Q:  I have a Pitbull mix who is 6 years old. For the past 5 to 6 months, he has had allergies. The vet has prescribed many different medications, but none of the medications have produced lasting results. Now, my dog is developing a rash on his belly and in his ear. He is constantly scratching and chewing at them. Any suggestions on how to relieve his irritations? Would aloe vera from our plant work?

A:  Plain and simple allergies are difficult to treat! They take a lot of patience and teamwork between the owner and the vet. Below is an outline of how to go about finding out what is causing your dog’s itching and also some possible treatment options. Meanwhile, I do not believe that using aloe vera is going to bring your dog any temporary relief as it will not be strong enough to address his symptoms. You might be able to give your dog some temporary relief by bathing him several times a week in an oatmeal-based fragrance-free shampoo. Temporarily, antihistamines such as Benadryl™ can be used too. However, you must consult with your vet before trying any of these options to make sure they are appropriate for your dog.  

The ability to effectively treat an allergic dog depends on what he is allergic to. A dog can be allergic to a variety of antigens. Common antigens in the external environment (outside) include pollens, molds, and vegetation. Common antigens in the internal environment (inside) include microscopic dust mites and household cleaners. Dogs can also be allergic to certain components in their food –  chicken, for example, is a common culprit – and they can also be allergic to fleas. While all dogs will itch if they have fleas, some dogs are highly sensitive to flea saliva – one little flea can set of the problem – and will develop a more severe reaction technically known as flea allergy dermatitis. In addition, dogs can also be allergic to other skin parasites such as mites. And, to make matters more confusing, dogs suffering from an allergic condition are more susceptible to the development of secondary ear/skin bacteria or yeast infections. These secondary invaders need to be addressed or the skin/ears will never get better. Furthermore, some dogs have allergies to multiple antigens, making determining the itching’s cause and treatment plan more difficult.

When a veterinarian examines an inflamed, itchy, uncomfortable, possibly allergic dog for the first time there is no way the vet is going to be able to determine the cause of itching without doing some testing. Testing should involve a complete history of your dog, physical exam, and skin/microscopic evaluations of the impacted ear/skin. Sometimes cultures of these areas are necessary. Depending on your dog’s particular symptoms and history, the vet may decide to also evaluate a sample of your dog’s blood. There are also diagnostic tests including allergy skin tests and allergy blood tests to help determine what specific antigens your dog is allergic to. Most veterinary dermatologists generally recommend skin testing over blood testing because they believe the skin testing is more accurate. And finally, if your vet suspects food allergies, your dog may be placed on a food trial. A food trial consists of changing your dog’s food to either a limited ingredient food or a hypo-allergic food. The problem with food trials is that they are “trials” in the true sense of the word – your vet can only make an educated guess as to which food ingredient your dog is actually allergic to. It can also take at least 12 to 14 weeks for a food trial to begin to yield any positive results. If your dog’s symptoms have not gone away at the end of the food trial, your vet may decide to start a new trial with a different food. To learn more about food allergies click here.

After all this information is gathered, a proper treatment plan can be instituted. A food allergy, for example, might be treated simply by keeping your dog on the limited ingredient or hypo-allergenic diet. Flea allergy dermatitis can often be kept under control by ensuring that your dog is on the proper flea preventative. If it turns out that your dog is allergic to something in the environment it is possible that the information gained from the skin testing can then be used to make allergy shots which will be given to your dog to desensitize him to the antigens. Otherwise, your dog will likely need long-term medication and frequent baths in medicated shampoos. Medication generally prescribed for allergies includes antihistamines, steroids and/or other immune-suppressants to calm the itch along with antimicrobials such as antifungals and antibiotics to treat secondary infections.

In conclusion, I would make sure that proper testing has been performed on your dog so that you have the best chance of providing him with long-lasting relief.

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