Diagnostic approach to the itchy dog

Abstract

In practice, it can be challenging to obtain a diagnosis for the pruritic dog. Without a diagnosis it is difficult to provide the pet owner with information about the cause, the prognosis or even the appropriate treatments. This can create frustration for both the pet owner and veterinary surgeon and leads to increased chronic disease in affected dogs. The aim of this article is to provide some guidelines that will help a veterinary surgeon proceed from the first presentation of an itchy dog to a diagnosis. It also discusses the common pruritic skin diseases of the dog and how to think about and approach the diagnosis.