There’s a new treatment in town for those dogs suffering from itchy skin — and it looks good! Lauren McKellar finds out more.
It’s a fact: one in four dogs will suffer from itchy, inflamed skin at some point in its life. For vets nation-wide, canines with itchy skin is very common; research shows that some vets will see 15 to 17 dogs per week suffering from allergic skin disease*. Yes, itchy skin is a real problem for many of our four-legged friends, and the root of the problem is often not flea allergy dermatitis, as many people think, but instead a far more natural cause.
The root of the problem
While fleas do cause excess itching and can bring on the condition flea allergy dermatitis, the more common reason for dog owners’ complaints is atopic dermatitis. “Generally this disease occurs before the dog is three years old and involves the belly, feet and ears — and it’s for life,” says veterinarian Dr Rob Hilton, who has a keen interest in skin care and allergies. “That’s the most common allergic disease of dogs, by far.”
New kid in town
Until recently, when it came to treatment for allergic skin disease, corticosteroids were commonly used as the drug of choice. These products were able to reduce and in some cases eliminate scratching for dogs, but didn’t come without their share of side-effects. “The only card we had to play was Cyclosporin, and it was effective in 85 per cent of dogs,” says Dr Rob. “But now we have this new weapon, which is Apoquel.”
Does your dog have itchy skin?
If so, PETS recommends a trip to your local veterinarian for more complex advice and a recommendation on the best course of treatment. PETS does not endorse any specific medication for the treatment of allergic skin disease.
*Compiled from 2014 and 2012 Zoetis market research
The original article was published in PETS issue 62. Click here to subscribe to our magazine.
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