How To Help Cure Dog Skin Allergies

How To Help Cure Dog Skin Allergies…

By Jennifer Gretson

It is not just humans that have to deal with skin allergies and infections. There are many dog skin allergies that you will find that you have to deal with. Some are extremely easy to help with but there will be some that take months to figure out what it is. The problem with being a dog is that they cannot care for themselves.

The first step is to find the cause of the infection or allergic reaction. It is important that you do everything in your power to stop it from ever happening again and to be able to stop whatever is causing the problem right now. This will give you the ability to start the treatment process. You will need to think about what you were doing just before the skin reaction flared up. There could be a variety of reasons for your dog’s skin to start flaring up in a rash, including changes to its diet or even problems with the current weather conditions and climate.

When you know the cause of the reaction, you will need to start cutting down on the chance of the exposure. This can be difficult in some cases, such as pollen allergies, but there are times that you can make one simple change. This is especially the case if you have tried new shampoo or a different type of dog food. Go back to what you were originally using or you could consider cooking your own meals for your pet. This will help you deal with some of the many dietary problems that occur.

Now it comes to soothing the problem that has occurred. Your dog can only do so much and will need your help. Consider bathing your dog in some warm water with fragrant-free shampoo. Another popular option is to use baby shampoo, which is naturally designed for sensitive skin and is perfect when there is already an allergic reaction. You can find out some soaps from your vet too to help with the problem.

Once you have washed your dog, you will need to rinse off all traces of the shampoo or soap that you have used. Adding apple cider vinegar is a popular option for many people. This is because the vinegar has a natural ability to soothe problems. You could also consider using Epsom salts, which will soothe and work to kill the infection due to the antibacterial properties.

You need to start to find ways to help decrease the sensitivity in your dogs skin and one of the ways to do this is through oils. You can use sunflower oil with your pet’s food, which will help to promote the skin to create its own oils. Omega 3 is another popular oil that will help with boosting the immune system and healing the reactions. You can add more oily fish to your animal’s diet or you can guy supplements from the pet store. However, most dogs prefer not to take pills and will usually fight against you.

You could also find some creams at the pet store to help you with the soothing process. You should read the labels to make sure that the ingredients will not harm your dog any more but you will usually benefit from the prices being much lower than those that are prescribed.

However, there are times that no matter what you do the cause will not go away. At times like this, you will need to see your vet to get help. Your vet will be able to help by finding the exact cause and then prescribing medication that is able to help with the treatment of your dog skin allergies that your pet is experiencing.

Jennifer is a family dog health specialist specializing in dog skin problems. She recommends all-natural treatments for dog skin allergies.

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Skin problem help needed for dog?

I have a 3 !/2 month golden retriver- she has had a serious fungal infection- i took her to the vets and they gave her a special bath- i then had to bath here every two days and sprey this really strong chemical on her and finally put a cream on. anyway it seemed to off worked and her hair has started growing back- well last night she started really scratching again and little lumps have come up on her ears- i live in tyrkey and the vets are rubbish they just want to sell you loads off stuff to make money. I think it maynot be a fungal infection and maybe mites- does anyone know what I should be looking for and what i can ask the vet to do- someone has suggested a skin scrap or a blood test.

Any advice would be a great help as driving me insane- I am going to a new vet tomorrow so wanted to be prepared

Thanks
Skin problem help needed for dog?
A skin scrap wont bother the dog to much but it is a good way to find out exactly what is bothering the dog.

If your vet does seem that he is after your money rather than the well fair of your dog it is better as you have mentioned to change your vet. I have listed below some mites that causes what you have described.

Demodicosis

This is a noncontagious skin disease caused by an excessive population of the canine follicular mite, Domodex canis. The life cycle of the mite, involving eggs, six legged larvae, eight legged protonymphs, and four legged adults occurs completely on the host. This mite occurs naturally on most dogs and lives in the hair follicles. Complications arising from this mite typically occurs in young dogs(juvenile-onset form) and less commonly occurs in older dogs (adult-onset form). Complications may be localized or generalized. NOTE: localized and generalized are very different diseases.

Localized demodicosis is very common and is typically a mild, self-limiting disease. Generalized demodicosis is a severe and potentially life-threatening illness that typically evolves from the more localized form and is relatively uncommon.

This disease is a result of the alteration of the normal protective mechanisms of the skin that keep the mite in check. Dogs affected with localized demodicosis exhibit one or more well defined patches of hair loss, reddening of the skin (erythema), and scaling. These patches typically develop on the face, around the eyes, the corners of the mouth, and on the front legs.

