Itchy Dog - Natural Remedies Update

There are some effective natural treatments really work and have been proven by evidence based research. 
However, most products sold in pet shops and online are not the product of university veterinary research, and as a result are unproven or even detrimental to the dog's skin condition.
An understanding of skin anatomy and the physiology of inflamed red itchy skin is important when using any treatment and in particular a natural remedy.
There are a lot of natural remedies on the market and many of the products available are either useless or harmful. 

Most natural products sold for itchy dog skin have had no clinical trial, and have no data or evidence that they work or even help. 
Many natural remedies promoted for itchy skin can actually be detrimental to healing and soothing in the case of dogs with canine atopic dermatitis.
The itchy dog is usually suffering from allergic skin disease.
In simple terms it is either flea allergy, food allergy or canine atopic dermatitis.
These dogs have a very dry skin due to a barrier defect in the protective lipid layer of the skin. 
Many natural remedies are acidic as in the case of tea tree oil which further dries and irritates the itchy, red and inflamed skin. 
Putting an acidic cleaning product on dry irritated and itchy skin is akin to throwing petrol on fire.
Some natural remedies contain surfactants that strip oils from the surface of the skin. 
In dogs with canine atopic dermatitis that already have dry skin, this exacerbates the itch. 
Dry itchy skin should not be dried further and many acidic or soap products will worsen the itch.

Fleas cannot be controlled with natural products. You should invest in a brand product that works. 
Neem is not effective in preventing fleas. It also smells really bad and will make your house stink as well.

For a FREE "Home Diagnosis Manual to the itchy dog" and information on natural treatment that really stops your dog itching and scratching go to http://www.scratchingdoghelp.com

For more information on treating the itchy scratching dog the natural way and to find out how to stop the itch go to http://www.scratchingdoghelp.com/treating_itchy_dogs.html

Itchy Dog - Steroid Use

Veterinarians are pressured to fix an itchy dog first time every time. 
This has brought tremendous pressure to use and sometimes over prescribe corticosteroids such as prednisolone. 
Many clients of itchy dogs get frustrated and change from one vet to another searching for a miracle cure to their dogs' allergic skin disease. 
This pressure to deliver results sees veterinarians reach for the steroids as a frontline treatment for all allergic skin disease.

Steroids do work for allergic skin disease such as atopic dermatitis. 
Steroids do not work so well for adverse food reactions like allergic skin disease from food allergy. 
All itchy dogs should have an elimination food trial to rule out food allergy.

Side effects to steroids are common. 
These include dependence can lead to life threatening Addisonian crisis upon withdrawal. 
The drugs cause an increase in thirst and urination. 
Long term use can lead to hepatic disease, diabetes, osteoporosis and pathological fracture. 
Other side effects include skin disease such as calcinosis cutis and an impaired immune system that may lead to infections such as cystitis and pyoderma.
Demodex mange is also a feature of immunosuppression caused by steroids. 
Hair loss and a pendulous abdomen is a feature. 
Cataracts and diseases of the cornea can also be a side effect of impaired lipid metabolism. 
Pancreatitis may also be a complication of long term treatment with corticosteroids.

Recent developments in the understanding of atopic dermatitis have opened up new ways for treating these dogs with natural treatment. 
Dogs with atopic dermatitis have an impaired skin barrier. 
This is the modern focus for treatment

For your FREE "Home Diagnosis Manual to the Itchy " go to http://www.scratchingdoghelp.com 
For more information on treating the itchy dog with natural treatments and therapy go to http://www.scratchingdoghelp.com/treating_itchy_dogs.html

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rob_T_Hill

itchy dog T-Bone at Gnomesville www.scratchingdoghelp.com

Stop Dog Itching - Natural Treatment That Does Not Work

Peppermint is sometimes promoted as a skin product to stop itching in dogs. 
Peppermint is extremely acidic and is irritating to inflamed skin. It also is extremely drying and irritant. 
Dogs with allergic skin disease have very dry skin due to a faulty skin barrier. 
Acidifying agents are going to further inflame and irritate the skin and thus worsening the itch. Don't use it


Sulfur products are extremely irritating to the skin because they dry it out. This is the worst possible thing you could use in a dog with a faulty skin barrier and allergic skin disease. Do not dry out the skin.


Neem is often promoted as an insect repellent. This is true to a degree. 
Neem stinks. It smells really bad and if you put it on your dog, your house will stink. 
Your carpets will be so badly affected with this pungent odour and when you pull them out and throw them away, your house will still stink. 
Neem has absolutely no benefit to your dogs allergy problem and will do nothing to stop the itch.


