Skin Allergies

Excessive self-licking and chewing can be caused by a medical issue. It can also be a behavioral problem, a classic example of an obsessive/compulsive disorder. Either way, it's annoying to the dog's human companion, and dangerous to the health of the dog. Here are tips for dealing with dogs who self-lick and chew excessively. To begin behavior modification, determine your dog's stressors and start eliminating them. Make a list of everything?you can think that is stresses your dog – even just a little bit, even if the stressors don't seem directly related to the licking. Your list might include thunder, small children, dogs on television, cats, riding in cars, visits to the vet, shock collars, medical issues, and many more. Most owners can identify between 10 and 20 stressors for their dogs.

If your dog suffers from skin allergies, choosing the right food can make a difference for your dog’s comfort and health. Allergies in dogs are a common concern from pet owners and can cause itchiness, red patches, hair loss, inflammation, and secondary skin infections.

Hives are a common skin reaction in dogs that causes raised, itchy bumps on their skin. Hives can appear suddenly and may range in...

Zyrtec is safe for dogs, when used appropriately. Zyrtec, or cetirizine, is an oral medication available as a tablet or a liquid. If your dog reacts to a bug bite or has allergies and itches, your veterinarian may recommend Zyrtec.

Symptoms of a superficial staph infection include hair loss and the presence of pustules. It can worsen into a deep staph infection with fever, pain, and crusting skin.

Poison ivy can affect our dogs, but luckily most dogs have enough hair that the sap usually does not get down to skin. However, any dogs with condition that leaves them with exposed bare skin are all susceptible to the rash.

A “cyst” is a capsule that usually has fluid in it, although it can have air as well. “Tumor” is a general term, basically a generic swelling or mass.

A dog who constantly scratches himself due to dermatitis may respond well to Apoquel.

Dogs can be allergic to a wide variety of environmental allergens including pollen from trees, weeds, and grasses. This list of allergens includes cat dander.

When itching starts, consider what might have caused that reaction. Home remedies for itchy dogs might help, but only if they address the cause of itching.

Dogs can have many different skin conditions. Some skin problems are minor and easily fixed, while others are trickier to diagnose. Some may be controllable but not curable, while others can be cured. It makes sense with any skin condition to begin with basic treatment options, like parasite control if you see fleas.

There are several manifestations of allergies in dogs, including atopic and flea allergy dermatitis, allergic rhinitis and bronchitis, hives, and insect bite hypersensitivity. Symptoms...