Selected Itch Relief Product Summary

The following summarizes selected medications that your vet may recommend to control itching and other skin conditions.

Antihistamines

Although they are typically not as effective in pets as they are with humans, your vet may try one or more antihistamines to to supplement a primary medication course.  Unlike humans, histamines are not the major mediator of inflammation in dogs. Chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton^®) and other antihistamines tend to work more reliably with cats however some of the products that may be considered are: diphenhydramine (Benadryl^®), hydroxyzine (Atarax^®), and clemastine fumarate (Tavist^®).

Fatty Acids

In addition to Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, over 100 different fatty acids have been identified. Fatty acids play a range of important roles and are essential components of cell structure and a number of metabolic processes. In dogs and cats, the primary use of fatty acids has been to treat eczema and other skin eruptions and pruritus.   However, the have been used to treat a range of other conditions including: idiopathic seborrhea, miliary dermatitis and eosinophilic granuloma in cats, renal disease, lymphoma and other tumors, thromboembolism, pain related to arthritis, and intestinal inflamation. Veterinary products containing fatty acids include: 3 V Caps®, Derm Caps^® , EFA-Caps^®, Missing Link^®, Omega-3^®, and the Synovi^®.

Shampoos and Topicals

Colloidal oatmeal shampoos and creme rinses can significantly soothe irritated skin and provide some level of relief for one to three days.  Creme rinses may provide somewhat longer periods of relief. Colloidal sprays can also be helpful and soothing to your pet. Humilac sprays may also be applied as a spray or mixed with water as a dip. Lyme sulfur dips may help in drying moist and weeping skin lesions and to help dissolve surface skin proteins that can cause irritation. Humilac sprays are sometimes used with lyme sulfur treatments.