Itchy Dogs

Many itchy dogs have the doggy equivalent of hayfever, which is called atopy.  A lot of dogs are allergic to flea saliva but only a few are allergic to food.

Common causes, or allergens, include pollen, grasses and dust mites.

Atopic dogs also have a poor skin barrier that allows the allergens to penetrate the skin and provoke the allergic reaction.

How does atopy affect my dog?

Dogs with atopy constantly scratch, bite, rub or chew themselves.  Itchy dogs don’t always scratch. They may rub their faces, flap their ears, or lick and chew their feet.

Some dogs scratch continuously but don’t damage their skin, whilst others quickly rub themselves raw. Recurrent ear infections are common.

Some dogs show signs of atopy as young as 3 months old, but usually it first occurs between 1 and 3 years of age. Initially most dogs will only be itchy during certain seasons, usually spring and early summer. As your dog ages, these itchy periods become longer.

As atopic dogs age, they become allergic to more things. Each dog has an allergenic load he can tolerate before he starts to itch. Exposure to one extra pollen or flea bite pushes him over the threshold into scratching or rubbing.

Diagnosis depends on the information you supply and examination of the skin. Tests such as skin scrapings and cytology rule out mites and secondary infections.

We may also rule out flea and food allergy by eliminating fleas and starting a dietary trial.

Skin testing by a specialist dermatologist will identify the allergens.

How to we treat atopy?

It is rare to cure atopy. We control it with a combination of strategies:

Improving the skin barrier:

  • Use shampoos without sulphates
  • Add essential fatty acids like Nutricoat, Megaderm, and fish oil to the diet
  • Apply sphingosines found in Nutriderm shampoo and conditioner,
  • Minimise bathing as much as possible

Avoiding allergens:

  • Vacuum carpeted areas frequently and minimise bedding to reduce dust mites
  • Keep your pet inside on windy days or when mowing

Treatments:

  • Cortisone offers immediate relief but can have serious side-effects if used long term
  • Atopica has fewer side-effects than cortisone and is often very effective but can be expensive in large dogs in the initial stages
  • Hyposensitization with repeated small injections of low doses of a combination of allergens chosen by a dermatologist on the basis of skin tests. These suppress the allergic reaction successfully in approximately 70% of atopic pets. Relief is not immediate and they usually require injections at least monthly for the rest of their lives. However in responsive pets hyposensitisation minimises the use of other medication.
  • Antihistamines such as Claratyne, Fexotabs, Claramax or Zyrtec are helpful in some cases but are rarely as effective as in humans.
  • Shampoos containing aloe vera and oatmeal may ease itchy skin

Skin allergies can be challenging to control and require a systematic approach to diagnose and treatment.  With commitment and care, most pets can enjoy a comfortable life despite ongoing exposure to environmental allergens.

114 thoughts on “Itchy Dogs”

  1. Thank you for any other informative site. The place else may just I am getting that kind of info written in such an ideal method? I have a undertaking that I’m simply now operating on, and I’ve been on the look out for such information.

  2. What抯 Happening i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I’ve found It positively helpful and it has helped me out loads. I hope to contribute & assist other users like its helped me. Great job.

  3. One thing I’d really like to reply to is that fat reduction plan fast can be carried out by the perfect diet and exercise. Ones size not merely affects appearance, but also the overall quality of life. Self-esteem, melancholy, health risks, as well as physical abilities are influenced in weight gain. It is possible to do everything right but still gain. Should this happen, a medical problem may be the reason. While excessive food instead of enough exercising are usually at fault, common health conditions and key prescriptions can certainly greatly amplify size. Thanks for your post here.

  4. I抣l right away grab your rss as I can not find your e-mail subscription link or e-newsletter service. Do you have any? Kindly let me know so that I could subscribe. Thanks.

  5. It’s a shame you don’t have a donate button! I’d without a doubt donate to this fantastic blog! I guess for now i’ll settle for bookmarking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account. I look forward to fresh updates and will talk about this site with my Facebook group. Chat soon!