Grapefruit seed extract may be full of anti oxidants but won't do anything to stop your dog scratching. 
It is also marketed for flea and mange control. 
Grape seed extract will not kill or repel fleas. 
It will not kill mange. This is an outright lie.


Tea tree oil is marketed as a cure for everything and especially skin problems. 
Dogs with allergic skin disease are missing a protein in their protective skin barrier that means water escapes from the skin making it very dry. 
Acidic products which further damage this defective barrier and further dry and irritate the skin are absolutely the worst things you can use. 
 Do not use acidic products or soaps on dogs with allergic skin disease. 
This makes the itch worse and delays healing further. 
Tea tree oil does not soothe red,inflamed, traumatised skin that has been scratched. It stings.

For natural treatment that really stops dogs itching visit http://www.scratchingdoghelp.com/treating_itchy_dogs.html

For a FREE "Home Diagnosis Manual to the Itchy Dog" go to http://www.scratchingdoghelp.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rob_T_Hill

Itchy Dogs, Over Reliance on Cortico Steroids to control itchy skin in dogs

Itchy Dog - Cut Through The Confusion

After reading the first few pages of an internet search on itchy dogs, one would be excused for feeling confused. Nausea and headache would be an expected outcome of such a search. 

There is so much content on the internet that it is easy to get lost and overwhelmed by the sheer volume. The list of miracle cures is endless. The amount of spurious information is alarming.

It is baffling to sort through the lists of causes and treatments. 

You may find remedies, formulas, safe products, cleaners, detergents, epsom salts, baking soda, colloidal gold, colloidal silver, fatty acids, supplements, antihistamines, lavender, eucalyptus, tea tree oils, breeders, dog enthusiasts, dog hobbyists, dog whisperers, vet nurses, kennel clubs, chat forums....... it goes on and on. 

Who is right? What makes dogs itch and scratch? Why is my dog itchy? What will work? What will stop my dog scratching? How can I find what will really work?

This internal dialogue must become thunderous as the endless circling of miracle cures and dead end links to chat forums goes on and on in a seemingly endless search for the precise information.

Is it really as complicated as all that? Can there really be five hundred causes of scratching in itchy dogs? Is there just one treatment that cures all itches?

Understanding the causes of scratching in the itchy dog will help unveil the mystique of dog pruritis. 

Knowing what makes your dog scratch is vital in understanding how to treat the problem. Causes of pruritis can be broken down into very simple concepts.

You can unlock the mystery of the itchy scratching dog. For more information and a FREE "Home Diagnosis Manual to the Itchy Dog" go to http://www.scratchingdoghelp.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rob_T_Hill

Itchy Dog - Puppy Help

It sure is miserable to be itchy!

The only response a dog can have is to scratch itself. 
Scratching can lead to self mutilation, secondary infection, terrible sores and a miserable existence. 

An itchy scratching puppy upsets the family. The children of the family will despair at their fluffy bundle of joy scratching and mutilating itself. 

An itchy puppy is worrying and troubling. Problems were not expected so soon after arrival.


So what is causing the itch? 

In the puppy, external parasites are the most likely cause of pruritis or itching. External parasites include fleas, and mites. Mites cause mange. Ear mites cause irritation of the ears and ear infections which might make the puppy scratch at the ears. 

Sarcoptic mange or scabies causes an intense unrelenting itch that makes the puppy scratch at the legs, tummy and head. Constant chewing is a feature also. 

Fleas however are the single most common cause of pruritis. A flea bite may be itchy for up to two weeks after the bite. If your puppy had fleas and you killed or removed the fleas, the puppy may scratch for a few days and up to two weeks following removal of the fleas.

This concept is difficult for many new dog owners to understand but relate it to a flea, mosquito or midge bite to yourself. The itch persists long after the biting insect has flown away.

If external parasites have been ruled out, food allergy needs to be considered. 

Some puppies start scratching as soon as they start solid food. Ear infections and an itchy bottom sometimes occur. Rubbing the face on the carpet shortly after eating is a symptom of itchy lips and face. You will need to do an elimination food trial.

The itchy puppy is sad and frustrating. For a FREE "Home Diagnosis manual to the Itchy Dog" and information about treating an itchy puppy go to http://www.scratchingdoghelp.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rob_T_Hill

Scratchingdoghelp.com Stop your dog scratching without drugs and withou...

Scooting and Sore Bottoms!

Dogs with food allergies are often undiagnosed, or incorrectly diagnosed as having atopy (pollen allergy) or some other kind of health problem.


