Ditch the Itch

Diet 

The first step for most patients is often to alter their diet. There are a range of diets available from basic ‘sensitive skin’ foods through to the top end of hydrolysed, novel protein/carbohydrate source diets. Many people opt for grain free, but these come with a strict warning that the lack of taurine (found in grains) can be harmful to the heart and can lead to early onset heart disease. Always choose a high quality GF diet that has added taurine! 

Any changes in diet must be strictly adhered to for 8-12 weeks to determine if the itch is diet related. It takes this long for the new skin layers to reach the surface, so get settled in as it’s definitely a long term trial, not an instant fix. 

I also suggest steering away from chicken which seems to be one of the major instigators of itching. In answer to the question of what has helped Burrinjuck Labradoodles, 78% of respondents believe that removing chicken from the diet has been beneficial.  11% reported removing grains had a positive effect.

Medications

For those pets with true allergies, cortisones and antihistamines (eg telfast, claratyne) can make our dog’s lives much more comfortable. If there are seasonal flare ups, then these medications are often only needed during those peak periods. Whilst the only side effect of antihistamines may be drowsiness, long term cortisone can cause diabetes, cushings, kidney and heart disease.

Apoquel has been available for some time for patients with both allergy and atopy and is excellent at managing their symptoms. Unfortunately it is expensive and patients must be monitored closely for any tumours, as it will cause these to develop rapidly. 

Cytopoint injections have been a boon for dogs. It is initially given every 4 weeks, but our vet has noticed some dogs getting 8-12 weeks from their injections. Thankfully it has very few side effects.

One respondent to our Poll, gave the feedback that “Kenacomb ointment really clears up those inflamed itchy areas”. Hayley.

Cyclosporins may be necessary for some of the very seriously afflicted pets. It is very effective but also very expensive, especially for the larger kids. 

If your pet is on long term medications of any sort, regular blood tests should be performed to ensure no long term harm to internal organs, especially their kidneys and liver.

Nutraceuticals 

This term encompasses those over the counter products that we can add to our pets lives to try to assist with healthy skin and to reduce the itch response

Oils such as Vitamin E, Evening Primrose and Fish are the perfect accompaniment to those furkids that are itchy, as many of them have an ineffective internal skin barrier. The oils are given with food and aim to increase the internal barrier by ‘lubricating’ the cells. There are pre-prepared products such as Megaderm which incorporates all of these in one handy bottle, but they can also be sourced individually from supermarkets and added into the diet for those of us trying to be a little economical. 

Essential 6 is a spot on that our vet uses regularly in her itchy patients as it disperses through the skin quickly and provides an external barrier giving a little breathing room while all of the other products take effect. 

Probiotics have also been used with great effectiveness to relieve itching and also to boost the immune system. 38% of respondents reported beneficial effects using Fish Oil, 20% of respondents have found coconut oil to be helpful.

Shampoos and conditioners. 

These are not all equal and the different types are often better for different situations. 

Shampoos such as Aloveen are excellent for those generalised scratchy kids with no specific areas of irritation and no self damage. They act to soothe the skin, but should always be combined with the conditioner to create that barrier effect and extend the action of the shampoo. 

50% of the participants who answered our poll, reported changing brands of shampoo was assistive in preventing excessive itching.

For those pets that have areas of intense irritation, Pinetarsol has been shown to be beneficial at controlling the red patches. 

Pets with spots of crusting or ooze should step it up to malaseb with the associated conditioner Pyohex. These are medicated shampoos designed to be antibacterial and antifungal, so perfect if we have a hotspot forming.

Lotions such as Alpha Keri from the chemist aid to create a layer on the skin which not only soothes the itch but prevents further allergens from contacting the skin and creating more irritation. They’re really only helpful if you have spot flares, not in those kids that are generally itchy.

Alternative options

Mushrooms such as Chaga and Reishi act similarly to antihistamines by reducing the mast cell reaction to allergens. Tremella is an excellent choice for those dry and flaky patients as it is very moistening and hydrating for skin. Shiitake has a fantastic general skin health and anti-inflammatory effect. All can be added to food per your Vets instructions, but start with a low dose to avoid causing diarrhoea. They work well in most patients, but take 2-3 months to create an effect in most cases. 

(Having recently done a certificate in mushroom use in dogs, Dr Bek can honestly say they will become more popular and widely used in the next 5-10 years.)

Herbs such as nettle leaf, chamomile & calendula can be helpful in small doses for some pets. As with mushroom dosing, start small and gradually increase to avoid any upset tummies. 

Probiotics are important for all facets of our bodies, but may be of benefit to itchy pets. The up side is that they can help reduce dental disease, support good gut biome and they can’t do any harm either. There is a probiotic spray that can be applied directly to the skin. 11% of respondents to our recent poll experienced a relief of symptoms with Probiotics.

‘Vaccines’?

Your Vet may choose to refer you to a dermatologist specialist to better diagnose your pet and develop a more specific plan for them. They are the ‘top dog’ for information and worth their weight in gold!

One of their techniques may be to formulate a ‘vaccine’ of sorts specific for your pet. It starts with a skin prick test to determine what your pet is allergic to and if there are only a few things that react, they can then develop a course of injections to give them over a period of time to desensitise them to their reactive allergens. 

Above all, remember if in doubt, seek help from your trusted veterinarian. They may not get the right combination straight away, as skin disease is so multifaceted and convoluted, but as part of a multidisciplinary team approach, we can all work together to finesse treatments to optimise your pets health and vitality.