Is your Dog Allergic to Life? A Funny but True Guide to Canine Atopy

7117067676 • May 20, 2025

Why Is My Dog So Itchy in the Spring? Understanding Atopy and Pruritis

Does your dog seem extra itchy as the weather warms up? You're not alone. Seasonal itchiness in dogs is often caused by atopy—a genetic predisposition to develop allergies to environmental allergens like pollen, mold spores, and dust mites. This allergic reaction leads to pruritis, or chronic itching, which can make your dog miserable and even lead to secondary infections if not properly treated.

What are the signs and symptoms of atopy?

🐕 Increased licking or chewing

🐕 Increased rubbing or scratching

🐕 Red, inflamed, or thickened patches

🐕 Patches that are losing hair

Why Doesn’t Benadryl or Zyrtec Help?

Over-the-counter antihistamines like Benadryl (diphenhydramine) and Zyrtec (cetirizine) work well for humans, but they’re often not enough for pets. Dogs process these medications differently, and in many cases, they simply don’t offer significant relief for moderate to severe allergic itching. Plus, if your dog is already experiencing inflammation or skin damage, antihistamines are unlikely to reverse that process.

How Do You Test for Atopy?

Diagnosing atopy usually involves ruling out other causes of itching first—like fleas, food allergies, or infections. Once those are excluded, we can explore:

Serologic testing (blood testing): Measures antibodies in your pet’s blood to identify allergen sensitivities.
Intradermal allergy testing (skin testing): Small amounts of common allergens are injected under the skin to see which ones your pet reacts to.

Both tests can help guide custom immunotherapy to desensitize your pet to the allergens causing the reaction. We can perform the serologic testing in the clinic. If you prefer intradermal testing, we will need to refer you to a dermatologist.

What Are The Treatment Options for Pruritis?

There are several effective veterinary options available today that are part of a multi-modal plan to treat atopy. These include:

Apoquel® (oclacitinib) and Zenrelia® (ilunocitinib): Offers fast relief by blocking the itch signal at the cellular level.
Cytopoint®: A long-acting injection that helps neutralize the proteins causing itch—great for dogs with chronic issues.
Dermaquin®: Supports skin barrier function by replenishing essential lipids from the inside out.
Shampoos & Mousses: Soothe skin, remove allergens, and restore the skin barrier.
Prescription topical sprays: Delivers targeted anti-inflammatory and anti-itch relief directly to affected areas.
Environmental management (like air filters or wiping paws after walks)
Immunotherapy: Treatment that helps retain the immune system to tolerate allergens rather than react to them.

These medications don’t just mask symptoms—they interrupt the underlying itch cycle, allowing the skin to heal.

What is the difference between Apoquel and Zenrelia?

They are both part of the same drug class (JAK inhibitor), but have different dosing directions. Zenrelia is able to be given once daily from the start, whereas Apoquel starts at twice daily for 14 days, then decreases to once daily. If your pet has already been on one of these medications, you can refill from our online pharmacy at http://southpawac.ourvet.com/.

My Vet Prescribed a Medicated Shampoo? Now What Do I Do?

Medicated baths can help reduce inflammation, remove allergens from the skin, and manage secondary infections. For best results:

Use lukewarm water—hot water can irritate already sensitive skin.
Massage the shampoo into the coat and let it sit for 15-20 minutes to allow proper contact time. We know that it is hard to keep a pet still in the bathtub for 20 minutes, so here are some ideas to pass the time.
Small dogs: Wrap your pet in a towel and watch a TV show. Set a timer though because we know The Real Housewives of Madison County is enthralling.
Larger dogs: Take your pet on a walk around the neighborhood.
Rinse thoroughly—any residue left behind can cause more irritation.
Dry gently, preferably with a towel instead of a hair dryer.

What Treatment Does Southpaw Recommend for My Pet?

Every pet is unique, and what works for one may not work for another. That’s why at Southpaw Animal Clinic of Madison, we take a personalized approach to care. We carefully evaluate your pet’s medical history, symptoms, and lifestyle to create a treatment plan tailored for both immediate relief and long-term success.

