Description
Young dogs between the ages of two and six months often show signs of regular itching and excessively scratch their skin.
Urgency
Danger
Course
Affected puppies show irregular scratching especially of the flanks and the belly. In rare cases secondary infections of the skin can develop as a result. In most cases however, symptoms begin to disappear after dogs reach six months of age.
Cause
Puppies may feel uncomfortable and itchy as a result of hormonal changes associated with the growing process.
Therapy
Symptoms of puppy itch vanish by themselves after the dog reaches six months of age. However, it is very important to rule out any other underlying cause, such as a parasitic infestation, which may be causing the itch.
Emergency measures
If the excessive itching does not diminish after a couple of weeks, or if the animal is not a puppy anymore, a veterinarian should be consulted, as the condition can be very stressful for the animal.