One of the most common health problems pet owners will encounter is having a pet with a skin problem. The incessant scratching, itching, biting, licking and chewing not only takes its toll on the miserable pet but often leaves the pet owner with a sense of helplessness and frustration. After flea collars, dips, sprays, drops and/or baths, the next logical step often is a trip to the vet. A prescription to a popular antibiotic, steroid, special prescription diet, topical anti-itching cream (often containing steroids), skin scrapings and/or dips is then likely prescribed. We don't want to see our animal suffer a minute longer than they have to. And without an understanding of the cause, we trust the vet's diagnosis.

Too often there is a relapse of the symptoms shortly after the pills, creams and other treatments are discontinued. Therefore, it becomes a lifelong battle using various treatments that provide temporary relief by simply masking the symptoms. Only by careful examination, diagnostic tests and sometimes trial and error can we come to understand what causes the itching in a particular pet and how we can best control it.

While growing up our family dog was on prednisone for most of his life. We thought we were doing the best thing we could for him. (We even fed him a "fancy label" canned dog food and thought he was pretty spoiled because of it.) The prednisone didn't stop him from licking and chewing his paws though. Every night before going to sleep I recall having to listen to him licking and chewing his paws for several minutes. It was heartbreaking knowing he suffered like that, and not to mention incredibly aggravating to endure listening to it.

If an itchy pet is a problem for you, we would advise you to consult with a holistic vet. If one is not located near you, some are available to do phone consultations. Though we here at Robbins Pet Care are not vets, based on our own collective experiences and research knowledge, we have compiled some possible explanations and solutions for your pet's itching problems.

External parasites -- fleas, lice, mites

Fleas and lice may be spotted crawling or jumping on and off your pet, but often the best way to see if your pet has them is by combing your pet with a comb designed especially for fleas and lice. You can also check your pet's favorite napping areas for flea excrement (tiny black bits).

Mites are a little trickier. They can only be detected by a microscopic examination of skin scrapings. The Demodex mite or, more rarely, the Sarcoptes mite, can cause major skin disease (Mange) that includes hair loss, especially around the face, and the development of secondary infections. Your veterinarian can do a skin scraping and if the mites are seen, they are usually the cause. A variety of medications can be used to treat mange.

With external parasites, pets are affected because their immune system is down. Boost your pet's immune system by feeding a higher quality diet and/or supplementing it with a raw food diet supplement such as Nupro Dog Supplement or Cat Supplement, or the Animal Essentials' line of products, particularly Omega 3 Plus essential fatty acids. The combination of supplementation of the diet with essential fatty acids has proved to be very beneficial.

Bacterial infection

Bacterial skin disease is another common cause of scratching. Common predisposing causes are skin parasites, poor nutrition, unhygienic environment, allergic skin conditions, hormonal disease or long term steroid treatments. Signs of a bacterial skin infection typically include pustules, crusts, itching and there is usually varying amounts of hair loss.

It is important to keep the skin and coat clean. Oatmeal shampoos, such as the one by EarthBath are soothing to the skin and work as an aid against itching. Earth's Balance Itch Free is a probiotic solution that literally eats away at the bad bacteria, leaving the skin soft, smooth and itch free. It also greatly cuts down on dander problems. Thayers Witch Hazel with Aloe is also a good companion to regular dog washing. Witch Hazel helps to temporarily stop the itching, while the Aloe Vera helps cool the area and aids in the healing process.

Treatment for bacterial skin disease typically involves antibiotics and medicated shampoos. If your pet is prescribed an antibiotic, please follow the instructions and continue treatment for the full duration (typically 7-10 days). If response to antibiotic therapy is poor, then bacterial culture and antibiotic sensitivity tests should be considered.

Treatment for bacterial skin disease typically involves antibiotics and medicated shampoos. If your pet is prescribed an antibiotic, please follow the instructions and continue treatment for the full duration (typically 7-10 days). If response to antibiotic therapy is poor, then bacterial culture and antibiotic sensitivity tests should be considered.

If you're looking for a natural alternative for medicated shampoos, we find EarthBath's Tea Tree and Aloe Vera Shampoo is excellent for its antifungal and antibacterial qualities. On rare occasions, an animal is sensitive to Tea Tree Oil, so please exercise caution if your pet is highly allergic.

From a holistic approach, any time antibiotics are given, a regimen of administering probiotics is extremely important. If not, then the imbalance in the intestinal flora gives rise to candida albicans infestation. Candida, or yeast, is a common culprit behind many health problems.

In brief, common symptoms of a yeast overgrowth can include:

• Face rubbing
  
  
• Feet licking and soreness
  
  
• Rash on the belly and legs
  
  
• Redness in the ears
  
  
• Discharge in the ears, often a brown thick substance with a yeasty odor
  
  
• Chewing near tail and rectum
  
  
• Red or brown color between toes and/or reddish stain under the eyes