Top 10 Dog Maladies: Skin Issues and Allergies
Issues with skin and allergies are some of the most common maladies that dogs can face. These can be due to a variety of reasons, ranging from food to fleas to environmental triggers. Here are ways to recognize allergies and also how to treat and prevent them.
Recognizing Skin Issues and Allergies
- Behavioral Signs: Constant scratching, biting, chewing, or licking, particularly at paws, belly, and tail base.
- Physical Signs: Red, inflamed skin, hot spots (localized infection), scabs, hair loss (alopecia), thickened or "elephant" skin, and a yeasty or foul odor.
- Allergy Triggers: Environmental (pollen, dust, mold), fleas, or food (proteins like chicken or beef).
- When to See a Vet: If symptoms include bleeding, pus, open sores, severe hair loss, or if the dog seems in pain or lethargic.
Treating Skin Issues and Allergies
- Topical Care (Baths & Wipes): Regular baths (up to 3 times a week for severe cases) with hypoallergenic or oatmeal-based shampoo remove surface allergens. Medicated shampoos containing chlorhexidine or ketoconazole help treat bacterial or yeast infections.
- Allergen Avoidance: Wipe down paws and belly with a damp cloth after outdoor activities to remove pollen. Clean bedding weekly and use HEPA filters to reduce indoor dust/mites.
- Preventatives: Consistent seasonal (or as needed), flea and tick prevention are essential, as even one bite can cause intense, lasting reactions in allergic dogs.
- Medication: Veterinarians may prescribe anti-itch medication, steroids, or, for long-term management, immunotherapy (allergy shots or oral drops). Over-the-counter antihistamines like Cetirizine or Loratadine may be recommended.
- Dietary Changes: If food allergies are suspected, a strict elimination diet (e.g., using novel proteins or hydrolyzed diets) is necessary to identify the trigger.
Nutritional Supplements:
Key Supplements with Evidence
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids (EPA & DHA): Derived from fish oil, these are the most highly recommended supplements for atopic dermatitis (allergies) and inflammatory skin conditions. These nutrients help modulate immune responses, reduce inflammation, and repair the skin barrier They reduce itching, dryness, and inflammation by limiting the production of inflammatory prostaglandins.
- Vitamin E: An antioxidant that supports immune function and improves the clinical status of dogs with moderate atopic dermatitis.
- Zinc: Critical for normal skin development; supplementation helps with parakeratosis (skin thickening) and dermatitis.
- Vitamin A: Used for treating seborrhea and follicular plugging.
- B Vitamins: (including Biotin): Known to support skin health, they are used to manage skin conditions by assisting in fatty acid synthesis.
- Antioxidants: Reduce oxidative stress, lowering inflammation, and stabilizing mast cells to inhibit histamine release.
- Probiotics: modulate the immune system, reducing inflammation, and balancing gut bacteria.
- Colostrum providing antibodies (immunoglobulins) and proteins like lactoferrin and proline rich peptides (PRPs) that regulate the immune system, reduce gut inflammation, and block allergens from triggering reactions.
Nusentia ® Offerings for Skin and Allergies
Dermix ™: Allergy chews for dogs with advanced skin and coat support. Contains all the ingredients listed above plus Colostrum to help support the gut and immune system
Celavin ™ Wild Norwegian Omega-3 Salmon Oil. This high EPA-DHA formula is perfect for delivering therapeutic levels of omega-3’s, a critical component to address skin and allergy issues.
Buy Individually or together as a supremely effective nutritional regimen to battle allergies in your pet!
Use code ALLER15 at checkout for 15% OFF either product!
or 15% off the ALLERGY PACK!
