Itchfreepet.com launches a new pet health site which offers skin allergy advice for dog owners.

Itch, itch, bite, scratch, chew... sound familiar?
http://www.itchfreepet.com

It's miserable owning an itchy dog. So Itchfreepet have launched a site which will give pet owners access to information about what causes dogs to itch and, most importantly, what to do about it. You can help your dog feel comfortable again.
One of the most common causes of itching in dogs is a condition called 'atopic dermatitis' which is similar to eczema in people. The first signs of atopic dermatitis are that you may notice that your dog is scratching occasionally, or has red areas of skin. Over time the scratching becomes worse and skin damage starts to appear. This is often on their face, around their mouth, eyes and inside their ear flaps. They also start on their feet, in the crooks of their joints, 'armpits' and around their groin area.

A common sign is brown saliva staining of the hair, especially on the feet and around the joints such as front of elbows, caused by the dog's licking. In some dogs the only sign is repeated ear infections.
Eventually, the scratching becomes constant and your dog may even start to hurt itself - as s/he claws and scratches at their skin, they cause wounds and start to develop bacterial and/or yeast infections. As time passes your dog may start to lose its hair, and the skin may get leathery looking and discoloured.

You can view pictures of dogs with typical symptoms of atopic dermatitis on the site.

Gallery>>

You can read in more detail about this condition, view pictures of other dogs with atopic dermatitis and even try the quick Atopic dermatitis test before you visit your vet.
Itchfreepet have also included a Treatment Journal on their new site. The first few months of your dog’s treatment are vital for developing a successful treatment plan. The Treatment Journal is a useful record of what treatment your dog is receiving and how it is responding.

You can register to start your dog’s Treatment Journal. Then complete the information required for each visit to your vet, remembering that photographs of your dog as it goes through treatment are particularly helpful.

Treatment Journal>>