Q&A for How to Diagnose and Treat Your Dog's Itchy Skin Problems

You can give them fatty acid supplementation and you can bathe them with a moisturizing shampoo. There are also moisturizing drops and sprays that you can apply to the dog's skin.

The constant trauma from scratching has caused the skin to become darker and thickened. This creates a vicious circle, because the skin's ability to fight infection is reduced, making secondary problems with itchy yeast or bacteria more likely. It's important to identify the cause of the original itch (parasites or allergy) and correct this, along with using antibiotics or antifungals (as appropriate) to correct the secondary issues. A vet is the best choice to help your dog recover.

If those tiny black dots may well be flea dirt (flea excrement). To check this out, place some of the dots onto a piece of damp cotton wool. Flea dirt in contact with moisture develops an orangish halo around it, which is due to reconstituted dried blood.

There could be many possible explanations. Firstly, make sure you used a prescription product and it was applied correctly. Reapply at the interval stated on the packaging. Also, treat the other pets in the home as they can be a reservoir for fleas. You may also need to treat the environment to eliminate flea eggs and larvae. Alternatively, you dog may be itchy because of a different parasite such as mange mites, or he may have allergy issues making him scratch.

"Clipper rash" or irritation when the hair is clipped is a common problem. If he's licked so much the skin is infected, it's best to phone your vet and let them know, as they will most likely be able to dispense an antibiotic cream without seeing the dog. In the meantime bathe the area with weak salt water and stop the dog licking.