When a dog presents with scooting as a symptom, the vet works through a variety of possible causes. Diagnosis can be time-consuming, and tricky if the dog owner cannot provide all the information necessary to form a correct diagnosis.


Worms can make dogs scoot. Worms like tapeworm can irritate the anus, shedding segments that wriggle around the anus causing an uncomfortable feeling that can make dogs scoot.


Anal sac disease can also make dogs scoot. Inside the anus are two small openings at 4 O'Clock and 8 O'Clock. This is the duct that is the opening to the anal sac. The sac is lined with scent glands that secrete a noxious smelling substance. This secretion is used in territory marking when the dog defaecates and may also be used in identification between dogs as dogs often smell each others bottoms.


It is hypothesized that wagging the tail may also be a mechanism for spreading a dogs odour individual recognition between dogs!


When the ducts to the anal sacs become blocked, the gland fills up and becomes distended. The secretion thickens and an impaction forms.


Dogs with this problem will scoot because it is like having two boils on your bottom. It is very uncomfortable and since dogs don't have fingers, they cannot relieve themselves. This is a common cause of scooting.


What isn't well appreciated is many of these dogs have underlying allergies which makes the skin of the perineum inflamed. 


Inflamed skin causes the duct opening to be closed off, similar to a blocked pore that leads to a pimple in people. Many dogs that scoot constantly actually have allergic skin disease. If left undiagnosed, there will be irreversible changes to the duct and the glandular secretion. Surgical removal may be the only answer to chronically diseased and blocked anal sacs.


Another common cause of scooting is food allergies in dogs. Many young dogs with food allergy will scoot even if the duct to the anal gland is not impacted. Many vets will diagnose anal sac disease when in fact the duct is patent and the gland is not impacted. The dogs scoot because the perineum is itchy.


Allergic skin disease and food allergy in dogs is often overlooked as a cause of scooting. The perineum of these dogs is often inflamed and itchy and is often misdiagnosed as anal sac disease!


For more information, visit http://www.scratchingdoghelp.com

Diagnosing Food Allergy In Dogs

Food allergy can manifest itself in a number of different ways. There may be different symptoms and it sure can be difficult to determine whether food is a cause!

The simple answer is that every itchy dog should be trialed to see whether food could be a cause.

Every itchy dog should be put on an elimination food trial. This is discussed in detail later. There are many causes of itch (pruritis) but food allergies are not uncommon and frequently overlooked as a potential cause.

Food allergies do have a common history and pattern.


Dogs with adverse food reaction typically have chronic ear infections from the day you took them home as a puppy. Ear infections are a feature! It starts early in life, usually before 6 months of age and often from the day they start solid foods as a puppy.

Dogs with food allergy typically have an itchy bottom and scoot frequently (rub the anus along the ground) which you are likely to have been told is anal sac disease. "Ear and rear"problems are common. An itchy rash is also typical.

Usually dogs with adverse food reaction also have gastrointestinal symptoms although sometimes these are very mild. Dogs may have vomiting which is associated with certain types of food or brands.

Food allergy in dogs is not uncommon. You can download a FREE "Home Diagnosis Manual to the Itchy Dog" at http://www.scratchingdoghelp.com

3 Tips For Treating Flea Allergy in Dogs

Tip number one involves using an adequate flea control. 

There is an urban myth that garlic treats and prevent fleas. This is simply not true.

There is a relatively new flea control from Elanco called Comfortis. This is a tablet that you give monthly. This is very safe as it is a natural byproduct from fermentation. Comfortis is very very effective against fleas. It really works.

For dogs that are extremely flea allergic, you can giove the tablet fortnightly. This is currently the best product on the market.

Tip number two involves treating ALL of the animals in the household.

Often pet owners have one or two dogs and maybe one or two cats as well. The tendency is to treat the dog that is allergic to fleas or to treat an animal if fleas are seen on it.

It is best to treat all animals with flea control to prevent breeding. One flea lays 200 eggs so a few fleas can turn into a few thousand in a very short time.

Revolution is a very good prevention for cats. It is also very safe. Cats lick themselves and are easily poisoned by certain products. Revolution is very safe for cats.

 Tip number three involves treating your dog's itch if fleas cause the dog to start to mutilate itself. 

Dogs typically mutilate the base of the tail and the lower back. This can cause rapid progession of sores.

Weeping sores will stick to the overlying hair and infection will spread like fire beneath the hair.

If this happens to your dog, you need to clip off the hair and bathe the wounds.

