Vet Linda Simon explains the best ways to help an itchy dog.
I Tcan be quite upsetting when our dogs are uncomfortable and itchy. They may be rubbing, scratching, chewing and licking more than usual.
We might notice fur loss, red skin and scabs.
How we can help our dog will depend entirely on why they are itching, and there are a few things to consider.
This could be due to an allergy to something in the environment like dust mites, grass, mould or pollen.
Allergies often start before the age of five, and certain purebreds, including Labradors and Frenchies, are more prone to allergies.
Alternatively, itching could be caused by a food allergy.
Some of the most common allergens include chicken, beef, grains, peas, soya and dairy.
Other causes could include a contact reaction to something the animal recently touched, for example a toxic plant, a primary bacterial or fungal infection, or parasites such as mites or fleas.
If the itching has started abruptly after a walk, a good bath in dog shampoo is required.
With ongoing skin complaints, a vet check is a sensible first step.
The vet will examine the dog and may perform some tests, such as a skin swab and scrape, to get a diagnosis.
They may also discuss the option of allergy testing if the pet has been itchy for some time and signs aren’t resolving.
This can be helpful as it can let us know what to avoid, and gives us the option of starting immunotherapy injections to decrease sensitivity.
When food is the culprit, a special diet can be started.
The vet can also issue medicine that may include strong anti-itch medicine – like steroids or Cytopoint – and antibiotics as needed.
These should get to work on the same day.
They might also start a medicated wash.
Patients with allergies may need ongoing anti-itch medicine, and this should not be stopped abruptly without first checking with their vet.
From home, we can use a buster collar to stop any further chewing or licking, and trim claws short.
We can also bathe inflamed skin twice daily in a dilute Chlorhexidine – Hibiscrub – wash.
It is not a bad idea to start some skin supplements to strengthen the dog’s skin barrier and reduce allergen entrance.
Many owners ask me about antihistamines, and they can help in a small sub-set of dogs.
For most, however, they are not particularly effective at relieving itch.
When they do help, they can be very useful as they are cheap and easily available.
Finally, do ensure your pet is up to date with a strong flea and mite prevention such as Bravecto® or Advocate®.
Even when an owner cannot see parasites, we can’t rule out the possibility that they are there.
Fleas in particular can hide under a dog’s fur, or are licked off and swallowed by an itchy pooch.
Grab the chance to eat asparagus while it is briefly in season. This delicious vegetable is packed with health-giving antioxidants, including vitamins C and E and polyphenols, which have a blood-pressure lowering, anti-inflammatory and anti-viral effect. Asparagus is also a good source of vitamin K for bone and blood health, as well as folic acid and fibre, too.