Well, as it turns out my lovely Sophie has skin trouble! Being that her mom runs a skin care company that makes products for itchy dogs, (Juno's Garden) it makes sense that she would itch, right? Yes, but I thought maybe this dog would be different? Fat chance!
I find it so ironic that my cute little rescue dog mix of "whatever" has what is known as . . Atopic Dermatitis. What is this you ask?
Does your dog itch all over, chew or lick their paws a lot, do that face rubbing thing and exhibit redness under their arms, groin, etc? If so, Atopic Dermatitis (AD) is probably your culprit.
Let me start first by saying I was WRONG in my last posting about food allergies being the main cause of skin problems. While we have been told that for years, most Vets now believe that the environment and fleas play a larger role than we used to think. AD is common in animals and is triggered when they come in contact with or inhale the allergens. Common allergens include:
• House dust mites, pollens, molds, grasses, weeds and trees - Everything we have in Pacifica!
• Flea bites - they trigger the itching and biting and then it gets worst.
• Yeast in food can also be a culprit.
Solutions! Yes, we love that part. :)
• Bathing frequently with a gentle shampoo to remove bacteria and allergens. Weekly bathing may be needed. We recommend Juno's Garden Oatmeal & Honey Shampoo. This "bath therapy" is super gentle and was designed for frequent bathing. It's really quick and easy to use and seems to calm that redness right away.
• Antihistamines may be helpful for severe times. They are usually combined with one or two other treatments. Consult your vet for a prescription and proper dosages.
• Fatty Acids - add a combination of Omega 3 and 6 Fatthy acids to your dog's diet. I started with Fish Oil capsules, but you can use Flax Seed Oil as well.
• Fleas control - Keep the fleas in control as they are be a cause for the allergies as well as an irritant. Follow instructions from your vet on the right solution for your dog.
• Allergy shots - testing and shots has been effective in almost 80% of the cases. While this sounds like a pain, these shots are easy to give and you can be trained to do it yourself.
I am happy to report that my Sophie is showing marked improvement with the addition of weekly bathing, fish oil capsules and flea control meds. When she itches, we use our Juno's Garden Soothing Spot Spray until we can get her a bath. Bathing in the Oatmeal & Honey Shampoo seems to really do the trick.
My Sophie loves to run in the hills in Pacifica and now she can do so with her itching under control!
