There are many different ailments that can affect your furry family member's skin. Whether it's a topical problem, like fleas, or something deeper, like a food allergy, skin issues can cause tremendous discomfort.
Pets act out their discomfort through constant scratching, paw chewing, head shaking, and excessive grooming. Over time, this leads to hair loss, open sores, secondary bacterial infections, and chronic inflammation.
At Angel Animal Hospital, we provide advanced dermatological diagnostics and modern treatments to identify the root cause of your pet's skin problems and restore long-term comfort.
Common Causes of Itchy Skin & Ear Infections in Pets
Skin conditions are among the most frequent reasons pet parents seek veterinary care in Central Ohio. Because canine and feline skin manifests irritation in similar ways (scratching, red paws, recurring ear infections), proper medical diagnostics are essential to distinguish between:
Modern Dermatology Solutions Available at Our Clinic
Gone are the days when high-dose steroid medications with severe side effects were the only option for allergic dogs. Dr. Candace Fisher utilizes cutting-edge targeted therapies:
- Cytopoint Injections: A monthly monoclonal antibody injection that neutralizes Interleukin-31 (IL-31), the primary cytokine that sends itch signals to your dog's brain. Safe for dogs of all ages with zero liver or kidney impact.
- Apoquel (Oclacitinib): A targeted daily oral tablet that inhibits Janus kinase (JAK) enzymes, halting allergic itch and inflammation within 4 hours.
- Hypoallergenic Elimination Diet Trials: Formulated hydrolyzed protein diets (like Royal Canin HP or Hill's z/d) fed exclusively for 8 to 10 weeks to diagnose and manage food allergies.
- Therapeutic Medicated Topicals: Antimicrobial, antifungal, and ceramide-restoring shampoos and mousses to soothe and repair the compromised skin lipid barrier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I give my dog human Benadryl (diphenhydramine) for itching?
While Benadryl is sometimes used for mild insect stings, antihistamines are generally ineffective for canine environmental allergies because histamine plays a minor role in dog skin itching. Contact Dr. Fisher for effective, targeted treatments.
Why does my dog get ear infections every summer?
Recurrent ear infections (otitis externa) are almost always an external manifestation of underlying environmental or food allergies. Treating the ear infection alone without addressing the allergic root cause will lead to perpetual relapses.