You should seek the advice of your veterinarian if your pet is ill as only he or she can correctly advise on the diagnosis and recommend the treatment that is most appropriate for your pet.

Pruritus is a term that is often used by veterinarians and appears in many textbooks - but what does it mean ?

Pruritus is the most common clinical sign in dermatology (the study of skin diseases). It is the technical term for "itchiness" and it is an unpleasant sensation that causes an individual to want to scratch, rub or bite at an area of skin.

In humans two forms of itch are described ;

• A localised itch
• A generalised itch - burning sensation.

We do not know if our pets feel exactly the same sensations as humans, but we do know that the sensory nerves and sensory organs in the skin are similar.

The local cause of  pruritus in the skin is extremely complex and involves a series of chemical changes which are not yet fully understood. However, there are many primary stimuli which can set up the chain of events that leads to itching :

• Mechanical irritation - eg ectoparasites such as fleas, lice or mites in or on the surface of the skin
• Allergic reactions - contact allergy, atopy, flea bite allergy
• Infections - bacteria, fungi 
• Any other cause of inflammation - wounds, 

Because pruritus is a sign not a disease, diagnosis of the underlying cause is necessary before specific treatment can be given. However, many anti-inflammatory drugs (such as corticosteroids) will reduce the itching sensation and so alleviate the signs. These are routinely used to prevent further damage to the skin due to self-trauma.  But it is important to continue with all other drugs that you may have been given for the full course because the fact that your pet may stop scratching doesn't mean that the cause has been treated.

Updated October 2013