It’s quite common  for dogs to suffer from red, irritated itchy bumps on the skin, They can be very distressing for both dog and owner and if not treated they can easily become infected. There are two common causes; allergies and parasites.

Allergies
Contact dermatitis is one of the most common causes of the bumps and is due to allergens and irritants coming in direct contact with the skin itself. If you suspect your dog may be a victim of this problem there are a few environmental items to consider;

• Shampoos and Conditioners • Laundry Detergent and or Fabric Softener
• Household Chemicals and Cleaners • Carpet Freshener and Air Freshener • Fabrics and Carpeting • Dog Perfumes and Colognes
• Plants

Don’t be fooled into thinking that  it must be an allergen that has been recently introduced into your dog’s environment, your dog may have tolerated the irritant in the past and only just developed an allergy to it.

The process of finding the exact allergen is one of trial and error (and lots of patience). Rather than switching out the possible irritants one by one, try and remove as many as you can (pet beds, perfumes, colognes etc) and give your dog time to recover. If you see an improvement then you know it’s one (or more) of the items removed. Then you can reintroduce the offending items one by one leaving time for the reaction to occur again. This way you’ll be able to isolate the specific allergen and remove it permanently. (This method also allows for the fastest relief)

Food allergies are another common cause of itching and again it’s quite common for a food that had been well tolerated for years to become the source of the problem. It’s a good idea to rotate out all of your dogs food but be especially suspicious of food containing wheat, grains and peanuts. If your dog is particularly prone to allergies you might want to try an herbal detoxifier to help reduce the overall allergic load on their system. Find out more here

Parasites
Parasites are reasonably easy to diagnose, larger ones like fleas and ticks can be seen with the naked eye and can be killed by using an over the counter flea treatment. If you prefer to be a little more proactive and prevent an infection before it occurs an all natural spray like Flea the Scene works beautifully and has the added bonus of being completely safe. If you find no sign of parasites but still suspect they may be the cause you can also take your dog to a vets for a skin scraping that will indicate any microscopic cause of the problem. Your vet will probably prescribe Ivermectin, an anti-parasitic medication.

Another common cause of canine itching is shampoo residue. Never use human shampoo on your dog, it has the wrong pH for a dogs skin and tends to lather much more than needed. (Humans usually have far less hair than dogs) A low lathering shampoo like Comfy Dog will not only prevent residue build up but the colloidal oatmeal formula is very effective at combating itching in the first place.

With a little luck and diligent detective work you can make those nasty bumps disappear and bring peace and quiet back to your itchy household.

by Audrey Harvey, DVM

Allergies can be a source of great distress for our dogs. The itch makes them miserable, and scratching doesn’t bring relief for very long. When our dogs are unhappy, we’re unhappy too.

Fortunately, allergies can be treated, and life can be much more pleasant for our pooches. Some treatments carry a risk of side effects. It’s important that you follow your vet’s instructions carefully, and be aware of what to expect if your dog should have problems with the medication.

These are the most common medications used to treat allergies in dogs:

1.       Antihistamines.

Most antihistamines that are used to treat dogs are the same as those used in humans. They are not effective in all dogs, in fact only about 30% of dogs will respond to antihistamines alone.  However, this percentage increases if they are used in conjunction with other treatments, such as fatty acid supplements.

At the proper doses, antihistamines are quite safe, with the only real side effect being sedation. This can be helpful to a dog that is distressed by his itching, as it may help him to relax.

2.       Corticosteroids.

Corticosteroids have a reputation for being unsafe, but if they’re used correctly and at the right dose, they are extremely useful. Corticosteroids work by suppressing your dog’s immune system, which relieves redness, inflammation and itching.

These drugs do have side effects, and they can be severe. Most dogs who take corticosteroids will drink a lot of water, and have an increased appetite. They gain weight, may become diabetic and can develop liver problems.  However, serious side effects are more likely to occur with higher doses of corticosteroids, and most dogs tolerate them very well.  You can often reduce the amount of corticosteroids your dog needs by using fatty acid supplements and anti-histamines at the same time.

