ITCHING (PRURITUS) SCORING SYSTEM
As with any system of scoring (rating) there are inherent variations in assessment based on the perception of the evaluator.
At FPH, our goal for rating your pet’s level of dermatitis is for you and the doctor to have a similar level of understanding as to your pet’s intensity of signs and level of discomfort.
There is no right or wrong scoring answer. In fact, we do not necessarily need an exact answer. What we need is a gauge or level to help evaluate how severe you think your pet’s skin condition is relative to what the doctor perceives your pet’s skin condition to look like.
In this way, we have a similar basis of understanding and concern for what your pet is experiencing. Then, the doctor and you will devise a reasonable and acceptable treatment plan.
We will use a 0 – 10 scoring level for your pet’s dermatological condition with 0 being normal and 10 being the most severe:
| 10 | Extremely severe itching: Your pet is scratching, chewing, and/or licking almost continuously. Itching practically never stops regardless of what else is happening around the pet. |
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| 8-9 | Severe itching: Prolonged episodes of itching when your pet is awake. Itching occurs at night, and also when your pet is eating, playing, exercising, or otherwise distracted. |
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| 5-7 | Moderate itching: Regular episodes of itching when your pet is awake. Itching might occur at night and awaken your pet. No itching occurs when your pet is eating, playing, exercising, or being distracted. |
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| 3-4 | Mild itching: More frequent episodes of itching. You may notice occasional episodes of itching at night. No itching occurs when your pet is sleeping, eating, playing, exercising, or being distracted. |
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| 1-2 | Very mild itching: Occasional episodes of itching. Your pet is slightly more itchy than before the problem began. |
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| 0 | Normal pet: Itching is not a problem. |
If you have any questions or concerns, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO ASK US.