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This article was co-written by Stephanie Abrams, DVM, MS, DACVD. Stephanie Abrams is a Board Certified Veterinary Dermatologist with over eight years of experience in the veterinary field. She specializes in treating skin diseases in cats and dogs. Dr. Abrams holds a bachelor’s degree from Skidmore College and a veterinarian degree from the Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. After earning her veterinarian degree, she completed an internship at Tufts Veterinary Emergency Treatment & Specialties, followed by an internship in dermatology at the Ohio State School of Veterinary Medicine.
There are 18 references cited in this article that you can see at the bottom of the page.
This article has been viewed 35,948 times.
As in humans, allergies in dogs can be managed but cannot be cured. The dog’s body is sensitive to certain stimuli, and the reaction to this sensitivity causes itching. Dogs can be allergic to food, flea bites, grass or pollen in the environment, allergic reactions from direct contact with mixtures such as laundry soap or with hay. The first step is to diagnose the dog’s itching, scratching, and gnawing symptoms such as atopic dermatitis. The challenge for dog owners and veterinarians is finding the cause and effective treatment.
Steps
Monitor dog itching
- The most commonly irritated skin areas when dogs have allergies are the back, tail, abdomen, legs, and nails.
- Chronic cases of itching can lead to thickened and rough skin like elephant skin.
- Hot spots on your dog’s skin are often a symptom of an allergy to fleas, food, grass, mold, or other substances in the environment. There are also more complex underlying conditions such as hypothyroidism or Cushing’s syndrome (hyperadrenocorticism). Secondary bacterial and yeast infections are uncommon and require special treatment regimens. [1] X Research Source
Check for parasites
- Check the dog’s ears for signs of scratches, redness, blood, or soil. Check under the dog’s belly, groin, or under the tail for any red bumps.
- One way to check for fleas is to have your dog stand on a white surface, such as a tissue or a piece of paper, and then brush the dog’s coat. Flea droppings will fall when you brush the dog’s coat and will be more visible on the white paper.
- Scabies is contagious and can be easily transmitted to people and other dogs.
- Your veterinarian can diagnose scabies by taking a scraped specimen from the dog’s skin.
- This disease is sometimes called “walking dandruff” because dog ticks cause the skin to scab over as they move, much like dandruff flakes move.
- You can see dog ticks, they are yellow.
- Other signs of lice presence are hair loss (especially around the neck, ears, shoulder blades, groin and anus); rough, dry or dull hair; have minor wounds or infections; tapeworms and other parasites that can be spread by lice; even cause anemia in severe cases or in small dogs.
- Bristles are not very contagious, and humans cannot. This disease is usually transmitted from mother dogs to nursing puppies. [9] X Research Source
- This disease can be inherited. It’s not uncommon for puppies to get scabies if their parents have also had it at some point. [10] X Research Source
- Some pets can be treated with topical medications, while others need antifungal medication.
- Ringworm treatment includes disinfecting the home, which can take several months to get under control. [11] X Research Source
- Hair loss can be caused by hypothyroidism and is usually not itchy. Dogs with hypothyroidism are more prone to skin problems than usual. [12] X Research Source
- Dogs with Cushing’s syndrome will drink a lot of water and crave food throughout the day. You will also notice that the dog’s coat is thinner and has fewer baby hairs. The dog’s belly area may be nearly bare and the skin may also appear thinner.
Treating dog itching
- Use prescription medication as directed by your veterinarian. Medicines are used to control itching and start the healing process.
- You need to control fleas for dogs and other pets in the house, in addition to the contact environment must also be treated and continue to do this measure monthly.
- Scabies can be easily transmitted to other pets and people. You will need to take steps to disinfect your entire surroundings and treat scabies on dogs and other pets that may be infected. [20] X Research Sources
- Flea shampoos for dogs, such as coal tar bath oils or medicated bath oils, carry the risk of further irritating open wounds. You should consult your veterinarian before trying any over-the-counter treatment for your dog.
- Bathing your dog is a good way to treat itchy skin, but don’t use human bath oils. A mild oat bath specially formulated for dogs can provide temporary relief from itching. If your dog’s skin is scratched or infected, do not use any bath oils or lotions without first talking to your veterinarian. You can make the situation worse if you use the wrong products.
