring and they got a little bit of yeast, and we could have just controlled that topically, then we’re going to end up giving up on all our medications because fl ares are bound to happen. So, that’s why cytology is super important,” Bourgeois explained.

Sudden increases in itching are often due to secondary infections, which cytology can help diagnose. By confi rming an infection, veterinarians can provide targeted topical therapy, resolving fl ares without stopping essential anti-itch treatments. This approach prevents unnecessary changes in treatment and helps maintain consistent allergy management, even during temporary flares.

You can watch the full episode here.

This episode of VetXChange, “Itch stops here: Fast fixes for happy dogs and happier clients,” is also available now for 0.5 continuing education credits. To obtain those credits, you can watch the full episode on dvm360’s Flex.