Allergies
& Itch Relief
Environmental Allergies
Itch Relief DIY
Itching and skin conditions can be caused by many things: environmental allergies, food intolerances/sensitivities, fleas, and food allergies., or household cleaners. Looking at a dog’s red skin it’s not possible to distinguish between allergy, low enzyme levels or histamine excess systems without further testing. The challenge is determining the source of the problem. The most common source is environmental allergies and these can be a bit easier to identify if the problem happens seasonally. Its common for dogs to have a food intolerance or sensitivity. Food intolerance/sensitivity is different from a food allergy and is much more common. To test for food intolerance/sensitivity I highly recommend a NutriScan test. A NutriScan test can eliminate the guesswork without putting dogs through weeks/months of food trails.
Double-blinded Crossover Study with Marine Oil Supplementation Containing High-dose icosapentaenoic Acid for the Treatment of Canine Pruritic Skin Disease*
The objective of this double-blinded crossover study was to examine the effects of marine oil supplementation with high-dose eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) on canine pruritic skin disease. Sixteen dogs that completed this study had clinical signs related to idiopathic pruritus, confirmed atopy and/or flea allergy. Each dog was randomly placed on one omega-3 fatty acid capsule (MVP: Meridian Veterinary Products, St. Augustine, FL, U.S.A.) which contained 1 ml of marine oil (180mg EPA and 120mg DHA) or one capsule containing 1 ml of corn oil (570 mg linoleic acid and 50 mg gamma linolenic acid) per 4.55 kg of body weight q 24 h for 6 weeks. After a 3-week washout period in which no supplement was given, each subject was crossed over to the other supplement for an additional 6 weeks. Dogs receiving marine oil showed a significant improvement in pruritus (P < 0.001), self-trauma (P <0.05) and coat character (P<0.01) over time. When compared to the corn oil control over time, marine oil supplementation significantly improved pruritus (P < 0.02), alopecia (P < 0.05) and coat character (P < 0.001). This study demonstrates the effectiveness of high doses of marine oil as an alternative anti-inflammatory for canine pruritic skin disease.
For environmental allergies, RESPIT ( IMMUNOTHERAPY) is highly recommended. e.g. grasses, weeds, trees, mites, and molds.
https://www.monicasegal.com/
Dust Mite Allergies
Can Dogs Be Allergic to Their Beds? PetMD
Fleas
Some dogs are hypersensitive (allergic) to a single flea bite which can result in itching and suffering from flea allergy dermatitis. If this is the source you will need to eliminate fleas from your environment. https://www.homeskooling4dogs.com/fleas-ticks
Dry Scaly Skin
“Generally speaking, the most important nutrients for skin and coat are essential fatty acids. These are linoleic acid, alpha-linolenic acid and arachidonic acid (cats only). Proper water barrier function of the skin is dependent on the content of linoleic acid. When levels of linoleic acid fall below an animal's requirement, the result is dry scaly skin, assuming there are no other underlying issues (NRC, 2006).” [1] Using a shampoo with the wrong pH balance for pets will dry out their skin and coat. For guidance on baths and shampoo start here.
Environmental Allergies
Environmental allergies can be year-round or seasonal. “Seasonal allergies are classified as grasses, weeds, trees, molds, fungi – especially yeast, pollen, etc. Usually, first indications are incessant paw licking or inflamed, reddened paws and ears.” [8]
If environmental allergies are the cause it can help to wipe your dog often with a wet towel, give them a foot bath, and regular baths with a dog shampoo to remove allergens from their skin and coat. (avoid oatmeal shampoos) Giving Your Dog a Foot Bath https://www.homeskooling4dogs.com/bathes
But environmental allergies are not limited to grasses, plants, pollen’s, etc.. They can also be caused by: [7]
Candles
Diffused essential oils (not all oils are of the same quality and purity)
Air fresheners
Carpet (wool is sometimes the culprit!)
Laundry detergent and/or fabric softener
Cleaning products used throughout the house, vehicles & yard (astonishing how many chemicals people put into their world)
Bathing (healthy dogs don't need bathing as a rule!)
Low humidity (in the Northeast, our heating season can play havoc with a dog's skin as it's just too dry in our houses as a rule)
Smoke (cigarettes, cigars etc plus coal, pellet & wood stoves)
Perfumes/colognes
Soap residue on dishes!
Skin conditions, allergies, ear infections, and all things "skin" Melissa Shelton DVM
Seasonal Allergies
by Dr. Karen Shaw Becker (For the full article click or tap here)
“Seasonal Allergies Often Progress to Year-Round Allergies”
1. Address the diet — One of the first things I do for a dog or cat with allergies is review their diet and check for leaky gut syndrome (dysbiosis), which is often the reason seasonal allergies get progressively worse from one year to the next.