Dogs affected with generalized demodicosis usually have a history of localized demodicosis. Diffuse or patchy, generalized hair loss accompanied by scaling, crusting, and signs of chronic skin inflammation are characteristic of this disease. In extreme cases, bacterial disease may be present.

Canine Scabies

This is a highly contagious, intensely itchy, skin disease caused by the burrowing epidermal mite, Sarcoptes cabei var. canis. This particular mite is restricted almost exclusively to dogs, but may produce a transient itching disease in other hosts, including people. The intense itching arises from the irritation caused by the mites as they burrow into the skin and by their production of toxic and allergy inducing compounds.

The mites are small, oval, whitish, and opaque. Adult mites have eight legs and live on average 4 to 5 weeks. Although they spend most of their time on the host, these mites can exist for up to 48 hours off the host in the local environment. Transmission occurs by direct contact with an infested dog and clinical signs may develop within a week of contact with an infested animal.

Affected dogs exhibit intense itching, small reddened papules with crusting, hair loss, and often severe secondary trauma caused by energetic scratching and biting. These lesions are usually found on the underside of the body, around the ears, elbows, and front legs.

Affected dogs should be temporarily isolated and the premises thoroughly cleaned. Treatment involves the sue of shampoos or miticidal dips. Oral anti-inflammatory medication may be administered to help control itching. All animals living on the premises that have had significant contact with the affected dog should be treated as well, since it is possible they may be harboring sarcoptic mites, with or without accompanying clinical signs.

Cheyletiellosis

This is a mild, contagious, variably itchy, skin disease of domestic animals, wildlife, and people caused by the mites of the genus Cheyletiella. These mites live on the surface of the skin. It should be noted that this condition is typically seen in parts of the world where vigorous flea control is not necessary or not practiced. The mites that cause this illness are sensitive to the same insecticides that kill adult fleas.

The mites are large with prominent hooklike mouthparts, and can be seen with the unaided eye as small white specks on the dogs skin or hair. Although the entire life cycle of the mite is completed on the host, adult female mites can survive in the environment for extended periods of time. This increases the likelihood of transmission to other animals or humans.

Ear Mites

This mite, Otodectes cynotis, is most at home in the ear canals of dogs and cats. When present, they present a dry, reddish brown wax that often appears at the opening of the ear canal. Large numbers of these mites can create such an extensive amount of excrement and wax that the entire ear canal becomes obstructed. Further, they can produce a major reaction in the ear and set the stage for secondary infections by yeast or bacteria.

Treatment involves removing the debris caused by the mites, anti-inflammatory drugs or ointments to subdue scratching, and miticides to kill the mites.
Skin problem help needed for dog?
The new vet is a good idea. It could be about anything. Allergies, food, dermatitis. A scrape is a good idea, so is a blood test.
Reply:My sister had same type of problem a number of years ago with her border collie ……..had skin scrapes expensive medication special diets the lot everything worked for a while but would always come back untill poor dog was almost bald ………… tried Tea Tree oil spray a few pounds off pet stall worked a treat …… its in a pump spray bottle worth a try ….
Reply:I have a 3 year old lab who also has ear problems like this A LOT. I wash his ears with Hydrogen peroxide and then use this blue gel stuff called Benadene by Sergeant’s. It’s a hot spot skin remedy so you can put it anywhere on their body. It says it’s for : reddened area, hair loss, intense itching. Active ingredient is Benzalkonium Chloride. It seems to help a lot!
Reply:It could be her diet as well. Golden’s are known to get allergies. Check and see what’s in her food wheat or corn may be doing this. Also you should ask your vet to do a skin scrape and blood work so you can nip this in the bud. It could be many different things. Good luck with her, she’s lucky to have such a caring person looking out for her.;^)
Reply:i would ask for the skin scraping
Reply:I would start with a skin scrap to see if they find mites or anything.

If it is demodex mange it can be treated but takes time to clear up.

If the skin scrape is clear then start looking at allergies.

Many Goldens have flea or food allergies and once you figure it out thing clear up and go pretty well. But it may take some time to figure out what is causing this.

Good luck.
Reply:Oh dear, you are having your fair share of problems! When you see your new vet, and after any further tests are done, ask him about Fuciderm Carbomer Gel. This is an excellent veterinary product but is a prescription-only medicine. Unfortunately, a tube costs about æ‹¢17 over here but, on a plus side, it works like magic! My Siamese cat has these ‘mystery’ sore patches on his inner thighs and tummy occasionally. My vet, having tested him for every skin condition under the sun, prescribed Fuciderm and that really worked wonders. Don’t worry, Fuciderm is for dogs primarily!