  6. Coming from my observation, shopping for electronic devices online may be easily expensive, although there are some tips and tricks that you can use to obtain the best deals. There are usually ways to come across discount offers that could make one to possess the best consumer electronics products at the cheapest prices. Interesting blog post.

  7. I’m not sure exactly why but this website is loading very slow for me. Is anyone else having this issue or is it a problem on my end? I’ll check back later on and see if the problem still exists.

  8. Generally I don’t read article on blogs, but I wish to say that this write-up very pressured me to take a look at and do so! Your writing style has been surprised me. Thank you, quite nice article.

  9. Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as though you relied on the video to make your point. You definitely know what youre talking about, why throw away your intelligence on just posting videos to your weblog when you could be giving us something informative to read?

  10. Thank you a lot for providing individuals with an extremely marvellous possiblity to read in detail from this blog. It’s usually so lovely and as well , jam-packed with a good time for me personally and my office colleagues to search your website not less than three times weekly to read the newest stuff you have. Of course, I am also usually impressed concerning the good knowledge served by you. Some two points in this post are indeed the most impressive I have had.

  11. Pretty section of content. I just stumbled upon your web site and in accession capital to assert that I acquire in fact enjoyed account your blog posts. Any way I will be subscribing to your feeds and even I achievement you access consistently quickly.

  12. Thanks for the suggestions you have discussed here. Yet another thing I would like to talk about is that laptop memory requirements generally rise along with other advances in the technologies. For instance, as soon as new generations of cpus are brought to the market, there’s usually a similar increase in the size and style demands of both laptop memory plus hard drive space. This is because the software program operated by these processor chips will inevitably increase in power to benefit from the new engineering.

  13. The pilgrims who traversed the Atlantic centuries in the past might have named their ship the Mayflower after
    the affluent hawthorn tree. A preferred ornamental and landscaping plant, this stunning tree
    flowers in May; thus, it is typically known as the mayflower.

  14. Excellent blog right here! Also your site so much up very fast! What host are you the usage of? Can I am getting your affiliate link on your host? I want my site loaded up as fast as yours lol

  15. Tripods are essential for capturing sure results the place a slow shutter velocity is important.
    News stories suggest that air-conditioning repair providers are frequently busy fixing
    or changing tools for overheated homeowners.

  16. Just wish to say your article is as surprising. The clarity to your publish is just excellent and i could assume you’re knowledgeable on this subject. Fine with your permission let me to take hold of your RSS feed to stay updated with impending post. Thanks a million and please carry on the enjoyable work.

  17. Most social networking websites permit customers to put up comments and messages to
    each other, however who owns that data? Legacy Letters are messages the corporate will
    ship to designated recipients after verifying that you’ve got died.

    You may create a free account and store up to 3 property
    (e.g., login info), designate one beneficiary to retrieve those assets do you have to cross away and write a Legacy Letter.
    For $29.99 a yr, members can store an infinite variety of property and designate as many beneficiaries as they like.

  18. One other important aspect is that if you are a senior citizen, travel insurance intended for pensioners is something you need to really think about. The more mature you are, a lot more at risk you happen to be for making something bad happen to you while abroad. If you are not really covered by quite a few comprehensive insurance plan, you could have many serious difficulties. Thanks for expressing your good tips on this web site.

  19. I do not even know the way I finished up here, however I assumed this publish was once great. I don’t recognize who you’re however certainly you are going to a well-known blogger should you aren’t already 😉 Cheers!

  20. I simply wanted to develop a comment to be able to thank you for all the magnificent items you are giving out on this site. My time-consuming internet investigation has finally been recognized with really good content to write about with my best friends. I would claim that many of us readers actually are extremely blessed to be in a useful place with very many marvellous people with helpful things. I feel quite lucky to have used your webpage and look forward to tons of more exciting minutes reading here. Thank you again for a lot of things.

  21. you’re really a good webmaster. The site loading speed is amazing. It seems that you are doing any unique trick. In addition, The contents are masterpiece. you’ve done a wonderful job on this topic!

