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 .

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[1] Scanlan,  Nancy, DVM.  Healthwell.com, Allergy-Plagued Pets. 1999.