Corticosteroids don’t deserve their bad reviews, and can make life so much better for a severely allergic dog.

3.       Atopica

This is a fairly recent addition to our armory of tools to treat allergies in dogs. It is specifically used in cases of atopy, or allergy to dusts and pollens. It won’t have any effect on the most common skin allergy in dogs – flea allergy, and it’s also not very effective in cases of food allergy either.

It too suppresses your dog’s immune system to stop him reacting to allergens. It can take up to 6 weeks to see a response, and in the meantime, you often need to use other medications to keep your dog itch-free. Side effects in the short term include vomiting. Long term, dogs can develop excessive growth of the gums, warts on the skin and infections.

4.       Desensitising injections are a safe and effective way of treating allergies in dogs, particularly those allergies to dusts and pollens. Your dog is tested to identify what he’s allergic to, and then he is given small doses of that allergen by injection on a regular basis. The theory is that his immune system learns to tolerate that allergen, so he doesn’t react to it and become itchy. It is safe, it has no side effects and it works to relieve itchy skin in many dogs. Its main disadvantage is that it can be very expensive.

5.        Don’t rule out alternative therapies in treating your allergic dog. Traditional Chinese medicine and herbal medicine can help ease the irritation in his skin. Keep in mind that even though herbs are natural products, they can have side effects if given in high enough doses. Some people find that acupuncture also helps in soothing itchy skin. If your vet isn’t experienced in using natural therapies, ask for a referral to a colleague who can help.

There’s no need for your dog to feel uncomfortable and itchy – there are treatments available to help him feel better. However you choose to manage your dog’s allergy, don’t forget to include Comfy Dog shampoo in his treatment regime. Its colloidal oatmeal and soothing herbs will reduce the irritation and inflammation in his skin, and it is gentle enough to use regularly to remove allergens from his coat. Follow his bath with a liberal application of Fur Butter. It is an ideal conditioner for itchy dogs, as it too contains oatmeal and will leave his coat feeling soft and luxurious.

 Audrey Harvey is a veterinarian who has worked in small animal practice for 20 years, and has been involved in teaching and competing in dog obedience and agility. She is passionate about preventative health care in dogs, particularly obesity management and the prevention of boredom related behavioral problems. Audrey lives in Brisbane Australia, and shares her couch with an Australian Cattle Dog, an Australian Working Kelpie and two Whippets

 by Audrey Harvey, DVM

Just like people, dogs can suffer from contact allergies, where they react to something that touches their skin. The initial allergic reaction in the skin doesn’t last long, but it lasts long enough to cause severe itching. Dogs with contact allergy often do their skin more harm with their constant scratching.

The most frequent cause of contact allergies in dogs is a plant species called Wandering Jew, a member of the Spiderwort family. However, dogs have also been known to be allergic to grass, carpet cleaning products and timber stains.

Contact allergy isn’t very common, and it can be difficult to diagnose. It relies on you and your vet looking at your dog’s recent activities, and working out that his skin inflammation regularly occurs after being exposed to a particular plant, or after you’ve cleaned your carpets.

These allergies also tend to affect the parts of his body that have less hair cover, so that can be a giveaway. You’ll notice reddening on his belly and on his chest, and possibly on his feet.

If you suspect your dog has a contact allergy, you can have him allergy tested. This is a very specialized procedure, and it’s a good idea to have it done by a board certified veterinary dermatologist. For testing to occur, your dog’s skin needs to be in good health so he may need to live with a friend or family member until the inflammation settles. When he’s looking good, your vet will tape a piece of the suspect plant or some of the suspect carpet cleaner to your dog’s skin for 48 hours, and watch for a reaction.

Although diagnosing contact allergy isn’t easy, it can be very straightforward to manage. The best way to treat this type of allergy is to prevent your dog having access to the plant or chemical he is reacting to. You may need to do some landscaping and remove any offending plant species. You may need to use a different carpet cleaner, or send your dog on a short vacation with friends when it’s time to shampoo your rugs.

