Abordagem do prurido em cães: revisão de literatura

Abstract

Pruritus is a clinical sign of several systemic and dermatologycal diseases, and is considered one of the most common complaints submitted to the clinical veterinary, being triggered by several factors. Among the mediators involved are histamine, proteases, neuropeptides, opioids, lipid mediators and several cytokines, which bind to receptors, and after the induction of itching in the skin, amyelinic nerve fibers are responsible for transmitting the sensation to the central nervous system. The initial approach of a dog with pruritus should be based on a detailed history, perform differentials diagnostic tests and elucidation of secondary infections. So, the measurement of the pruritus is an important tool to support the diagnosis and evaluation of therapeutic efficacy: several scales for the measurement of pruritus were proposed and are used. After you have a minimum database, one should always look for the primary cause of the pruritus and treat it correctly. This work has the aim of discussing and demonstrating an efficient approach of the dog whose disease progresses with pruritus.