Sometimes following supplementation with PEA and a period of all going well for many months, a sudden increase in itching can occur.
Although it may appear that nothing has changed in daily routine, the home environment or the outside world, the commonest cause of this is exposure to a seasonal irritant or allergen which triggers skin irritation and inflammation.
When this occurs, the following steps help in many cases:
1. Check for fleas:
Click here to see the most effective way to do this.
Do not miss this out as flea bite hypersensitivity is the commonest cause of skin flare ups.
2. If no skin parasites are found double the dose of PEA.
3. If not already using Insect plus Itch Relief start giving 2 - 3 drops 3 times daily on a teaspoon of fresh food (not kibble).
4. Also start giving Vitality and Time Health's Algal Oil (enter vincethevet15 at the checkout on their website to receive a 15% discount) for their anti-inflammatory antioxidant effects.
5. Make sure all sugar and carbohydrate rich foods which fuel inflammation and yeast overgrowth are eliminated from the diet. Click here to see a list of common pro-inflammatory foodstuffs.
Do not miss this step out.
NOTE
Medication may need to be introduced at a low dose to keep the skin comfortable and prevent self trauma until the additional supplements have had enough time to have a positive effect (typically 8 - 12 weeks).
NEXT STEPS
If the skin settles down and all remains good following the gradual withdrawal of medication as outlined here, continue with the same regime.
If itching starts to return as the dose of medication is reduced, introduce Immunity followed by Digestion and Time Health Bio-cultures to further stabilise immune system function.
If there are still issues 12 weeks after these supplements are introduced, do get in touch.
1st picture:
Mabel September 2024:
On Apoquel and Immunotherapy injections (now stopped).
Skin problems 2.5 years.
2nd, 3rd and 4th pictures:
Mabel January 2025
Put on PEA to begin with.
Then 12 weeks later followed by Time Health's Algal Oil (enter vincethevet15 at the checkout on their website to receive a 15% discount) and Vitality.
PEA significantly reduces itching in 2 out of 3 dogs.
Some dogs with severe atopic dermatitis however, need additional supplements to maintain progress and produce the best outcome.
Mabel's transformation to date (which is highly significant given she is no longer on Apoquel or Immunotherapy injections) shows what can be achieved with the right supplementation, when enough time is given to allow the body to become less sensitive to environmental allergens.
The next step will involve the addition of Immunity followed by Digestion and Time Health Bio-cultures to further stabilise immune system function.