(8/2020) Humans aren't the only ones that suffer from skin allergies. Every summer I see itchy dogs and horses with seasonal allergies, along with their unhappy owners. Awakening at 3am, to hear your dog frantically chewing his skin until he leaves small spots of blood on your rug, and then scratching loudly and vigorously, will make an owner and dog head to the vet.

Horses can get very itchy, too, and their strength means they can do some damage when they scratch. Many years ago, my sister's pony scratched so hard on a tree that she knocked the tree down. That pony also knocked down several sections of fence by scratching on it. Getting rid of itching is important for pets and owners. Unfortunately, just like in humans, itching can be hard to treat. It also tends to be a recurring problem rather than something correctable with a single shot.

The most common causes of seasonal itchiness in dogs and horses are pollen and insect bite hypersensitivity. While pollen is much more difficult to eliminate from the environment, insects can pose a challenge as well. A dog with sensitive skin does not have to be infested with fleas to get itchy hot spots and moist dermatitis. Some dogs are so sensitive that a single flea bite can make them so itchy that they are miserable.

There are numerous flea medications, both oral and topical, that kill fleas. However once the dog has damaged the skin and gotten an infection, the dog typically needs to see a vet for antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications. While pollen can't be eliminated from the environment there are now prescription pills and injections that block the inflammatory cascade that leads to an itchy dog.

Some dogs stay on these medication from spring through fall depending on what they are allergic to. Blood can also be collected from your dog and used to design allergy shots targeted to the specific pollens that trigger your dogs itching. Treatments for itchy dogs have gotten much more effective in recent years. However, treatment does require an owner who is willing and able to give medications regularly.

Horse skin allergies are a little more difficult to manage than dog skin allergies. The insect repellents on the market aren't as effective as the ones designed to kill fleas in dogs. There also aren't tasty little pills specifically designed for horse allergies. One of the most frustrating skin allergies in horses is "sweet itch." Sweet itch is a hypersensitivity to the saliva of cullicoides, which are tiny midge bugs. There is a genetic component to sweet itch so some families of horses and more likely to get it than others.

The cullicoides midges like to bite to the horse's belly and tail and cause severe itching. This causes the horse to scratch and rub out his hair, sometimes frantically. The normal fly sprays seem to have minimal effect in repelling these bugs. Usually fly sheets and thick, barrier ointments are the most effective. Blood can be taken from the horse and used to create allergy shots. While these shots are fairly effective for pollens, they are minimally effective for helping with sweet itch. There is research being performed to develop a sweet itch vaccine and medication.

Unfortunately they are not available yet. Successful treatment for sweet itch usually involves a barrage of treatments, with daily application of fly ointment or other barriers as well as antihistamines pills. Putting flax seed and spirulina in the horse's feed is sometimes helpful in decreasing the itching. Horses with sweet itch usually benefit from spending their summer days inside a dark barn with a fan and few bugs. Owners of these horses are often very happy when fall comes and the bugs are gone.

Most of us enjoy the summer months and look forward to them every winter. Controlling itching in our dogs and horses helps keep summers pleasant and enjoyable.