Itching Dogs

Lately, my Seeing Eye dog, zora, has been very itchy. I give her Sentinel and Advantage once a month, so fleas shouldn’t be the culprit. I’ve heard from other people, that their dog is also scratching a lot. I asked the Vet from Seeing Eye Dogs Australia, for advice on how to fix the problem. She recommended the following: 1) Bath your dog about once a week, using QV Wash instead of shampoo. As this product is actually targeted at people, you can find it in most chemists. QV wash, however, is also beneficial to dogs displaying itchiness or flaking skin, as it doesn’t contain any soap, which can contribute to increased itchiness and dry coat. There are a few varieties of QV, but the vet recommends using QV Wash and Intensive Moisturizing QV Wash for best results. 2) Give your dog daily doses of Fish Oil and EPO (Evening Primrose Oil). While these products are used as traditional supplements for people, they are also safe for dogs. EPO has many benefits, but in this case, it is quite effective in managing skin issues. Fish Oil contains Omega-3 fatty acids, which, for dogs, provides anti-inflammatory effects and can help relieve itching due to atopic dermatitis, an allergy-related skin condition. According to a dermatology specialist, it is best to use BOTH Fish Oil and EPO for allergies/itchiness, rather than just one toe or the other. She recommends the following dosage per weight of dog: • Evening Primrose Oil: 1g per 10kg of dog • Fish Oil: 1g per 3 kg of dog For the average dog this would mean around 8 or so fish oil capsules per day and 4 or so EPO caps. However, to cut down on the number of fish oil capsules there is a brand that makes 2000mg fish oil caps which would half the number of capsules given per day. For example: if your dog weighs 26kg, you’d give him/her two 2000mg fish oil caps in the AM and two of the same at night; with the 1000mg EPO caps you’d give him/her two in AM and two PM. You could drop them in their food bowl, add a bit of water then swish around. Most Labs will eat the capsules in their food bowl without question. 3) The Antihistamine Telecast is another product that can assist in managing seasonal allergies and itchiness. It’s important to note that other antihistamines are not created equal. Telefast can be found over-the-counter at most chemists. While it is safe for dogs, to get the best benefit it must be given in high doses - 16mg per 1kg of dog. For example, an average 28kg dog: Multiply 28 X 16 = 448; divide that by 180 (mg per 1 tablet) and that gets you to roughly 2.5 tablets in 24hr period. Telefast is safe for regular use. If your dog is really itchy, especially at seasonal times, then using Telefast or its generic version might give additional relief. I’ve been following these steps and, to my relief, have found that Zora’s skin is improving. My Seeing-eye dog is like my child. I want to do everything I can to ensure she is healthy, happy and safe.