Itchy Skin In The Dog - The Greatest Natural Treatment Mistakes

There are many self proclaimed experts all too willing to give advice on itchy skin in the dog.

Underdosing is the first common mistake. Many natural treatments can be useful and beneficial if given in the correct dose rates. However, a very common mistake is to recommend doses that are too low to be of benefit. The most common of these is the chronic underdosing of the omega-3 EPA from fish oil. Fish oil used at the correct dose rate can benefit itchy skin in the dog.

The second common mistake is overdosing. Some herbs can be toxic to your dog's liver and kidneys if used in excess. It is truly disturbing how little some holistic medicine advocates actually know about the treatments they recommend.

The wrong dagnosis is probably the single most common mistake made by holistic hobbyists. The wrong diagnosis. Most naturopaths and holistic medicine advisers are hobbyists and have zero training in dermatology and canine medicine. If you don't actually know what the disease process is, you can't treat it effectively. Dog wellness depends on correct diagnosis. Anatomy, physiology, function of skin are among the serious aspects of medicine that are not adequately examined in 'natural medicine' study courses.

Number four is prescribing treatments that damage the skin barrier. The physiology and function of the skin is critical in understanding treatment. Skin problems in the itchy dog are often doused with the wrong therapies. Shampoos and acidic products like tea tree oil are BAD for inflamed, irritated skin of a dog with allergic skin disease.

Coming in at number 5 is the use of remedies that are unproven to work. Home-made herb-based remedies cannot be standardised for correct dose. Even commercial preparations are unproven, as almost all natural therapies companies do not conduct research to scientific standards, nor do they document results. Many natural remedies do not need to meet standards required of other products!

Antiquated therapies come in at 6.The innocent are easily mislead into using outdated remedies that were outlawed decades ago due to serious health risks. These adverse effects are sometimes forgotten with the tincture of time. Colloidal silver is a classic example. In human therapy, colloidal silver was discontinued in the 1940's because of serious and harmful adverse events. Silver particles in solution make up colloidal silver. Heavy metals can be toxic if ingested. In animals and humans, silver accumulates in the body over time. Silver is a heavy metal and is toxic!

Some recommended therapies can be toxic to regenerative tissue. Regenerative tissue is healing tissue. If regenerative tissue is irritated by remedies wound healing and skin regeneration is delayed. A home remedy like iodine may interfere with healing. Natural or ?alternative? remedy advocates also often recommend ear remedies that will damage your dog's ear drum and even cause serious vestibular disease like head tilt and loss of balance. Managing ears delicately is critical. If the ear drum is damaged, catastrophic events can occur and damage the dog's middle ear, hearing and balance!

Number 8 is an interesting concept. Breeders particularly indulge in the myth that their breed has different skin or particular treatment needs. However, dog skin is essentially the same in physiology between the different breeds. Your pet can be treated successfully with the correct diagnosis irrespective of breed.

Don't waste money trying to save a dollar with unqualified 'therapists'. The health of your pet is at stake.