I hope you will have some luck. I know how distressing skin problems can be … for the owner as well as the pet!
Reply:The first thing they should do is a skin scrapping to see exactly what is on her to cause her itching. Some dogs especailly goldens tend to have allergies. Find out if they have testing for this or if there is something in your home or yard that they know would cause this. Some foods cause allergies in the skin ask the vet if trying an allergy diet might help. these can be more costly than the supermarket but really worth it. There are so many reasons for itching and some dogs just itch out of boardom or frustration. Does your dog go out and walk enough or does she not like being left alone? These things can cause these reactions in dogs also.Don’t be afraid to ask any and all ?s the vet may have the degree but if u sit and think about how this all started, IE: where and when what was the pet around u may be able to lead the vet in the right direction and one that is not so costly to u. Hope this hepled. Good Luck and remember in the end u r the boss not the vets.
Reply:Your poor dog – I would definitely ask for a skin scrape as that is the only way that they can tell what it is.

Get them to check in her ears as if it is mites or some other form of infestation they should be visible – you may want to consider whether there is a possibility this could be fleas and if so get some flea treatment such as frontline.

You did not say whether she has been scratching all over or whether it is just in her ears – if just her ears are bothering her then she could have got something stuck in there like a grass seed which will need to be removed.

Hope this helps and you get her sorted quickly!
Reply:My sister has a scottie and has had very similar symptons it transpiries that it is all to do with mites from his birth mother and a lot of inter breeding

My dog"s have some kind of flea problem which makes them lose their coat and not gain weight please help?

their skin seems real hard and have tried flea bath but does not work

My dog’s have some kind of flea problem which makes them lose their coat and not gain weight please help?
Your dog could possibly have some type of worms, dogs or cats that ingest fleas/flea eggs can get some types of worms due to the fact that fleas are a host for the worms. And when the fleas make a dog or cat itch,if it is an area they can reach, they will “bite” at it. I would honestly recommend a trip to the vet so he/she can examine the dog. If your dog has not been wormed AND has flea problems,a product I suggest would be “Advantage Multi-Plus”. You get it at a vets/groomers office, I dont think you can buy it at pet supply stores or Wal Mart type stores. Either bring your dog in to be weighed or know its approx weight. Based on its weight, you will be given the appropriate dose, “Advantage Multi Plus” kills adult fleas,flea eggs, prevents heart worms,and kills the most common intestinal worms. You part the hair so you can see the skin on the dogs shoulder blades,and apply, If your dog is big, it is best to apply in more than one spot around the shoulder blades,if small I think one spot would be ok,but the package instructions talk about all this. After you administer this,and the fleas are gone,I would keep him on a flea prevention regimen. It is SO much easier to prevent fleas than treat them. Also,he should have a heartworm pill once a month to prevent that disease. We have two dogs of our own (Rottweiler and Beagle/Husky mix) and we foster rescue dogs and ALL of them are on a flea prevention and heartworm prevention regimen. Also, you might need to treat your home with a “fogger” type product for fleas. Flea eggs will fall off your pet into the carpets,furniture,etc and hatch there. They survive on microscopic debris (I know its gross,but its the truth) then when they get big enough,they get on your pet. If you use a flea killer in your home,read the directions becuase some of them you have to activate them,then leave the house for a period of time. Hope this has helped and GOOD LUCK. PS Before you put any product on your dog,give him a bath
Reply:why don’t you put them on the program, it is an excellant flea control program, it doesn’t kill the adult flea but it won’t let them reproduce, so it takes about 2-3 months to have an effect but that effect is awesome
Reply:make him eat pedegree
Reply:If your dog is not gaining weight, this could be some sort of worm infestation.

Fleas can also make your dog lose their appetite. Repeat the flea baths as often as directed on label, and comb the dead ones out after bathing. Flea combs will also help rid of the eggs that are already there. Bathing alone will not rid the flea problem however.

You MUST flea bomb your home, as directed on the product you choose. If it hasn’t already happened, the fleas could begin to bite you and your family members as well.
Reply:They most likely have a skin reaction/allergy to fleas. My cats are the same way. Put them on a topical preventive…..once a month. If the problem (sores, nasty spots, etc) is really bad the vet may give them a steroid injection to help with combatting the problem while you take care of the infestation…….you will also have to treat your house at least twice to kill fleas and then the newly hatched eggs 2 weeks later.
Reply:Its sounds like he is allergic to fleas (this is true, many animals are) take him to the vet he may also need worming
Reply:Sounds like they are allergic to something. Its really uncomfortable and can make them feel ill. If they really have fleas and the wash isnt working try a spot treatment for fleas from the vet. It could also be an allergy to something in their environment. The most common things to set off allergies are, grasses, bedding and blankets, carpet, insects and pests, food, fuzzy or sappy plants in the garden, grooming products and less likely the type of soil in your yard. Take your dog to the vet and have them tested for allergens. Its a bit expensive, but its worth it in the long run. Rather than spend months or possibly years trying to figure out whats causing it, go to the vet and find out. Then you can remove it and the dog will be happier and healthier, trust me, its not nice to be itchy and scratching and not able to do anything youself(ever had a body part in a cast and not able to scratch it).
Reply:You need to get them to the vet soon. There could be some other problem going on besides the fleas.

Second, I have black lab and a Yorkie, they are both on Advantage Flea. My lab had a pretty bad shedding and horrible dry skin issue last summer – I took her to the vet and there weren’t any allergies found – it just turned out that she has very sensitive skin. The vet advised me to put her on a regimen of Brewer’s Yeast and bathe her with an oatmeal based shampoo. I did both and maintained the regimens and she hasn’t had a problem since. And since my dogs have been on Advantage, I have not seen a flea or tick on them – and we live on a farm.

Hope this helps – best of luck!
Reply:its mange, get to vets NOW

If this is typical Westie skin, god help Westies...

I bought my West Highland Terrier, Connor McLeod, from a breeder in Kent, over six years ago, when he was eight weeks old. He always had a very delicate stomach and was sickly until I found a dry food that he got on with and the vets recommended… this was James Wellbeloved.
By the time Connor was eight months old he developed very itchy skin on his feet and began to chew and scratch and his temperament became a little aggravated. I took him to his vet in Kent and they said it was ‘typical Westie skin’ and I was advised to bathe his feet after every walk and to change his diet.
They recommended Science Plan. This didn’t seem to make much difference, but his skin didn’t get any worse and I continued to bathe his feet in salt water after every walk. By the time Connor was 18 months old (reached adulthood) his skin and mood were perfect, I couldn’t have asked for a happier and better behaved little dog! I thought perhaps his male hormones kicking in or the move to Brighton had cured him.
But by the time Connor was a year and a half something very strange happened. He developed an insatiable appetite for water. It was a very extreme case of constant binge drinking. He began wetting himself and drinking anything he could get to… drinks off tables, puddles, even the sea!
He was so obsessed he would lick the windows if it was raining and cry to go out, so he could lick the ground. He was tested for everything from diabetes to kidney failure, all of which came back negative. I wasn’t allowed to limit his water intake until they had an answer, which made life unbearable for both of us. Eventually he was taken into the vets for a 48 hour, water deprivation test and the outcome was ridiculous. They said that he was in perfect health and was just a little neurotic and had an obsessive-compulsive disorder! This was the most ridiculous thing I had ever heard! 
I questioned the food he was eating, but they insisted that it had nothing to do with it and to keep him on the food they had recommended. I then had to measure his water and slowly decrease the amount he was drinking, every week to try and trick him into drinking less. This didn’t work and I doubted he would be drinking so much unless he was genuinely dying of thirst. So I tried changing his diet to wet food, but unfortunately all the food on the market just upset his stomach and made him ill. I tried a raw food diet but the vets didn’t advise it and said it didn’t have enough nutrients and he didn’t like my homemade food anyway. I put up with this for nearly two years and it just became our way of life.
I always looked on the internet and read books/magazines, even asked a couple of editors of dog magazines to see if someone would be interested in doing a story and helping me find an answer. I never gave up.
Then I saw a new food called Naturediet and thought I would give it a go, it was natural, had added nutrients and had to taste better than my attempt! And miracle… it didn’t upset his stomach and he stopped drinking water almost immediately! Naturally this destroyed my faith in this particular vet. Occasionally Connor would have short relapses, where I had to stop him drinking seawater or puddles, but it was just a habit that was easily broken in time. So he must have some allergy/sensitivity to dry dog food – if I give him even a small handful he immediately resorts to binge drinking again, so I don’t let him near it at all anymore.
Unfortunately the whole binge drinking and wetting himself cycle had left Connor with a weakened bladder and he was constantly marking his territory, so I spoke to the vet about getting him done. I wasn’t too keen, as I had heard that in older dogs it could cause some unwanted temperament changes or illness. But I was assured that this wasn’t the case. We went ahead with the opp. Connor was five when this was done.

