Question by SuperGeek: Does anyone have good home remedies for a dog with skin allergies?
Our new dog (chihuahua/beagle mix) has red ears and red paw pads. She scratches at her ears, nose, and eyes like they itch. The vet recommended benadryl, which upset her stomach; we went back and he prescribed another med, which made her tummy worse. I don’t want any more meds.

So, I’m thinking of switching her food to Blue Buffalo, and I’ve heard that vitamin E really helps dogs with skin allergies. I was wondering if anyone had these work for them, and what other things you’ve tried that have helped.

Thanks so much, in advance!
I just wanted to thank you all again! Of course the funny thing is we got this dog from the shelter, because I told my husband I wanted to get a hearty mixed breed.

This is a great dog though, and SUPER good with our girls. So well worth the effort to make her comfortable (without having her tummy get upset).

Best answer:

Answer by Les_Football_Mom
What ever food you switch to, make sure it’s wheat and corn free. Add an Omega 3 fatty acid to her food, like a fish oil supplement.

If this doesn’t improve her itching I would get her tested for allergies to see what she is allergic too.

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Question by Miranda: Itchy dog skin relief?
I have a 9 year old beagle mix that just itches like crazy! I have recently changed her dog food to Fromm (since it’s better than the Beneful she was on), I give her Benadryl (4 a day like the vet said), and a fish oil every day. She is an outside dog & she is due for her bath. Just wondering if she just needs a really good shampoo or a allergy shot. She had one a few years ago but I dont want to have to be out that vet bill again (cuz she’s due in Sept. for her yearly shots but of course if nothing works, then in Sept. I’ll get her the shot if needed). But I dont want her to have to wait that long cuz Im sure the itching is driving her crazy. It gets so bad sometimes that she has licked herself raw in a few small spots before. Any advice???
And no she doesnt have fleas or anything like that. We keep her on the monthly medicine for fleas, ticks, heart worms, ear mites, all of that. And I figured with Beneful not being such a good dog food, that switching to a better one would not affect her skin like this. As far as I know, she’s never had any food allergy (eating Beneful or something similar all her life, you would think that would affect her more so than eating better food like Fromm).

Best answer:

Answer by a red nine
Sounds like her skin is really bugging her and you’ve done a lot to help the poor thing out! Talk to your vet about good shampoos to use that may help hydrate her skin or at least not irritate it. Good luck!

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Question by New Mexico08: What treatments have worked for Boxer Dog (skin) Allergies?
My boxer dog started getting hemangiomas and histiocytomas (growths on the skin due to allergies) when he was three. His skin condition has gotten worse since then -he’s now nearly 5. I feed him a no-grain food (Orijin), give him extra fish oil each day, and bathe him once a week with Oatmeal shampoo. (all recommendations from my vet). He stopped itching when he was given prednisone and Tameril P -but after a while on steroids, my laid back pooch started getting more easily agitated (aggressive) around other dogs -so we took him off of that. Now he’s developed folliculitis on top of everything else. I just want to find relief for my dog. Does anyone have experience in this area or have some advice? Thanks!

Best answer:

Answer by The Greek
Atopica is another treatment the vet can prescribe for your situation, but the prednisone and temeril p is the first treatment because because of price and depending on the weight, Atopica is about $ 200 per month in the beginning and dosages less often in the following weeks, plus the prednisone and temeril p shouldn’t be given for extended period of times anyway because it leads to Addison’s Disease

Tritop should help with the folliculitis, about $ 20.00 per tube, but you may also want to ask him about a different shampoo, if you are able to do weekly baths, you might consider:

http://www.1800petmeds.com/Excel+Hydrocortisone+Shampoo-prod1967.html
or
http://www.1800petmeds.com/Allermyl+Shampoo-prod10523.html

something that can address the issue at the skin level also.

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Question by ?emily?: My shih tzu has very dry skin on her back & butt, it looks like dandruff, what can I do to remedy this problem?
I JUST took her to the vet on Monday for an ear infection and they did a full check up and nothing was wrong with her.

Today I was brushing her and noticed that she still has dandruff flakes that come up when I brush her (had noticed this previously but I figured it was because it had been cold the week prior to noticing and we had the heat on).

She isn’t itchy, and she seems fine, but I don’t think it can be good that shes so flaky like this. She only gets it on her back (top part of her body) and her butt (right by the tail).

* We live in South Florida so I don’t think it’s a humidity problem.
* She eats EVO brand grain free dog food reduced fat. (my vet mentioned switching to just generic iams salmon and rice or iams potato and lamb – is that a good idea?)
* She is brushed once a week and bathed usually twice a month.
* She goes to the groomers every 2-3 months.
* She does apparently have a beef allergy, but she doesn’t eat anything beef related anymore.

Would getting a humidifier for our bedroom help?

Please don’t say take her to the vet, we were JUST there. It’s not a parasite or mange issue. It’s totally a topical problem and I’m wondering if there is a supplement or something I could be giving her to get rid of the dandruff, maybe even wash her in head and shoulders ? lol. Any help is appreciated!!!!
Oh I forgot to mention, when I bathe her I use SPA products. The shampoo and conditioner are both for dry skin and hydration, she always feels SO soft after I use them, but I don’t want to overbathe her bc that would dry her out right?
also forgot to mention her hair is kept in a “puppy cut” not the long flowy show coat – so the dandruff is even more obvious..

Best answer:

Answer by muahh..
use oatmeal shampoo for dogs….you can find them at petcos or petsmart

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Question by kate.wayyy: Westie with a skin problem?
Every now and then my West Highland Terrier gets scab-like sores on his back and chest.
After a few baths with a medicated shampoo they disappear, but I am looking for suggestions as to the cause of these sores.
Our vet has tried giving us a special mat for him to sleep on, changed his diet to a dog food that’s free of the most common allergy causing ingredients, and asked if we can see a pattern in when he gets the sores.
Does anyone else have a Westie with a similar problem, and therefore have any suggestions on how else we can prevent the sores?

Best answer:

Answer by PawPrintz
You should check the treats you are giving, the type of brush you are using to groom him, whether or not he is wiggling underneath something and tearing up his back. It might be the shampoo you are using, or a certain plant in the yard. You’ll have to investigate to find out what it might be.

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