Nonsteroidal, nonimmunosuppressive therapies for pruritus.

Pruritus, or itch, is defined as "a sensation that, if sufficiently strong, will provoke scratching or the desire to scratch." Pruritus is a symptom associated with a wide variety of causes and treatment options. Topical therapy is becoming the new target for the treatment of pruritus. The treatment of pruritus in the dog must be approached in a systematic manner and should include the search and resolution of the primary causes. Identifying and treating the primary cause of pruritus greatly increases the success rate of any therapy for pruritus.