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Summer Itching That Comes Back Every Year

by Cathy

Reader Question
My standard dachshund is about 5 and a half. We adopted him 3 years ago, and he was in very poor health when we got him. Every summer he breaks out in bumps and itches like crazy, and this year has been especially bad. He scratches or bites himself raw, and we're at the vet at least once a week. Some nights we're up before 4 a.m. with him scratching and whining. He's had several different antibiotics and antihistamines, and we've used prescription shampoos. I feed him a grain-free food and give fish oil and vitamin C. Nothing seems to help. In winter it seems to go away, but every summer it starts again. We keep the grass cut short and free of weeds. We almost had him cleared up, but we visited family out of town, he came in contact with something there, and he broke out again. Could it be insect bites? I've never seen bites on him, but we've had ants in our yard, and there were ants around the apartment we visited.


Answer from Our Team

I'm sorry, it's exhausting to watch a dog itch like that, and to lose sleep over it. Itching that starts every summer and fades in winter is a classic pattern for environmental allergy (atopic dermatitis) to pollens or other things outdoors. Flea allergy also peaks in warm months, and highly allergic dogs can itch intensely even when you never see a flea. Allergy to insect bites is also possible, so it's worth mentioning the ants to your vet.

Antibiotics only treat the skin infections that scratching causes. They don't stop the allergy. Antihistamines help only some dogs, and they're usually not enough on their own for a bad flare. Ask your vet about the newer prescription anti-itch tablets or injections, which usually work within a day or two. Short courses of steroids are another option. Year-round flea control for every pet in the home is worth doing even if you've never seen a flea.

For a long-term plan, ask about allergy testing to choose allergy shots or drops (immunotherapy). It's the only treatment that targets the allergy itself, and it helps a good number of dogs, but it can take months to show its full effect. Because this is so severe and keeps coming back, a referral to a veterinary dermatologist could save you time and repeat visits. Wiping his paws and belly after walks and bathing him with your vet's shampoo can also help in pollen season.

See seasonal allergies in dogs and allergy medicine for dogs.

This is general information, not a diagnosis. Please follow your own vet's advice.

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