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The most predominant of allergies with dogs are skin
allergies. I would say that 40% of my canine clientele are
prone to seasonal allergies. And, along with these allergies
comes incessant scratching, hot spots and dry flaky skin.
In most cases, the cause of itchy and dry skin is inhaled
allergens. In the winter months, skin problems can be
attributed to high heat in homes without any added humidity.
In addition to the above, it can be caused by other problems
such as food or contact allergies, infection or plain skin
damage.
If your pet's scratching becomes overwhelming and raw or
bloody spots are noted, a visit to your veterinarian is a
must. Your vet can perform skin cultures and do blood work to
assess the cause of the itching. Unfortunately, these tests
are sometimes non-conclusive.
In the summer months, I see many dogs with flea dermatitis.
Flea dermatitis creates a reaction on the skin caused by flea
saliva or a reaction to a flea bite. This may result in hair
loss around the effected area or raised sores with a bloody
tinge to them. Itchy skin can also be caused by grass pollen,
trees or brush, mold and fungal spores, dust mites and pet
food which contain artificial ingredients, preservatives,
colors and man-made flavors.
Create
a More Comfortable Environment for You and Your Pet
The first step to creating a more comfortable
environment for you and your allergy-prone pet is to decrease
the allergens in your home. Air purifiers with HEPA®
filters can help to minimize airborne allergies and make
breathing a little easier. The problem though is that you need
to know the exact cause of your pet's scratching or it will be
guessing game to determine what must be removed from his
environment.
What you can do is:
1. Relieve the immediate itch.
Have your professional groomer recommend a soothing shampoo
like colloidal oatmeal, or if your vet has determined that
your pet is suffering from seborrhea or dermatitis, have him
recommend a shampoo that addresses that specific skin
condition and start bathing your dog. When I say bathe your
dog, I do not mean only use this shampoo when your dog comes
to us, but bathe him every week until the symptoms are
alleviated. A medicated shampoo is exactly what it says:
Medicated and medicine works well when used as directed. If
bathing once a week is a hassle, you can always bathe him at
Wag 'N Wash. We will provide you with hypoallergenic shampoo
to clean your dog. Next you will apply your medicated shampoo
and leave it on for 10 minutes followed by your conditioner.
We do offer discounts to weekly clients.
2. Minimize the allergens in your
house. Add an air purifier to your home. Either
ionic purifiers or HEPA-type work well. Vacuum all carpets and
rugs and try to stay away from using fragranced carpet
products. A safe alternative to use is basic baking soda. It
will freshen your carpets without leaving fragrance or any
irritants which could prolong your dog's scratching.
3. Support your Pet's Immune System.
Slowly change over to a premium, organic pet food. We can help
you with food combining to prevent any gastrointestinal upset
while your dog is changing over to the premium food. The
best would be one without wheat, yeast or gluten. The best
diet to feed would be Raw Meat but this is something I will
discuss in another newsletter. We also have ample info at the
shop on Raw Feeding Guidelines. Often times, pets like people,
develop allergies to wheat products, resulting in incessant
scratching, chronic ear infections and weepy eyes. We can
recommend premium, organic food for your pets as well as
gluten-free treats. Most vets will agree that the new food
should contain a protein (meat) that the dog has not been
exposed to like duck, rabbit, venison, to name a few
I say this on a daily basis to most of my clients and
people that come in to ask advice on what to feed their pets:
Feed your pets a super premium food now while he is a puppy or
he is Senior he can only benefit by a healthy diet. While you
may consider it expensive now, feeding your dog a healthy,
organic diet can save you thousands of dollars in vet bills
later on. I've owned many dogs over the years and feeding them
a premium food, lengthened their lives and gave me more
quality time to spend with all of them.
A. Supplements. There
are several supplements that can help a dog with skin
allergies or aide a suppressed immune system to recover:
Vitamin A helps by decreasing inflammation. It also
helps with decreasing dandruff and dryness. I am not a
veterinarian and cannot define dosing; however, my dogs have
done well on 200 I.U.per pound of body weight a day. We also
have a holistic vet who has assigned our supplements and
dosages.
Sub-lingual; Vitamin B Complex - by
"Sublingual" I mean in liquefied form. The body
absorbs the nutrients faster than in tablet form. Most canines
with skin problems or a suppressed immune system have a
difficult time absorbing nutrients. B Vitamins can make all
the difference in the world. I purchased a great one
which comes in a two-pack byNutraceutical Solutions,
1-800-856-7040, called Sublingual Total B Liquid
Solution. I add one dropper to Buttons' food every
morning.
Vitamin C It is a proven fact that Vitamin C
decreases histamine. Histamine is what causes allergic
reactions in people and causes pets to scratch. Vitamin C is
an alterative to the use of Benedryl. ® It protects against
deficiencies of Vit A, B12 and E which are all important for
healthy skin and coat.
Other supplements include minerals like copper, zinc,
Iodine and folic acid. One of the most important supplements I
recommend to my clients is an EFA (Essential Fatty Acid).
Omega 3 fatty acids increase the production of
anti-inflammatory prostaglandins1. Omega-3 fatty acid
supplements (i.e. salmon oil, cod liver oil and fish oils) can
aid in the treatment of eczema as well as brittle coat and
flaky skin. Fatty acids are also recommended for curtailing
shedding in dogs. I've had several customers add fish oil to
their pet's food and they did notice a decrease in yearly
shedding. Other oils that can be used are Evening Primrose and
Borage oils. Both have been known to soothe rough, dry skin. I
myself take double the dosage in the winter months than I
would normally take in warm weather.
In conclusion, you will need a lot of patience dealing with
pets with allergies. Before resorting to synthetic steroids,
like prednisone, which only mask the symptoms by giving
temporary relief, try a natural approach first. Also, find a
holistic vet who can help you with choosing supplements,
relieve the itch and bring your pet back his happy healthy
self once more. Some helpful links on locating a holistic
veterinarian are:
http://www.naturalholistic.com/referral.htm
http://www.ahvma.org/
To find a group where you can openly discuss your pet's
medical problems and exchange and get some great advice, Yahoo
Groups offers some topnotch groups. Go to www.yahoogroups.com
to search their many canine communities.
Any questions or comments can be directed to me at info@wagandwash.com
.
________________________________________________________________
Scanlan, Nancy,
DVM. Healthwell.com,
Allergy-Plagued Pets. 1999.
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