ITCHY DOG
Boxer dogs can have skin allergies.
The allergies are an oversensitivity to items such as house dust mites, pollens, grass, food proteins or additives and fleas.
Your boxer may be scratching as the skin is itchy, have rashes, redness, hair loss.
Your boxer may have ear or skin infections.
Your boxer may be overgrooming (licking) themselves, especially their paws – leaving the area stained.
Your boxer may have areas of thickened skin which can appear dark in colour.
Your boxer may have swollen weepy eyes,
Your boxer may have hives (lumps under the skin).
What can you do to help your boxer.
Finding out what is causing the Itch can be simple or complicated, as some boxers are sensitive to several triggers causing them to be itchy.
Firstly, check to see if your boxer has fleas or mites, if they have fleas or mites – you will need to seek treatment. (Routine flea treatment is not always necessary and natural remedies are available)
If house dust mites are potentially the cause, try to keep the boxer’s environment free from dust, hoover regularly, damp dust surfaces and wash bedding, blankets etc regularly (non-biological product).
If pollen or grass is the potential cause, try to avoid walking in areas where these triggers are. If you do walk in these areas, wash your boxer down, especially face and paws with water, to try to remove the pollen or grass.
If food is the potential cause try to give foods that are free from grains (wheat, rice etc) and beet pulp. Try using an elimination diet- give just one source of protein e.g. fish, beef or a novel protein such as goat.
Your vet may suggest and prescribe antihistamines and or steroids to control the symptoms. In more severe case they suggest medications such as Apoquel or Cytopoint.
Within rescue we have had success using an elimination raw diet. If you would like to know more, please contact the BDRNE team.
If your boxer has a itchy bottom – it may be as a result of worms. Taking a sample and testing will ensure the correct treatment. BDRNE recommend www.feclab.co.uk