Relief for Itchy Dogs and Cats in Central Florida
If your dog licks his paws all night or your cat has scratched a bald patch behind her ears, you are not alone. In Central Florida, with pollen in the air for much of the year, humidity that feeds yeast and bacteria, and fleas that never take a winter break, itchy skin and ear infections are some of the most common problems we see.
At Vineland Animal Hospital, Dr. Millhoff looks for the cause of the itch, not just the symptoms. We build a plan to calm the flare-up now and keep it under control season after season, so your pet (and you) can finally get some sleep.
Send us your request and our team will call you to confirm a day and time. If your pet is sick today, please call (407) 233-3386.
Skin problems are common in dogs and cats and can be caused by hormonal disorders, allergies, infections, or parasites such as fleas and mites. These issues can be particularly difficult to treat and should be addressed promptly.
We can often diagnose a skin problem by simply examining your pet. Some dermatologic diseases or conditions do require additional diagnostic procedures to ensure a correct diagnosis. Depending on your pet’s symptoms and the results of our physical exam, we may run blood work or perform a urinalysis, skin scraping, or biopsies.
Contact us if you notice your dog or cat scratching excessively or if he or she develops any bare patches, scabs, scaling, redness, inflammation, lumps, or bumps.
For a flea-allergic pet, one bite can set off days of itching. Fleas thrive in our warm, humid weather year-round, which is why flea allergy is so common here. Strict, year-round flea control for every pet in the home is the first step. Flea, Tick & Heartworm Prevention
Pets can be allergic to pollens, molds, dust mites and grasses, just like people. In Central Florida, oak pollen coats everything in late winter and spring, grasses pollinate for much of the year, and humidity keeps mold and dust mites going in every season. Many Orlando pets itch more in spring but never fully stop.
Some pets react to a protein in their food, often causing itchy ears, paws and rear end, and sometimes vomiting or loose stool. The only reliable way to diagnose a food allergy is a strict diet trial with a prescription or limited-ingredient diet for several weeks.
Allergies damage the skin barrier, and bacteria and yeast move in. Florida’s humidity, plus swimming in pools and lakes, makes ear and skin-fold infections especially common in breeds like Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Bulldogs, Shih Tzus and Cocker Spaniels.
Mange mites and ear mites cause intense itching and hair loss and are diagnosed with a skin scraping or ear swab.
When the itch started, where, whether it is seasonal, diet, flea prevention and other pets in the home.
of the skin, coat and ears.
to look for mites and other causes of itching.
to look for hormonal causes such as thyroid or adrenal disease.
for unusual or stubborn skin conditions.
when food allergy is suspected.
Modern anti-itch medications that calm allergies without long-term steroid side effects in many pets.
Antibiotics, antifungals and medicated ear treatments.
to soothe skin and control bacteria and yeast.
for every pet in the household.
available through our In-House Pharmacy.
Omega-3 fatty acids and skin barrier products.
For complex cases, we refer to a board-certified veterinary dermatologist and stay involved in your pet's care.
Most allergic pets need a long-term plan. Expect a few visits to get a flare-up under control, then a maintenance routine and a quick recheck when the seasons change. The goal is fewer flare-ups, less medication and a comfortable pet. Because you see Dr. Millhoff every time, she knows what has worked for your pet before and what has not.
The most common causes are flea allergy and environmental allergies to pollen, mold and dust mites, often with a secondary skin or ear infection. Central Florida’s long pollen season, humidity and year-round fleas make all three common. Dr. Millhoff at Vineland Animal Hospital can find the cause and get your dog comfortable; call (407) 233-3386.
Yes. Cats get flea, environmental and food allergies. They often show it by over-grooming, thin fur on the belly or legs, scabs around the head and neck, or ear problems.
Not without a plan. Swapping between pet store foods rarely works, because many contain the same proteins. A proper diet trial uses a prescription or carefully chosen diet for several weeks with nothing else to eat. We will help you set one up.
Dry your dog thoroughly after swimming or bathing, especially thick-coated breeds, and keep the coat brushed out. Call us early if you see a red, moist patch; hot spots spread fast.
Recurring ear infections are usually a sign of an underlying allergy. Treating the infection helps for now, but controlling the allergy is what stops the cycle. Regular ear cleaning after swimming helps too.
Yes. Vineland Animal Hospital offers same-day visits for sick pets, including bad itching, hot spots and painful ears. Call (407) 233-3386 early in the day.
Not just a shot and a cone.
Dr. Millhoff tracks what works for your pet over time.
Plans built for our pollen seasons, humidity and fleas.
When the itching gets bad, call us.
Vineland Animal Hospital, 11402 S Apopka Vineland Rd, Orlando, FL 32836, United States. Serving Dr. Phillips, Orlando, Winter Garden, Ocoee, Apopka and Kissimmee.
