Greetings everyone! I hope 2018 is treating you well so far. It’s been very cold and dry here in Oklahoma, which can obviously make for some very irritated skin. But Norman has actually been doing pretty well. He’s finished the medication for the mites issue and that has definitely helped. The spot is still visible but it’s no longer so sensitive and he hasn’t been itching nearly as often. He is still taking a dose of Apoquel most days, and he goes in for another Cytopoint shot on Tuesday. So with all that, today’s topic is something you all know about…atopic dermatitis!
Atopic Dermatitis
If you have an itchy pup, then you are probably already familiar. It’s also discussed on the Skin Allergies page of this website. Atopic dermatitis is a very common skin issue associated with allergies and is found in many breeds. This happens when your dog come in contact with allergens and high levels of histamine are released in the body that cause an allergic reaction on the dog’s skin. It’s very uncomfortable for the dog and can cause them to itch excessively.
It can very difficult to identify what exactly is the cause of the issue for your dog. There are seemingly an unlimited number of allergens, and many dogs are affected by multiple. This makes it almost impossible to “cure”. However, there are many things you can do to help alleviate the discomfort.
As always, you should see your vet whenever you have concerns about your dog’s health. But for DIY treatments, a good place to start is with wipes, shampoos, and topical creams or lotions. Earthbath carries a number of products that can help keep your dog comfortable. We use them constantly and they can definitely help keep the itchiness in check before it gets too bad. However, if atopic dermatitis goes ignored for too long, you run the risk of your dog getting an infection. That means a longer recovery period and likely a more expensive vet bill!
More Information
Previously I posted about some of the benefits of apple cider vinegar to combat itchy skin. It can be used as a topical solution or even ingested with their food or water. Please read the post before trying this though. It needs to be diluted appropriately.
Of course there are several medications that a vet can prescribe to help fight atopic dermatitis. We have tried almost all of them at one point or another and discussed them on this site. If you’re interested in reading more about them, just click around in the blog or on the main site pages. There is plenty of information available.
Recently, ALK developed a program to help veterinarians and pet owners combat these allergens. You can read about the ACTT Allergy Program here.
As always, please follow Norman on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. The links are at the bottom of the page, or just search for Itchy Frenchie. Norman loves to hear from you!