If that’s not possible, for example if your dog has an allergy to grass, consider using a pair of booties when you take him for a walk, so his feet don’t come in contact with the grass. Some companies also make protective body suits for dogs to keep them from rubbing against plants that will make them itch. Some dogs will need occasional medication to keep them comfortable if they should accidentally come in contact with an allergen.

You can do your part at home to keep your dog’s itchy skin in good health. Comfy Dog shampoo will gently soothe skin inflammation without drying his coat. Fur Butter is the perfect conditioner for itchy skin and can be rubbed well into his coat after rinsing. Both Comfy Dog and Fur Butter contain colloidal oatmeal which has been proven to reduce skin reddening and relieve itching. Should your dog have a specific itchy area, such as on his belly, keep Itchin’ for Relief within reach. Its handy nozzle allows you to treat that itchy spot without wetting the surrounding skin and hair. Herbal extracts and neem oil soothe irritated skin and ease inflammation, while any secondary infection is kept in check by Grapefruit seed extract.

Audrey Harvey is a veterinarian who has worked in small animal practice for 20 years, and has been involved in teaching and competing in dog obedience and agility. She is passionate about preventative health care in dogs, particularly obesity management and the prevention of boredom related behavioral problems. Audrey lives in Brisbane Australia, and shares her couch with an Australian Cattle Dog, an Australian Working Kelpie and two Whippets.

by Audrey Harvey, DVM

Does your dog suffer from chronic ear infections? Did you know that the food your dog eats might be the to blame?

Food allergies are often the culprit in cases of otitis (ear inflammation). Otitis or conjunctivitis could also be associated with atopy (allergies to inhaled dusts and pollens).

Let’s start with the ears. In one study, researchers examined 100 dogs with chronic ear problems to try and work out why they kept developing these infections. Of those 100 dogs, 43 of them were found to have underlying allergies that were the primary cause of their otitis. Although 100 dogs isn’t a large number of animals to survey, the results do indicate that allergies are a major cause of chronic ear problems in our dogs.

These allergies cause inflammation of the skin inside your dog’s ear canal, which will make him shake his head and scratch his ear. This inflammation allows bacteria and fungi to multiply and cause a secondary infection. The inflammation also causes his ear canal to thicken which prevents air circulation and provides a warm moist environment for the infection to flourish.

What does this mean for you? It means that if your dog has ongoing or recurring ear problems, you are not likely to clear these up by just treating him with ear drops. Drops will kill the infection, but unless you manage his underlying allergies, his ears will be sore again soon after you stop the medication.

Here are some guidelines for managing your dog’s chronic ear infection and inflammation.

1.    Make an appointment with your vet to have his ears examined thoroughly, including looking at the discharge from his ear under a microscope.

2.    Use an appropriate antibiotic or antifungal ear drop to get the secondary infections under control.

3.    Treat any allergies. This often means using medication such as corticosteroids or antihistamines to stop the itch and reduce the inflammation. However, it is vital that you start a food trial to rule out food allergies, and consider allergy testing to see if he’s sensitive to any environmental allergens.

4.    When his ear infection is under control, continue to manage his allergies, but start using the Ear Aid two part program to keep his ears clean and healthy. Firstly, wipe his ear clean with Ear Wipes. They contain colloidal silver which will suppress any bacterial growth. Follow this with Ear Clear drops. Their herbal ingredients will soothe and heal sore ears, while helping to prevent bacterial infections.

Allergic conjunctivitis is another common problem for dogs that suffer from atopy.  It is usually seen in conjunction with itchy ears, itchy skin and feet, and sneezing, however, it is possible for allergic dogs just to have itchy eyes and show none of these other symptoms.

Conjunctivitis associated with atopy tends to affect both eyes at the same time. These poor dogs have very itchy eyes, and rub their face along the ground to try and get relief. They often rub away the hair from around their eyes. If you pull their lower eyelids down, their conjunctiva is usually very red and inflamed. They tend to have watery eyes, but as with ears, it’s common for a secondary bacterial infection to occur. This leads to that familiar yellowish sticky discharge which needs frequent cleaning.

