Why is my dog itching, licking, shaking head, and drinking more?

Question

Hello, I am wondering if this is just allergies, but it is out of character for my dog. She is a beagle, 10 years old - 25lbs. I noticed recently (and has been progressively getting worse) her itching, licking, and shaking her head a lot. Also, she has an increased water intake. Her ear has developed a round red rash. She pants and feels warm from working herself up and being stressed with all the licking and itching. I have given her a 1/2 Benadryl and it didn't seem to provide much relief. Pet's info: Dog | Beagle | Female | unspayed | 10 years and 9 months old | 27 lbs

Lauren Jones VMD · Accepted Answer

Oh dear, poor Deja! Head shaking in dogs occurs most commonly due to an ear infection (which is often the result of underlying allergies). Similarly, licking and itching can occur due to allergies, the onset of a skin infection, due to external parasites (fleas or mites), or endocrine issues (hypothyroidism is one example). Deja's increased water intake could be due to a number of other issues, including a urinary tract infection, kidney disease, diabetes, a pyometra (uterine infection), or Cushing's disease, among others. At this point, it would be best to take Deja to her vet for further evaluation. Her vet will be able to perform a physical exam, evaluate any ear discharge under a microscope, and perform blood testing to get to the bottom of these issues. In order to decide how to treat Deja, you first need to determine the cause of her itching and increased water consumption. I hope this helps and that all goes well!

Why is my dog itching, licking, shaking head, and drinking more?

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