Your Vet Online

Don't do this if your dog is itchy #doghealth #onlinevet

Part 2: How Not to Handle Your Dog’s Itchy Skin and Ears A practical guide for dog owners from your evidence based vet. Don’t assume food is the cause. Fleas, environmental allergies, mites, yeast and bacteria are also common causes. Don’t keep changing food brands at random. Changing brands is not the same as completing a proper food trial. Don’t treat the ears and skin as separate problems. Recurring ear infections are often part of the same underlying skin disease. Don’t use leftover ear drops. The cause may be different this time, and some products may be unsafe. Don’t repeatedly clean a red, swollen or painful ear. Cleaning can worsen irritation and cause more pain. Don’t apply coconut oil to the skin. It does not treat the underlying cause and may make greasy or infected skin worse. Don’t stop treatment as soon as the skin looks better. The infection or inflammation may not be fully controlled. Don’t keep treating each flare without asking why it returns. Repeated flare ups usually mean there is an underlying problem. Don’t skip consistent flea prevention. A single flea bite can trigger severe itching in a sensitive dog. Don’t let your dog keep licking, chewing or scratching sores. This damages the skin and increases the risk of infection. Don’t assume antibiotics alone will solve the problem. They may treat infection, but they do not fix the underlying cause. Don’t wait when your dog is clearly uncomfortable. Painful, smelly, swollen or weeping skin and ears need veterinary attention. Got questions? Pop them below and follow the skin series for more practical tips.