Has your dog been itching more than usual? If it has, and you've already treated it for fleas, it might have had an allergic reaction that resulted in a bad case of hives. Take a look at its skin. You'll want to look for raised, red bumps. If your pet has short hair, those bumps will be easy to notice. However, if your pet has long hair, you're going to need to take a closer look. Rub your fingers over your dog's body – especially under the fur near the skin. If you can feel raised bumps on the skin, your pet has hives. Hives can make your pet extremely uncomfortable. The can even lead to uncontrollable scratching and biting around the affected area. Here are three steps to alleviate the itch and sooth your dog's irritated skin.
Try a Cold Water Soak
If your dog is itching like crazy, a dip in some cold water may help reduce the discomfort. Fill a bathtub with cold water and have your dog soak for about 15 minutes. The cold water will eliminate the burn associated with hives, reduce inflammation, and take away the painful itch. While your dog may prefer to soak in warm water, the warmth will increase the inflammation and make the itch worse.
Add Some Oatmeal
If your dog has a serious case of hives, you'll want to add some oatmeal to the tub of cold water. Fill a sock with ordinary oatmeal and place the opening of the sock over the bathtub spout. Turn the cold water on and allow the water to filter through the sock into the tub. Have your dog soak in the water for about 20 minutes. Repeat the process twice a day until the hives are gone.
Reach for the Tea Compresses
Soaking your dog in the tub doesn't always alleviate the discomfort of hives that are located on its face. For those hives, you'll want to use tea bags. The tannins in tea can relieve itching quickly and easily. Put two tea bags in a pan of water. Bring the water to a full boil and allow it to continue boiling for several minutes. Allow the water to cool down to room temperature. Saturate a wash cloth in the tea and wring out the excess liquid. Place the compress on your dog's face for about five minutes. Repeat as often as needed to relieve the itch.
If your dog is itching due to hives, you'll want to reduce the inflammation and eliminate the itch as soon as possible. The tips provided above will help soothe the itch quickly. If your dog's hives are accompanied by difficulty breathing or swelling of the neck and throat, take them to an animal hospital immediately.
For a local animal hospital, contact a company such as Bay Street Pet Suite Hotel & Day Spa.