Treatment of allergic conjunctivitis is similar to that of any other allergies. Firstly, treat the secondary infection. Clean any discharge away with Eye Pads; they are safe, gentle and they will inhibit further growth of bacteria. You may need to apply specific antibiotic eye ointment if it is prescribed by your vet. Make sure you add Eyemunity powder to your dog’s diet. It will boost his immune system and help him fight off those bacterial invaders.

It’s often very hard to keep your dog away from dusts and pollens that he may be sensitive to, so treating atopic conjunctivitis relies on desensitization and medication to keep it under control.

If your dog has recurring ear infections, or constantly watery eyes, consider an underlying allergy as the cause.

 Audrey Harvey is a veterinarian who has worked in small animal practice for 20 years, and has been involved in teaching and competing in dog obedience and agility. She is passionate about preventative health care in dogs, particularly obesity management and the prevention of boredom related behavioral problems. Audrey lives in Brisbane Australia, and shares her couch with an Australian Cattle Dog, an Australian Working Kelpie and two Whippets.

by Audrey Harvey

Have you ever wondered what is actually happening in your dog’s skin during an allergic reaction? What causes the redness, and why does he itch? You’re just about to find out!

Firstly, let’s define the term “allergen”. An allergen is anything that causes an allergic reaction. It could be dust, it could be pollen, or it could be the saliva injected into your dog’s skin when a flea bites. They are usually very small protein molecules, and although most are absorbed through the skin, they can also be absorbed through the nose or intestinal wall.

We also need to understand a little about mast cells. These cells are part of your dog’s defense system and as such, are found in tissues that interact with the outside world such as his skin, his digestive tract and his nose.  They are programmed to kill parasites rather than bacteria or viruses, and contain small granules of histamine and other chemicals which cause inflammation. These granules are released in response to infection with a parasite, in the hope that the chemicals destroy the invader.

When your dog is exposed to a potential allergen for the very first time, his immune cells produce antibodies against it. These antibodies then attach themselves to mast cells in his skin. At this stage, there’s not a problem, and your dog appears just fine.

The problem occurs the next time he comes across this allergen. It binds to the antibodies that are attached to the mast cells, and causes the cells to release their little bundles of chemicals. These chemicals cause that familiar itching, swelling and reddening of his skin.

Managing your dog’s allergies involves preventing his immune system being exposed to allergens, as well as reducing his body’s reaction to them. 

Because many allergens are absorbed through the skin, careful washing with an appropriate shampoo is a very important part of caring for an allergic dog. A mild shampoo such as Comfy Dog will gently cleanse your dog’s skin and help to remove allergens, without drying his coat. A liberal application of Fur Butter after his bath will condition his coat and leave it soft and smelling great. Both products contain colloidal oatmeal which is known to reduce skin inflammation and itching. No-one has been able to identify exactly how it does this, but its effects have been proven.

Most people have heard of antihistamines, and are familiar with their use to treat symptoms of allergies. These drugs can’t stop the release of histamine from mast cells, but they can block its effects on your dog’s skin. By doing this they help to ease inflammation and give your dog relief from itching. The other common medication used to treat allergies is corticosteroids. They work by suppressing your dog’s immune system.  Antihistamines aren’t always effective in dogs, and corticosteroids can have some unwanted side effects.

Desensitizing injections can allow your dog’s immune system to learn to tolerate allergens, so there is less chance of histamine release in his skin. This treatment is effective in up to 80% of dogs, but it’s very costly.

If you treat your dog’s allergies from all angles, you’ll get the best possible results with the least chance of side effects.

Audrey Harvey is a veterinarian who has worked in small animal practice for 20 years, and has been involved in teaching and competing in dog obedience and agility. She is passionate about preventative health care in dogs, particularly obesity management and the prevention of boredom related behavioral problems. Audrey lives in Brisbane Australia, and shares her couch with an Australian Cattle Dog, an Australian Working Kelpie and two Whippets.