  22. In accordance with my observation, after a in foreclosure process home is marketed at a bidding, it is common for any borrower to be able to still have any remaining balance on the loan. There are many loan providers who seek to have all service fees and liens paid back by the subsequent buyer. On the other hand, depending on a number of programs, regulations, and state regulations there may be a few loans that are not easily settled through the exchange of lending products. Therefore, the responsibility still falls on the debtor that has had his or her property foreclosed on. Thanks for sharing your opinions on this site.

  23. I appreciate how you broke down this complex topic into manageable pieces. Your clear explanations and real-life examples made it so much easier to understand.

  24. I found this post incredibly helpful. The step-by-step approach you’ve taken is very useful, and I’ve learned a lot that I can apply to my own projects.

  25. Your writing style is engaging and informative. I’ve learned so much from this post and can’t wait to apply these tips to my own projects.

  26. Usually I do not learn article on blogs, however I wish to say that this write-up very pressured me to take a look at and do so! Your writing style has been amazed me. Thanks, quite great article.

  27. Your writing style is engaging and informative. I’ve learned so much from this post and can’t wait to apply these tips to my own projects.

  28. Today, with all the fast way of life that everyone is having, credit cards have a huge demand in the economy. Persons throughout every arena are using the credit card and people who are not using the card have made up their minds to apply for one. Thanks for giving your ideas about credit cards.

  29. I simply wanted to jot down a brief word to be able to express gratitude to you for the stunning strategies you are placing here. My extended internet lookup has now been paid with good quality concept to go over with my friends and family. I would express that most of us site visitors actually are quite endowed to dwell in a really good site with so many wonderful individuals with very beneficial suggestions. I feel truly grateful to have seen your site and look forward to many more fun moments reading here. Thanks once again for all the details.

  30. I appreciate, result in I discovered exactly what I was looking for. You’ve ended my 4 day lengthy hunt! God Bless you man. Have a nice day. Bye

  31. I抦 impressed, I have to say. Really not often do I encounter a blog that抯 each educative and entertaining, and let me tell you, you may have hit the nail on the head. Your concept is outstanding; the problem is one thing that not sufficient persons are talking intelligently about. I am very completely satisfied that I stumbled across this in my search for something relating to this.

  32. I do not even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was good. I do not know who you are but certainly you’re going to a famous blogger if you aren’t already 😉 Cheers!

  33. The Jungle Cruise attraction has at all times featured narration by a live Disney Cast Member; for the release the narration was supplied by Thurl Ravenscroft.

  34. Thanks for these guidelines. One thing I also believe is credit cards offering a 0 interest rate often attract consumers together with zero interest, instant approval and easy online balance transfers, but beware of the main factor that is going to void your 0 easy road annual percentage rate plus throw one out into the poor house fast.

  35. The best thing is that you can use the live cam technology yourself and interact with the women in the chat – all you need is a free click here account and your own cam.

  36. Many of those pieces are now within the loft, together with a small desk with etched pewter doorways and a matching ebony-stained maple chair with a leather-based seat.

  37. This set of drink markers includes cats in 6 different colours, they’re made from dishwasher safe silicone, and so they can be used with numerous kind of glasses and cups, including stemless wine glasses.

  38. Great beat ! I would like to apprentice while you amend your web site, how could i subscribe for a blog site? The account helped me a acceptable deal. I had been a little bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided bright clear concept

  39. If you feel like getting to know my wild and crazy side, don’t let me stop you, give me a call and visit me on hot cam show right away. Can you imagine even more? Just let me know and you can add me to your favorites, then I will inform you regularly what’s new with me… But I don’t want to over-text you, so now it’s up to you

  40. Thank you for your post. I really enjoyed reading it, especially because it addressed my issue. It helped me a lot and I hope it will also help others.

  41. You can join in the webcam chat with the girls directly with your own cam. We offer you cam chat with sound. So you have your hands free and can whisper your fantasies into the hottest sex chat for free ear and hear the women moaning and smacking in front of the webcam.

  42. Good web site! I truly love how it is easy on my eyes and the data are well written. I am wondering how I could be notified whenever a new post has been made. I’ve subscribed to your RSS which must do the trick! Have a nice day!

  43. Thanks for posting. I really enjoyed reading it, especially because it addressed my problem. It helped me a lot and I hope it will help others too.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *