If you have already taken your dog to the vet due to itchy skin or ears, know that you are not alone. It is, in fact, one of the main causes of non-routine veterinary visits for dogs. It may be difficult to fix your pet's skin problems, as there are many health problems that cause or contribute to the itchy sensation. The best way to help your pet is to have him get professional care as soon as possible. If you intervene early, treatment is generally easier and less expensive than the treatment needed for an already advanced disease. This also saves your faithful friend from prolonged or unnecessary discomfort.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Preventing and Managing New or Moderate Itch
Step 1. Get your dog flea treatment
These parasites are the number one cause of itching in dogs, so you need to make sure your pet gets preventative annual treatment. If your dog is not on monthly preventive flea care or is still running out of time before the next treatment expires, use a veterinarian-approved product to kill the adult on the animal. You need to get him treated even if you don't see fleas, as they are small and hide easily.
Your dog may have a flea allergy even if you haven't noticed it. He may be allergic to their saliva, which can cause severe skin disease after just one or two bites
Step 2. Understand the benefits of bathing your dog
It is an effective treatment for relieving the itchy sensation of a dog with various skin problems. You don't have to worry about his skin drying out; this is quite unlikely to happen, as long as you use a mild shampoo specifically for dogs. The potential benefits of treatment are far greater than the possible risks. Among the benefits you can find with this wash are:
- Cleaning of hair follicles thanks to the elimination of dust, sebum and other residues;
- Reduction of fungi and bacteria on the surface of the skin, which often cause itching;
- Removal of potential allergens from the pet's fur;
- Skin hydration;
-
Improvement of skin health.
You can wash your dog as many times as needed, but you should give him a full specific anti-itch bath at least once or twice a week, unless directed otherwise by your vet
Step 3. Wash your faithful friend properly
Brush or comb it before washing it; wet hair tends to knot more easily. Use a dog-specific shampoo with a pH suitable for canine skin. Look for emollient products and an oat-based conditioner with better moisturizing properties. Thoroughly massage the shampoo all over your dog's body for about 10 minutes, allowing the foam to come into contact with the skin. At the end, rinse it thoroughly with cold water and dry it carefully with a cloth.
If you have applied a topical product as a preventative flea treatment or are planning to use one, read the medical directions for bathing on the package. Some products require the dog not to be bathed in the 24-48 hours prior to application, while others recommend refraining from the bathroom for a specific period after treatment
Step 4. Groom your dog thoroughly
If it has long hair, consider clipping it. Experts advise not to keep the fur longer than 5 cm if the dog has problems with itchy skin. The hair can become an irritant; when it is short, cleansing and treatments for skin problems are easier.
Step 5. Understand the risks of using antihistamines
It may be tempting to give him some free antihistamines for itching, but they may not be particularly effective. If you wish to administer these drugs, contact your veterinarian; will be able to recommend the right dosage based on the weight of the dog. Keep in mind that these medicines are not always effective; some studies have found that less than 30% of dogs treated with antihistamines found relief from skin itching caused by environmental allergens.
Additionally, they may not always be effective in treating other ailments that cause itching. They are best suited as a preventative care for dogs that have known allergies and in combination with other types of therapies
Step 6. Discuss with your veterinarian about giving your dog antihistamines
If you wish to attempt this treatment, you must first discuss this with your doctor, especially if the animal has any chronic illness or is already taking other medicines. If you decide to opt for this drug, be sure to administer only the recommended dose and check the composition, to make sure it does not harm the animal. In any case, do not give him antihistamines for a prolonged period and do not exceed the dose of each single administration without having obtained the specific indications from the veterinarian. Here are the recommended dosages for over-the-counter antihistamines:
- Diphenhydramine (Benadryl): 2 mg / kg twice a day;
- Chlorphenamine for dogs weighing no more than 20 kg: 4 mg three times a day;
- Chlorphenamine for dogs weighing more than 20 kg: 8 mg three times a day;
- Fexofenadine (Telfast): 2 mg / kg once or twice a day.
Step 7. Read the drug labels
You should always check the ingredients when buying over-the-counter antihistamines. Pay attention to the active ingredients and excipients - many of these drugs are actually combinations of multiple medicines or contain flavors that could be harmful or even fatal to dogs. Among the most common substances you need to avoid are the following:
- Paracetamol;
- Aspirin;
- Caffeine;
- Codeine;
- Dextromethorphan;
- Ephedrine;
- Hydrocodone;
- Phenylpropanolamine;
- Pseudoephedrine;
-
Xylitol.
If you are unsure about substances that are safe for your dog, check with your vet or animal poison control center before administering the drug
Part 2 of 3: Severe and Chronic Itch Problems
Step 1. Consider every possibility in case of severe itching
Here are some of the potential causes:
- Parasites, including lice, mites and fleas
- Bacterial and fungal infections; these only occur when the skin is damaged or becomes particularly vulnerable due to some underlying disease or allergy;
- Food allergy;
- Environmental allergies;
- Hypersensitivity to ticks or insect bites.
- Less common causes include autoimmune diseases, endocrine disorders, some cancers, and others.
Step 2. Research allergies that affect your furry friend's specific breed
While all breeds can have allergies to certain factors, some are more sensitive to certain substances than others. You need to find out which allergies or other health problems can most easily affect your pet's specific breed. This can give you an idea of his specific ailment.
For example, if you have a Cocker Spaniel, you may find that at some point in their life they are more prone to food allergies. In this case, you may also notice that he feels itchy in the area of his ears and paws
Step 3. Know when to take your dog to the vet
If you have given him a good flea treatment and bathed him thoroughly, but he continues to feel itchy for more than seven days, you should have him examined by the doctor. You must take him to the vet even if the itching is so severe that it prevents him from stopping scratching or if he starts not eating or sleeping.
Itchy skin in dogs can be a symptom of several health problems. This means that diagnosing and treating the specific problem affecting your pet requires a step-by-step approach. It is necessary to exclude the causes starting with the most common ones and proceeding gradually to analyze the rarest ones
Step 4. Be aware of what your vet will ask you for
Typically, doctors begin examining a dog's itch by evaluating his medical history and giving him a physical exam. To help them get an accurate picture of the situation, you may want to write down the animal's medical history on a piece of paper before you go to the clinic, so you don't risk forgetting any important facts or things. Here is some information that can be significant in obtaining an accurate diagnosis:
- How long has the dog lived with you;
- Where did you get the animal;
- How long have you been itchy and whether the problem has reduced, worsened, remained constant or tends to come and go at intervals;
- Which areas of the body are itchy the most
- What is he currently eating, what has he eaten in the past, what treats you give him, if he eats table scraps or what other foods;
- Where he spends most of his time (at home, in the garden, walking in the woods, swimming in pools or natural streams and so on);
- If the dog has contact with other animals, including other domestic animals, wild animals that approach the garden or in the woods, other animals at the kennel, the groomer, in the animal park or in other places;
- If other pets or family members have itchy skin
- If the dog has previously had problems with itching;
- If the skin itch seems to occur with a seasonal course;
- The medications you take, including preventative treatments for worms and fleas, prescription medications, topical shampoos and creams, other over-the-counter medications, and supplements;
- If you have any other symptoms besides itching
- Any measures you have taken to control itching, including baths, supplements, diets, topical therapies, hair trimming, and so on, as well as how your pet reacts to such treatments.
Step 5. Be prepared for the possibility of further exams
Your vet may recommend other tests, such as a microscopic examination of some hairs, skin scrapings, ear swabs, blood tests, or others, to rule out the most likely causes of the itch based on symptoms. These different tests will help your vet devise a treatment plan for your friend's wagging skin problem.
While some vets advise against it, others find it helpful to test for allergies. These tests are very expensive and are not always accurate on dogs because they were originally developed for humans. For this reason, an elimination diet is usually followed to detect allergies
Step 6. Learn about the most common treatments
These vary based on the severity of the symptoms and the cause or hypothetical cause of the itch. The most common are usually anti-parasite drugs, regular baths with medicated shampoos, antibiotics, topical or oral steroids, immunosuppressive medications, dietary supplements, dietary changes, and others.
When dealing with dog itchy skin, it's important to be patient and follow your vet's directions, including any treatments he prescribes. In the long run, your dog will have a better chance of recovering completely if you put him through a careful treatment plan and rule out the causes of the itch in a logical order
Part 3 of 3: Common Home Treatments for Skin Problems and Itching
Step 1. Set up a diet to find any food allergies
If you suspect your dog is sensitive to any food in his diet, you need to identify the source of the problem. Go on a hypoallergenic diet for at least eight weeks. Your doctor will recommend which one is most suitable for your pet. Make sure he can't eat anything outside of the established diet, no sweets and no leftovers from your table. At the end of the eight weeks, check for any improvements in the dog's health.
Be careful when reintroducing your usual food. Once you understand what the allergen is, you must offer it again to the animal and observe the symptoms, to confirm the diagnosis
Step 2. Pay attention to environmental allergies
Some dogs are allergic to grass, dust, or pollen. Once the vet has identified the problem, try to prevent the dog from coming into contact with it. For example, if your pet is sensitive to grass, you should keep him indoors until the rash has resolved. When you bring him back into the garden, have him put on a shirt or other garment to prevent his skin from coming into contact with the grass.
- If your dog is allergic to dust, remember to vacuum the carpets, curtains and upholstery in the house at least twice a week. You also need to wash the bedding fabrics once a week.
- If you are allergic to pollen or another substance in the air, your doctor may give you a number of vaccines to increase your resistance.
Step 3. Manage hypersensitivity to insect bites
If your pet's body reacts abnormally to flea and insect bites, you need to treat it to prevent infestations. To start, give him a flea treatment; you can ask your vet to recommend a good preventive medicine. The dog may need to be given medication once or twice a month.
In the meantime, wash and brush it at least once a week. Ask your vet about using a flea shampoo
Step 4. Treat bacterial or fungal infections
Both affect the skin and are diagnosed by the vet who will most likely prescribe a topical medicine to be applied to diseased skin. Antibiotics may also be needed to completely eradicate the infection.
Your vet may also prescribe medications to manage the itching triggered by the infection, including corticosteroids or antifungals
Advice
- Do not use hot water to wash the dog; high temperatures irritate and dry out her skin.
- If you use a blow dryer or let your dog's coat air dry, you may make the itch worse. The water evaporation process makes human skin itchy and there is a good chance that dogs will experience the same effect as well.
- Talk to dog owners who have the same problems. You may find an alternative treatment that has proven effective for their pets.
- Use a fragrance-free, dye-free laundry detergent. The dog's skin reaction could be triggered by the chemicals present in the normal soaps you use to wash the fabrics of his kennel or the upholstery of the sofa cushions. If you can't find a neutral product, try looking for it in the baby laundry detergent department.
Warnings
- At the end of a treatment there is always the possibility that the itch will recur. In this case, the treatment can be repeated, although it is not advisable because cortisone drugs are often related to renal and hepatic alterations.
- The effectiveness of the therapies is variable; however, expect relapses from time to time.
