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Itchy skin in dogs has many different causes, and more often than not your dog has more than one trigger, which sets off the itching and scratching. It can be an intensely frustrating condition to manage in the long term, but there is a wide range of different ways that the itchiness can be relieved. Here is an outline of the different treatment options and home management tools that can be used to make life more comfortable for your dog.
Medical management
1.
Referral to a dermatologist – this is the “gold standard”. We refer to Dr Allan Bell, a veterinary dermatologist based on the North Shore; he is extremely experienced in the field of veterinary dermatology and has a wide range of diagnostic tests at his fingertips, which are not available, in general practice. As with human medicine, referral to a specialist is more expensive than a visit to your GP.
2.
Blood testing for allergies in practice – the aim of this is to identify one or more of your dog’s trigger allergens. A blood sample is taken in the clinic and sent away to a nearby veterinary testing laboratory and compared against over 30 common allergens. The results of this test can allow you to avoid proven triggers for your dog, and in some cases your dog may be suitable for a desensitisation vaccination course.
3.
Atopica – this is a medication which calms the over active immune system in the skin. It has relatively few side effects and when used appropriately long term your dog may be able to be managed on a low dose – 1 capsule once or twice a week. Initial treatment requires a loading dose over 1 month, costs are approximately as follows;
10kg (chunky terrier) $165/ 1 st month*
20kg (spaniel or small collie) $290/ 1 st
month*
30kg (Labrador) $450/ 1 st
month*
*price correct as of July 2012
4.
Steroids – this is the cheapest and quickest fix. Dogs are not as sensitive to the side effects of steroids as humans, but there is often an increase in appetite and thirst seen after starting treatment. As a longterm treatment steroids are not ideal because of their potential for side effects, but if the dose is managed carefully and maintained at a low level these side effects can be minimised for those patients where there is not an alternative.
5.
Steroids + antihistamine – dogs are not as sensitive to antihistamines as humans, often needing doses which would knock us out! In some cases we use a steroid compounded with an antihistamine as it allows us to use a lower total dose of steroid than would be effective if using steroids alone. This helps to reduce the problems of side effects caused by steroids.
6.
Flea treatment – while your dog may not noticeably have fleas, even one flea jumping onto and running around on sensitive skin can trigger the itching cycle and cause your pet to scratch or chew itself raw. 95% of the flea’s lifecycle is spent off the animal, so it is important to combine flea

treatment with either a spot on or the new oral treatment with a treatment for the home or kennel – ideally done at the same time.
7.
Low level yeast infections can be behind that unpleasant “doggy” smell that itchy dogs sometimes develop, Malassezia sp of yeast are the primary culprits, and these yeast infections contribute to the overall level of itchiness. Regular bathing with medicated shampoo (malaseb, pyohex, sebazole) soothes the skin and also keeps the yeast population under control.
8.
Antibiotics are sometimes necessary when flare-ups or hot spots become infected, you will need to bring your dog in for an examination if you think this is the case.
1.
Essential fatty acids – omega 3 and 6 help to feed the skin cells and improve the barrier mechanism within the skin, reducing the amount of allergens which can penetrate into the skin and set off reactions. Good sources include fish oil, olive oil, flax seed oil, or it can be given in specific supplement such as My Beau.
2.
Dietary management – food allergies may not be the sole cause of your dog’s itchiness they can contribute. Ideally aim to feed a white meat diet i.e. fish, chicken or turkey; avoid beef or pork and in some cases lamb. Game such as duck, rabbit and venison can be useful protein sources as few pet dogs will have encountered this meat before and so are unlikely to be sensitive to it. Carbohydrates such as rice and potato are kinder to sensitive dogs than wheat. There is a broad range of hypoallergenic diets available commercially, some are marketed as specifically for sensitive skins and often contain higher level of EFAs. You can cook for dog if you choose, but make sure you balance the diet carefully and include meat, carbs and veg.
3.
Reduce exposure to allergens – this can be difficult if your dog is allergic to grasses or pollens!
Often dogs with these allergies have worse symptoms along their tummies, into their groins and on their feet, where possible avoid exercise in paddocks – the beach is great because pollen levels are low and the cool salt water can help soothe itchy skin (just make sure to use the showers afterwards to wash residue out). Obviously it is not possible to only allow your dog outside at the beach, so another option is to “dunk your dog” at the end of the day. This means using lukewarm water (with no detergent to avoid drying skin out) to rinse off any contact allergens like dust and pollen which may be lurking in your dog’s coat by the end of the day, the cool water will soothe the skin and removing the potential allergens means that the skin can rest overnight. Focusing on the feet and exposed areas of skin in the “arm-pits” and groin help these areas, which are often the site of flareups. Another option is to adapt a suitable sized rash top or suit to protect the skin against contact allergens – this needs someone handy with a needle and thread!