Comments on: Dog Skin Allergies – My Itchy Dog

By: Colby

Colby — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 05:13:12 +0000

@Barbara, thanks for telling us about your dog. I’m going to check into some of your suggestions.

By: Colby

Colby — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 05:03:42 +0000

@Lori thanks for all the great advice. I’m going to check out the rawfeddogs.net site and see what I might be able to do to relieve Stetson’s allergies. I also like the recommendations for natural flea and tick preventative. I usually don’t worry too much about flea’s and ticks, but last year we had a flea outbreak in my house which was quite miserable. I ended up using Advantage on the dogs and bombed the house, but next time I’d like to try the natural products as I hate putting advantage or frontline on my dogs. I’m also going to check into the vaccinations. I have heard similar horror stories about vaccinations. Thanks again for all the advice!

By: barbara

barbara — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 20:26:04 +0000

I bought my dog a doggy life jacket at petsmart, it is stiff enough that he cant turn aroung a chew on his tail or back end, and he also cant scratch his ears or ribs, but he can still go potty, move and sleep comfortably, and go in and out the doggy door. I put in on him when I can’t be there to watch him, like when I go to work. I also bought him probiotics by GNC called “ultra mega digestive health complex” and also “seasonal allergy support” made by Vets Best. I feed him Natures Domain salmon and sweet potato grain free dog food and I sprinkle fresh chopped chicken on top twice a day with his 2 pills above, I wrap a piece of chicken around each pill. For his itchy spots I use “burn Jel” because its has lidocaine in it which numbs the itchy spot, it also has tea tree oil which is an anti-bacterial agent and vitamin E. I wash him with sulfodene medicated shampoo which has sulfa and coal tar for itching. I have been doing this for about a month now and he hardly bites or scratches lately, he still does once or twice a day, which is not nearly as much as he used to.

By: Lori

Lori — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 13:19:11 +0000

Carbs and kibble are two of the reasons dogs get allergies. Kibble is not species appropriate food and dogs never need carbs or dairy products in their diet. Sadly most vets are not educated on canine nutrition or they would never recommend or sell the kibble that they do. Bottom line, dogs are carnivores they eat meat, not dried up extruded hard pieces of chemical laden, artifical colored pieces of kibble that contain grains and garbage not fit for human consumption. For what little education vets do get while in school, guess who educates vets on canine nutrition? Money making dog food companies. Ironic isn’t it? As for dry dog foods labeled holistic and all natural, well there is nothing holistic or natural about the process the food goes through to become dry dog food/kibble.
Flea and tick products along with heartworm medications and vaccines can cause allergies and skin conditions not to mention cancer, seizures, and in some cases death.
Dogs that are fed a healthy species appropriate diet very rarely suffer from ear infections, yeast, and allergies. However some dogs, even very healthy dogs on a good diet can suffer from environmental allergies i.e. pollen, grass, floor and carpet cleaners, household cleaners, air fresheners, candles etc. Use natural cleaning products and if using harsh chemicals to clean your floors always rinse floors with a hot water and vinegar solution before allowing your pets on the floors. Steam cleaning is an excellent way to clean up harmful bacteria without harming your pets. Your aunt is correct rinsing with vinegar clears up flaky skin, and repels mosquitos, mites, fleas, and ticks and soothes dogs skin that are suffering from allergies. A few drops of organic apple cider vinegar in your dogs water is also very beneficial to their health. Bathe more frequently when the pollen is high or at least soak a towel in vinegar water and wipe down your dog after being outside for prolonged periods or walking in the weeds or high grass.
I have been a dog owner for most of my life and I have been working with rescued dogs for 25+ years now and have learned a lot through trial and error.
My first suggestion would be to do a lot of research and get your dog on a raw diet it truly is the best thing you will ever do for your dog.
*Helpful info. on raw feeding here, http://rawfed.com/myths/omnivores.html
and here, http://rawfeddogs.net/
My second suggestion would be stop the use of all chemicals and pesticides on your dog for fleas ticks and heartworm. There are too many natural things you can do for your dog to keep risking their health with harsh chemicals and pesticides. These topical treatments that some vets push go into your dogs blood stream and cause a whole host of problems for your dogs. The fleas may be killed but now your dogs are at risk for cancer, seizures and some pretty nasty skin problems. There are many lasting effects form flea, tick and heartworm products. Never, ever use any Hartz flea and tick products or Bio-spot.
*Read here for more info. on the dangers of flea and tick products,
http://www.shirleys-wellness-c.....ontrol.htm
Here are some natural flea and tick preventatives, http://www.cedarcidestore.com/.....094323.htm
Read here for the truth about heart worm preventatives, http://www.k911.biz/Petsafety/.....atment.htm
My third suggestion would be to stop yearly vaccines they are unnecessary. Have titers run on your dogs instead if your vet is pushing for yearly vaccines. Rabies is the only mandatory vaccine in most states and that should only be given every three years. Also if your dog has suffered any allergy symptoms, seizures, skin conditions, or tumors at the vaccination site check to see if your state will issue a rabies exemption some states do. I lost dogs to rabies vaccines, lepto vaccine, and distemper vaccines, as well as had adverse reactions in my dogs to flea products, heart worm products, and food recalls so I do speak from personal experience in all the fields I have mentioned. Educate yourself on these matters and confront and discuss them with your vet you owe it to your dog to do whats best for them. Only you have their best interest at heart. Never let a vet talk you into doing something that could potentially harm your pets I made that mistake too many times.