Sometimes, it will be easier to clip the hair if you wash the dog and remove a lot of the pus first.

You can use a medicated shampoo or use an antiseptic rinse such as betadine diluted in water to look like weak tea. Spot treat only.

Flea allergy dermatitis can also be managed using natural therapies and treatments. You can download a FREE "Home Diagnosis Manual" to the itchy dog at http://www.scratchingdoghelp.com

Recent Breakthroughs in Treating Itchy Scratching Dogs With Allergic Skin Disease

Dogs with atopic dermatitis have a defective skin barrier. Allergens such as pollens and dust mite allergens actually cross the skin barrier and trigger an immune response by langerhans cells. This sets up an allergic reaction which triggers histamine release and an itchy rash develops.

That is a very simplified account of the immunology. The take home point is that the allergens pass transdermal, ie across the skin barrier.

In a normal dog, the epithelial cells are held together by a ceramide layer. This is much like a mortar holding bricks together in a brick wall. It's easy to imagine the external skin as a brick wall. In dogs with atopic dermatitis, they are missing a protein called sphingosine in the ceramide layer.

The skin is therefore 'leaky'.

A feature of dogs with atopic dermatitis is that they have very dry skin. these dogs have very dry flakey skin due to moisture loss. Water escapes through the skin due to the faulty ceramide layer. Moisture loss leads to very dry skin.

The other problem with this leaky skin is that allergens such as pollen can penetrate the outer layers of the skin. Bacetria can also colonise the deeper layers of the skin and they secrete enzymes which further damage the ceramide layer making it even more leaky.

Dogs with atopic dermatitis have very dry skin. They typically get a rash from an allergic reaction on the skin which has no hair covering such as the feet, the abdomen, arm pit and groin and also the concave surface of the ear.

Recent therapy involves repairing the defective lipid barrier and protecting the dog from moisture loss through the skin.


For more information on how to treat your pet using proven natural therapies, go to http://www.scratchingdoghelp.com

Itchy Dogs and Drugs

Natural Treatments are the new wave in veterinary health... and here's why!

Dog owners who have a dog with allergic skin disease are probably on a first name basis with their chosen veterinarian.

 These dogs are always itchy.

 As soon as the course of treatment finishes, it seems like no time at all that the dog is scratching itself again.

 It drives dog owners, dogs and veterinarians crazy.

Corticosteroids such as prednisolone are used to treat allergic skin diseases such as atopy and food allergy in dogs. It works. It stops the itch. It does, however, have potential side effects that can be quite severe and even life threatening.

Long term use of corticosteroids can lead to dependence. Sudden withdrawal can lead to severe vomiting and electrolyte imbalance which can be fatal. This is known as Addisons disease or hypoadrenocorticism. It can be fatal.

Corticosteroids are a stress hormone and when used long term can lead to hair loss, thinning of the skin, brittle bones and liver disease or hepatopathy.

Corticosteroids also compete with insulin at receptor sites and long term corticosteroid use can lead to diabetes. Corticosteroids affect calcium metabolism also which can lead to osteoporosis and pathological fractures.

The changes to calcium metabolism can also lead to a skin disease called calcinosis cutis which is incredibly itchy and paradoxically is an unintended consequence of treating an itchy dog.

Itchy scratching dogs also develop dermatitis due to constant scratching and licking. Veterinarians usually prescribe antibiotics. Long term use of antibiotics can lead to resistant bacteria. A very worrying development in veterinary medicine is the development of methicillin resistant Staph aureus on the skin of our pets. These bacteria are almost impossible to cure.

They will also colonise human skin and are a threat to human health as well. This problem will get rapidly worse.

It is important that we seek new ways of managing allergic skin disease in dogs, for the health of both dog and pet owner.

It is possible to treat the itchy scratching dog with allergic skin disease using natural treatments and therapies.

It is possible to manage allergic skin disease in dogs the natural way or at least to integrate these strategies to reduce reliance and dependence on corticosteroids and antibiotics.

For more information, visit http://www.scratchingdoghelp.com

Do you want your dog to be itchy? No!

It is incredible how many dogs and their humans suffer unnecessarily with constant itching.

It doesn't need to be that hard to treat.

University research has proven that home therapies and natural remedies really work with itchy, scratching dogs.

Regardless of how your dog got the itch, it can be treated and relieved.

We'll stop your dog scratching without drugs and without going to the vet with our advice at Scratchingdoghelp.com.

We help you treat your scratching, itchy dogs for less than the price of a single veterinary consultation, in your own home.

Scratching, itchy dogs are unbearable, get help now.  

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