#BEST ITCH RELIEF FOR DOGS SKIN#
#BEST ITCH RELIEF FOR DOGS TRIAL#

To stop the self-perpetuating itch and scratch cycle, the dog is generally kept on the prednisone or antihistamine at the start of the diet trial. Even a small treat of a non-novel food can cause allergies to flare up. It is vital that only this food be fed to the dog. During the trial, the dog is fed a novel food with unique protein (such as salmon or duck) and carbohydrate (such as sweet potatoes or peas) sources. The diet trial, which should be done for at least six weeks, is based on the fact that many dogs are allergic to the protein or grain sources used in many standard dog foods.

#BEST ITCH RELIEF FOR DOGS TRIAL#

If initial treatment does not work and standard diagnostic tests don’t reveal an answer, a diet trial is a possible next step.

#BEST ITCH RELIEF FOR DOGS SKIN#

Doing skin scrapings to look for mites is important, as is testing for ringworm in suspicious cases. A thyroid level test can tell if a dog has a low thyroid (hypothyroidism), which is a relatively common cause of skin disease in dogs. It can also give clues to endocrine diseases that can cause skin disease, such as hyperadrenocorticism, overactive adrenal gland, and may point to further testing. A CBC (complete blood count) and chemistry profile can detect systemic disease and infections. Some standard diagnostic tests can be done. The order is variable, based on the signs the dog might be showing and what has or has not worked. The following are the steps that Best Friends’ vets recommend. If the itching isn’t resolved by these methods, more intensive work needs to be done. Sometimes, one of these solutions is the magic tonic. But the challenge is this: What is your dog allergic to? And, once that substance has been identified, what is the best way to treat her? It is common to start with an allergy pill such as an antihistamine (like cetirizine or hydroxyzine), prednisone (the steroid) and shampoos. Today, the most common cause of itchiness is allergies. Consult with your veterinarian about which product is best for your dog. The best flea control products are safe and can provide substantial benefits. Even if you don’t see fleas, it doesn’t mean they are not there. This is less of a concern nowadays with improved flea control products, but if you are not using a flea control product, start with that. Causes of itching in dogsĭecades ago, the most common cause of itchiness in dogs was fleas. It is often hard to find the underlying cause and even when found, it often involves lifelong therapy for the dog.

Do you have a dog who’s constantly scratching? The itchy dog is one of the most difficult problems to assess in veterinary medicine.

Best itch relief for dogs