When the gut starts to "leak," it means it's allowing allergens into the bloodstream. Often medications, especially antibiotics and steroids, cause leaky gut syndrome. Any pet on routine drug therapy should be assessed for a leaky gut. There's a canine microbiota dysbiosis test from the Texas A&M GI lab you can use to check for this condition. Even better, have your pet's microbiome assessed through AnimalBiome. Pets with allergies should be transitioned to an anti-inflammatory diet very low in starch content (less than 15%). It should contain no soy, corn, rice, wheat, organic whole wheat, tapioca, peas, lentils, chickpeas, or potatoes.
Canine Microbiota Dysbiosis Index
Microbiome testing
IBS & IBD - Inflammatory Bowel Disease
2. Supplement essential fatty acids (EFA) and lauric acid — I recommend boosting the omega-3 fatty acids in your allergic pet's diet. The best sources of these fatty acids come from the ocean, including krill, salmon, tuna, anchovy, and sardine oil, and other sources of fish body oils.
3. Refuse all unnecessary vaccines, pest preventives, and veterinary drugs — Because allergies are an exaggerated immune system response, it's important to avoid unnecessary vaccines and veterinary drugs, including chemical pest preventives, all of which interfere with the performance of the immune system.
4. Minimize indoor allergens — Another thing you can do to help your allergic pet is reduce allergens and toxins around your home. Vacuum all carpets, rugs, and upholstery, clean hard floors, and wash pet and human bedding in natural, fragrance-free detergent a minimum of once a week. Don't use dryer sheets.
5. Rinse your pet regularly and do daily foot soaks and eye rinses — Once the warm weather arrives, one of the best things you can do is help rid your pet's body of allergens. Dogs and cats who are outside regularly collect millions of allergens. It's just common sense to rinse them off, which can provide immediate relief for irritated, inflamed skin.
6. Give natural antihistamines — There are supplements I routinely prescribe to pets with seasonal allergic issues starting with quercetin, which is a bioflavonoid with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antihistamine properties. I call it "nature's Benadryl," because it's very effective at suppressing histamine release. Bromelain and papain are proteolytic enzymes that increase absorption of quercetin, making it more effective. Herbs such as stinging nettle, butterbur, sorrel, verbena, elderflower, and cat's claw have a documented history of helping animals combat seasonal allergic responses. Plant sterols and sterolins, which are anti-inflammatory agents, have also been used successfully to modulate the immune system toward a more balanced response in allergic patients. Check with your veterinarian about the right dose for your dog or cat.
7. Consider a desensitization protocol — If you've tried the above suggestions with limited success, I recommend helping your pet's immune system quiet down through desensitization. This can be achieved through a technique called Nambudripad's Allergy Elimination Techniques (NAET) performed by practitioners trained to treat dogs and cats, or through sublingual immunotherapy. Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is a variation on allergy injections to treat atopic dermatitis (skin allergies) in dogs, cats, and horses. Sublingual immunotherapy is given orally. I've had good success using a sublingual product called regionally-specific immunotherapy, or RESPIT®. I like it because it doesn't rely on testing to determine what your dog or cat is allergic to. It uses a mixture of the most significant regional allergens instead. If you decide to try sublingual immunotherapy, it's important to know that most pets require an "immediate relief" protocol (including therapeutic bathing, herbs and nutraceuticals that reduce inflammation), in addition to beginning a desensitization protocol of any kind.
Get Ready for Seasonal Allergies – Take These Steps Now
Apoquel
Analysis by Dr. Karen Shaw Becker
Dogs with seasonal allergies that typically take the form of itchy skin (pruritis), have what can be described as overactive immune systems that respond inappropriately to harmless substances such as grass and pollen. The drugs prescribed by (primarily) conventional veterinarians — typically prednisone, cyclosporine (Atopica), and now oclacitinib (Apoquel) — relieve allergic symptoms by suppressing the immune system.
These pharmaceutical “solutions” do not actually solve the root cause of the problem — they only provide temporary relief of symptoms by turning the immune system down or off.
For the full article go here: As Allergy Season Approaches, Think Twice Before Using This
NUTRISCAN FOOD INTOLERANCE / SENSITIVITY TEST
Food
It’s possible that your dog has a food allergy, but food intolerance or sensitivity is more common than a food allergy. Food allergies reflect a more immediate immunological response whereas food intolerances/sensitivities build up over time with exposure to offending ingredient(s). “the body produces the antibody IgE to fight off a food allergy and reacts immediately and violently (anaphylaxis). However, these types of true food allergies are rare. Typically, testing for food allergies involves either a skin prick test or a blood test.” Allergy reactions show up in allergy blood test as antibodies (IgE and IgG).
Food intolerances/sensitivities can manifest in gastrointestinal issues, chronic itching, chronic gas, chronic skin, and ear and foot infections. Food intolerance/sensitivity is done by testing a dog’s saliva for a differing set of antibodies (IgA and IgM). I have used the NutriScan test on both of my dogs and plan on testing all future dogs to be proactive with health issues.
