Canine Allergies…there is relief!!

All dogs itch sometimes. This is a normal protective mechanism.  But when itching causes your dog to damage its skin, or disrupt the household, it can be a problem.

Canine itch can be caused by several factors, including infections, parasites or allergies. Some common allergies are caused by fleas, food or environmental allergens such as pollens, molds or house-dust mites.

Some important clues to look for if you suspect your dog is itchier than a normal dog:

·         Excessive licking, chewing, biting or scratching

·         Excessive rolling, rubbing or scooting

·         Foot chewing

·         Hair Loss

·         Recurrent ear problems

·         Changes in the skin, like sores or darkened color

·         Redness of the skin

·         Body odor

There is a new medication that just joined the market that is significantly different than the traditional therapies, like steroids, cyclosporines or antihistamines.  This new medication, APOQUEL, is the only medication designed to go straight to the source of the itch. 

Since Apoquel targets the cause of the itch, it has minimal effect on other parts of the dog’s body, unlike some of the traditional treatments.

Apoquel works regardless of the type of allergy.  It starts to relieve the itch within 4 hours, comparable to steroids.  It effectively controls the itch within 24 hours, and continues to do so long term.

For more information on this new allergy treatment, contact our office at 913-649-0440 to schedule a consultation with your veterinarian.

(this information was supplied by Zoetis ™)