Category Archives: Treatment
5 Natural Ways to Treat Itchy Skin in Dogs
Itchy skin in dogs can be the symptoms of skin allergies, so you should consult a veterinarian in order to figure out the actual causes. Instead of giving medications, you can actually alleviate the pet’s itchy skin by giving some natural treatments. There are many things you can give as listed in the following passages.
1. Calendula Extract
Calendula tincture possesses anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, so it is good to use for topical application on the dog’s itchy skin areas. You can purchase calendula tincture in any health food store, so it is not difficult to find. Mix 15 drops of Calendula tincture with 4 oz of distilled water in a spray bottle. Simply spray the solution to the dog’s itchy skin.
2. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera offers plenty of benefits for human, but you can also use similar treatments to dogs as well. It can relieve itchy skin in dogs and prevent further itching symptom. Aloe vera gel is known for its antifungal and anti-bacterial properties, so it also stimulates faster healing process in dogs.
Even better, you can easily find aloe vera gel or cream in many pet shops. The gel or cream will gradually penetrate into the dog’s skin, so you need to make sure that your dog does not lick it in the meantime. Apply such treatment twice a day for optimum results.
3. Fatty Acids
Besides aloe vera, fatty acids can also help to relieve skin irritation in dogs. Omega-6 and Omega-3 fatty acids can reduce inflammation and create protective barrier on dog’s skin that blocks out irritants and prevents infections. Fatty acids are available from many sources including fish oil, flaxseed oil, and pumpkin seed.
4. Oatmeal
Similar to fatty acids and aloe vera, oatmeal forms a protective layer on dog’s skin that prevents itching and dryness. It is one of the main reasons that various dog shampoos use oatmeal as an ingredient. Instead of feeding your dog with oatmeal, you need to apply it topically to dog’s skin. Therefore, you need to make a paste form of oatmeal by cooking it in water. Once the paste is cool enough, apply it to the infected areas of the dog’s skin.
Oat straw also offers similar benefits for dogs, but you need to use it as a bath additive. Simply boil 2 quarts of water with 1 pound of oat straw. Once the temperature is cool enough, pour the solution into the dog’s bath water.
5. Tea Tree Oil
Another natural substance that effectively cures itchy skin in dogs is tea tree oil. It also helps to prevent further infections thanks to its antiseptic properties. Simply apply tea tree oil to the dog’s infected skin, and then let the oil penetrates the skin. It is best to apply tea tree oil after every oatmeal bath.
How to Treat Yeast Infection in Dog’s Skin
Yeast infection is not only a disease in human, but it is also found in animals such as dogs. Symptoms of yeast infection in dog’s skin include itchy, greasy or waxy, and crusty skin. You can treat the infection by following these instructions.
1. Visiting Veterinarian
The first thing to do if you suspect any existing yeast infection on your dog’s skin is always visiting a veterinarian. There are other skin problems that have similar symptoms to those of yeast infection, and a veterinarian can help you to diagnose the exact underlying disease. Furthermore, accurate diagnosis is always necessary, so you can provide effective treatments. A veterinarian can also prescribe some medications and explain about the best possible treatments to apply depending on your dog’s condition.
2. Bathing the Dog Regularly
Bath your dog with a shampoo containing an antifungal agent such as ketaconazole. It is an OTC (over-the-counter) drug to treat various fungal infections. Unless the veterinarian suggests you to use a different antifungal agent, ketaconazole is a good choice. Bathing your dog regularly twice a week can help to alleviate symptoms of yeast infections. For each bathing, let the lather stay on the dog’s skin for approximately 20 minutes before rinsing.
3. Topical Ointment
Topical drugs are also effective to treat yeast infections and relieve the skin irritation. They are usually available over-the-counter, so you can easily purchase them without prescription. The good thing is that most topical creams or ointments have soothing effect, and this will help to reduce the itchy feeling.
4. Oral Ketaconazole
Ketaconazole is also available as oral drug, usually as tablets. If the shampoo treatment does not show significant improvement, oral drugs can be taken as well. The drugs are usually consumed twice a day or every 12 hours, but it always depends on the severity of yeast infections and the size of the dog. A specific dog breed may require a specific dose.
5. Long Term Medication
Even when the yeast infections are completely healed, continue giving ketaconazole tablet to your dog. It is a good method to prevent the yeast infection from recurring. A full course of treatment gives the chance for the dog to develop better and stronger immune system, so the pet becomes less prone to further infections or skin tag disease.
6. Itraconazole
Itraconazole is similar to ketaconazole, but it is stronger and often used for treating resistant yeast infection in dog’s skin.
7. Homemade Antifungal Agent
You can also create a homemade antifungal agent by mixing 2 teaspoons of baking soda with a gallon of warm water. Use the solution to wash your dog’s skin after every bathing in order to reduce the itchy skin.
8. Well-balanced Diet
Feeding your dog with well-balanced diet will generally strengthen the immune system and help to naturally remove dead skin cells. This is as well a smart method to prevent the disease from recurring.
Conclusion
Yeast infection in dog’s skin is easy to diagnose and treat. You can purchase OTC drugs or even create a homemade formula to bath the dog. It is always recommended that you consult a veterinarian concerning the skin problems, so you figure out any underlying problem that causes the disease and apply effective treatments for the best result.