Food intolerances/sensitivities to a main ingredient like chicken or lamb, or something small in the food like salmon, menhaden, or herring oil, peas, lentils, quinoa, etc.. This is one reason to rotate regularly what we feed dogs. It is essential to identify and eliminate any food from the diet that can create intolerance. NutriScan takes the guesswork out of rotating and eliminating differing foods through food trails. I have used and recommend food sensitivity & intolerance test from NutriScan. With the NutriScan kit you collect saliva with a small cotton dental rope. You can do this at home or at the vet’s office. Then ship the kit back to Hemopet for testing.
Itchy dogs with more than three bowel movements per day are more likely to have an adverse reaction to food. [6]
Allergy or Food Intolerance / Sensitivity
https://www.nutriscan.org/?utm_source=hemopet&utm_medium=page&utm_campaign=nutriscan
https://www.nutriscan.org/help/saliva-sample-instructions/
https://www.nutriscan.org/knowledge-center/nutriscan-vs-swab-testing/
http://www.nutriscan.org/knowledge-center/food-elimination-trials-cat-dog.html
Why Your Pet's Allergies Are Getting Worse - and 7 Ways to Help Stop Them in Their Tracks
Itch Relief
Work with your veterinarian before starting your dog on any supplement.
Wipe or Soak? By W. Jean Dodds, DVM
Paw soaks are actually recommended at least once per day if your dog does not wear booties outside.
Some people actually have a little “dog paw soaking factory” that the dogs walk through then they walk on a towel or rug, or they use a paw plunger that will squeegee off the excess water and debris.
Below are a couple of ideas we thought were interesting. We understand if paw soaking doesn’t work for your household or lifestyle and will give tips on wiping as well.
Green Tea
Dr. Dodds and Hemopet prefer (especially for white and light-colored pets) a green tea bag poultice, solution, or wipe. Tea of a variety of types can be used as the tannins and polyphenols are antioxidant, anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory.
POVIDONE IODINE DISINFECTING SOLUTION
Povidone Iodine
Dr. Karen Becker uses povidone iodine (betadine), which is an over-the-counter topical antiseptic meant to reduce the number of microorganisms on the skin. Several of our readers use this method, too. Dr. Becker suggests:
A couple inches of water
Enough povidone iodine to change the color to iced tea
Soak for 2-5 minutes
No need to rinse
Pat dry
Safe alternatives to start with
Herbs for Pets: The Natural Way to Enhance Your Pet's Life - Greg L. Tilford
Make a rinse out of any of these by making a strong tea. (The stronger the better)
Peppermint tea (4-8 tea bags)
Green tea (4-8 tea bags)
Nettle tea (4-8 tea bags)
Thyme (¼ - ½ cup)
You can make a tea rinse with each of these or combine them.
Heat 1 quart of water to a boil and turn off.
Add 4 – 8 tea bags (peppermint, green tea, nettle and/or ¼ - ½ cup of thyme)
Let tea bags and/or thyme steep in water until cool.
Pour over dog your dog's body (not on the face or head)
Let drip dry, do not towel off
https://www.facebook.com/rodneyhabib/videos/10156591604377028/
Apple Cider Vinegar Tea Body Rinse
This body rinse can be useful to restore skin pH, soothe itchy skin, calm rashes and welts, and has some added benefits for keeping biting flies, fleas and gnats at bay.
Mix the following ingredients together in a bottle/jar with cap and shake well before use:
Apple Cider Vinegar: 1/2 cup
Brewed Green Tea (cooled): 1/2 cup
Distilled Water: 1 cup
Apply to clean skin and coat, massage, rinse, and pat dry.
Video here: https://www.facebook.com/PlanetPaws.ca/videos/1011100385631510/?t=0
… VIDEO HERE
Coconut oil has antimicrobial, antifungal and antibacterial properties, and can have profound benefits for your dog's skin health, digestion, brain function, nutrient absorption and thyroid function. Coconut Oil for Dogs
” I love coconut oil for pets, but it’s important to understand it should never be used in place of the dietary fats discussed above. It’s strictly for healthy fat supplementation.”
“I recommend feeding one-quarter teaspoon of 100 percent organic, cold-pressed, human-grade coconut oil for every 10 pounds of body weight twice daily for dogs and cats. It can be added at mealtime to your pet's fresh, nutritionally balanced, homemade or commercial raw diet.” https://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2019/01/19/healthy-dietary-fats-for-pets.aspx?utm_source=petsnl&utm_medium=email&utm_content=art1&utm_campaign=20190119Z1&et_cid=DM260747&et_rid=524432442
Natural Skin Tonic – This lemon-based tonic not only repels fleas, it works as a general skin toner for itchy pets. Thinly slice a whole lemon, including the rind, and steep it overnight in a pot of boiling water. The cooling water draws out d-limonene, vitamin C, and other healing ingredients found in the whole lemon. The next day, sponge it on your dog’s skin and let the solution air-dry.
More information on Benadryl for dogs here:
Diphenhydramine (the active ingredient in Benadryl). If using a Benadryl product, check to make sure there are NO other active ingredients. Some Benadryl products contain decongestants as well, and these can be dangerous for dogs.”
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