Scratch Savers
Help Fido Beat the Itchies this Allergy Season
By Camp Bow Wow
Poor Fido! Your furry family member is itching, scratching, losing fur. Maybe you’ve noticed him pawing his ears or licking his feet until he rubs a spot raw. Your pup looks miserable, and you want to find a solution to stop the suffering.
Just like humans, dogs can be afflicted with allergies – and the problem is more common than you might think.
Did you know an allergy is actually an immune response on overdrive? When your dog comes into contact with something to which he's allergic, his immune system will overrespond to attack the allergen, causing uncomfortable symptoms. Your furry family member resembles a small child who can’t tell you what’s wrong when they don’t feel good. It’s up to you to solve the mystery of what’s causing his compulsive scratching – his only recourse to try to stop the irritation.
The trigger could be something airborne, like pollen; an irritant, like a soap, cleaning product or even grass; or a food allergy.
Some dogs are allergic to fleas. Their reaction to even a few bites causes extreme itching and could lead to infection. You can compare a pup’s situation to a human who’s allergic to mosquito bites. Those affected will quickly develop an itchy red welt at a bite site, in contrast to the non-allergic person sitting next to them who barely notices a thing.
One clue to help identify where your pup's allergies might be coming from is to notice whether they tend to get better during the winter, when outdoor culprits like grass and pollen disappear. Allergy tests are available for dogs, but they can be expensive and are not as reliable as those developed for humans.
If allergies persist year-round, your vet might be able to help rule out a food allergy. While blaming your furry family member’s skin problems on something he ate might seem like a quick fix, the truth according to Tufts University's Cummings Veterinary Center is that food allergies in dogs are fairly rare. The most common foods to cause an allergic response in dogs are animal proteins including chicken, beef, dairy, and eggs, Tufts reported. Your vet may prescribe a limited-ingredient diet to see if that assuages the symptoms.
No matter what the catalyst, you want to help Fido feel better – fast! Consider a few options that can be found through a variety of sites that sell pet-related products.
You can use an antifungal and antiseptic wipe or spray to soothe and heal irritated or scabbed skin. Shampoos that contain oatmeal or aloe vera may also be helpful.
For fast relief, try antihistamines that contain diphenhydramine HCI (you might recognize it as the ingredient in Benadryl.) Antihistamines will temporarily relieve itchy skin and are especially good for insect bites and stings. A side effect is that they may make your
pup sleepy.
Don’t be tempted to give Fido one of your human tablets. It’s safer to choose a formula designed for dogs. If allergy symptoms persist, your vet can prescribe a hydrocortisone cream to treat an itchy area topically, an oral steroid, a steroid-like medicine called Apoquel or even allergy shots to break the itch/response cycle. Your vet also may recommend you try an over-the-counter immune support chew that contains Omega fatty acids or probiotics to help your furry family member more successfully weather allergy season.
Whatever is the most effective solution for you and
your pup, we wish your furry family a healthy,
scratch-free pollen season.
