![Help your pet to ditch that itch Help your pet to ditch that itch](https://cdn.magzter.com/1655447261/1682579708/articles/8jKvcBcrT1682593314533/HELP-YOUR-PET-TO-DITCH-THAT-ITCH.jpg)
OVER a quarter of all small animals presenting to their veterinary surgeon have a skin condition, which could be caused by a range of problems, including parasite infestation, bacteria or yeast infection, hormone imbalances, or food or environmental allergies.
If a pet is affected by itchy skin, it’s important they are presented to their vet as soon as possible because skin conditions can be very uncomfortable and painful.
Because skin issues affect so many pets, my veterinary practice is supporting a campaign to encourage owners to Ditch the Itch. The campaign has been launched by VetPartners, which Shipston Vets is part of, to raise awareness of skin conditions and encourage owners to seek veterinary advice if their pets are scratching excessively.
Allergic skin disease, in particular, can be very frustrating for both pet and owner, as sadly it can typically appear in animals as young as six months and it becomes a lifelong condition that needs ongoing support.
Nearly a third of all dogs are affected and breeds that seem particularly predisposed include Golden and Labrador Retrievers and West Highland White and Scottish Terriers. It is less common in cats but none the less they are still susceptible.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
![Making delicious golden mead is easy Making delicious golden mead is easy](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/27113/1978006/v9WVHvoKG1738232945653/MAKING-DELICIOUS-GOLDEN-MEAD-IS-EASY.jpg)
Making delicious golden mead is easy
Many people think of mead as something of historical interest, but good mead is delicious and surprisingly easy to make. Hugh & Fiona Osborne are on a mission to bring mead back to smallholders and small farmers
![Olfaction is a very misunderstood sense in hens Olfaction is a very misunderstood sense in hens](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/27113/1978006/vYMRfS63C1738231698977/OLFACTION-IS-A-VERY-MISUNDERSTOOD-SENSE-IN-HENS.jpg)
Olfaction is a very misunderstood sense in hens
Paul Donovan investigates the sense of smell, and how it impacts behaviour.
![Safeguarding your smallholding - who owns the land? Safeguarding your smallholding - who owns the land?](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/27113/1978006/pnNdg4pXD1738232793702/SAFEGUARDING-YOUR-SMALLHOLDING-WHO-OWNS-THE-LAND.jpg)
Safeguarding your smallholding - who owns the land?
Agricultural journalist, smallholder and editor of Ford & Fordson Tractors Magazine Jane Brooks, joins us for her regular look at the world of agricultural machinery, smallholding and life in general.
![Do Government Policies Make Now a Good Time to Sell Land? Do Government Policies Make Now a Good Time to Sell Land?](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/27113/1978006/Iu8thRxnB1738233551487/DO-GOVERNMENT-POLICIES-MAKE-NOW-A-GOOD-TIME-TO-SELL-LAND.jpg)
Do Government Policies Make Now a Good Time to Sell Land?
lan Barnett, National Land Director, Leaders Romans Group (LRG) looks at recent planning developments
![Get growing early with some TLC Get growing early with some TLC](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/27113/1978006/TcLMbJEZS1738232127117/GET-GROWING-EARLY-WITH-SOME-TLC.jpg)
Get growing early with some TLC
Lee Senior shows how to provide tender, loving care with early season warmth and protection
![Pre-Season Checks for Your Incubator Pre-Season Checks for Your Incubator](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/27113/1978006/4Thy9759b1738231477029/PRESEASON-CHECKS-FOR-YOUR-INCUBATOR.jpg)
Pre-Season Checks for Your Incubator
We asked Brinsea Incubator Specialists how to get off to a good start to a successful hatching season
![Get prepared for keeping bees Get prepared for keeping bees](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/27113/1978006/FEsE4AI0t1738232281524/GET-PREPARED-FOR-KEEPING-BEES.jpg)
Get prepared for keeping bees
Claire Waring looks at what you need to know before you become a hands on beekeeper.
![March that heralds in spring March that heralds in spring](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/27113/1978006/_sd5xlPnq1738233126123/MARCH-THAT-HERALDS-IN-SPRING.jpg)
March that heralds in spring
It’s also a busy one on the smallholding and in the garden
![Exmoor Horn sheepnot just for Exmoor! Exmoor Horn sheepnot just for Exmoor!](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/27113/1978006/bucXylOVk1738229776892/EXMOOR-HORN-SHEEPNOT-JUST-FOR-EXMOOR.jpg)
Exmoor Horn sheepnot just for Exmoor!
Helen Babbs meets the the hardy hill breed with excellent fleece
![Introducing new goats to your herd Introducing new goats to your herd](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/27113/1978006/7unQ3Awx51738233319226/INTRODUCING-NEW-GOATS-TO-YOUR-HERD.jpg)
Introducing new goats to your herd
Matt Huggins explains how to keep new members and old members safe and sound when first meeting