By: How Often Should You Wash Your Dog?

How Often Should You Wash Your Dog? — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 06:53:40 +0000

[...] has dog skin allergies already so I’m sure trying a more frequent bath schedule shouldn’t hurt. So I [...]

By: Jonah

Jonah — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 18:11:45 +0000

Thanks for sharing! Very informational article. I agree that allergies can be one of the major causes of ear infection. Proper cleaning on your dog’s ears is important too! Check out this article about the step-by-step guide on doing it http://www.dogears.co/how-to-clean-your-dogs-ears/

By: Colby

Colby — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 19:40:06 +0000

@Lizl thanks for visiting our website. Our vet recently prescribed Atopica which worked very well for Stetson. However, we had two problems with the Atopica. First, it’s very expensive. I believe it was costing me about $200 a month. Second, it made Stetson nauseous every time he took it and he regularly vomited shortly after taking his pill. I’ve heard that some dogs have issues with it and some do not so you may want to ask your vet if it something that might work for your dog. Good luck with your dog. I hope he starts feeling less itchy soon.

By: Lizl

Lizl — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 18:12:56 +0000

I have a labrador alsation mis breed, her name is Cayla. I struggle with skin problems. I have tried everything, from changing her diet, cooking for her, cortisone injections and tablets, antihistamine, and any lots of different shampoos for sensitive skin. I have even tried all sorts of home remedies recommended by friends. The cortisone helped for round about a year, but now it doesn’t make a difference. My poor baby is itchy all the time and now has large bald spots where the hair has been falling out. She defenitely does not have fleas because I check and treat her regularly. Her dachshund brother and sister has no skin problems at all. If there is anybody who has some advice for me, I would really appreciate it.

By: Dog Products At The OC Pet Expo

Dog Products At The OC Pet Expo — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 23:28:53 +0000

[...] wound and infection treatment spray. We were hoping this spray would help with Stetson’s dog skin allergies. Again we did not get a doggy product review posted to the web. However, we plan on putting [...]

By: Colby

Colby — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 01:56:32 +0000

@Bonnie, one of my friends is a vet tech and she told me to try Benadryl so I’m thinking about putting Stetson on Benadryl for a few weeks to see if it helps. I have a friend who is a vet so I’m going to run it by him before I start Stetson on any new medications. Good luck with your pup. I hope he feels better.