--- title: "Itchy Skin and Recurring Ear Trouble: What Dog Owners Should Notice" description: "" canonical_url: "https://marpoledogwalking.com/dog-health-wellness/itchy-skin-and-recurring-ear-trouble-what-dog-owners-should-notice/" date_published: "2026-10-04T15:29:19-07:00" date_modified: "2026-10-04T15:34:51-07:00" updated_at: "2026-10-04T15:34:51-07:00" --- # Itchy Skin and Recurring Ear Trouble: What Dog Owners Should Notice **A Q&A with Dr. Vincent E. Defalque, veterinary dermatologist** - Licensed City of Vancouver Dog Walking & Boarding - Fully Insured & Bonded - Small-Group & Kennel-Free Care - [5-Star Rated Local Service](https://marpoledogwalking.com/reviews/) Repeated scratching, paw licking and ear trouble can affect a dog’s comfort and daily routine. Dr. Vincent E. Defalque of North West Veterinary Dermatology Services in Victoria explains what owners should record, why recurring problems need an underlying diagnosis, and how owners, walkers and sitters can follow the same care plan. ![Dr. Vincent E. Defalque, veterinary dermatologist](https://marpoledogwalking.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Defalque-Photo-Square-for-website.jpg)![North West Veterinary Dermatology Services logo](https://marpoledogwalking.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/NWVDS_Colour1_CMYK_Large.jpg) Photo and logo supplied by Dr. Vincent Defalque / North West Veterinary Dermatology Services, used with permission *Interview by Ken Gardner for [Marpole](https://marpoledogwalking.com/south-vancouver-dog-care/) Dog Walking. Answers edited from Dr. Defalque’s written responses. This is general information, not a diagnosis or treatment plan for an individual dog. Contact your veterinarian about symptoms or changes in your dog’s condition.* ## 1. What should an owner notice, and when should they seek veterinary attention? Itching does not always look like scratching. A dog may lick, nibble or chew its paws, rub its face against objects or people, or rub and roll on its back. We use the Canadian Academy of Veterinary Dermatology’s itch scale to help owners record how severe the itching is. An itch level of five or higher is a reason to seek prompt veterinary care, particularly when there is persistent discomfort, redness or visible skin damage. Owners should not wait for a particular score if they are concerned about their dog. Ear problems may cause scratching or rubbing of the ears, brown or pus-like discharge, and an unpleasant smell. These signs warrant prompt veterinary attention. A head tilt or loss of balance makes contacting a veterinarian especially urgent. CAVD dog and cat itch scale: [https://www.cavd.ca/images/CAVD_ITCH_SCALE.pdf](https://www.cavd.ca/images/CAVD_ITCH_SCALE.pdf) ## 2. Why is finding the underlying cause important when problems keep returning? Recurring itchy skin and ear infections can be outward signs of an underlying problem, often an allergy that has not yet been brought under control. Repeatedly treating a flare without investigating what is driving it can create a frustrating cycle: temporary relief followed by another episode. Medication may be needed to keep the dog comfortable and treat infections, but the diagnostic approach should also address the underlying cause. ## 3. What should owners bring to the appointment, and what should they avoid trying at home? Bring a thorough history, including the names of current and previous oral, topical and injectable medications. Include the brands and names of flea and tick preventatives, as well as current and previous foods and treats and their ingredients. Photos or videos of earlier flares can be useful, especially if the problem looks different on the day of the appointment. Preparing this information can save consultation time. Well-intentioned home remedies can backfire. Avoid trying them without veterinary advice. ## 4. How can owners, dog walkers and sitters work together? Everyone caring for the dog should follow the same veterinary care plan. Consistency matters when managing chronic skin or ear problems. That includes following the same instructions about food and treats, environmental exposure and medication administration. A walker or sitter should know the agreed rules so that a well-meant treat or a change in routine does not undermine the plan. ## 5. When can a veterinary dermatologist help, and what should owners understand about testing? Discuss a referral when skin or ear problems fail to improve after repeated treatment, return quickly when treatment stops, or require ongoing anti-itch medication to keep the dog comfortable. A veterinary dermatologist has additional training and equipment to investigate difficult skin and ear conditions. Food allergy is one possible cause, but an easy home test cannot establish the diagnosis. Hair, saliva and blood tests are not reliable ways to diagnose food allergy. The useful approach is a properly supervised elimination diet followed by a food challenge. An eight-week trial is commonly used, although the veterinarian should set the duration and the exact plan for the individual dog. A much more common cause of chronic itch is canine atopic dermatitis, a long-term allergic skin disease involving environmental triggers such as pollens, moulds and dust mites. It can lead to itching and recurring skin or ear infections, and it generally requires ongoing symptomatic management as there is no permanent cure. Atopic dermatitis is a diagnosis of exclusion. The veterinarian must first rule out other causes of itch, including parasites and food allergy, before making the diagnosis by using validated diagnostic criteria. A positive environmental allergy test alone does not establish that a dog has atopic dermatitis; healthy dogs can also have positive reactions. Once the diagnosis is established, environmental allergy testing can be used to formulate allergen-specific immunotherapy, using customised allergy injections or oral drops. This treatment aims to lessen the immune system’s response to allergens. ## Questions to take to the appointment - Which possible causes are we investigating, and what will each test tell us? - If a diet trial is needed, exactly what can my dog eat, and how long should the trial last? - What should everyone caring for my dog record or report? - When should we recheck, and what improvement is realistic? These questions are an editorial checklist based on the topics discussed above. ## About Dr. Defalque and the practice Dr. Vincent E. Defalque, Dr. med. vet., DACVD®, is a board-certified veterinary dermatologist practising with North West Veterinary Dermatology Services in Victoria, British Columbia. North West Veterinary Dermatology Services is a privately owned dermatology referral group with practices in Vancouver, St. Albert, Kelowna and Victoria. Its work focuses on skin and ear disease, itch relief and allergy management. Practice information: [https://www.vetderm.ca/](https://www.vetderm.ca/) Further reading: American Animal Hospital Association, 2023 Management of Allergic Skin Diseases in Dogs and Cats Guidelines: [https://www.aaha.org/resources/2023-aaha-management-of-allergic-skin-diseases-in-dogs-and-cats-guidelines/](https://www.aaha.org/resources/2023-aaha-management-of-allergic-skin-diseases-in-dogs-and-cats-guidelines/) [Explore our dog-care interviews](https://marpoledogwalking.com/interviews/) **Planning time away?** Tell us about your dog and travel dates. Ken and Yvonne will confirm boarding fit, availability, and the next step. [Check Boarding Availability & Fit →](https://marpoledogwalking.com/contact-us/)![Ken Gardner, owner and operator of Marpole Dog Walking & Boarding](https://marpoledogwalking.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/MexPat-Guide-%E2%80%94-Ken-Gardner-Headshot-%E2%80%94-v20260428-1-96x96.webp) About the author ## Ken Gardner Owner / Operator, Marpole Dog Walking & Boarding Service Ken Gardner operates Marpole Dog Walking & Boarding Service with Yvonne Gardner in Vancouver. Their practical dog-care experience informs this site. General guides cannot determine whether a particular animal or care arrangement is suitable; contact us to discuss individual needs. [Meet Ken & Yvonne](https://marpoledogwalking.com/about-us/)[Explore our services](https://marpoledogwalking.com/services/) Opens in a new tab. Representation note: public rendered content; forms, scripts, navigation and embedded frames are omitted. 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