Managing atopy can be one of the more challenging aspects of pet care. It’s often a lifelong condition, and progress may be slow. Symptom management can sometimes feel frustrating—and financially overwhelming. That’s why we offer a range of payment options designed to fit your budget and make ongoing care more manageable.

Click here to explore our payment options.

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Is your Dog Allergic to Life? A Funny but True Guide to Canine Atopy

Don't Go Breaking My Heart(worm)

By Susanna Burgett, LVT • April 11, 2025

April is Heartworm Awareness Month , and here at Southpaw Animal Clinic of Madison, we are all about protecting your pets from preventable pain. Heartworm disease is a serious, potentially fatal condition, that can cost thousands of dollars to treat--but the good news is, it is almost 100% preventable with proper care and consistent protection. So let's dive into what heartworm disease is, why it matters, and how you can keep your furry friend safe. What Is Heartworm Disease? Heartworm disease is caused by a parasitic worm-- Dirofilaria immitis --that's spread through the bit of an infected mosquito. Once bitten, the immature larvae enter your pet's bloodstream and grow into adult worms that settle in the heart, lungs, and associated blood vessels. Left untreated, these worms can cause severe lung disease, heart failure, and organ damage. Why It's So Serious (and So Common) Heartworm disease is both common and deadly. More than one million dogs in the U.S. are infected each year. It affects dogs in all 50 states--yes, even here in Madison, Alabama. Dogs with heartworms often show no symptoms until the disease is advanced, making regular testing critical. Symptoms can include coughing, fatigue, weight loss, decreased appetite, and a swollen abdomen due to fluid accumulation. How Do Dogs Get It? Simple answer: mosquitoes. If you seen, swatted, or been bitten by a mosquito, that means your dog has been at risk too. And it only takes one bite from an infected mosquito to pass on the larvae. Prevention Is Easy. Treatment? Not So Much. While heartworm disease can be treated, the process is expensive, time-consuming, and potentially hard on your dog. Treatment often includes months of restricted activity, multiple injections, and frequent veterinary visits. Prevention, on the other hand, is: Affordable Safe Easy to administer (monthly chewables, topicals, or an injection every 12 months) Widely available through your veterinarian At Southpaw Animal Clinic of Madison, we can dispense up to 12 months of prevention per pet, per year . We totally commend those of you trying to stay ahead and stock up--your dedication is awesome--but due to manufacturer regulations, we cannot fill early. It's also important to note: heartworm prevention is only guaranteed by the manufacturer for the pet it is prescribed to. That means the prescription must be written specifically for your pet--we can't legally or medically share doses between animals, even if they are the same size or species. Don't Skip the Test! All dogs 7 months and older should be tested before starting prevention. That's because heartworm preventatives work by killing early-stage larvae--not adult worms. Giving preventatives to a dog with an existing infection can cause severe complications. Heartworm tests are quick, highly accurate, and a crucial part of responsible pet care. Here's what you should know: If you adopted a dog with an unknown medical history, get them tested right away. Even if the first test is negative, we recommend retesting in 6 months to confirm there is not an early infection. Why? because it takes 6-8 months for adults infections to show up on a heartworm test. Missed a dose? No shame--just let us know. Your pup should be retested 6 months later to make sure they stayed protected. A nominal fee compared to treatment. Bonus Info: What About Cats and Other Pets? Dogs aren't the only ones at risk--cats can get heartworms, too, although they're less common and harder to detect. There is no approved treatment for cats, which makes prevention even more critical. We also recommend discussing prevention options for ferrets and other at-risk- pets with our staff. Time for a Heart-to-Heart? If your pet hasn't been tested recently or is overdue for their prevention, now's the time. We're here to help with: Heartworm testing Affordable prevention options Friendly reminders so you never miss a dose At Southpaw Animal Clinic of Madison, we are all about keeping tails wagging and hearts strong--before there's a problem. Give us a call or book online to schedule your pet's heartworm test today. Let's beat the buzz together.