In dermatitis it is an inflammation of the skin, which occurs on pets of all ages. Being quite annoying and made up of symptoms that are impossible not to notice, it can be treated promptly. But come treat dog dermatitis naturally?
The important thing is to contact the vet, so that he can diagnose the type of dermatitis afflicting the dog and the degree of severity. If it is localized and easily treatable, you can resort to natural remedies, always on the advice of your doctor.
Canine dermatitis can be atopic or allergic. Depending on the type, there are different therapies to treat it.
What is allergic dermatitis?
In allergic dermatitis, the subject has an allergic hypersensitivity to a food (which contains the allergen) due to genetic predisposition or acquired sensitivity.
In order to fight the allergen, the body activates all stages of inflammation: the inflammation presents a cutaneous manifestation due to the release of histamine. This biogenic amine is a chemical mediator of inflammation which, through the bloodstream, causes visible cutaneous vasodilatation thanks to the evident reddening of the skin.
This condition causes secondary effects such as alopecia, itching, crusting and skin wrinkling. To bring Fido’s skin back to its physiological state, it will be necessary to resolve the primary pathology condition: the allergy.
The diagnosis can only be made by the vet, but often when it comes to food allergies, dermatitis is accompanied by loose and not well formed stools.
In this case, the therapy consists ofdrastically eliminate food what the dog usually eats and start a diet based on single-protein croquettes or dishes cooked at home according to the doctor’s instructions.
Associated with the diet, a therapy aimed at protecting the gastric mucosa and the intestine, so that the dog can purify itself and begin a new gradual diet, which does not give it an allergic reaction.
What is canine atopic dermatitis?
As far as atopic dermatitis is concerned, however, it is a condition that causes itching and more often than not it is genetic. In this case it occurs in the first months of the puppy’s life, causing him annoying itching and alopecia.
The triggering cause of atopic dermatitis in dogs is not entirely clear, but there are studies that ensure its genetic transmission. This means that the pathology can be transmitted from mother to child, but also within the same bloodlines.
For this reason some breeds are particularly sensitive and we remember:
Genetic transmission is never guaranteed but only indicates a higher incidence of disease within a breed.
Each situation, however, stands on its own so before you take DIY measures, it is always better to consult the veterinary opinion and don’t go your own way.
What is flea allergy dermatitis?
Sometimes dog dermatitis is immediately linked to nutrition or genetics, but this is not always the case.
There are cases where aectoparasitic infestation it can lead to even very strong allergic symptoms. This is the case of flea allergy dermatitis in which the subject is particularly affected sensitive to saliva and to the enzymes contained in it that these parasites secrete at the time of the blood meal.
Obviously in these cases changing the diet won’t help, but it will be necessary to treat the subject with pesticides to restore our dog’s skin health.
How to tell if a dog has dermatitis?
Whatever type it is, i symptoms of dermatitis in dogs are very clear and hardly misunderstood. This is because, affecting the skin, it manifests itself clearly, without leaving too many doubts.
Chief among all the symptoms is the itch, which leads the dog to scratch and lick himself often and, in the most painful and annoying cases, even to bite the affected area. This can leave bald and smelly patches.
Another very evident symptom, which mainly concerns allergic dermatitis, is the presence of scabs on the skin and tufts of hair that detach as soon as they are touched, which is anomalous especially in some breeds, which tend not to shed.
Sometimes the bleeding of the most inflamed parts and affected, especially if the dog does not stop scratching and feels a lot of physical pain.
The skin can also send bad smell and dry out very severely, but only in cases where the dermatitis has reached a serious stage.
How to cure dog dermatitis naturally?
When the dermatitis is mild and easily treatable, it can be treated with natural remedies, especially if it is allergic dermatitis. But how to cure dog dermatitis naturally?
Feeding the dog with dermatitis
The first move to do without taking medicines is to change your diet, eliminating complex and rich dishes in favor of something less greasy and “cleaner” (like fish and potatoes) for at least a week and then, under the advice of the vet, gradually add nutritious ingredients.
Aloe vera
Another natural remedy that really works against mild dog dermatitis is aloe vera which, in the form of cream and ointment, can be applied to infected skin.
His antibacterial power it is famous and is able to soothe and regenerate even the deepest and most infected wounds.
Obviously this type of remedy takes time and can be used as an adjuvant to a medicinal therapy, always prescribed by the doctor.
The ideal would be to contact a veterinarian who also deals with homeopathy, always bearing in mind that this type of care they cannot solve complex pathologies and serious. The only one who can really tell you how to treat dog dermatitis is always and only your trusted doctor.
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Article reviewed by
Joseph Terlizzi
Veterinary doctor