- Do not bathe the dog too much. Most healthy dogs need a bath once a month, while others need a bath less often. Oil on the dog’s skin will be lost when bathing. If your veterinarian prescribes a special dog oil, he or she will recommend the number of baths depending on your dog’s condition.
- Steroids have side effects and should be used with caution. Long-term use may lead to liver or adrenal gland problems. [21] X Research Source , [22] X Research Source
- No single product will work for every dog, so “antihistamine testing” should be done to find out what works best for your dog.
- Note that antihistamines may not help severe itching in dogs, but they are often used after steroids to treat the initial problem, thereby helping to control symptoms. allergy.
- Your veterinarian may recommend immunotherapy if allergies are the cause of the itching.
- Other home remedies such as turpentine, Vaseline wax, mouthwash or white vinegar should also be avoided. However, harmless topical treatments like green tea and coconut oil can be effective for mild cases of dry skin and no signs of infection.
- Your efforts can make the situation worse for both you and your pet.
Change your dog’s diet
- If you feed your dog processed food, you should read the nutrition facts on the product packaging. Make sure the main ingredient is protein, not carbohydrates. Essential fatty acids are good for your dog’s skin and coat and are required in food ingredients. [27] X Research Source , [28] X Research Source
- Follow the directions on the product label or use as directed by your veterinarian.
- For example, if your pet has traditionally eaten dog food consisting of rice and lamb plus beef and wheat as a reward, then the new diet will not include these ingredients.
- This testing method is usually done for 2-3 months.
- You need to follow your dog’s diet closely (including treats) to get the best test results.
- It can take several rounds of food exclusion testing to determine which foods your dog is likely to be sensitive to.
- You can buy dog food at a pet store, but a special diet provided by your veterinarian may be necessary in the treatment of food allergies in dogs. [31] X Research Source
- Once you’ve figured out a diet, you can start trying to feed your dog ingredients one at a time in small amounts to see if the dog’s itching returns after adding the ingredient.
Advice
- Certain dog breeds such as Gpden Retrievers, Labradors and Cocker Spaniels seem to be more prone to allergies. However, any dog, including hybrid dogs, can develop allergies at any time. [32] X Research Source
- Year-round flea control.
- Do not shave the dog’s hair close to the skin. Trimming damaged areas can be helpful, but you should avoid shaving your dog’s entire coat, unless recommended by your veterinarian. In some cases, shaving a dog, even a healthy dog, results in a different color or no regrowth of hair. [33] X Research Sources
- There is no single drug or treatment that is appropriate or effective for all pets. You may have to use a variety of therapies to solve the problem.
- Understand that people often treat and control the symptom rather than the cause. Observing and finding the cause of itching in dogs takes time.
Warning
- Always take it gradually and step by step when changing your dog’s diet. Change only one ingredient at a time and start with a small amount.
- Remember that allergies are manageable, not curable, and that new allergic reactions can develop gradually over a dog’s life. This can sometimes be confusing and frustrating for both dogs and people, but understanding the nature of the illness is important for your pet’s health and well-being.
- Steroids and antibiotics may be needed in severe cases of skin allergies in the early stages of treatment. Any medication has side effects, so you need to talk to your veterinarian when starting treatment and in the case of prolonged treatment.
This article was co-written by Stephanie Abrams, DVM, MS, DACVD. Stephanie Abrams is a Board Certified Veterinary Dermatologist with over eight years of experience in the veterinary field. She specializes in treating skin diseases in cats and dogs. Dr. Abrams holds a bachelor’s degree from Skidmore College and a veterinarian degree from the Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. After earning her veterinarian degree, she completed an internship at Tufts Veterinary Emergency Treatment & Specialties, followed by an internship in dermatology at the Ohio State School of Veterinary Medicine.
There are 18 references cited in this article that you can see at the bottom of the page.
This article has been viewed 35,948 times.
As in humans, allergies in dogs can be managed but cannot be cured. The dog’s body is sensitive to certain stimuli, and the reaction to this sensitivity causes itching. Dogs can be allergic to food, flea bites, grass or pollen in the environment, allergic reactions from direct contact with mixtures such as laundry soap or with hay. The first step is to diagnose the dog’s itching, scratching, and gnawing symptoms such as atopic dermatitis. The challenge for dog owners and veterinarians is finding the cause and effective treatment.
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