Within a couple of months Connor began to chew his feet again, only this time it was very severe… he began clawing, biting and scratching and made himself bleed. Boredom was never a factor as Connor was lucky enough to be an office dog, having three decent walks a day and surrounded by people he loved. He was always a bit naughty and vocal at times – but that’s Westies!
Anyway… back to the vet…
I was given the diagnosis ‘Typical Westie skin’ again. Well it’s obviously an allergy to something that has always been there, but I feared that his lack of male hormones after his operation had left him with the inability to fight the condition. When I questioned the vet on my theory he shrugged his shoulders and said it may be a possibility. I was devastated – what had I done? Why don’t vets know about this? Everyone should be made aware of this if it’s a ‘possibility’!

I turned into an Internet monkey and bookworm again, trying anything, from aloe vera to talc… I tried bathing him in Marceleb, which the vet swore by, but he hated it and would cry and kick, to the point where I would break down in tears at the horror of how much pain it was causing him.
Eventually I took him to another vet to get a second opinion (my dad took his cats there and recommended him). Connor was put on Atopica… within a few weeks his skin was perfect and his fur had grown back, but he was being sick every day, which wouldn’t be good long term and the cost was astronomical! I kept him on the tablets for at least three months and then I had to stop… within two months the skin problem had returned. So Connor was put on steroids – this relieved most of the itching but his toes remained bald. A year ago Connor started to get reoccurring bladder infections, to the point where he was crippled in pain and peeing blood and even after treatment he was slightly incontinent. This happened three times and a couple of months back I decided it couldn’t go on. So back to the vet…

In desperation they talked me back onto Atopica… but after two months he has got steadily worse and is the worst he has ever been, he hasn’t been sick on them this time, so I’m guessing they just won’t work for him anymore. I can’t leave him for a second without him wanted to chew his feet and it has now spread to his belly and is very bad under his chin. I am sick of pumping my poor little dog full of chemicals that have all these terrible side effects and after a while don’t seem to work anyway! He is now on a course of antibiotics as his skin looks infected and piriton allergy tablets to ease the itching. I have him on a new raw food diet, that I buy frozen at the pet shop and add supplements of aloe vera and primrose oil. I bath his feet in salt water every evening and have purchased something new called Dermacton off the Internet which is totally natural and supposed to ease the itching and encourage fur regrowth. This is a soap bar and a spray. I only bathe him when he gets really filthy, but I am using the spray three times a day. It doesn’t seem to bother him, which is a good sign. The vet was disappointed that I didn’t want to continue with the Atopica, but I have decided to go for the blood test to test for allergies, for which he has to be free of these drugs for one month. I have heard nothing positive about this testing and found no one that it has worked for it is also extremely expensive, but I am willing to try anything.
He has already been tested for Demodex mites/mange and the result was negative. Connor will be seven in January and spent most of his life suffering, one way or another… But I do everything I can. He keeps his cone on his head at home or he will tear at his skin straight away causing himself to bleed, but on his walks he bounds around happy as ever as long as I keep him playing with his favourite toy. I have to keep his attention on anything but his skin.
Any advice or details of anything I haven’t tried or any success stories would be greatly appreciated. It’s breaking my heart and not a minute goes by that I’m not wracking my brain for something I may have missed.
Donna James, by email


I came across Donna’s plight on Twitter while on holiday and promised we’d try to help via Think Tank. Regular readers may remember the case of Lewis the Labrador with terrible skin problems that we featured in the magazine for many years – until at last he received some respite. Poor Lewis’s owner received terrible abuse when she walked him as people would see the state he was in and blame his poor owner who literally was doing everything possible to put him right!
I know the readers were fantastic in supporting Lewis’s owner and I’m hoping you’ll step up to the plate and help Donna and Connor. Eventually there was something suggested that helped ease the symptoms, let’s hope the key to putting Connor back together is out there, too.
Twitter only gives you 140 characters so initially I had no idea of the extent of Connor’s problems. My first instincts were to suggest Connor try Yumega Plus, but I’m still digesting this full case history.
Anyone got any other bright ideas?
Please share your thoughts here.
Good luck Donna and well done for never giving up hope.
Beverley Cuddy, Editor