Treating atopic dermatitis

Ever since I started washing my dog with shampoos from this organic range, he’s stopped scratching like mad!! They’re properly organic, they lather up really well and, best of all, they’re a doddle to rinse out. Here’s the link: https://www.equipuppy.fr. I’ve stopped using standard parasite treatments; I just use a TickClip tag and the lotion from that same brand. The itching could also be down to the flea treatments from the vet. They’re 100% chemical-based and can’t be processed by your dog’s body, which is why they can cause so much irritation. Have you tried giving them a bit of white clay to help detox their system?

Hi, I’m having the same problem with my Juju, who turned 10 this month. I’ve stopped giving him dry food for a week now; I cook up some rice, carrots, and a few green beans for the week and mix in a bit of Laughing Cow. Since the start of the week, I’ve also been rubbing an organic anti-itch lotion I got from the chemist against the grain of his fur, along with a 5mg Apoquel tablet daily (half in the morning and half in the evening). The lotion is essential oil-based and I spray it on his paws as they’re red between the toes. I tend to do this in the evening to help him settle for sleep, and a bit in the morning too. You could also try contacting labs in Portugal about Apoquel or ask your pharmacist if there's a human medication with the same active ingredient. Of course, I can't be sure that what I’m doing for Junior will be right for your boy, and he might be back to scratching like mad in a week, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed! 😀

Hi, is Aleppo soap a liquid? Where do you buy it? I might as well give it a go. Thanks!

Hello, Thanks for your replies. It’s such a shame about this illness; it really ruins his life. I’d heard of BARF before, actually, I just didn't remember the name. But it’s too much for me to manage... I’d never get organised, and my husband can’t touch a mincer because he’s a haemophiliac. As for me, I struggle with handling raw meat... so I’ve chosen to do home-cooked meals with veg, carbs, and meat, adding a little bit of raw meat just before serving. I had a blood test done but nothing showed up... I also tried an elimination diet by cutting out certain foods for a few weeks, but it didn't help. I’ve tried several brands of dry food, each more expensive than the last, but it’s actually worse... the poor dog cries and scratches all night long... My vet says it’s called "atopic" precisely because the cause is unknown... probably genetic. Growing up on a farm, I’ve always had dogs, but they never scratched like my Léon – and he’s not the only one! It’s probably an issue caused by breeding... I don't know much about essential oils... I’m going to see my vet again, but she only thinks in terms of Apoquel. I asked if we could find something less expensive because at nearly £1.70 a pill (and he needs one or two a day!!!), I won’t be able to keep it up for long. Actually, I cheat a bit; every now and then I stop or reduce the treatment... but the itching comes back quickly. As for stress, I don't think that's it. My Léon is a happy dog who stays active; we walk a lot, and he has a large yard to run around in several times a day (it's funny when he zooms around the house at full speed...). He’s social with everyone, both dogs and humans. He loves to play and is very cuddly. He’s got a strong personality, but I think that’s common for Cockers... I might need to see a more flexible vet. In the meantime, I’d love to find cheaper Apoquel. I asked at another clinic about 25 miles away, but they told me I’d have to book an appointment with their vet (typical, another £50 for a consultation)... it really is a business, isn't it, especially since I already have a prescription! I was wondering if it might be cheaper abroad... do you have an email address where I could order some while I look for another solution? Apoquel does have the advantage of stopping the itching immediately. Kind regards. Attached is a photo of my Léon... Hello, I’ve just seen your post today and wanted to reply because I’m in exactly the same boat as you. I have a little Lhasa Apso who is 7 years old and has allergies, but we don’t know what to. He has food allergies, specifically to chicken, but other things too. Like you, I’ve bought all sorts of hypoallergenic dry food, but it’s always the same. He gets very red patches and scratches a lot, especially in the morning. Back in August, I went to a vet who treats these issues with herbal medicine. It worked well through August, except my dog was wetting himself in his sleep because the product was made with draining plants. Then the allergies came back. He’s on a 5-day herbal course now but it’s not really helping. The vet recommended a home-cooked diet of turkey, pasta, and veg. I thought, "well, that’s poultry, and he’s allergic to chicken, so why give him turkey?" but according to the vet, a dog allergic to chicken isn't necessarily allergic to turkey. So he’s been on home-cooked meals since August, but he still has those red patches that itch terribly. This morning I’ve started the Apoquel again for a week just to see if it settles him down. How are things going with your little one’s allergies? Just so you know, if you order a box of Apoquel from a pharmacy, you’ll pay about £24 for a box of 28 tablets – much cheaper. Personally, I have pet insurance, luckily, because my vet sells this medication at a very high price. They have some hefty mark-ups!

Hi there, Thanks for your replies. It’s such a shame, this illness is really making his life a misery. I had actually heard of raw feeding (BARF) before, I just hadn't remembered the name. But it’s all too much of a faff for me... I’d never manage to stay organised, and my husband can't touch a mincer because he’s a haemophiliac. As for me, I’m not comfortable handling raw meat... so I’ve opted for home-cooked meals with veg, carbs, and meat, and I just add a bit of raw meat when I serve it up. I’ve had a blood test done but nothing showed up... I also tried an elimination diet by cutting out certain foods for a few weeks, but it didn't lead to anything. I’ve tried several brands of dry food, each more expensive than the last, but that’s even worse... the poor dog cries and scratches himself all night long. My vet says that it’s called "atopic" specifically because the origin is unknown... genetics, most likely. Growing up on a farm, I’ve always had dogs, but none of them ever scratched like my Léon—and he’s not the only one! It’s probably some kind of abnormality caused by selective breeding. As for essential oils, I don't know anything about those... I’m going to see my vet again, but she’s insistent on Apoquel. I asked her if we could find something else less expensive because at about £1.70 a pill (and he needs one or even two a day!!!), I won’t be able to keep it up for long. To be honest, I cheat a bit; every now and then I stop or reduce the dose... but the itching comes back so fast. Regarding stress, I don’t think that’s it. My Léon is a happy dog who gets plenty of exercise; we walk a lot, and he has a large yard available to run in several times a day (he’s so funny when he does zoomies around the house at full speed!). He’s sociable with everyone, both dogs and humans alike; he loves playing and is very, very cuddly. He’s got a strong personality, but I think that’s just a Cocker Spaniel thing... Maybe I need to see another, more understanding vet. In the meantime, I’d really like to find cheaper Apoquel. I checked with another clinic about 25 miles away, but they told me I’d have to book an appointment with their vet (of course, another £50 for a consultation)... it really is a bit of a money-making racket, isn't it, especially since I already have a prescription! I was wondering if it might be cheaper abroad... do you have an email address where I could order some while I wait to find another solution? Apoquel does have the advantage of stopping the itching almost immediately... Kind regards, Attached is a photo of my Léon...